Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - January 22, 2021
Analysis
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - January 22, 2021
This week's list features the poet in the yellow coat, RI's woeful vaccination program, and insiders jumping the line for vaccine while the elderly wait.
Now, we are expanding the list, the political perspectives, and we are going to a GoLocal team approach while encouraging readers to suggest nominees for who is "HOT" and who is "NOT."
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Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - January 22, 2021
HOT
Amanda Gorman
She certainly wowed America.
The 22-year-old poet demonstrated unmatched poise and talent this week on Inauguration Day.
Now, she has her own hashtag for a Presidential run -- follow #AmandaGorman2036.
Read Her Poem "The Hill We Climb" Here
HOT
President Joe Biden
Multiple personal tragedies. Multiple failed efforts in running for the presidency. A legacy of contradictions and changed positions over 40 years in public office.
Who would have thought after then-Senator and political rival Kamala Harris took Biden to the woodshed in the first Democratic primary debate that he would ever be President, but on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, he took the oath of office to serve as the 46th President of the United States.
HOT
United Way's $100 Million Promise
The United Way of Rhode Island announced this week a commitment to invest $100 million over the next 5 years focused on building racial equity in Rhode Island
The commitment is embodied in the launch of LIVE UNITED 2025, the organization’s new strategic plan and roadmap to transformational change.
“This plan requires that we go deep, rather than wide. It is intentional and focused so our investments make the biggest impact toward reversing the racial inequities holding back Rhode Island,” said Cortney Nicolato, United Way’s president and CEO. “Where we began developing our plan prior to the pandemic, COVID-19 reinforced the painful reminder of the work that lies ahead and the disparities we must overcome.”
HOT
Tom Brady
He is going to the Conference Championship game for the 14th time in 21 years.
He looked way better wearing blue.
Lima's Leadership
Calling the decision by Lifespan and Care New England to give vaccines to individuals not eligible for vaccinations under the RI’s Phase 1 guidance unconscionable and criminal, Deputy Speaker Charlene Lima is introducing legislation to, in some cases, criminalize the activity.
Non-medical board members of both Lifespan and Care New England jumped the vaccination line and received vaccinations in violation of the state's protocols.
To date, the elderly and those with multiple pre-existing health issues have yet to be vaccinated despite these two groups suffering upwards of 90% of Rhode Island's 2,058 deaths.
On Tuesday, former Rhode Island Director of Health Dr. Michael Fine said, “I really think the Attorney General should use the power vested in him in the oversight of nonprofits to move against their nonprofit status. I don't think we should play games like this -- this is a pandemic and a time of a great sort of social instability.
NOT
Lifespan and Care New England
Insider non-medical board member jumped the line and received vaccine shots while the elderly and those with multiple pre-existing health issues still cannot receive the vaccine.
Lifespan's tagline is "Delivering Health with Care" -- who knew that they were only talking about their wealthy board members.
NOT
Federal Deficit
Now, the deficit is $27,752,835,868,445.
That's right -- nearly $28 trillion.
In 1992 the national debt was just over $4 trillion.
NOT
Vaccinations
According to the CDC RI has now received 127,450 doses
Administered 59,104 doses (less than 3,000 administered in past 24-hours)
RI has utilized 46% of the available doses.
