How safe are Ohio summer fun activities amid the coronavirus threat? The Wake Up for Friday, May 29, 2020 – cleveland.com

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Today's Wake Up newsletter is longer than usual because it includes every coronavirus story from the last 24 hours. Read it and you're up to date on the crisis.

Today will be breezy, with showers and chances of thunderstorms. Highs will be in the upper 70s. The weekend will be mostly sunny but cool: Saturdays high will be around 66, and Sunday will be around 62. Read more.

Ranking risk: Summer this year means rating the risks of our favorite fun activities because of the coronavirus. Emily Bamforth and Mary Kilpatrick interviewed experts to assess the risk of that backyard barbecue or trip to the beach. While risk depends on how much space people have and whether others are wearing masks, doctors say kayaking as a family is safer than sending your kid to day camp, and camping is safer than renting a cabin. See the full list of activities.

Assisted living visitation: Gov. Mike DeWine said Thursday that the state would begin allowing limited visitation to some congregate-living facilities, Seth Richardson reports. Beginning June 8, assisted living facilities and homes for the developmentally disabled can resume outdoor visitation. Restrictions will be in place, including social distancing requirements, temperature screening for visitors and residents, mask-wearing and set hours.

Subtext: Cleveland.com has started a new, free Subtext account to send coronavirus updates. Every day, the team covering the coronavirus will send three to four updates about the progress of the virus -- confirmed cases of the virus, major cancellations, the latest medical advice, relevant scientific information and more. You can even text us back. Go to https://joinsubtext.com/ohiocoronavirus and enter your phone number. Fill out the form below. Or send a text to 216-279-7784. Did we mention its free?

This Week in the CLE: Ohio amusement parks, museums, zoos and other tourist attractions want to open, and theyre waiting on rules from Gov. Mike DeWine. Cleveland.com editors are talking about how youd make the attractions safe amid the coronavirus on This Week in the CLE, the daily half-hour podcast.

New numbers: At least 2,098 Ohioans have died with confirmed or probable coronavirus by Thursday, Laura Hancock reports. The state now has at least 33,915 probable and confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Cleveland numbers: Mayor Frank Jacksons administration announced Thursday that 50 more Clevelanders were confirmed as having contracted the COVID-19 coronavirus, bringing to nearly 1,900 the total number of confirmed and probable cases of the virus in Cleveland, Robert Higgs reports. No new deaths were reported.

Ohio reported its first three cases of coronavirus on March 9. On Thursday, the total reached 33,915.Rich Exner, cleveland.com

Trends: Ohios 2,098 known coronavirus-related deaths are spread across 68 of the states 88 counties, Rich Exner reports. The death total increased 2.6%, while the case total was up 1.4%.

Nursing homes: At least 1,442 patients of Ohio nursing homes and other long-term care facilities have died with coronavirus, accounting for 70% of the states known COVID-19 deaths, reports Rich Exner. The high mortality numbers for nursing homes have drawn increasing attention from state officials, with Gov. Mike DeWine announcing this week that the National Guard would be used to begin testing all staff at nursing homes across Ohio.

Unemployment: Ohio reported a decline in new unemployment claims for the eighth straight week of the coronavirus crisis, but another 2.1 million claims were filed across the U.S., reports Evan MacDonald. Ohio received 42,082 new unemployment claims for the week ending May 23.

No-longer-daily briefings: Gov. Mike DeWines coronavirus briefings are becoming shorter and less often, reports Laura Hancock. The comforting news conferences, affectionally known as Wine with DeWine, have morphed from daily 90-minute events into twice-a-week, 60-minute briefings. But DeWine is still sporting spirited ties.

Cold immunity: Scientists are examining whether people whove had another strain of the coronavirus one that causes the common cold could have some immunity to protect against the deadly coronavirus. Mary Kilpatrick reports on the latest science and studies, including that 42 percent of cases in a group studied in Wuhan, China, were asymptomatic.

ARDS: Experts hope a type of stem cells could play a key role in managing one of the most severe conditions caused by the coronavirus, acute respiratory distress syndrome. Evan MacDonald reports the Cleveland Clinic is among 15 health systems participating in a clinical trial on whether mesenchymal stromal cells could help treat the inflammation of the lungs.

County fairs: Ohio will allow junior county fairs to take place this summer, with a focus on youth programs including 4-H and FFA, Laura Johnston reports. Livestock shows and auctions can take place, as well as art and other exhibits and food sales.

E-Check: State officials have reopened E-Check stations in Northeast Ohio after they were closed for more than two months due to the coronavirus pandemic, reports Andrew Tobias. Officials issued a six-month extension on E-Check requirements to all motorists whose vehicle renewal was due from February through July.

CVS is opening more self-swab coronavirus testing sites today in Ohio, including several locations in Northeast Ohio. (CVS)

CVS testing: Thirty-four additional testing sites for the COVID-19 coronavirus will open today at CVS stores in Ohio, including several locations in Northeast Ohio, reports Cliff Pinckard. CVS says it hopes to have 1,000 testing sites open across the country by the end of the month.

Test criteria: Ohio broadly expanded the criteria for determining who is allowed to get a coronavirus test to include Ohioans who are showing symptoms of the disease. Before now, sick people who suspected they had COVID-19 were frequently denied tests, Laura Hancock reports.

Youngstown prison: A federal judge said that staff at a private prison in Youngstown were doing enough to prevent the spread of the coronavirus among inmates, rebutting an opinion from a doctor who said conditions could lead to a significant outbreak, reports Eric Heisig. U.S. District Judge Solomon Oliver said he would not order staff at the Northeast Ohio Correctional Center to implement recommendations made by Dr. Venktesh Ramnath. While four staff members have tested positive for the virus, no inmates have, the judge noted.

Elkton prison: In an unprecedented move, dozens of current and former top prosecutors and police chiefs urged a federal appeals court late Thursday to push for the release and transfer of inmates at a prison in Ohio, where nine inmates have died and hundreds have been infected by the coronavirus, John Caniglia reports.

Edgewater chase: Cleveland Metroparks police arrested two men after officers chased a stolen SUV that police connected to several violent crimes in Cleveland, Adam Ferrise reports. Metroparks police arrested two 18-year-old men on suspicion of leading police on a 14-mile winding chase on the citys West Side.

Bulk refuse: Cleveland plans to bring back bulk pickup of refuse after two months of it being sidelined by the coronavirus pandemic, although the city has not yet settled on which week in late June pickups will be restarted, Robert Higgs reports. The bulk pickup service is for large items such as furniture, appliances and old tires.

Legal immunity: Controversial legislation to temporarily grant legal immunity to Ohio businesses particularly nursing homes and other healthcare providers for transmitting the coronavirus passed the Ohio House Thursday. Jeremy Pelzer reports the House tacked on an amendment that would make prison staff, grocery-store workers, and first-responders eligible for workers compensation should they catch the virus.

The Ohio House of Representatives has approved a bill that would legalize betting on sports within the state. (Edward Pevos, mlive.com file photo)

Sports betting: Betting on sports is one step closer to becoming legal in Ohio after the Ohio House of Representatives on Thursday approved a gambling bill thats been debated in the Statehouse for over a year. Andrew Tobias reports House Bill 194 would put the Ohio Lottery Commission in charge of regulating sports betting, tax receipts at 10% and send proceeds to education and gambling-addiction programs.

To-go cocktails: Calling cocktails to-go a "much needed lifeline" that restaurants and bars can use to help sustain their business during coronavirus restrictions, the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States urged lawmakers in Columbus to make the measure permanent, Marc Bona reports.

Police chase lawsuit: The family of a 13-year-old girl killed when teenage carjacking suspects jumped the curb and struck her during a high-speed police chase has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Cleveland police department and several officers involved. Cory Shaffer reports Tamia Chappmans family argue 22 officers acted recklessly in the Dec. 20 pursuit.

Coronavirus scam: Officials are warning the public after a group of sophisticated crooks scammed a woman out of more than $1,000 by posing as Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Department employees and convincing her to pay money over the phone to avoid arrest for missing jury duty. Cory Shaffer reports the con-artists succeeded in part because of the alarming level of detail they had about the woman.

Appeals court: The Ohio Supreme Court affirmed that an appeals court does not have jurisdiction to hear a petition by the city of East Cleveland related to the 137 shots police chase that killed two unarmed people. Evan MacDonald reports the high court affirmed that the 8th Ohio District Court of Appeals could not hear East Clevelands petition for declaratory judgment.

Content Marketing World: Content Marketing World, Clevelands largest recurring business-to-business event, is offering participants the chance to attend online this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Mary Kilpatrick reports the conference will allow participants to register for online access to its offerings, at a discounted rate.

Great Lakes cruises: Victory Cruise Lines, the biggest player in Great Lakes cruising, has canceled its 2020 sailing season, leaving Cleveland without cruise passengers this summer. Susan Glaser reports Victory, which typically sails two ships in the Great Lakes during a six-month season, was scheduled to resume its itineraries in early July.

Tuesday Morning: Several Northeast Ohio Tuesday Morning stores are among those that the company will close as a result of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, Marc Bona reports.

Cedar Point: Visitors to Cedar Point this summer will be able to use their smartphone to reserve entry, fill out a health survey, and see which areas of the park are most crowded during their visit. Susan Glaser reports guests will be able to make a reservation for a specific day and time to visit the park, based on capacity.

Lake Erie Ink: Cleveland teen writing program Lake Erie Ink will release its fourth anthology of writing and art in June, featuring submissions by young local writers and artists, Anne Nickoloff reports. The book, titled The Fundamental Elements, includes works by more than 60 teens and a foreword by Cleveland poet Philip Metres.

The Rail: The Rail has closed its North Olmsted and Canton locations. Marc Bona reports the burger- and craft-beer-centric restaurant called the decision to close "very difficult" and said employees from both locations have been offered a transfer to nearby Rails.

Ventilators: MIT has designed an emergency ventilator that uses commonly found and easily sourced materials. Cleveland.coms sister site, WIRED, shows how a cheaper alternative may be able to save lives.

Things to do: Hoping to check out an event or try a new adventure this weekend in Greater Cleveland? Anne Nickoloff has 15 ideas for safe activities, from a virtual music festival to strolling Holden Arboretum.

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Man shot in Clevelands West Boulevard neighborhood dies, police say Read more

Men barge into Brook Park home, hold brothers at gunpoint, reports say Read more

Police: Gunman killed teen driving home from playing soccer, man on porch in five minutes in Cleveland Read more

Rapist in Lake County sentenced to 136 years in prison Read more

Akron Zoo announces plan to reopen once Ohio lifts coronavirus-related restrictions on zoos Read more

Rubber worker statue to be installed in downtown Akron in early September Read more

Akron Childrens Hospital to open Ravenna pediatric center on June 2 Read more

Chagrin Falls school board OKs $330,000 in personnel cuts; College Credit Plus saved Read more

Motorcyclist seriously injured in Lorain County crash, officials say Read more

Berea City Schools 5-year forecast shows deficit spending Read more

Parma Heights cancels youth baseball/softball program and city events, closes pool and tennis courts Read more

Ridgewood Golf Course schedules social distancing-friendly junior golf program Read more

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How safe are Ohio summer fun activities amid the coronavirus threat? The Wake Up for Friday, May 29, 2020 - cleveland.com