[Summit] Governor Raimondo's last two messages -- Masks & Mortality [Covid News no. 337]

[David Kolsky]

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 From: Gina Raimondo <communications at governor.ri.gov>To: Subject: 1,001
  
| Your RI COVID-19 News Update |
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| Hi David,
I'm writing to you today with sad news. As of today, we have lost over 1,000 Rhode Islanders to COVID-19.
It's difficult to put into words how terrible that loss is; how painful it is for their loved ones. My heart breaks for the thousands of Rhode Islanders who have lost someone to this virus. These beloved members of our community will be deeply missed. 
We must continue to do everything we can in their memory to protect our neighbors, friends, and family from COVID-19. My thoughts, today and every day, are with the loved ones of those we have lost. 
Beginning tonight, I am illuminating the State House dome in red, white, and blue as a symbol of statewide solidarity and sympathy. I hope those who are struggling with loss are able to look at the State House and know that the whole of Rhode Island is with them.
Please, take care of yourself, your family, your friends, and your neighbors. In times like these, we belong to each other.
-Gina RaimondoGovernor |

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| Click the graph to see check the Department of Health's COVID-19 data dashboard. |

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|  Governor's Office | 82 Smith Street, Providence, RI 02903  |
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| Hi David,
Today, I want to talk to you about wearing your mask. |

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| Overall, Rhode Island has been pretty good about masking up. Last weekend, on the hottest weekend so far this year, we saw almost 95% mask compliance among employees and almost 90% among customers at businesses we visited. I’d like to see both those numbers at 100%, but overall we’re doing a good job. That said, I know it’s hot out, masks are uncomfortable, and we’ve been at this for months now. So I want to remind everyone not to get lazy or complacent, and to make sure you’re still grabbing your mask everywhere you go. 
Those on the frontlines of this crisis go all day without taking their masks off. If you go to the hospital, everybody – doctors, nurses, administrators, janitors – are wearing masks. If you go to a grocery store, a bank, or a pharmacy, the people who work there are wearing masks. They do it to keep you safe. These are the people who have kept us safe and kept us going during this crisis. I’m asking you to do it for them. I know it’s inconvenient, but every study shows it’s one of the most effective things we can do to stop the spread of the virus and keep our state open.
If you’re going out and getting close to other people without a mask – if you’re gathering in large groups at a restaurant or bar – you’re doing something wrong.  |

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| Finally, I want to take a minute today to talk about schools. Last month, I set a goal to return to in-person school on August 31, and I asked each school district to prepare multiple plans – plans for full in-person school, partial or limited in-person school, and full distance learning. I want to thank all our school districts for submitting those plans last week. The teams at the Department of Education and the Department of Health are reviewing those plans in collaboration with local leaders to determine the best path forward. Today at 3 p.m., I'll be joined on Facebook Live by Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green and two prominent pediatricians, Dr. Jim McDonald and Dr. Elizabeth Lange, to discuss children’s health as it relates to school reopening. Tomorrow, I'll send out a special edition of this newsletter focused on schools. If you know any parents, students, or educators who may be interested, they can use this link to sign up.
-Gina RaimondoGovernor |

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| Click the graph to see check the Department of Health's COVID-19 data dashboard. |

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| Governor's Office | 82 Smith Street, Providence, RI 02903 |

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