Newsletter Date: Oct. 18
Meeting Date: Oct. 5
Reporter: Deb Gossel
INSPIRATION
Rob Black recited a selection of “Salem’s Lot” by Stephen King.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, Etc.
This week's meeting speaker is Vincent Buonanno from the Mile of History Association. We're back on Zoom:
Providence Rotary
Time: Oct 19, 2020
11:45- 12:00 Social Time
The Providence volunteer team that made the Oct. 7 Million Mask Tour event at the State House successful: (l-r) Art Norwalk, Wendy Marcus, John McGinn, Laraine Beck, Connie Donnelly, Holly Applegate, Kris David. Local clubs will be giving out 44,000 masks all over Rhode Island.
Wendy did birthday wishes with a hatted Jack-O-Lantern sitting by her side. She gave a synopsis of the October baby, including being stronger, taller, having the greatest strength and stamina, as well as the longest living. Birthday wishes to all of our members born in October!
HAPPY BUCKS
Anthony gave $1 Happy Bucks in honor of having Dr. McDonald speak today and for the amazing job he has done with Covid.
$1 Happy Bucks was pledged by Walter for his daughter’s weight loss through the WOW program.
Jim Gilcreast gave $1 Happy Bucks just because he’s happy.
Wendy pledged $3 Happy Bucks, $1 each Vanessa’s book that went up for auction, Deb’s plant in her living room, and for the 30th birthday of her oldest son, an attorney who resides in Charleston.
$1 Happy Bucks was pledged by guest Carmen for the chance to meet the club members and for her 2-1/2 months at Providence College.
Kris donated $2 Happy Bucks, $1 each for the Rotaract Club that met last week, and for Margaret Kane’s peanut butter for the food pantry.
$5 Happy Bucks came from Ben for the start of school of his great grandson in Gilford, Maine.
Phil donated $10 for daughter Nicole’s first RN position as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner.
Don Saracen pledged $1 Happy Bucks for his quickly growing dog.
Karen Mueller gave $1 Happy Bucks for her grandson’s 7th birthday in Brisbane, Australia.
Margaret reminded us to please send in our Happy Bucks to Rob in a timely manner, or do it with just a few clicks online at the club website.
STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT BATTLES THE VIRUS ON MANY FRONTS
Our guest speaker, Dr. James McDonald of the Rhode Island Dept. of Health, spoke about the many complex issues involved in battling the Covid pandemic, including tracking daily cases, hospitalizations, deaths, co-morbidities, and trends. Where are the hot spots, why are the black and Latino communities hit the hardest? He also discussed airborne transmission, vaccines, and social determinates.
In the Q&A period, Dr. McDonald said there is no evidence of significant person-to-person transmission in the schools yet, just outside the classrooms where social distancing is not as faithfully observed.
State-by-state regulations of restaurants, churches, manufacturing, and other venues was raised by Kevin.
Jim Gilcreast suggested we accept the virus and move on. A balance must be reached between pandemic preparedness and keeping the economy up and running.
Walter Adamowicz asked about flu and pneumonia vaccines. Still important, was Dr. McDonald’s reply.
