North Dakota issues statewide mask mandate to stem spread of COVID-19 | TheHill

The order, signed by interim State Health Officer Dirk Wilke, includes exceptions for children under age 5, individuals with a medical or mental health condition or disability that makes it unreasonable to wear a mask, and religious services. “The most effective weapon against COVID-19 is wearing a mask,” Wilke said in a statement. “This is a simple tool, but one that’s critical in helping protect our loved ones and slow the spread.” The order came days after the North Dakota Nurses Association called for a statewide mask mandate and other public health measures.

Source: North Dakota issues statewide mask mandate to stem spread of COVID-19 | TheHill

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam – Covid-19 notices

Reduction in public and private gatherings: All public and private in-person gatherings must be limited to 25 individuals, down from the current cap of 250 people. This includes outdoor and indoor settings. Expansion of mask mandate: All Virginians aged five and over are required to wear face coverings in indoor public spaces. This expands the current mask mandate, which has been in place in Virginia since May 29 and requires all individuals aged 10 and over to wear face coverings in indoor public settings. Strengthened enforcement within essential retail businesses: All essential retail businesses, including grocery stores and pharmacies, must adhere to statewide guidelines for physical distancing, wearing face coverings, and enhanced cleaning. While certain essential retail businesses have been required to adhere to these regulations as a best practice, violations will now be enforceable through the Virginia Department of Health as a Class One misdemeanor.  On-site alcohol curfew: The on-site sale, consumption, and possession of alcohol is prohibited after 10:00 p.m. in any restaurant, dining establishment, food court, brewery, microbrewery, distillery, winery, or tasting room. A

Source: Virginia Governor Ralph Northam – November

Governor Abbott, DSHS Announce Distribution Of COVID-19 Antibody Therapy To Hospitals Across Texas | Office of the Texas Governor | Greg Abbott

Governor Greg Abbott today announced that the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is allocating an initial shipment of bamlanivimab, the Eli Lilly & Company monoclonal antibody therapy, to be distributed as early as next week to acute care hospitals across every geographic region of the state. These weekly shipments of doses have been provided to the state at no cost through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Source: Governor Abbott, DSHS Announce Distribution Of COVID-19 Antibody Therapy To Hospitals Across Texas | Office of the Texas Governor | Greg Abbott

November 13 – Oregon placed on 2-week freeze; Multnomah County to remain on freeze at least 4 weeks. | Multnomah County

Due to the surge in COVID-19 cases, the entire State of Oregon has been placed on a 2-week freeze, effective immediately for individuals and starting November 18 for businesses. Some counties, including Multnomah, will remain on the freeze for at least 4 weeks, until December 16.

 

Face coverings are required in Oregon for everyone 5 years or older in indoor public spaces, and also outdoors when you can’t keep 6 feet from others.

Source: November 13 – Oregon placed on 2-week freeze; Multnomah County to remain on freeze at least 4 weeks. | Multnomah County

In North And South Dakota, Hospitals Are Overloaded : Shots – Health News : NPR

North Dakota has seen hospitalizations spike in recent days, Dr. Doug Griffin, chief medical officer at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, N.D., told NPR’s Morning Edition

“We had fully expected it would get worse,” Griffin said. “I think what has surprised me is that really just in a matter of days, it’s like we opened up a spigot and a huge number of patients influx to us.”

The largely rural state had seen only mild outbreaks in the spring and summer when other parts of the country were hard hit. As of Thursday the state was seeing an average of 1,334 new cases per day, after seeing no more than 400 a day in the summer.

Source: In North And South Dakota, Hospitals Are Overloaded : Shots – Health News : NPR

14th Day of November, 1889 – Fat Cow Co – Nellie Bly around the world in 72 days!

1889 – Nellie Bly begins the successful trip to travel around the world in less than 80 days

Famous Travel Expeditions: Nellie Bly - Passion PassportElizabeth Cochrane Seaman, born Elizabeth Jane Cochran, May 5, 1864 to January 27, 1922, better known by her pen name Nellie Bly, was an American journalist, industrialist, inventor, and charity worker who was widely known for her record-breaking trip around the world in 72 days.

In 1888 Bly suggested to her editor at the New York World that she take a trip around the world, attempting to turn the fictional Around the World in Eighty Days (1873) into fact for the first time.

Source: 14th Day of November – Fat Cow Co

Russia, South Korea to cooperate on production of Sputnik V COVID vaccine – The Jerusalem Post

The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and South Korea’s GL Rapha have agreed to produce over 150 million doses of Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine per year.

The Russian vaccine, reported to have demonstrated a 92% efficiency against the coronavirus, is to be distributed to several countries across the world including South Korea, India, Brazil, China and others. Source: Russia, South Korea to cooperate on production of Sputnik V COVID vaccine – The Jerusalem Post

Up to 23,000 New Young Voters Could Make a Difference In Georgia Runoff Race, Analysis Says

23,000 teenagers in Georgia who were too young to participate in the general election will turn 18 by the time the Senate runoff races take place on January 5, according to the youth nonprofit group, The Civics Center.

That many new voters could help determine the outcome of the two U.S. senate seats that are up for grabs, a race that will ultimately decide whether or not the Senate is controlled by Republicans or Democrats.

Source: Up to 23,000 New Young Voters Could Make a Difference In Georgia Runoff Race, Analysis Says