CLEVELAND, Ohio The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority will install barriers separating drivers from passengers on RTA buses, and require all employees to wear face masks, the agency announced Tuesday.

The clear barriers, made of marine-grade vinyl, will be on all 350 RTA buses by the end of next week to guard against the spread of the coronavirus, a news release said. Plans are in the works to outfit paratransit vehicles with the same type of barriers.

The barriers, secured with Velcro, will extend from ceiling to floor, and from the back of the bus drivers seat to the farebox, creating a secure enclosure for drivers, the release said.

Beginning May 12, all RTA employees will be required to wear face masks onboard RTA vehicles, or on RTA property, the authority said in a news release. Prior to the requirement, only drivers and workers who face customers were required to wear masks.

RTA is strongly urging riders to wear face masks as well.

Eight RTA employees have tested positive for coronavirus. Two are bus drivers, one is a paratransit driver, one is a police dispatcher, and four are operations staff who do not work with the public.

Read the rest here:
Greater Cleveland RTA to install barriers around bus drivers, require face masks for all employees - cleveland.com

Upon reopening, how will museums treat works that usually depend on physical interaction for meaning, like the "candy falls" of Felix Gonzalez-Torres? In this photo: untitled (Placebo-Landscape-for-Roni) (1993) by Felix Gonzalez-Torres installed at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas.

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Last year, I began a research project on how museum audiences understand the candy fall installations of the artist Felix Gonzalez-Torres, which consist of piles of hard candies that are installed on the floor of a gallery space. At the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, I observed visitors interacting with Untitled (Placebo-Landscape-for-Roni) (1993)inspecting the installation, reading the label, and hesitantly taking candy from the pile. I planned to conduct a similar study in a different location before finalizing an article. Then the pandemic hit. Ive begun to see my research in a new light: While I expect many museums to reopen by the fall of 2020, it is difficult to imagine visitors picking candy up off a public floor and ingesting it, in the wake of new hygiene and physical distancing protocols.

As museums reopen, new protocols will need to be developed to keep visitors safe, including ways to display and interact with interactive art objects. While I want to consider some of those approaches applicable to interactive objects, I also want to reflect on how the interaction itself lends to meaning-making for both the objects and the museum space. What approaches can museums use when displaying interactive objects post-pandemic to keep audiences safe while still allowing the objects to fulfill their conceptual functions?

In the case of Gonzalez-Torres, this conceptual function relates to the politics of touch during the AIDS crisis. The early candy fallsrepresent the body of the artists partner Ross Laycock, who passed away from complications related to AIDS in 1991. As visitors take and eat the candy, they are participating in a sensual and metaphorical ritual of ingesting the art body, which over time diminishes and wastes away, similarly to the wasting effect of AIDS on the real body. In the new world of vigilant hand-washing, mask-wearing, and physical distancing, touching and tasting an unfamiliar body seems unimaginable. So, if the candy fall pieces are shown when museums reopen, I suspect they will remain mostly untouched, and museums may even choose to rope them off to prevent contamination.

For works like these, which specifically relate to wellness and sickness, museums could offer special educational and interpretive programming to emphasize their relevance to the current crisis. Many museums have items in their collection that directly relate to previous pandemics, like the AIDS pandemic or the 1918 flu pandemic. For instance, the artists Edvard Munch and Egon Schiele were impacted by the 1918 pandemic, and Schiele and his wife Edith died from it.

While some pieces may retain or gain new meaning regardless of whether direct interaction is possible, others will suffer if they are completely sequestered. Consider a sculpture like untitled (musical sculpture)(1968) by Harry Bertoia, which appears in the galleries of the Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas. In this work, numerous thin metal rods project vertically from a plain black base. The piece comes to life when viewers move their hands through the rods, putting them into motion and emitting a warm trilling sound. Without touch, this object will not perform its intended function, as visitors will not experience the vital component of sound.

Works like these require activation to be meaningful, but it will be hard to allow that safely in the near future. We know the virus that causes COVID-19 lives longer on hard surfaces than other materials, and methods for disinfecting artworks are limited and likely to lead to unwanted wear. One option could be to require visitors wear disposable gloves to interact with the sculpture, but these are in demand as personal protective equipment for healthcare workers, and would lead to other issues like educating the public on their use, finding funding for them, and ensuring their proper disposal.

If these issues prove unfeasible, pieces likeuntitled (musical sculpture)could be used in educational programming where the sculpture would be demonstrated by museum staff only, to limit the public interaction with the object while still showing how it performs. Or, to limit touch even more, museums could film a video of the object in action and display it nearby, which could be featured on social media or the museums website for broader access.

But solutions like gloves or videos are not appropriate for all works.For example, Yoko Onos instruction paintings are small square artworks created from several printed pages bound together, each of which contains the same conceptual instructions to the viewer on how to create an artwork. The pages are perforated at the top, and visitors are invited to tear off and take a page from the piece.

Because they are made of paper, these instruction paintings would be difficult to sanitize. While museums could request visitors use gloves to touch and tear the piece, visitors are still intended to take the paper with them, leaving room for possible transmission when visitors need to remove the gloves.

If a museum is not able toshowinteractive works as intendedby the artist, particularly those like the instruction paintings that cannot be meaningfully displayed without touch,should they be shown at all until the pandemic has concluded?Regardless of when that is, how long will it take for visitors to feel comfortable touching public objects again?

As my research with the Gonzalez-Torres works showed, interactive objects can have a significant impact on visitor experience and understanding, changing how visitors relate to works and perceive museum spaces. With the candy falls, the relational aspects of the work and the challenge to normal museum protocol struck the visitors as most important. After hearing or learning about the background of the piece, many visitors stated that they related to how the work shared the self with others, and saw this sharing as a token of care or love. The majority of their comments also touched on how the invited interaction upset museum protocols and allowed visitors to have unique experiences of both art and the museum space. Visitors were excited by the invitation to be active in the space and participate in the meaning-making of the work. Their interactions with the piece were central to their understanding of the content.

To make sure this experience is preserved as much as possible, museums will need to continue to be innovative in their solutions for visitor access and education. Incorporating modified educational programming, new safety protocols, and object-specific digital tools long-term will aid in allowing visitors to experience interactive works safely and meaningfully.

Rachel Trusty is a doctoral student in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS. She received her MFA from Lesley College in Boston, MA in 2011. Trustys dissertation research examines the historical discourse around and audience understanding of art created by LGBT+ artists.

More here:
What Will Become of Interactive Art When Museums Reopen? - aam-us.org

sourceShutterstock/Northfoto

Retailers are reopening stores after weeks of closures because of widespread shelter-at-home orders amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Nordstrom, Best Buy, Macys, Gap, and Kohls are among the companies that are planning to start welcoming back shoppers.

But as shoppers return to stores, they will notice many changes.

Nordstrom and Macys, for example, will close some fitting rooms and temporarily quarantine items that have been tried on before returning them to the sales floor. Gap is planning to close fitting rooms altogether.

Heres what to expect at each retailer as stores reopen:

Nordstrom said earlier this month that its preparing to open its stores in phases and laid out a number of changes that shoppers could expect when they visit.

In reopened stores, Nordstrom plans to:

Macys reopened 68 stores this week and plans to reopen most of its 775 of its stores by mid-June, the company said in a recent presentation.

The states where Macys stores have already reopened include Georgia, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Tennessee.

In reopened stores, Macys plans to:

Best Buy said it planned to reopen stores gradually in May.

Customers will be able to make appointments for in-store consultations at about 200 US Best Buy stores. The company will also offer curbside pickup at its stores.

Heres how the appointment system works:

Gap said Wednesday it planned to reopen up to 800 of its Gap, Old Navy, Athleta, Banana Republic, Janie and Jack, and Intermix stores before the end of May.

In the reopened stores, Gap will:

Kohls plans to reopen stores in 14 states by May 11.

The company said it would make the following changes:

Ulta Beauty said its planning to open 180 stores starting May 11.

In reopened stores, the retailer plans to:

The rest is here:
Kohls, Macys, Ulta Beauty, and Gap are reopening stores. Heres how your shopping experience will change. - Business Insider

It isnt a hard rule of thumb, but it is correct far more often than it isnt these days: the first way to tell whether someone at the Minnesota Legislature is Republican or a DFLer is whether you can see their faces.

Mask-wearing at the statehouse as in other parts of the United States has become a partisan preference, with DFLers far more likely to wear face coverings than Republicans.

The difference extends to legislative staffers, and is most visible to anyone watching the floor sessions via the Legislatures livestream: the staff running the DFL-controlled House are mostly masked up; the staff operating the GOP-controlled Senate are not.

The divide goes back to the first session day following the unprecedented March shutdown of the Legislature. On the first day back, DFL House Speaker Melissa Hortman wore a mask, as did House Chief Clerk Patrick Murphy, during the hours-long session.

In the Senate, meanwhile, Sen. Jeremy Miller, the Republican from Winona who presides as president of the Senate, and Senate Secretary Cal Ludeman, have gone sans-mask throughout. Since the announcement this week that a GOP staff member has tested positive for COVID-19, however, use by Senate staff on the floor has increased.

But the partisan divide has mostly continued, with the handful of lawmakers who sit on the House and Senate floors during session following the pattern, with DFLers wearing masks and GOP lawmakers not. Thursday, Kent wore a mask while Gazelka did not, Majority Leader Ryan Winkler has been wearing a mask while Minority Leader Kurt Daudt has not.

Senate Media Services

Sen. Jeremy Miller, presiding as president of the Senate sans-mask.

And for days when they have been in session, a rare occurrence since March 16 but one thats becoming more frequent as the Legislature approaches adjournment on May 18, both the House and Senate have implemented new seating arrangements and voting protocols to lessen personal contact.

The lawmakers who take seats on the floor are widely spread out. Others sit far apart in the public galleries or in meeting rooms near the House and Senate chambers. Many of each chambers members listen in from home.

Voting is also much different with members in the capitol either voting in turns by voice or via the electronic tally board or by phone, sometimes from cars in nearby parking lots. Members not in the capitol call in their votes.

MinnPost photo by Peter Callaghan

Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka speaking with Sen. Warren Limmer in close proximity on the Senate Floor.

Hortman said Thursday that she has recommended that House members wear masks when in close contact with others, but she has not made it a requirement for the House sergeant-at-arms to enforce.

It may be that that becomes the standard, that people are required to wear masks even while speaking on the floor and that we ask the sergeant to enforce that. Im hoping we get there through voluntary compliance, Hortman said.

She didnt feel she had enough data on the effectiveness of masks to mandate their use. I didnt have access to clear scientific data showing the difference between transmission with and without masks that I could identify, (so) I decided not to go to the enforcement level with the sergeant at arms just yet, Hortman said.

She said House staff are mostly deciding on their own to wear masks. The House reported that a staffer had tested positive for coronavirus in mid-March but has not revealed any further information about that case since.

MinnPost photo by Peter Callaghan

Democratic Senate Minority Leader Susan Kent speaking with her chief of staff John Pollard on Thursday.

We have been notified that a Minnesota Senate employee has been confirmed to have COVID-19, Ludeman wrote to members and staff on Wednesday morning. All staff and Senators who may have come in contact with this individual have been notified and have been advised to self-quarantine.

The Senate has installed plexiglass between some workstations, closed public access to Senate offices without appointment and even put down yellow stripes in hallways to encourage people to stay apart when passing. Elevators are limited to four people.

We have also been able to acquire a very limited number of disposable masks and hand sanitizer, Ludeman wrote. These are for voluntary use within the Senate Building and Capitol complex.

MinnPost photo by Peter Callaghan

Republican Sens. Michelle Benson and Karen Housely shown during yesterday's session.

I have openly stated my serious concerns with the Senate holding frequent floor sessions and am renewing a call to only reconvene the body when absolutely necessary and for the requirement of protective face masks on the floor so we can finish the legislative session strong and reduce the risk of exposure, Kent said in a statement released Wednesday.

Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka said last week during a session at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs that mask-wearing is the only social distancing recommendation that he doesnt see broad acceptance of around the state.

I dont think the science is out on that, he said.

He said small business people who want to reopen have told him they and their staff will wear masks because they want people to feel safe.

Gazelka said last week he was sympathetic with Vice President Mike Pences decision not to wear a mask during a recent visit to the Mayo Clinic because he was going to be speaking to a lot of people, and a mask makes it difficult to be understood.

At 60, I have hearing aids and its harder for me to hear people who have that mask on, Gazelka said.

There have been some widely shared Facebook posts deemed false by the social media site quoting health experts who say masks for healthy people do little good.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended cloth face masks as a way for asymptomatic people to prevent virus transmission to others.

And this week the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce distributed information to its members about how to safely return to work. One item on its Return To Work Employer Checklist is: Encourage use of source control masks, such as non-medical cloth masks.

View original post here:
The partisan divide at the Minnesota Capitol now extends to mask-wearing - MinnPost

Nearly 2,500 hand sanitizer units are installed across four Health First hospitalsIts definitely a sign of the times. You walk through the sliding doors of your local supermarket (already wearing your face mask), head right toward your shopping cart, and your eyes immediately begin looking for, the disinfectant wipes. (Health First image)

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA Its definitely a sign of the times. You walk through the sliding doors of your local supermarket (already wearing your face mask), head right toward your shopping cart, and your eyes immediately begin looking for, the disinfectant wipes.

With COVID-19, personal hygiene and health safety have suddenly taken on a whole new level of importance and practice in America and around the world.

But in a hospital setting, its business as usual.

In fact, Health First continues to enhance and prioritize ways for all associates, visitors and caregivers to stay consistently safe through the strategic placement of hand sanitizer stations throughout every floor and unit of its hospitals.

Nearly 2,500 units are installed across four hospitals meaning youd have to work pretty hard to NOT find a hand sanitizer.

We know that people across our communities are already thinking about how to keep themselves safe when they begin getting out and about again, and that includes considering whether they should venture to a clinical facility.

Some of those concerns include:

Getting COVID-19 from another patient

Getting COVID-19 from an associate

Touching doorknobs

Using bathrooms

And thats why cleaning hands is one of the most important steps healthcare providers and everyone alike can take to prevent the spread of infection-causing germs.

Many studies over the years have shown that infections can be prevented in the hospital if healthcare providers use proper hand hygiene, said Dr. Jeffrey Stalnaker, Health Firsts Chief Physician Executive.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol-based hand sanitizers are the most effective products for reducing the number of germs on the hands of healthcare providers and the most recommended method for cleaning your hands in most clinical situations. Consistently practicing hand hygiene is an easy and important way to avoid getting sick or spreading germs to others.

According to Mike Goings, Health First System Vice President for Supply Chain, the stockpile of hand sanitizer was a major focus in the planning for a potential surge from COVID-19.

Our focus consistently across our hospitals and clinical settings is the practice of safe hygiene to protect ourselves, our patients and our visitors, Mike said.

Short of soap and water hand washing, which requires multiple visits to a restroom, the quickest and most convenient way to practice hand hygiene is through the placement of hand sanitizers throughout all of our facilities. When faced with something like a COVID-19 situation, were already prepared at every level.

Of course, while it is not so easy to find hand sanitizer in stores these days, let alone hand soap, hospital systems like Health First build supply into their planning for events such as this.

One way we can ensure faith in our abilities as a healthcare provider is to demonstrate our readiness for situations like this, Mike continued.

Identifying our needs in advance and areas where we might potentially face shortages is all part of our job. We strategize and plan for the what if scenario every day.

CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS

Excerpt from:
Health First Focuses On Protecting Brevard From COVID-19 By Installing 2,500 Hand Sanitizer Stations | - SpaceCoastDaily.com

By Lillian EdenBU News Service

BOSTON The combination of constantly rising housing costs, trafficcongestion and inadequate public transit options has prompted planners toconsider new options in how to create developments that combine more affordablehousing with amenities designed to allow people to live, work and play inwalkable communities.

Just about everyone agrees metropolitan Boston has a housing crisis, wrote Amy Dain, a research associate at MassINC in a 2019 study commissioned by the Massachusetts Smart Growth Alliance.

Although the study was done in and around Boston, housing is a problem being addressed in some western Massachusetts communities too.

I think that theres been a growing movement across greater Boston toallow more housing. And some of this comes from a growing acknowledgement thatwhen we restrict supply of housing that causes price escalation, Dain said.

Theres also an increasing push for home, work and play to be within walksheds, meaning things, like schools, libraries or cafes are located close enough for people to walk to them. In recent years the city of Boston installed maps with walking time estimates for various points of interest.

One way to add density and increasing walkability is by requiring orallowing mixed-use development. One example is a building with businesses onstreet level and residential space above it. A single, mixed-use property canprovide both commercial and residential tax revenue, which is an incentive tocities.

Theres been a concerted effort in the last 20 years for cities andtowns to adopt mixed-use zoning, Dain said, adding this would not be a returnto a century ago, when there was no zoning, and towns and cities could mix usesanywhere.

The new zoning isnt really just about a free market return, its about requiring that there be first-floor retail or commercial in residential buildings, she said. The requirement makes developers consider adding a retail space from the beginning, even if thats not what they normally would have done with the space without the requirement.

Increased walkability isnt the only benefit of mixed use and higherdensity developments.

Mixed use is ideal just because you have the synergy between the commercial uses and the residential. And I think the more kind of residential units we can create in our business district just helps to promote the local businesses, said Denise Gaffey, director and city planner in the Melrose Office of Planning and Community Development.

Although mixed-use is generally considered favorable, it depends on theuse, she said. Not all businesses are created equal, so a community has to bemindful of what would be a good fit for the retail space, and factor in thingssuch as parking availability, which can make a business more viable and thetype of business, she said.

The city wouldnt consider putting in, for example, a business with adrive-through in an extremely residential area.

The neighbors say they want some retail, but I think it would really depend on the retail, right? she asked. I think they like the idea of a mom and pop coffee shop that they could just walk to, but, if it was, like, a Dunkin Donuts, they probably wouldnt be so excited about it because they would consider that as bringing a lot of traffic.

Melrose, a small city north of Boston with almost 30,000 residents, haslong had a history of mixed-use, high density and transit-oriented development,Gaffey explained.

Although adding the first mixed-use development in the town was ayears-long process launched in the early 2000s, there were a few things goingin the projects favor: the area being developed was underused and Melrose dida lot of community engagement every step of the way, Gaffey said.

The location was a key part of it, too. The city is about a quarter-mile from the end of the Orange Line, and there are multiple commuter rail stops within city limits. Building housing at a higher density allows more people to take advantage of public transportation.

Once that project got built, and everyone saw how great it was, I think that helped us a lot, she said. Its really been a successful project. And it is the poster child for transit-oriented growth because its right at the Orange Line.

The success of that first project opened the door for other similar projects, she said. The properties have increased the viability of businesses and the housing availability within the city.

Its nice to be in a community thats growing as opposed todeclining, Gaffey said. You kind of want to be in a community that has a lotof vitality, and thats growing. And I think introducing new housing and newpeople into the community is one way to do that.

Despite vastly different definitions of the term high-density, the western Massachusetts city of Northampton, which has a similarly sized population to Melrose, has also worked toward increasing housing density and having mixed use developments, according to Carolyn Misch, senior land use planner and permits manager of the city Planning Board.

We still feel like its important to maintain commercial space andcommercial viability whatever that mix might be, and continue to fosterresidential development, you know, behind those first floor and above, shesaid, referring to buildings where ground floor space that fronts the streetand hosts retail.

Mixed-use includes areas where there are commercial spaces, offices, restaurants, hotels and retail with or without residential space. Additionally, Smith College is located within city limits, and the city is near the Five College Consortium.

For Northampton, a certain density must be met in order for certainservices to be feasible. For example, she said, the city is part of a regionalbike share program which is one of the largest electric pedal assist bikeshares in the country. The program just finished its second season and willbegin again in April, she said.

What we talk about is what kind of densities support public transportation, what kind of densities support bike shares, what kind of densities support different beneficial elements that people in our community define as high value. Generally to support transit, we need six-to-eight units per acre. Thats not a very high density tabulation, she explained.

Misch said that development projects in Northampton are also successfulbecause of a lot of community outreach, explaining that Northampton knew theyhad a gap in the citys housing availability because of a needs assessment. Thecity is also taking into account the need to build more sustainably.

To accomplish this goal, planners take advantage of previousinfrastructure and develop places where its possible to walk to services likeschools or libraries, she said.

Its important for us as a community to focus that development wherewe can provide access by means other than just solely relying on the automobileand building further and further out from our centers. And of course, thatsupports the commercial base as well, Misch said. We cant really have avibrant downtown if everybody lived five miles away from downtown.

One issue, which resonates across the commonwealth is community pushback on projects.

One of the biggest issues were having here is not the regulatoryframework so much as actually what gets built on the ground. And theres stilla lot of neighborhood pushback on projects, Misch said.

People are extremely risk averse about allowing change in cities and towns, Dain said.

Both Melrose and Northampton stressed the importance of good,comprehensive outreach, and fielding concerns as they arise.

It was important for us to show that weve lost units over time, Misch said. So we werent necessarily saying that were going to completely change the character of the neighborhoods and the densities, but were actually going to go back to what densities were allowed when those neighborhoods were first built. And so that helped bring along that support for those zoning changes.

Read more:
For cities and towns in Massachusetts, increasing density requires outreach, reaps benefits - BU News Service

THE following applications and notifications have been received for consideration and can be inspected at http://www.somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk/planning.

May 7, 2020

BICKENHALL

04/20/0006: Change of use of land with siting of mobile home for equestrian workers dwelling with car parking and garden at Bickenhall Mill, Pound Road, Bickenhall (retention of part works already undertaken)

BISHOPS HULL

05/20/0015: Erection of single and two storey extensions, detached garage/gym building and creation of additional access at Highlane Manor, 51 Stonegallows, Taunton

05/20/0019: Erection of first floor side extension over garage at 1 Lowlands Terrace, Bishops Hull Hill, Bishops Hull

05/20/0020: Formation of equestrian sand school for personal use at Milligan, Netherclay

BISHOPS LYDEARD

06/20/0020: Erection of single and two storey rear extension at 41 Hither Mead, Bishops Lydeard

COMBE FLOREY

11/20/0002: Change of use of land from agricultural to domestic, following prior approval notification 11/17/0018CQ, with the erection of a detached double garage at the former poultry building north west of Redlands Barn, Trebles Holford, Bishops Lydeard

CURLAND

15/20/0001: Erection of 2 No. agricultural buildings (1 double storey barn, 1 single storey chicken shed) at Field B and formation of a private access drive, hard standing, alteration to access at Field B, New England, Curland (retention of part works already undertaken) (resubmission of 15/19/0004)

KINGSTON ST MARY

20/20/0010: Variation of Condition No. 02 (approved plans) of application 20/19/0016 at Cala, Kingston Road, Kingston St Mary

20/20/0013: Replacement of garage and outbuildings with the erection of a carport and store with solar panels to roof at Greenbanks, Lodes Lane, Kingston St Mary

LANGFORD BUDVILLE

21/20/0005: Removal of Condition No. 03 (occupational tie) of application 70526 at Camberley, Wellisford Manor Road, Langford Budville, Wellington (resubmission of 21/19/0007)

RUISHTON

31/20/0009: Replacement of dwelling with the erection of 2 No. dwellings with associated access and parking at Fouracres, Ilminster Road, Henlade

31/20/0013: Replacement of conservatory with the erection of a single storey extension to the rear of 6 Newlands Crescent, Ruishton

STAPLEGROVE

34/20/0007: Demolition of carport/garage with conversion of remaining structure and erection of a single storey extension to the side of 1 Drake Close, Taunton

34/20/0008/T: Notification to fell one small Hawthorn tree and to carry out management works to two Acer trees within Staplegrove Conservation area at The Grove (east side), Staplegrove

STOKE ST GREGORY

36/20/0005: Change of use of public house to public house and shop for general groceries at Royal Oak Inn, Huntham Lane, Stoke St Gregory

STOKE ST MARY

37/20/0001: Installation of antenna support brackets to support 3 No. antenna and 3 No. additional antenna, 6 No. remote radio units and ancillary works at EE Site Ref 26895, Haydon House Farm, Haydon Lane, Stoke St Mary

TAUNTON

38/20/0104: Erection of a two storey extension to the rear of 29 Dorchester Road, Taunton

38/20/0113: Erection of first floor extension to the rear to create 1 No. flat at 24 Billet Street, Taunton

38/20/0117: Demolition of single storey extension to create additional external trading area, installation of external fire escape staircase, internal alterations to provide 2 No. bedrooms for short term holiday let with internal alterations to public house accommodation at The Winchester Arms, Castle Green, Taunton (retention of part works already undertaken)

38/20/0118/LB: Demolition of single storey extension to create additional external trading area, installation of external fire escape staircase, internal alterations to provide 2 No. bedrooms for short term holiday let with internal alterations to public house accommodation at The Winchester Arms, Castle Green, Taunton (retention of part works already undertaken)

38/20/0123: Erection of 1 No. dwelling and formation of access on land to the side of 21 Holway Avenue, Taunton

38/20/0124: Erection of a residential block of 79 No. flats (use Class C3) with landscaping and associated works on Plot 1, Trenchard Way, Firepool Lock, Taunton

38/20/0137: Replacement of garage with the erection of a two storey extension to the side and erection of porch to the front of 26 Parkfield Road, Taunton

38/20/0139: Erection of extension to first floor residential accommodation at 52 Station Road, Taunton

WELLINGTON

43/20/0037: Change of use from Class B2 (general industrial) to Class A3 (restaurant/cafe) at The Pump House, Foxes Yard, Milverton Road, Tonedale, Wellington

43/20/0043: Conversion of first and second floor into 4 No. flats, conversion of loft to 1 No. flat, erection of a first floor extension to the rear to form 2 No. flats (7 No. flats in total), various internal alterations to ground floor commercial unit with various external alterations including installation of balconies and external stairs and construction of bin shelter, bike store and formation of car parking area to the rear of 12 Fore Street, Wellington

43/20/0044/LB: Conversion of first and second floor into 4 No. flats, conversion of loft to 1 No. flat, erection of a first floor extension to the rear to form 2 No. flats (7 No. flats in total), various internal alterations to ground floor commercial unit with various external alterations including installation of balconies and external stairs and construction of bin shelter, bike store and formation of car parking area to the rear of 12 Fore Street, Wellington

43/20/0045: Erection of a shed for storage and workshop in the garden to the rear of 27 Stoneleigh, Tonedale, Wellington

43/20/0046: Variation of Condition No. 02 (approved plans) of application 43/20/0009 at 23 Brendon Road, Wellington

43/20/0050: Replacement of single storey rear extension at 113 Buckwell, Wellington

WELLINGTON WITHOUT

44/20/0010: Change of use from agricultural land to dog walking venue (Class D2 assembly & leisure), formation of 2 No. parking areas, erection of stockproof fencing and the installation of security lighting on land at Houndsville, Monument Road, Wellington (resubmission of 44/19/0018) (retention of part works already undertaken)

44/20/0013: Replacement of pole barn and arch barn at Snakkercombe Farm, Briscoe Lane, Rockwell Green, Wellington (retention of works already undertaken) (amended scheme to 44/19/0003)

WEST BAGBOROUGH

45/20/0005: Replacement of dwelling with erection of 3 No. self contained holiday lodges and alterations and closure of vehicular accesses at Parkgate Lodge, New Road, West Bagborough

WEST BUCKLAND

46/20/0009: Change of use from Class A1 and A2 to Class D2 (assembly and leisure) at Unit E Monument View, Summerfield Avenue, Chelston Business Park, Wellington (retention of works already undertaken)

COMEYTROWE

52/20/0006: Erection of double garage to front of Danesfield, Comeytrowe Lane, Taunton

52/20/0007: Erection of a single storey extension to the rear of 26 Deane Drive, Taunton

BRUSHFORD

3/04/20/002: Erection of 1 No. dwelling with associated works. Land adjacent to Panarama House, Brushford, Dulverton, TA2 9AF

CROWCROMBE

3/07/20/005: Erection of 1 No. temporary agricultural workers dwelling: Fire beacon, Little Quantock Lane, Crowcombe, TA4 4AP

KILVE

3/18/20/004: Change of use of land for the siting of 3 No. shepherd huts for holiday accommodation: Old Rectory House, Sea Lane, Kilve, TA5 1EG

MINEHEAD

3/21/20/032: Erection of single storey rear extension, replacement workshop and vehicle hardstanding: 125 Cher, Minehead, TA24 5EL

3/21/20/033: Erection of 1 No. single storey dwelling with garage under-croft and associated site works (resubmission of 3/21/19/085): Hillside Barn, Moor Road, Minehead, TA24 5RT

3/21/20/034: Change of use of workshop/office (use class B1) to residential (use class C3) plus erection of extension to form 2 No. maisonettes: 7 Tyhtings Court, Minehead, TA24 5NT

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Planning applications in Somerset West and Taunton area: Up to May 7, 2020 - Somerset County Gazette

Now, air from 56 patient rooms on the third and fifth floors, which were opened in phases following the installation of the new fan, moves up to a mechanical space on the roof where a few facilities staff, all wearing personal protective equipment, work to safely filter and discharge it. Their work, and the new system, helps protect both patients and health care workers while conserving PPE that would have otherwise been necessary in public spaces throughout the building.

Access to these negative airflow rooms helps us in every way, said Dr. Paul Helgerson, section head of Hospital Medicine, who oversees service lines including the ICU. It was a lot of work, but it was amazing no one batted an eye. Everyone understood what we were trying to accomplish, and what was at stake.

Every decision we made has been based on the needs of the clinical staff, and treating our patients, Wilson said. Thats our mantra.

It was certainly a big lift, but everyone worked so hard, 110%, for weeks, to get ready for this, Harkins said.

Looking back on those whirlwind weeks now makes the whole team proud.

Honestly, it was rewarding, Hoy said. It was obvious that we had the means to make a difference for our patients and for our colleagues, and we pulled together to do what we needed to do.

Think about how long it might take you to move from one house to another planning the layout of each room and acquiring furniture, packing and unpacking boxes, putting each kitchen tool or bedroom lamp in the room where it belongs, setting up cable, water, electricity, internet.

Then, imagine that all of the rooms in your new house suddenly had to function differently.

That is basically the task that UVA Health was facing. They had been planning the move to the new tower for months, of course, but they had been planning for cardiac, orthopedic and organ transplant units. Now, they needed to plan for infectious disease ICUs.

All of the teams who had been planning for the move into the new tower had to be redirected to focus on the new plan, Reyes said.

As Harkins and his team finished retrofitting the tower, Reyes and her colleagues got to work, aiming to move all necessary equipment and people into the space as soon as possible.

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'Can We Really Do This?' How UVA Health Transformed Its New Tower to Fight COVID - UVA Today

Several Butler County restaurant owners expressed support for a state plan to reopen Ohios dine-in restaurants and bars under social-distancing guidelines and other restrictions over the next two weeks.

But some owners of small restaurants say theyll face challenges and remain unsure about how willing their customers will be to venture out as the coronavirus pandemic continues.

MORE: Line of cars shows growth in coronavirus testing in Butler County

Under the plan recommended by a statewide restaurant-and-health advisory panel and adopted by Gov. Mike DeWine, Ohios restaurants and bars will be allowed to reopen patios and outside dining on Friday and dining rooms for inside dining on May 21, under restrictions and guidelines designed to ensure safety for workers and customers.

Those guidelines state that restaurants must ensure a minimum of six feet between parties while dining or waiting for a table, and if thats not possible, to utilize barriers or other protective devices. Restaurants also must ensure a minimum of six feet between employees, and if thats not possible, utilize barriers and increase the frequency of surface cleaning, handwashing and sanitizing.

Rather than restrict restaurants to a percentage of their original seating capacity other states have used 50 percent of fire-code capacity, for example Ohio will ask businesses to rework their floor plan to ensure social distancing under its six-feet-apart or physical-barrier rules.

Parties of 10 or less can be seated together, for example, but each group in the restaurant must be kept separated from other parties, either my distance or barriers. The restaurant advisory group said how that separation is achieved is up to the business. It could mean high-backed booths are used, or Plexiglas dividers could be installed.

Restaurants and bars will decide if customers will be required to wear masks in the establishment.

At sushi burrito restaurant Roll On Ins Hamilton location, co-owner Michael McCarthy said the restaurant would continue to operate its carryout and delivery options but take a wait-and-see approach when it comes to indoor dining.

Thats because seating before the pandemic numbered about 20 in Roll On Ins modest-sized dining area, but due to the six-feet social distancing requirement, only 10 people at a time could be seated. In addition, tables are fastened to the floor.

Keeping that six-foot minimum would be very, very difficult, McCarthy said.

Rise-N-Shine, a new breakfast-and-brunch restaurant that opened earlier this year in the other half of the space at 102 Main St. with Roll On In, will hold off on reopening for about a month or so, he said.

MORE: New Hamilton breakfast and brunch restaurant opens: What to know

We didnt have much time before this all happened to really gain a solid customer base, McCarthy said. Our fear is that if we try to open up in the midst of all this that were just going to have employees standing around.

Before the pandemic reached Ohio, Roll On In found that 75 percent of its business came from carryout and the remainder from dine-in service, he said.

Its not a big thing to just continue on with what weve been doing, McCarthy said.

Capitalizing on this Fridays patio service option is not really a consideration, as sidewalk space outside of the restaurant is narrow and traffic can often get loud, he said.

MORE: More Butler County offices reopen as business official warns of damage to economy

Ephraim Skally, co-owner at Skallys in West Chester Twp., said he agrees with Ohio opening up dining slowly so customers can become comfortably reacclimated to dining out.

The restaurant, which opened in 2018, already has a patio, so the Friday outdoor dining option presents no challenge.

But when indoor seating reopens May 21, the biggest task to tackle will be seeing if customers feel safe enough to come and dine out again, he said. Skallys also will work to ensure there is at least six feet between tables, and customers may be seated at every other booth.

All servers will wear masks, Skally said.

MORE: Family-owned bakery opens restaurant in West Chester

Staffing will return from four employees back to 30, as servers, bartenders and dish washers are rehired for dine-in service, he said.

Were hoping that all the carryout business that weve gained during this crisis will hopefully maintain or maybe increase, so in case someone cant get a table, maybe theyll still come in and maybe order pizza or sandwiches to go, well just whip it out for them real quick, Skally said.

Abe Shteiwi, owner of Bourbons Craft Kitchen & Bar, said DeWine taking the time to meet with restaurant owners from across the state has meant fair restrictions for reopening.

MORE: Were trying to help everybody: Retailers all over Butler County changing to make hand sanitizer

The restaurant will install dividers between tables and at the bar for guests to feel safe and more easily practice social distancing. Other changes include ordering masks and putting hand sanitizers for guests and employees throughout the building, including tables and the host and service stations.

While he is excited to get the restaurant reopened, it wont be opening Friday for patio service. Instead, it is planning to reopen May 21 with both dine-in and patio service.

Were just more focused on the big picture than trying to just make something work for the patio at this time, Shteiwi said. Were going to take our time and make sure we get it right.

The restaurant plans to hire all 11 furloughed employees, bringing staffing back to 15 employees.

MORE: A cool mix of what you need and want: Vitoris Market opens in Middletown

I think its going to be a rough road to recovery, he said. Are a lot of people going to be OK with coming back into restaurants? Were hoping that they are. rough road to recovery. guests. hoping they are. Were going to try and make it as safe and as efficient as possible for everybody.

Shteiwi said he can see why some would believe Ohio should have reopened restaurants earlier, but ultimately understands the decision behind the slower rollout to reopening.

A rushed opening would have been completely detrimental for the economy and any small business, he said.

I would rather do it right the first time than have to repeat it again a second time because that would be a huge, huge loss for any small business owner, he said. Who knows if you have the money to reopen again because obviously youre taking a hit. I dont think restaurants or small businesses could take another hit.

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Ohios reopening schedule

May 12: Consumer, retail and services

May 15: patio dining, plus barbershops, hair salons, nail salons and spas

May 21: indoor dining

Six ways that dining at a restaurant will be different when they reopen May 21 in Ohio:

No more self-serve salad bars, buffets or drink stations.

Condiments, straws, stir sticks, vases and other items will be gone from tables.

Hang out areas, such as dance floors or arcade games, will be closed unless theyre being used for table seating.

Your party will be limited to 10 people and will be seated at least six feet away from other groups or separated by a physical barrier.

Face coverings are recommended at all times, except while eating.

Kitchen staff will be spread out to abide social distancing rules.

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Butler County restaurants making plans to reopen for diners: What theyre doing - Hamilton Journal News

Canadian Georges St-Pierre, who ruled the UFC welterweight division before putting a bow on a glittering career by winning the middleweight title in his final outing, is headed to the UFC Hall of Fame.

The announcement was made Saturday night during UFC 249 in Jacksonville, Fla., the UFC's first live show in two months due to the global pandemic.

The mixed martial arts fighter known as GSP was a pay-per-view gold mine for the UFC. And in honouring the 38-year-old from St-Isidore, Que., UFC president Dana White revived the debate of St-Pierre's place in the Canadian sports pantheon.

"Georges St-Pierre is a pioneer of Canadian MMA who helped build the sport globally," White said in a statement. "He is the most famous athlete to ever come out of Canada and one of the greatest martial artists of all-time. We're proud to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame Class of 2020."

In 2010, White sparked a debate when he said St-Pierre was "a billion times more famous than any other athlete thats ever come out of Canada. Including Wayne Gretzky."

A Canadian Press-Harris Decima survey grading Canadian celebrities in January 2011 disagreed, calling Gretzky No. 1 and GSP seventh. Still the MMA fighter finished ahead of then Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

St-Pierre's success inside the cage, fuelled by hours of meticulous preparation, put MMA on the map in Canada and helped fuel the UFC's worldwide expansion.

St. Pierre (26-2-0) will be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame later this year.

"It's a great honour to be inducted to the UFC Hall of Fame," St-Pierre said in a statement.

"I want to thank Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta, Dana White and the entire UFC team, my family, my coaches and teammates, my past collaborators, my opponents and of course, all UFC fans. It's been an amazing journey, without them none of this would have been possible."

He will enter the Hall's "Modern Wing," which honours fighters who made their debut in the era of unified rules, which came into effect at UFC 28 in November 2000, and who are at least 35 or have been retired for one year or more.

He joins Forrest Griffin (2013), B.J. (The Prodigy) Penn (2015), Urijah (The California Kid) Faber (2017), (Rowdy) Ronda Rousey (2018), Michael (The Count) Bisping (2019) and Rashad (Suga) Evans (2019).

St-Pierre beat two of those Hall of Famers (Bisping and Penn).

There are also 15 fighters in the Pioneer Wing, including the likes of Randy (The Natural) Couture, Royce Gracie, Matt Hughes and Chuck (The Iceman) Liddell.

St.-Pierre stepped away from MMA after narrowly defeating Johny (Bigg Rigg) Hendricks at UFC 167 in November 2013. While the win marked his ninth straight title defence, St-Pierre said he needed a break from the stress of the sport.

He went on to fight just once more, winning the middleweight title off Bisping at UFC 217 in November 2017. St-Pierre gave up the 185-pound crown a month later, citing health issues (ulcerative colitis).

He officially retired Feb. 21, 2019.

"There's no tears. I'm very happy to do it," he said of hanging up the gloves. "It takes a lot of discipline though to retire on top. It was a long process in my mind but it's time to do it. Only a few people have done it. And I always said that I want to retire on my own and not be told to retire."

St-Pierre was a class act inside and outside the cage

His preparation for fights was legendary, incorporating everything from gymnastics to power-lifting. Pull-ups with a 75-pound weight chained to his waist were routine.

While other fighters wore sweats and sponsors' T-shirts, St-Pierre taking a page from some champion boxers always wore a suit for his post-fight news conferences.

St-Pierre is one of only seven fighters in UFC history to win titles in two weight classes. His 13 consecutive victories and 13 title fight wins are tied for second most in UFC history.

His 20 wins are tied for third most in the UFC and he leads all UFC fighters in most strikes landed (2,591), most significant ground strikes (461) and most takedowns (90).

He avenged his only two losses, beating Hughes twice and Matt Serra once.

St-Pierre helped make MMA history in Canada, attracting a then-MMA world record crowd of 55,724 to Rogers Centre for UFC 129 in April 2011 when he beat Jake Shields.

The championship belt St-Pierre defended against Penn at UFC 94 remains on display in the Canadian Museum of History.

During his career, St-Pierre survived knee surgeries and other injuries as well as unproven accusations of cheating (steroids, according to Nick Diaz, and greasing up with Vaseline according to Penn). White questioned his mental strength after he lost his first title defence to Serra.

Through it all, St-Pierre kept retooling and winning.

St-Pierre made a career out of taking away his opponent's advantages. It made for methodical, if not always pretty wins. Of his nine welterweight title defences, eight were by decision.

At UFC 87 in August 2008, St-Pierre was successful on seven of nine takedown attempts against Jon Fitch, an accomplished former Purdue wrestler. Afterwards, Fitch looked like he had been in a car crash, blood trickling down his face like tears.

St-Pierre dominated Penn, then the lightweight title-holder, in a champion-versus-champion showdown at UFC 94 in January 2009.

St-Pierre won the 170-pound title at UFC 65 in Sacramento in November 2006, stopping Hughes in the second round. Two years earlier at UFC 50, the Canadian had been submitted by Hughes with one second remaining in the first round.

St-Pierre, who admitted later he was in awe fighting his idol the first time they met, joined Carlos Newton as the only Canadian to ever hold a UFC title.

There were bumps along the way. St-Pierre's first reign as champion lasted less than five months as he lost his first title defence, staggered by a Serra blow to the head in a shock upset at UFC 69 in April 2007.

St-Pierre's training for the fight had been disastrous. His father was seriously ill and a cousin was in a coma after a car accident. There were other family issues. Injuries cut into his preparation.

St-Pierre changed managers, training and put his career back on track.

On the advice of sports psychologist Brian Cain, he looked to rid himself of the mental albatross of his title defeat by scrawling Serra's name onto a brick and hurling it into the icy waters off Montreal's South Shore.

He dominated Serra in winning back his title at UFC 83 in Montreal in April 2008. He never lost again.

St-Pierre comes from humble beginnings on the South Shore. His father spent more than 60 hours a week on a floor-recovering business, installing carpet and ceramics. His mother nursed the elderly.

He took up karate as a kid but chose mixed martial arts over hockey because his family couldn't afford both after watching Gracie in the early days of the UFC.

While going to school and training in MMA, he held down three jobs as a bouncer at the Fuzzy Brossard nightclub, working at a floor recovery store and working for the government teaching activities to delinquent kids. To this day, he remains proud that he earned his floor-recovering certificate.

St-Pierre won his first fight as a pro in January 2002, defeating Ivan Menjivar. Four more wins and he was in the UFC.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 9, 2020.

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Canadian MMA star Georges St-Pierre headed to the UFC Hall of Fame - Yorkton This Week