Some parents whose children have had to remain at home as COVID-19 closed schools for the rest of the academic year may be breathing a sigh of relief as the Northeast region's TLC Family of Camps is set to reopen facilities this summer.
"As long as the governors of the states, New York and Pennsylvania, say that it's okay, we will be open," CEO Jay Jacobs told Cheddar. TLC Family of Camps operates two sleepaway and day camps in New York and one sleepaway summer camp in Pennsylvania.
Pointing to falling numbers of infections, particularly in hard-hit New York state, Jacobs said that he felt confident that his camping programs would be able to maintain the public health and safety of the children in their care.
"I think they're frankly safer than if they just stay home and, with the exception of being locked up in the house, are able to go out and about, I think we can keep children safer in our camp environment," the CEO claimed. "You don't get coronavirus by being bit by a mosquito."
Jacobs said the camps will utilize mass testing ahead of the start of both the sleepaway and day camps, then test again upon arrival of campers. It will also increase the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting of the facilities and equipment and focus on outdoor activities. Many of the safety precautions he covered fell under recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for reopening camps this summer.
"People in their own homes, families of four or five, they're not socially distant. They're not wearing masks at the dinner table. Why? Because they know everyone in their home is COVID-free," he said, comparing the concept to creating isolation at the camps.
However, Jacobs did admit that there would be some personnel coming in and out of the camp, such as maintenance workers, who the CEO claimed will be tested daily and will be coming from rural areas not experiencing outbreaks.
The camps will also have plans in place in the event someone tests positive for the novel coronavirus, according to Jacobs.
"Even if someone has COVID-19, with the measures we're taking, the spread will not be that great and we can, through testing, isolate and determine immediately," he said. "Then, as I said, those people will have to leave camp, and their parents know that in advance."
"I think the likelihood of that is so minuscule I really don't worry about it, but I'm prepared for it."
A big-screen adaptation of the anime “Chainsaw Man” has topped the North American box office, beating a Springsteen biopic and “Black Phone 2.” The movie earned $17.25 million in the U.S. and Canada this weekend. “Black Phone 2” fell to second place with $13 million. Two new releases, the rom-com “Regretting You” and “Springsteen — Deliver Me From Nowhere,” earned $12.85 million and $9.1 million, respectively. “Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc” is based on the manga series about a demon hunter. It's another win for Sony-owned Crunchyroll, which also released a “Demon Slayer” film last month that debuted to a record $70 million.
The Federal Aviation Administration says flights departing for Los Angeles International Airport were halted briefly due to a staffing shortage at a Southern California air traffic facility. The FAA issued a temporary ground stop at one of the world’s busiest airports on Sunday morning soon after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy predicted that travelers would see more flights delayed as the nation’s air traffic controllers work without pay during the federal government shutdown. The hold on planes taking off for LAX lasted an hour and 45 minutes and didn't appear to cause continued problems. The FAA said staffing shortages also delayed planes headed to Washington, Chicago and Newark, New Jersey on Sunday.
Boeing workers at three Midwest plants where military aircraft and weapons are developed have voted to reject the company’s latest contract offer and to continue a strike that started almost three months ago. The strike by about 3,200 machinists at the plants in the Missouri cities of St. Louis and St. Charles, and in Mascoutah, Illinois, is smaller in scale than a walkout last year by 33,000 Boeing workers who assemble commercial jetliners. The president of the International Association of Machinists says Sunday's outcome shows Boeing hasn't adequately addressed wages and retirement benefits. Boeing says Sunday's vote was close with 51% of union members opposing the revised offer.
The stunning indictment that led to the arrest of more than 30 people — including Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and other NBA figures — has drawn new scrutiny of the booming business of sports betting in the U.S. The multibillion-dollar industry has made it easy for sports fans — and even some players — to wager on everything from the outcome of games to that of a single play with just a few taps of a cellphone. But regulating the rapidly-growing industry has proven to be a challenge. Professional sports leagues’ own role in promoting gambling has also raised eyebrows.
Tesla, the car company run by Elon Musk, reported Wednesday that it sold more vehicles in the past three months after boycotts hit hard earlier this year, but profits still fell sharply. Third-quarter earnings fell to $1.4 billion, from $2.2 billion a year earlier. Excluding charges, per share profit of 50 cents came in below analysts' estimate. Tesla shares fell 3.5% in after-hours trading. Musk said the company's robotaxi service, which is available in Austin, Texas, and San Francisco, will roll out to as many as 10 other metro areas by the end of the year.
Starbucks’ AI barista aims to speed service and improve experience. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune Business Editor, explains its impact on workers and customers.
