Memorial Day weekend safety tips, closed shellfishing areas

Car packed for summer vacation.

This could be the biggest Memorial Day weekend for travel in close to 20 years say those who keep track of this sort of thing. Knowing that, many will be staying close to home, visiting each other, going to outdoor events, etc. Ahead of Memorial Day, the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is issuing…

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Nursing home workforce crisis deepens with minimum staffing standards – Herb Weiss

A nurse hugs an elderly woman in a wheelchair.

By Herb Weiss, contributing writer on senior issues “The long-term care industry is enduring the worst workforce crisis in its history, in Rhode Island, and across the country. Although providers are committed to recruiting and retaining staff to provide quality care for residents, despite our best efforts, many nursing homes have fallen short of the…

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Dr. Stephen Skoly returns to hold State of Rhode Island accountable

Two men in suits standing in front of a building.

Going back to the most restrictive part of the COVID pandemic time, Dr. Stephen Skoly, a maxillofacial surgeon providing acute care not only to the general public, but working on prisoners from the ACI and patients from the Eleanor Slater Hospital and forensic units who had severe oral injuries such as broken jaws, gunshots to…

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Hey, baby! Most popular names for Rhode Island babies in 2022

A pair of hands holding a baby's feet.

Preliminary List of Top Baby Names in 2022  The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is sharing a preliminary list of the most popular baby names in Rhode Island in 2022.  Female  1. Charlotte  2. Amelia  3. Isabella  4. Olivia  5. Emma  6. Luna  7. Sophia  8. Ava  9. Isla  10. Scarlett and Violet (tie) …

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In the Arena – Joe Paolino, Jr. with Dr. James McDonald, RIDOH

James mcdonald, acting director, ri department of health.

Each Sunday, Joe Paolino, Jr. interviews a person with important messages for Rhode Island. This week Paolino interviews Dr. James McDonald, acting director of the RI Department of Health. They talk about the new variant – B.a.2 – of COVID – it is in Rhode Island but not causing a large uptick at this time…

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RI Health Dept: “Rights-of-residents” to visitation at long term care facilities

RINewsToday

Yesterday, the RI Department of Health issued a memo to all nursing homes, and assisted living facilities with very specific guidelines about visitation. This was issued after significant number of complaints were received by the Department as the virus has lessened and nursing homes once again open for long-awaited visitations by family members. Here are…

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Rhode Island’s big, $267,000+ flyer – and vaccine acceptance

RINewsToday

Take every step to stay safe. A few weeks ago, a flyer was mailed out targeted to “Resident”, from the RI Department of Health. The large piece opens to a 24” X 18” oversized poster. Half in Spanish and half in English. It lists 3 steps to take – 1) Protecting your household, 2) What…

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