Editor’s Note: What’s Up Newp and What’s Up Rhode Island are asking readers to nominate unsung heroes from the community during this COVID-19 crisis. Jenni Field was among those nominated. Normally, Newport-based Master Seamstress Jenni Field puts her passions for sewing and upcycling to work by creating eco-friendly personal accessories, housewares, and décor out of […]
Coronavirus Disease
Posted inPeople & Profiles
COVID-19: We want to hear about the ‘unsung heroes’ during these tough times
To say that we’re living in a unprecedented time would absolutely be an understatement. Most businesses are closed, the healthiest option for us is to lock ourselves in our homes, and we don’t know when any of it is going to end. But in tough times there are always those who step up, go above […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island Air Show canceled
The 2020 Rhode Island Air Show has been canceled due to concerns amid COVID-19. The show as scheduled for June 20 – 21, 2020. The Rhode Island National Guard Open House Air Show posted the following on their Facebook page today; The Rhode Island National Guard (RING) announced today that due to health and safety […]
Posted inBusiness, News
COVID-19: SBA Disaster Loan FAQ
In response to the many small businesses who have questions regarding the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan program, the Rhode Island Commerce has put together a FAQ based off questions they’ve been hearing and other information provided by the SBA. What’s Up Newp is passing on that info today for those who may […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Watch: Governor, Director of Health provide COVID-19 update (March 25th), now 132 positive cases in R.I.
Governor Raimondo and Director of Health Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH provided updates to reporters about Rhode Island’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response on Wednesday, March 25th, at 2:30 p.m. Updates as they happen; Governor announced that their are 8 new cases, bring 132 positive COVID-19 cases now in Rhode Island. 5 of these 8 new […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Reaching out to isolated older adults is essential during coronavirus – here are 7 specific things you can do, just for starters
Basia Belza, University of Washington; Anita Souza, University of Washington, and Tatiana Sadak, University of Washington Older adults always need social connection, but they need it now more than ever. The novel coronavirus brings with it unprecedented fear and uncertainty. Vulnerable seniors need help. With face-to-face encounters discouraged, our society must develop creative strategies to […]
Posted inCity & Government
Calling COVID-19 a ‘Chinese virus’ is wrong and dangerous – the pandemic is global
Mari Webel, University of Pittsburgh The COVID-19 pandemic has spread to almost every country on Earth. And yet, several American officials refer to it as the “Wuhan virus” or even the “Chinese virus.” U.S.-Chinese antagonism in this vein is not new. But, while this deliberate move to associate Wuhan, and more generally China, with the […]
Posted inBusiness, News
SBA leads efforts to help small businesses; including a loan deferral program
Small business owners and employees are reeling in response to a global virus that’s shut their doors, leaving hundreds, if not thousands of employees out of work, more than doubling the state’s unemployment rate. Federally, politicians are debating programs designed to help both business owners and their employees. Locally, groups are also looking for ways […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
COVID-19 plays the spoiler again – closing Newport’s playgrounds
The coronavirus pandemic, in its relentless drive to disrupt people’s lives, has found a new target – Newport’s dozen or so playgrounds. On Tuesday, city crews began stringing yellow “caution” tape around jungle gyms, merry-go-rounds and other recreational structures, and they also posted signs announcing that playgrounds are now off limits due to the ongoing […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Coronavirus Update – March 24th: 124 positive cases in Rhode Island, Child care announcements
Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Dr. Alexander-Scott today made announcements about the state’s response to the COVID-19 public health crisis. Video: Governor, Director of Health provide COVID-19 update (March 24th), 124 positive cases of COVID-19 now in R.I. First, data… Dr. Alexander-Scott announced today that Rhode Island has 18 additional cases of COVID-19. Among these […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Aquidneck Island communities: All out of state travelers, seasonal residents to self-quarantine for 14 days
The Town of Middletown, Town of Portsmouth and City of Newport are going above and beyond the Governor and Department of Health’s restrictions when it comes to self-quarantining. “The Town of Middletown is asking all out-of-state visitors, travelers and seasonal residents to self-quarantine for a period of two weeks while visiting the Town,” a press release from […]
Posted inCity & Government
Director of Health: “There are many, many patients of our 124 who have recovered”
Governor Raimondo and Director of Health Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH provided updates to reporters about Rhode Island’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response earlier today. The Governor announced that there were 18 new cases of COVID-19 in Rhode Island, bringing the total of positive cases in Rhode Island to 124. For the first time, the public […]
Posted inNews, Style & Shop
Island Outfitters launches Rally for Retail
At a recent press briefing on Rhode Island’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, Governor Raimondo stressed the importance of supporting businesses by shopping local whenever possible. Putting that sentiment into action, Island Outfitters has launched Rally for Retail, a campaign that encourages community members to virtually “shop” at their favorite brick-and-mortar stores by purchasing gift […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Video: Governor, Director of Health provide COVID-19 update (March 24th), 124 positive cases of COVID-19 now in R.I.
Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Director of Health Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH provided updates to reporters about Rhode Island’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response on Tuesday, March 24th. Updates As They Happen (refresh page for the latest updates); 18 new cases of COVID-19 in Rhode Island. Brings total to 124 positive cases in Rhode Island.Governor […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
WalletHub Study: Rhode Island is the 2nd most aggressive state vs Coronavirus
With states taking actions such as closing non-essential businesses, banning even small gatherings, and ordering people to shelter in place to fight the spread of the coronavirus, WalletHub today released updated rankings on the Most Aggressive States Against the Coronavirus. To identify which states are taking the largest actions to combat coronavirus, WalletHub compared the 50 […]
Posted inNews
With schools everywhere suspended, an education expert answers 4 questions about the upheaval
Jon Pedersen, University of South Carolina Most of the school systems that shut their doors due to the COVID-19 outbreak initially said these closures would be temporary. But health authorities warn that Americans may need to keep up their social distancing for months. Jon Pedersen, dean of the University of South Carolina College of Education, […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
‘My first question every time I see a new patient now is: Could this be COVID-19?’ A Seattle doctor on the frontlines
Nicholas Johnson, University of Washington The Conversation is running a series of dispatches from clinicians and researchers operating on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic. Inside, as usual, patient beds are near capacity, and the emergency department is filled with not only the usual mix of patients with trauma, stroke, chest pain and other concerns, […]
Posted inCity & Government
106 positive cases of COVID-19 in Rhode Island, 10 in Newport County
Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Dr. Alexander-Scott today made announcements about the state’s response to the COVID-19 public health crisis. Domestic travel: Beginning 7 a.m. Tuesday, anyone returning to Rhode Island by plane (with the exception of public safety, health care professionals and pilots) must immediately self-quarantine for 14 days. The Governor also reiterated that Rhode […]
Posted inCity & Government
RITBA: E-ZPass Office call center to modify days/hours of operation due to COVID-19
via RITBA The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) will temporarily modify the days and hours of operation of their E-ZPass call center due to COVID-19. Effective Tuesday, March 24, 2020, RITBA will change its call center hours to Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. RITBA will be closed and not answering […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Presidential Primary moving from April 28th to June 2nd
Earlier today, Governor Raimondo announced that she would be following the advice of the Board Of Elections and moving the presidential primary election from April 28th to June 2nd. The decision comes after the Board of Elections requested that the election be moved, amid the coronavirus pandemic. Last week, the Board of Elections requested that […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
City Council votes to extend State of Emergency in the City of Newport
Newport City Councilors voted 7-0 on Monday afternoon to extend the State of Emergency in the City for another 30 days. Councilors Bova, McLaughlin, McCalla, Napolitano, Taylor, Leonard, and Ceglie voted in favor to extend the State of Emergency in the City. The meeting was held remotely in compliance with Gov. Gina Raimondo’s Executive Order […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
CCRI : Remote learning will continue for the remainder of spring semester, commencement canceled
CCRI President Meghan Hughes shared with the students, faculty and staff that the college will continue with remote learning for the remainder of the Spring semester and that commencement has been canceled. The following is the letter that was sent out; Dear CCRI community, As we approach the end of our first day of remote […]
Posted inNews
2020 Newport Bermuda Race canceled
The Bermuda Race Organizing Committee (BROC) announced today that they cancelled the 2020 Newport Bermuda Race due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The biennial race, founded in 1906, had 200 entries and was due to start for the 52nd time on June 19. “As representatives of the race’s co-sponsoring clubs—the Cruising Club of America and the […]
Posted inNews
Managing Mental Health in a Pandemic: A Conversation with Dr. Daryl Appleton, LMHC
Fear and uncertainty caused by the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been overwhelming for many in our community. Necessary self-isolation and the inability to be near our family and friend support groups only further exacerbates the stress we’re all feeling. To help readers understand how they might better manage anxiety and avoid harmful […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Tiverton: Public Libraries are closed until further notice
In order to protect the health of our community during the COVID-19 outbreak, and in accordance with the Town of Tiverton’s emergency declaration, Tiverton Public Library and Union Public Library will remain closed until further notice. Library programs have been canceled or postponed, interlibrary delivery has been suspended, and museum pass reservations and room bookings […]