Foulkes Blasts McKee Over Health Department Officials Departures

Foulkes Blasts McKee Over Health Department Officials Departures

Democratic candidate for governor Helena Foulkes is continuing her criticism of Governor Dan McKee's handling of the pandemic.

On Thursday, in an interview on GoLocal LIVE, she criticized McKee's leadership and failure to take action against rising cases in November.

Now, on Friday Foulkes criticized McKee on the news that Tom McCarthy was leaving the administration. McCarthy was named to the COVID position by then-Governor Gina Raimondo on one of her final days in office.

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

Foulkes said, “In the last week alone, the two most senior leaders of the Rhode Island Department of Health—Dr. Alexander-Scott and Tom McCarthy—quit the McKee administration. The sudden and unexpected departure of two top officials poses real questions of the governor’s leadership."

McKee had announced earlier on Friday that Dr. Megan Ranney would help lead a team of medical professionals to advise him on the selection of the next Director of Health.

"What concrete steps are being put in place now to ensure that RIDOH is staffed appropriately? Who from RIDOH will speak to Rhode Islanders at the next COVID briefing? What is the governor’s timeline for filling these critical positions? Rhode Islanders deserve to know how the governor is prepared to handle these changes,” added Foulkes.