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After a year like this, what will Wave Season 2021 be like? Reading Eagle
BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Three more Ravens players have been added to the Ravens’ COVID-19/Reserve List on Sunday after testing positive for the coronavirus, according to NFL and ESPN reports.
This comes as the outbreak within the team appears to only grow larger by the day.
As of Sunday night, at least 12 Ravens players and eight members of Baltimore’s staff had tested positive for COVID-19 over the past eight days, according to CBS Sports.
That includes star quarterback Lamar Jackson, per NFL reports.
Players who test positive for COVID-19 are required to quarantine for a minimum of 10 days, according to the team. Players who are deemed “high-risk close contacts” have to sit out at least five days.
There are 18 players currently on the COVID-19/Reserve List ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Here’s who is on the COVID-19/Reserve List and when the Ravens added them to the list:
Monday: Mark Ingram II, J.K. Dobbins, Brandon Williams
Tuesday: Pernell McPhee
Wednesday: Calais Campbell, Patrick Mekari, Matt Skura
Thursday: Jihad Ward
Friday: Lamar Jackson, Patrick Ricard, Justin Madubuike, Morgan Cox
Saturday: Jaylon Ferguson, D.J. Fluker, Will Holden, Broderick Washington, Tavon Young, Khalil Dorsey
Sunday: Matthew Judon, Mark Andrews, Willie Snead.
Sunday’s reports have not been added to the Ravens’ official total, but sources say the three have tested positive for the virus.
Among the Ravens players who will not face the Steelers include Snead, quarterback Lamar Jackson, running backs Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins, offensive linemen Patrick Mekari and Matt Skura and defensive linemen Calais Campbell, Brandon Williams and Justin Madubuike.
The Ravens are expected to play the Steelers on Tuesday, December 1 at 8 p.m.
This story was originally published November 29, 2020.
For the latest information on coronavirus go to the Maryland Health Department’s website or call 211. You can find all of WJZ’s coverage on coronavirus in Maryland here.
(CNN) — Avid snowboarder Jenny Leveille doesn't plan to rely on ski resorts' indoor facilities this season. This decision, she believes, will give her a possible advantage when it comes to coronavirus and swirling concerns over indoor exposure.
Jenny Leveille's snowboard season got cut short last year due to the pandemic and ensuing shutdowns, but she plans to hit the slopes again after Thanksgiving.
Courtesy Jenny Leveille
Leveille, who'll be heading to the mountains out West after Thanksgiving in Michigan, plans to return to her van — which includes a bathroom — when she needs a break for fuel or relief.
"I'm hoping to have at least 50 days this year at as many resorts in the western US as possible," the 30-year-old said.
Ski season is underway, and changes are afoot.
Meanwhile, some slopes have opened in Switzerland, which is not an EU member. The "future for the upcoming winter season looks bright," Mayor of Zermatt Romy Biner-Hauser told CNN on Thursday.
With its wide-open spaces, stashes of powder and even covering up to brave the elements, skiing might seem like the perfect pandemic sport -- if the proper precautions are taken.
A face mask, a standard part of the skier's uniform, is a requirement this year. Resorts are implementing mask mandates except while guests are actively eating and drinking. Ski destinations are also limiting indoor capacity, adding outdoor capacity, adding hand-sanitizing stations on chair lift lines and reconfiguring how chair lifts are filled.
Being outside on an uncrowded mountain may tempt many skiers this year, but there are still Covid-related risks.
Courtesy Copper Mountain
Even with those enhanced safety protocols on the mountain and in the resorts, though, the question remains: Is it safe to ski during a pandemic?
For Dr. Joshua Rosenberg, it's not so black and white.
"Every thing you do has a risk, a benefit and a potential hazard," said Rosenberg, an infectious disease specialist and chair of infection control at The Brooklyn Hospital Center in New York. That includes skiing, which is inherently risky even without a raging pandemic.
An avid skier himself, Rosenberg plans to hit the slopes this season. Here's what he recommends if you want to join him and stay safe.
While skiing is definitely an outdoor sport, skiers still like to head inside to resort lodges to eat, drink hot chocolate and adjust their ski boots. And to be sure, après-ski hangouts around a warm, cozy fireplace are as much a part of the experience as enjoying the slopes.
Many resorts are planning on increasing outdoor space so guests can take a break or grab a bite since indoor capacities will be greatly reduced.
Justa Jeskova
This year, however, there will be less opportunity to head inside and a greater risk attached to doing so. "We certainly know that getting together indoors in large crowds does lead to viral spreading, and super-spreading," Rosenberg said.
Resorts around the world are responding accordingly.
Ski California, a trade association that represents resorts across California and in Nevada, reports that food and beverage offerings will be available this year, but they won't look like years past, thanks to reduced indoor capacity.
Its member resorts will promote outdoor dining, offer "grab-and-go" food and drink, and recommend use of skiers' own personal vehicles instead of the lodge this season.
Some Colorado resorts are also encouraging using the car as a home base, according to Chris Linsmayer with Colorado Ski. That's where they recommend skiers eat lunch if they want to get out of the cold.
Given limited capacity indoors, many resorts are planning to upgrade their outdoor dining and lounging options -- think fire pits and heat lamps.
Resort staff hope that will take some of the stress off of generally crowded lodges and cafeterias if and when they open up, where it's not unusual to see people from different parties crowded together at the same table during peak lunch hours.
The resorts' outdoor offerings will make it easier to skip being inside for any prolonged period of time, Rosenberg said.
Since renting equipment typically takes place indoors, many resorts have moved to a reservation system. That means visitors need to book rental appointments and reserve lift tickets in advance, with priority access going to passholders.
Masks are required at all times across most ski resorts around the world.
Courtesy of Joey Wallis
Sanitation efforts will be increased as well.
Rosenberg isn't worried about rental equipment -- except for the helmet. If you plan to ski or ride this year, consider buying your own helmet, because the item's proximity to the face may be reason enough to shell out $20 for a budget option.
Aspen's nightlife won't be the same this year as in pre-Covid times.
Daniel Bayer/Aspen Skiing Company
Many resorts will not be letting guests take advantage of a popular cold-weather amenity: the hot tub.
Rosenberg thinks this is a wise decision and admits he wouldn't partake in the traditional post-ski hot tub soak even if it were available to him.
People tend to congregate there, and that's not safe, he said.
While resorts are putting protocols in place, they are also counting on individual guests to act responsibly. That's why you need to stay home if you wake up and are not feeling well, Rosenberg said.
As for getting your money back, refunds and rain checks are up to the individual resorts.
Rosenberg hopes people looking for a cold-weather activity will play it safe. "We can't lock ourselves in a bubble," he said, noting that skiing is "one of the few joys" some people get in winter.
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DETROIT – The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan has risen to 350,021 as of Saturday, including 9,036 deaths, state officials report.
Saturday’s update represents 8,080 new cases and 103 additional deaths since Friday. Officials say 70 of those deaths were identified after reviewing records, meaning they did not occur between Friday and Saturday.
On Friday, the state reported 341,941 total cases and 8,933 deaths.
On Saturday, the state also reported a total of 165,269 recoveries from the coronavirus in Michigan.
The state no longer provides coronavirus data updates on Sundays. The next update will take place Monday afternoon.
New COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to rise in Michigan. Testing has increased in recent weeks, with more than 45,000 diagnostic tests reported per day, but the positive rate has increased to near 13% over the last week. Hospitalizations have increased steadily for the last five weeks, including upticks in critical care and ventilator use.
Michigan’s 7-day moving average for daily cases was 6,759 on Saturday, near the highest it has ever been. The state’s fatality rate is 2.7%. The state also reports “active cases,” which were listed at 175,700 on Saturday, near its highest mark on record.
VIEW: Tracking Michigan COVID-19 testing data
VIEW: Tracking coronavirus cases, outbreaks in Michigan schools
Since the summertime, we’ve been following data from Covid Act Now, a group of technologists, epidemiologists, health experts and public policy leaders that monitors and identifies each state’s risk level for a COVID-19 outbreak. For months, the group had only four risk level categories: “low,” “medium,” “high” and “critical.” As of Saturday, however, the group has included a new, fifth risk level: “severe.”
The map of color-coded states in “America’s COVID Warning System,” as the group calls it, is doing just that with its daunting red hues: warning Americans that the entire country has reached a critical moment with the virus. Covid Act Now has even labeled this virus surge as the country’s “third wave” of the coronavirus.
As of Saturday, 20 states -- primarily those in the midwest -- are colored maroon, meaning they are identified as experiencing a “severe outbreak” of COVID-19. Most of the remaining states -- 27, to be exact -- are labeled red, meaning they are experiencing “an active or imminent outbreak,” according to the data.
Michigan is currently labeled as experiencing an active or imminent outbreak, which is considered the critical level.
Liquor licenses have been suspended at three Michigan establishments Wednesday for violating the state’s recent public health order meant to slow the spread of coronavirus.
The Michigan Liquor Control Commission issued emergency suspensions of liquor licenses at the following establishments:
Officials say all three establishments have violated the Michigan Department of Health and Human Service (MDHHS)’s latest emergency order that prohibits in-person dining services at all bars and restaurants, along with other restrictions affecting high schools, colleges workplaces and more.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer released a video Tuesday asking residents to follow COVID-19 safety rules over Thanksgiving weekend.
Whitmer is asking Michiganders to wear masks, practice social distancing, wash hands frequently and avoid large gatherings over the holiday.
“Thanksgiving is about taking time to appreciate the things around us as well as give to others,” Whitmer said. “This year in particular, I am thankful for our frontline workers in our hospitals, child care centers, grocery stores, and everyone else who put their lives on the line to protect our families from COVID-19. As the weather gets colder and as cases continue to skyrocket, we must do everything we can to protect these heroes on the front lines. We all have a role to play to keep our family, friends, neighbors, and frontline workers safe. I know this year will be different, but to protect our families, frontline workers, and small businesses, we must make short-term sacrifices for our long-term health.”
Pfizer formally asked U.S. regulators Friday to allow emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccine. Emergency use of a vaccine is when regulators allow shots to be given to certain people while studies of safety and effectiveness are ongoing.
Before any vaccine is permitted in the U.S., it must be reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration, which requires study in thousands of people. Normally, the process to approve a new vaccine can take about a decade. But the federal government is using various methods to dramatically speed up the process for COVID-19 vaccines.
Michigan Gov. Whitmer was asked Thursday if the state can get its COVID-19 curve down enough over the next three weeks to avoid extending the new temporary restrictions on restaurants, schools and other parts of the economy.
“If we see meaningful movement in the right direction, that is possible,” Whitmer said. “That shows that we are capable of getting our arms around this.”
On Thursday Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the chief medical executive for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said the state’s hospitals are “closer and closer to becoming overwhelmed” and are currently, on average, about 79% full.
Michigan is entering a three-week “pause” to several activities in an effort to help stop a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths.
Under new restrictions issued Sunday evening by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), here’s what will be closed starting Wednesday, Nov. 18 until Dec. 8 in Michigan.
Note: The map in the article shows the entire state of Michigan under what MDHHS calls risk “Level E” -- read that here.
What’s closed starting Wednesday, Nov. 18:
*For more information, view the MDHHS' official Gatherings and Face Mask emergency order, which goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. Nov. 18, right here.
What remains open during this three-week period:
One of the biggest challenges with containing COVID-19 is trying to limit gatherings -- and a new interactive tool shows just how risky it could be.
Researchers at Georgia Tech released a the “COVID-19 Risk Assessment Planning Tool,” a peer-reviewed resource that tells you the risk of being around someone with COVID-19, by the event size, in each U.S. county, in real-time.
According to the data, as of Nov. 13, at an event with 10 people, the risk of a person present with COVID-19 is 19% in Wayne County, 30% in Macomb County and 24% in Oakland County.
If that event is with 25 people, the risk increases to 41% in Wayne County, 59% in Macomb County and 37% in Oakland County.
At an event with 100 people, risk levels in pretty much every Michigan county surpasses 80%, including some at 99%, like Kent and Calhoun counties.
Michigan hospitals are rapidly filling with COVID-19 patients once again, and experts are warning residents that if this trend continues, it will be disastrous for the state’s health care system.
Brian Peters, the CEO of the Michigan Heath and Hospital Association, spoke about the state’s latest rise in COVID-19 cases during a virtual panel discussion Thursday. The MHA represents all the hospitals and health systems throughout Michigan.
“I can tell you, very clearly, that we are squarely in the midst of a public health crisis,” Peters said.
The MHA is seeing warning signs from all hospitals -- from the small, rural hospitals to the largest urban systems -- in every corner of that state, he said.
“Our hospitals are rapidly filling with COVID-19 patients at a very alarming rate,” Peters said. “If this continues in the coming weeks, we will surpass our all-time record high in terms of COVID-19 inpatient hospitalization numbers here in the state of Michigan.”
Michigan is expanding its COVID-19 exposure app for residents to use statewide after a successful pilot program in October.
The anonymous, no cost and voluntary app, piloted in Ingham County and on the campus of Michigan State University last month, lets users know whether they may have recently been exposed to COVID-19. Users can confidentially submit a positive test result into the app and alert others in recent proximity that they may have also been exposed to the virus.
Coronavirus research headlines:
Michigan COVID-19 daily reported cases since Nov. 1:
Michigan COVID-19 daily reported deaths since Nov. 1:
Coronavirus resources:
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MARSHFIELD (CBS) – On Summer Street in Marshfield is a farm that many swear is magical.
The Magical Moon Farm.
“We nurture and empower children with cancer and other life-threatening conditions,” owner Donna Green, told WBZ-TV about the farm’s mission.
Green founded it 26 years ago as a refuge and education center for kids battling for their lives.
Five-year-old Finian Sweeney is one of those kids. He has hemiatrophy on his left side and epilepsy. Doctors told his family he might not be able to run. But we learned he can run all over the Magical Moon Farm, visiting his favorite animal, Freckles the goat, riding on the rope swing and learning how to grow vegetables in the farm’s garden.
Finian Sweeney and Freckles the Goat at Magical Moon Farm. (WBZ-TV)
In fact, Finian was just made a knight of the Magical Moon Round Table –- replete with a knighting ceremony, a cape and a sword.
“It’s just that Donna loves me, and she wanted me to be a knight,” he told us.
His mom, Breezy, says he lit up.
“It was magical. It was special,” she said. “He chose his knight’s name, Sir Finian the Unstoppable. And he is unstoppable.”
“We’ve been told since Day 1, ‘Don’t expect him to do this. Don’t expect him to do that.’ And every time they say that, he goes and does it the next day,” she said.
Thirteen-year-old Diane, who suffers from a liver condition, joined the farm this past summer and was also just knighted.
”It means I’m strong, and on the back of [my medallion] it says, “Love makes you real.’”
And family after family told us that’s how this place makes their kids feel – loved.
“I honestly feel that when you come onto the property, even if you’ve been here many, many times, you just feel like you get a big hug,” said Coni Wessman. Her grandson has been battling Ewing’s Sarcoma from a young age and has found friends and purpose through the Magical Moon Farm.
“If they could write one of those books, Chicken Soup for the Soul – that’s what Magical Moon is for the soul,” Coni said.
(WBZ-TV)
But there is some concern about the future of the farm. The pandemic has meant far fewer donations and volunteers. Donna’s worried they could soon go under.
“We’ve got a three-month extension to stay here right now, but we need a lot to save the farm,” she said.
She’s hoping the community can find a little magic and keep this place afloat.
To donate to the mission of the Magical Moon Farm, visit magicalmoon.org and click on “support.”
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SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio’s only Nestle Toll House Cafe is officially here to stay after seeing an influx of customers over the last week, according to owner Sherry Ramirez.
This comes after Ramirez made a plea to the community on Nov. 22, asking for support after COVID-19 slowed down her business. The cafe is located at 6626 W. Loop 1604 in San Antonio, near Culebra Commons, and it specializes in sweets and coffee.
Ramirez gave thanks to her customers in a video on social media Sunday evening for saving her cafe and her staff.
“Thank you San Antonio for the save!! Not only did you save our cafe, but you raised over $200 for the San Antonio Food Bank — That’s 1,400 meals! Thank you so, so much!” Ramirez said in a social media post.
Ramirez said she will be donating a check of over $200 to the San Antonio Food Bank to cover 1,400 meals on Monday, which was raised from the additional funds she received from the influx of customers over the last week.
“Not only did you help to save my staff and little cafe, but you raised over $200. That’s 1,400 meals that you gave to the food bank,” Ramirez said. “...We never expected this much support.”
Whether you have a craving for a cookie or have a special occasion coming up, Ramirez said the cafe is still always ready to serve any and all needs. And now, it’s here to stay.
“All of our customers become our family and we want to treat you well. Again, if you need anything... please feel free to reach out to me. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Ramirez is a retired military veteran who served more than 36 years as a registered nurse and acute care nurse practitioner in the Army, Navy and Air Force. Ramirez said she decided to open the cafe to help spread some positivity in the Alamo City.
To learn more about the cafe, or to see its full menu, visit its Facebook page here
