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The U.S. economy lost more than 700-thousand jobs in March as the unemployment rate jumped nearly one full percentage point. The jobless rate rose to four-point-four percent last month, up from three-point-five percent in February. The job loss and unemployment numbers reflect the nation's economic situation in mid-March, before many businesses shut down and schools closed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. 
The nation's top doctor on infectious diseases says there is no strong evidence that an anti-malaria drug touted by President Trump is effective in fighting COVID-19. Doctor Anthony Fauci said on Fox and Friends the drug hydroxychloroquine [[ HIGH-drox-ee-klor-eh-quin ]] needs to undergo more studies to determine if it is safe and effective. Chinese doctors claimed the drug helped speed recoveries in a small number of patients who were mildly ill. The Justice Department and Department of Health and Human Services are distributing medical supplies and personal protective equipment to New York and New Jersey after confiscating it from individuals hoarding the gear. Officials say they discovered the supplies last week in New Jersey during an enforcement operation by the Justice Department's COVID-19 Hoarding and Price Gouging Task Force. Under the Defense Production Act, HHS ordered that the supplies be immediately given to the government. A viral video on Twitter shows the crew of the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier giving their former captain a loud send off as he departs the ship. Captain Brett Crozier was removed from his position yesterday because he alerted the media of the spread of COVID-19 on his ship. The Navy said the release of the letter caused a panic on the ship. A report claims an American Airlines flight with only eleven passengers forced them all to sit together in the last three rows because they were "basic economy." A flight attendant told "Mother Jones" that there were plenty of empty seats in the plane on March 24th, but none of the passengers were moved because "that would be an upgrade." The reports says flight attendants later overruled the seating plan and allowed the passengers to spread out. The prison advocacy group founded by rappers Meek Mill and Jay-Z are sending thousands of surgical masks to Rikers Island and other prisons in an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus among inmates. The REFORM Alliance announced today that it will deliver 50-thousand masks to Rikers Island, 40-thousand to the Tennessee Department of Corrections and five-thousand masks to the Mississippi State Penitentiary.
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Heidi Hommel/jas
The nation's top doctor on infectious diseases says there is no strong evidence that an anti-malaria drug touted by President Trump is effective in fighting COVID-19. Doctor Anthony Fauci said on Fox and Friends the drug hydroxychloroquine [[ HIGH-drox-ee-klor-eh-quin ]] needs to undergo more studies to determine if it is safe and effective. Chinese doctors claimed the drug helped speed recoveries in a small number of patients who were mildly ill. The Justice Department and Department of Health and Human Services are distributing medical supplies and personal protective equipment to New York and New Jersey after confiscating it from individuals hoarding the gear. Officials say they discovered the supplies last week in New Jersey during an enforcement operation by the Justice Department's COVID-19 Hoarding and Price Gouging Task Force. Under the Defense Production Act, HHS ordered that the supplies be immediately given to the government. A viral video on Twitter shows the crew of the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier giving their former captain a loud send off as he departs the ship. Captain Brett Crozier was removed from his position yesterday because he alerted the media of the spread of COVID-19 on his ship. The Navy said the release of the letter caused a panic on the ship. A report claims an American Airlines flight with only eleven passengers forced them all to sit together in the last three rows because they were "basic economy." A flight attendant told "Mother Jones" that there were plenty of empty seats in the plane on March 24th, but none of the passengers were moved because "that would be an upgrade." The reports says flight attendants later overruled the seating plan and allowed the passengers to spread out. The prison advocacy group founded by rappers Meek Mill and Jay-Z are sending thousands of surgical masks to Rikers Island and other prisons in an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus among inmates. The REFORM Alliance announced today that it will deliver 50-thousand masks to Rikers Island, 40-thousand to the Tennessee Department of Corrections and five-thousand masks to the Mississippi State Penitentiary.
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Heidi Hommel/jas - 27 March 2020 North Smithfield Weekly Newsletter
- 26 March 2020 Cicilline to Host Facebook Live Town Hall on COVID-19
- 26 March 2020 Legislative leaders approve up to $300 million in emergency cash flow borrowing
- 26 March 2020 General Assembly sessions, hearings canceled next week
- 26 March 2020 General Assembly sessions, hearings canceled next week
- 24 March 2020 N.S. Town Administrator with Announcement on Property Taxes.
- 22 March 2020 AG Neronha issues urgent warning to consumers as new scams promise COVID-19 stimulus checks
- 22 March 2020 AS REPORTS OF WASTEWATER SYSTEM DAMAGE INCREASE, DEM REITERATES: DISPOSE OF DISINFECTANT WIPES IN THE TRASH
- 22 March 2020 North Smithfield EXTENDS its State Of Emergency
- 19 March 2020 General Assembly sessions, hearings canceled through March 27
