2 Weeks Into Raimondo’s “Pause” — Cases, Hospitalizations and Deaths Have All Increased

2 Weeks Into Raimondo’s “Pause” — Cases, Hospitalizations and Deaths Have All Increased

On November 19, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo announced that she was issuing orders for a “pause” — a shutdown of some business, but not others.  Perplexing for public health experts was that her order was not going to take effect for more than ten days — after Thanksgiving and Black Friday.

At the press briefing announcing the "pause" or partial shutdown, Raimondo expressed her frustration at her inability to impact behavior. "I have been utterly ineffective and getting people to follow the rules in their homes," said Raimondo.

The Raimondo “pause” went into effect on November 30 and since the implementation of the partial closure — all major measures have increased.

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Since December 1, the number of cases has continued to increase, hospitalizations have jumped up — setting new records nearly every day and daily deaths have nearly doubled.

In the past seven days, 111 Rhode Islanders have lost their lives. Deaths lag cases by anywhere from three to four weeks from the time of the infection — although the increase in cases are likely to lead to an increase in deaths.

After more than a week, Rhode Island was surpassed by Tennesse for having the highest number of cases per capita. Tennessee's new top slot ranking was more about their growth in cases rather than Rhode Island decreasing infection.

Rhode Island is now #2 in the United States.

 

Businesses Criticize Shutdown Selectivity, Health Experts Said Closure Was Too Little, Too Late

Everyone from gym owners to the hospitality industry have criticized the Raimondo "pause." Many have called for Raimondo to do more for small businesses. On Tuesday, GoLocal reported that everyone from Lt. Governor Dan McKee to the wedding industry to the Providence hospitality industry are calling on Raimondo to do more.

"As Chair of Rhode Island’s Small Business Advocacy Council, I want to ensure that all CARES Act funds allocated to help small businesses are spent before the deadline for their intended purpose: To help small businesses. Having to forfeit the funds would be unacceptable at a time of such great need," said McKee. “By redistributing all remaining small business relief funds proportionally through Restore RI to small businesses that have already qualified, we could dispense the funds quickly and equitably and allow them to be spent in the most impactful way for Rhode Island families.”

 

Maybe the Only Good News

Dr. Michael Fine, the former RI Director of Health, who has been critical of the delay in launching restrictions, said that the restrictions were too weak, and that they were "too little, too late" -- but the pause may have slightly slowed the rate of increase of the virus.

"The number of deaths has doubled over the past three to four weeks," said Fine. Rhode Island is on a pace to have 400 or more deaths in December.