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Your Coronavirus Update – Feb. 11, 2022
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
TODAY – the RI mask mandate for most public spaces ends – regardless of vaccination status – this includes companies/offices, indoor businesses, gyms, entertainment venues, hair salons, etc. School masking regs remain in place. RI colleges continue whatever protocols they have in place. Public transportation falls under the federal guidelines and masks must still be worn. State buildings are still in place.
The RI Legislature voted to continue the Emergency orders extending the powers of the Governor – after lengthy discussion last night – 51 to 17. By doing this the effort to end the Governor’s mask mandate in schools earlier than intended failed.
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) is reminding passengers that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) federal mandate requiring face masks to be worn when using public transportation, including trains and buses, is still in effect. The extended mandate, which has been in place since February 1, 2021, is in effect through March 18, 2022. The TSA mandate states that face masks remain a requirement for passengers and employees on “all transportation networks throughout the United States, including at airports, onboard commercial aircraft, on over-the-road buses, and on commuter bus and rail systems.”
Federal Hill restaurant group says many restaurants are completely booked with reservations now that the mask mandate has ended.
Massachusetts will remove mask mandate in their schools after Feb. 28th. Masking will be by individual choice – unless a local district applies a requirement.
Masking & Children in RI: RI pediatrician Elizabeth Lange in a ProJo editorial: Pediatric COVID infections have risen to unprecedented levels in the past two months, with children representing one in four of the state’s weekly infections. Until every resident is fully vaccinated, until community spread of COVID infections is less than the CDC recommendation of 100 cases per 100,000, we all have a responsibility to still be COVID-smart — get vaccinated. Get a booster vaccination if eligible. Wear a high quality, well-fitting mask, especially in a school setting.
Newport Life Magazine announced their closing.
Nursing Homes/Assisted Living
Eastgate Nursing Home, East Providence – 5 to 9
Elmwood Nursing Home, Providence – 5 to 9
Golden Crest, North Providence – 5 to 9
Grand Islander, Middletown – 10 to 14
Greenwood, Warwick – 10 to 14
Heritage Hills, Smithfield – 5 to 9
John Clarke Retirement, Middletown – 5 to 9
Royal of Westerly – 5 to 9
South County Nursing Home, North Kingstown – 5 to 9
Dawn Hill Home, Bristol – 5 to 9
There are 23 more with “less than 5” listed
For full list: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1c2QrNMz8pIbYEKzMJL7Uh2dtThOJa2j1sSMwiDo5Gz4/edit#gid=500394186
Schools
Blackstone Valley Prep, Providence – 15 to 19
St. Joseph School – 10 to 14
Chariho HS – 10 to 14
Chariho Middle School – 10 to 14
Alan Shawn Feinstein, Coventry – 10 to 14
Coventry HS – 10 to 14
Lincoln Middle School – 10 to 14
Paul Cuffee – 10 to 14
Tolman HS, Pawtucket – 10 to 14
St. George’s School, Portsmouth – 15 to 19
Wheeler School – 10 to 14
Prov. Career & Tech – 10 to 14
Sgt. Col. Young – 10 to 14
Raymond LaPerche – 10 to 14
Smithfield HS – 10 to 14
Broad Rock MS – 10 to 14
Pothier-Citizens, Woonsocket – 10 to 14
Woonsocket HS – 10 to 14
78 schools note 5 to 9 cases
100+ schools note “under 5”
For full list: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1c2QrNMz8pIbYEKzMJL7Uh2dtThOJa2j1sSMwiDo5Gz4/edit#gid=594871904
From Bishop Tobin, Diocese of Providence: “The lifting of the statewide mask mandate this weekend is good news for the faith community as well. People are free to come to church and “to worship the Lord without fear.” Dear members of our Catholic family – see you in church on Sunday! P.S. Of course, you can still wear a mask if you want to. And, a reminder, Catholics who are not vaccinated and boosted should get it done!”
Governor’s Press Conference
We are in a good place due to Rhode Islanders doing the right thing.
RI is the 8th lowest infected state in country – though we have tested more.
We have to learn how to manage COVID as we move from pandemic to endemic.
Lifting proof of vaccination/mask mandate indoors effective Fri, Feb. 11th. We will be inline with other states.
If GA extends Executive orders, we will extend masks in schools to March 4th – then it will be decided upon by individual school districts, not the state. We want to give schools and parents plenty of time to discuss as this transition happens. Also time to get vaccinated, and get boosted.
If you are unvaccinated you should continue to wear masks indoors.
Urges people to get vaccinated and get boosted. State will double down on boosters for people.
Dr. McDonald:
We’re in a far different place now than we were 2 years ago. Endemic means a permanent disease like strep throat, etc., though COVID will become endemic and we need to find a new balance. We’re like an airplane coming in for a landing, and I can’t promise there won’t be a few bumps – such as new variances, etc.
We’re lifting a statewide mask mandate – not saying schools shouldn’t be left alone to decide what to do next. We’ll keep in touch with a more targeted approach.
If you are not up to date with your vaccine, or not vaccinated, or have an underlying health condition (kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, etc.) you will want to wear a mask to protect yourself. We need to be more kind and less judgemental.
Federal requirements are still in effect for public transportation.
Pfizer vaccine for children coming for ages 6 mos to 5 yrs. It is not available yet, but will be soon. Dr. Mc – “I love giving vaccines – I’m board certified in pediatrics – vaccines are really important – counting on pediatricians to give these vaccines in their offices”. Pediatricians – covid.ri.gov/vaxproviders – to sign up to vaccinate patients.
School vacation week & SuperBowl – when you gather, if you are symptomatic, you should test before you gather – best to not go to where you are invited – your host is not wanting you there if you are sick.
Q/A:
Q: CDC director said it’s not quite time – does this fly in the face of that?
A: RI is doing so well it’s time we go to personal choice. March 4th date for schools – if we have reason to reverse, we will.
Q: What do we tell schools who have low vaccination rates?
A: 32% vaccination rate. Right now we’re here. We need to get vaccinated. Barrington is 78%, 31% in Central Falls – we have to do better.
Q: Masks with athletics?
A: We will align with March 4th deadline.
Q: What is status of hospital capacity – will you release legal immunity –
A: Immunity will sunset. Hospitals are still challenged on staff, though worst is over right now. National Guard will expire at 30 days – Kent has extra 2 weeks – should be about 10-14 days.
Q: Why isn’t your decision across the board – why a week after MA?
A: Dept. of Health needed to tell us we’re doing the right thing. We listened to parents on both sides of the issue. We have confidence in local districts.
Q: (Pat Ford) Parents are angry. Hundreds have been against the masks. Parents want to leave schools before census date. The science has changed.
A: Many families are going to mask their children – there is a difference of opinion. In the end, we have to make a decision.
Q: (RI Latino Radio) What strategy will you do to go to the Hispanic community in Central Falls and Providence?
A: Mark Pappas and I have been working on this, and these communities. Community leaders need to step up – parents, teachers, and the state and city. We can’t force people to do it – if anyone has the solution, we’d love to hear it…
Community Based COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics for February 11
3:00pm-5:00pm, Melrose School, 76 Melrose Avenue, Jamestown, Moderna
4:00pm-6:30pm, Quidnessett Elementary School, 166 Mark Dr, North Kingstown, Pfizer (5-11) 1:30pm-3:30pm, Exeter Public Library, 773 Ten Rod Road, Exeter, Moderna, Pfizer (12+)
3:00pm-4:30pm, Olneyville Library, Providence, Moderna, Pfizer (12+), Pfizer (5-11)
2:00pm-4:00pm, PACE RI, 781 Social Street, Woonsocket, J&J, Moderna, Pfizer (12+)
Rhode Island data for yesterday – reminder that case #s do not reflect the transition most people have made to at-home testing.
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
Dr. Megan Ranney: If we stop celebrating prematurely and instead become proactive about preparing for the almost-inevitable next surges of Covid, we can, hopefully, change the pattern. She also notes:
1% of all ppl who catch COVID die. Another 10-20% are hospitalized. Another 30+% have long lasting symptoms. The vaccine is far safer, with only minor temporary side effects.
There’s a reason we healthcare providers have been desperate for PPE – it is because we don’t want to get sick. There is no magic cure. These vaccines are our hope to getting back to normal
Ottawa Truckers Protest – Judge overturned right of local police to confiscate gas/diesel purchased by truckers – and mandated the fuel be returned, which it has been. The protest may move into the Detroit area.
Ford, General Motors and other car companies have stopped production or scaled back, because of the trucker protests.
Prince Charles has tested positive – for the second time.
US Inflation goes to 7.5% – close to $300 more a month, per American, in costs of food, and other expenses is estimated.
England set to scrap self-isolation and other Covid restrictions this month – live
Test Kits from Federal Government – you should receive an email telling you the approximate date and time test kits will be received – make sure not to let the kits sit in a mailbox and freeze overnight – this is important to keep the test kits viable. Your notice may look like this in your email inbox:
