[Summit] City Councillor Helen Anthony's Ward 2 Letter -- vaccinations and city affairs

Mon Mar 29 01:07:03 UTC 2021

   ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Helen Anthony <helen at helenanthony.com>To: Sent: Sunday, March 28, 2021, 04:22:38 PM EDTSubject: Providence Ward 2 Letter, March 28, 2021
   An update from City Councilor Helen Anthony  
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Dear Neighbors, 

I know many residents of 02906 have been asking about the city's prioritization of certain zip codes for vaccination. I offer my understanding of the situation below as well as some updates on the budget process and an important ordinance to advance environmental sustainability. 

Let's take care of one another. 

Helen
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COVID Updates

Free COVID Testing Sites   
   - RI Department of Health
   - Vaccination in RI
   - COVID Information for Businesses
   - City of Providence
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   - Providence Public Schools
   - Brown: Healthy Brown; Report concerns: using this form, 877-318-9184 or 863-3322
   - RISD: COVID Information; Report concerns using this form
   - State Police COVID line: 401-764-5554
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Providence City Council Meetings

Next City Council Meetings:  April 1 and April 15 at 5:30pm. Tune in to meetings on Zoom -- look for a link at the end of the agenda -- or on the Council's YouTube channel. Agendas and minutes are posted on the City of Providence Open Meetings Portal, and you can register to receive notice of any city committee or board meetings.
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Building Energy Reporting Ordinance
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|  The City of Providence has set a bold goal to become a carbon-neutral city by 2050. On Wednesday, March 24 the City Council's Finance Committee held a public hearing on an ordinance that I introduced in January to help us move toward that goal. The Building Energy Reporting Ordinance (BERO) would require owners to publicly report the annual energy use of all Providence buildings over 10,000 square feet. The ordinance will provide public, measurable data about progress toward our environmental stewardship goals.  |

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|  I was thrilled to hear unanimous support from those who testified including Brown University, The Providence Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Green Energy Consumer’s Alliance, The Steel Yard, Conservation Law Foundation, Sierra Club, City of Providence Environmental and Sustainability Task Force and city residents and climate justice advocates. Energy usage from large buildings accounts for 70% of our municipal carbon footprint, and similar programs have proven effective in dozens of cities to reduce cost and the burden on our planet.   |

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|  I began advocating for this measure in 2017, and am grateful to the Office of Sustainability, Environmental Sustainability Task Force, the Racial and Environmental Justice Committee, Climate Action RI, the many people who took time to testify and my council colleagues who listened to the testimony.

The Ordinance now must be voted on by the Finance Committee and referred back with a recommendation to the full City Council for a vote. Look for this matter to be placed on the Finance Committee's agenda and please continue to tune in to our meetings and monitor progress on this important step forward for our city. 

More background on the ordinance and environmental justice in Providence in a previous Ward Letter here.
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Budget Update
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|  As many of you know, the City of Providence has not passed its FY2021 budget for the fiscal year that began on July 1, 2020 (all current budget documents available here). Part of the delay is due to the inability of the State to pass its budget until the end of December 2020. The City Council leadership is in private negotiations with the Mayor's office, and the Council’s Finance Committee has refrained from hearing the budget in committee until the Council’s leadership has completed its deliberations. This unfortunately means there are no forums in which the public has access to current budget deliberations. Meanwhile, the City continues to operate according to the FY2020 budget.  |

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COVID Vaccination
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|  The Strategy
Rhode Island's vaccination strategy encourages municipalities and local clinics to focus on hardest-hit and hardest-to-reach populations and allow larger state clinics to more efficiently vaccinate everyone else. Since Providence is the largest population center in Rhode Island, the mayor's team is working closely with the state.

Some Providence neighborhoods have had among our state's highest rates of infection and hospitalization, and the City of Providence has focused its clinics on those areas. We are lucky that 02906 and 02903 have been spared some of the worst.

If federal supplies continue to meet their targets, the state will soon dramatically lift the age restrictions for vaccinations throughout the state. RI plans to open vaccination appointments for:   
   - Ages 50-59 by April 5
   - Ages 40-49 by April 12
   - Ages 16+ by April 19

The City of Providence may continue to focus its efforts on specific populations, but increasing numbers of residents in 02906 and 02903 will be able to access vaccines at state clinics, a pharmacy, or elsewhere. I have encouraged everyone to register for the state's notification list and to set up accounts at other outlets. 

Right now anyone 60+, any educator, anyone who has an underlying health condition, or anyone who is a veteran in 02906 can get vaccinated through a number of avenues described below.

I know this may not be the most satisfying answer for those of you who are still waiting for a vaccine. I am doing my best to ensure that Ward 2 is well informed. 

Targeted Groups & Timeline
Timeline for all age groups here: https://covid.ri.gov/vaccination
 The State of RI has opened vaccination appointments to:    
   - People aged 60+ or older
   - People 16+ with specific underlying conditions
   - Educators and staff at private, public and parochial schools, pre-schools and licensed day care facilities will be contacted by their employer 
   - Veterans of all ages through Providence Veterans Administration Healthcare System or 401-273-7100 x16226.
The City of Providence has opened vaccination appointments to:   
   - Providence educators at 335R Prairie Ave on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Call 401-444-8139.  
   - People ages 16+ in 02904, 02905, 02907, 02908, and 02909 through VaccinatePVD.com or dial 3-1-1 or 401-421-2489 M-F 8:30am-4:30pm 
Special Assistance   
   - Homebound: If you are unable to leave home to be vaccinated register with the RI Department of Health here or call 401-462-4444. 
   - Appointment Assistance: United Way staff can help make appointments via phone in multiple languages, 24 hours a day. Call 2-1-1. 
Vaccination Record
If you have been vaccinated, you can get a copy of your COVID-19 vaccination record at: portal.ri.gov/VaccineRecord.
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RI COVID-19 Vaccine Sites
The RI Department of Health is mapping state-run sites, retail pharmacies, and local and regional clinics. Some sites only vaccinate certain eligible groups. The map does not include every site where vaccines may be available, but may help identify sites with available appointments and the types of vaccines they are administering. Select a site on the map and click the link or call the number to make an appointment.   |

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Area Locations Offering Vaccinations
These clinics are following state guidance for targeted age groups:   
   - Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/cp/1228302
   - Walgreens: https://www.walgreens.com/findcare/vaccination/covid-19 or 800-925-4733 
   - CVS: https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine or 800-746-7287
   - Stop & Shop:  https://stopandshop.com/pages/ss-pharmacy
   - Care New England: Women & Infants Hospital, in Pawtucket at 111 Brewster St, and Kent Hospital. https://www.carenewengland.org/coronavirus
   - Lifespan: Newport Hospital and 3 locations in Providence: 180 Corliss Ave, 17 Virginia Ave and high-risk patients at Miriam Hospital. Schedule an appointment online or call 401-475-7468  M-F, 8-5. 

State Clinics
Register Now: Get on the COVID-19 Vaccine Notification List  https://portal.ri.gov/
The state will begin reserving some appointments for people on this list. They will send out notifications about appointments each Wednesday, starting April 7. 

State Vaccination Clinics
Schedule an appointment at vaccinateri.org or 844-930-1779. New appointments added Tuesdays at 9 am and Fridays at 5 pm. Appointments may be released at other times.   
   - Dunkin Donuts Center in downtown Providence; 
   - 100 Sockanosset Cross Rd in Cranston;
   - Former Benny's on West Main Rd in Middletown. 
   - Schneider Electric facility, 132 Fairgrounds Rd, West Kingston (opens March 27)
   - Former Sears store at 1500 Diamond Hill Rd, Woonsocket (opens March 28)
 Get Updates: Click here for weekly email updates from RI DOH

City of Providence ClinicsRegister Now:  Sign up for the PVD Vaccine Notification List to hear about city vaccine appointments:  VaccinatePVD.com

Municipal Vaccination Clinics
Cities and towns have been directed to focus on the hardest-hit areas and most difficult-to-reach individuals. Providence is currently offering appointments to people 16+ in 02904, 02905, 02907, 02908, and 02909.Appointments: VaccinatePVD.com Or dial 3-1-1 or 401-421-2489 M-F 8:30am-4:30pm   |

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Get Involved
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Comment on Crook Point Bascule Bridge Designs: The community is invited to submit feedback to inform the jury’s selection of a winning design for this community site. Deadline: April 6.

Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission hosts Come Back to the Future, a virtual conference, will feature keynotes and workshops on April 21-23. View the full schedule here.

Providence Streets Coalition Creative and Safe Streets Grants: Grants up to $3,000 to organizations, businesses, and individuals to promote safer and healthier streets, outdoor public space, and transportation choices. Deadline: March 31.

Call for Sidewalk Art: Submit poetry or word-based art for permanent display on Providence's sidewalks. Deadline: April 18.
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A Bright Light
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|  This week's Bright Light is YOU. Thank you to everyone who has donated snacks to Hope High School. The teachers and students are very grateful! They will continue to collect snacks through April, so sign up here to donate. Pictured: Catherine Anderson, Hope High ELA Teacher Lead; College Hill neighbors Sara and Sally Strachan and Kristen Chofay, Hope High Physical Education Teacher Leader.  photo credit: Erin O'Brien  |

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|  Copyright © 2021 Providence City Council Ward 2, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
Providence City Council Ward 2654 Angell StProvidence, RI 02906-5552
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