RI Encourages Face Coverings in "Rapid Spread Phase" - 54 New Coronavirus Cases, 72 Hospitalized
GoLocalProv News Team
RI Encourages Face Coverings in "Rapid Spread Phase" - 54 New Coronavirus Cases, 72 Hospitalized
"We are encouraging [that people] wear face coverings in public. These are different than medical masks and N-95 masks,' said Alexander Scott. "People should not be purchasing or hoarding surgical or N-95 masks. We are encouraging Rhode Islanders wear cloth-based coverings — with ties or straps, it can be made with a variety of materials."
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"Let’s talk for a minute about why we’re recommending it," she continued. "The primary role of a cloth-based covering is to [limit] particles in the air — that can include people who have COVID 19 who might not have the symptoms. If you have symptoms you have to stay home. It is not acceptable for you to be out with symptoms."
On Friday, Raimondo said the state is in the "rapid phase" of coronavirus, with two additional deaths for a total now of 14. 72 people are currently hospitalized.
Call for Help
Raimondo spoke to setting up auxiliary hospital locations in the state on Friday.
"We need people," said Raimondo, of a call to health professionals that are retired or out of work. "That’s an area [when] we look at the models — we still need help. If you are a retired nurse doctor, PT, CNA, social worker, behavioral therapist — any healthcare worker with any experience — if you’re retired and working part-time, we need to call you up."
"We’ll be able to pay many of you," said Raimondo, who urged people to go to riresponds.org. "We can’t do this without you."
"Data shows Rhode Islanders are less in compliance with social distancing…than the national average," she added. "I don’t want to scare you — but I want to level with you — we don’t have enough ventilators if the surge hits sooner, or the peak is higher. People will die. It’s a fact."
"Half of me is proud of you — but to those of you still pushing the limits — I need you to stop and start taking this seriously," Raimondo said.
"We’ll be continuing to suspend childcare licenses through the month of April. As a working mother I know how tough it is to work and not have childcare. We just haven’t found a solution that is safe. We’re not giving up — we’re going to work continually and creatively."