<html><head></head><body><div class="ydp4ba38a87yahoo-style-wrap" style="font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:16px;"><div></div>
<div><br></div><div><br></div>
</div><div id="ydp2d4c0b37yahoo_quoted_9956282440" class="ydp2d4c0b37yahoo_quoted">
<div style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#26282a;">
<div>----- Forwarded Message -----</div>
<div><b>From:</b> Gina Raimondo <communications@governor.ri.gov></div><div><b>To:</b></div><div><b>Sent:</b> Friday, September 4, 2020, 4:55:59 PM EDT</div><div><b>Subject:</b> <font color="#cd232c"><b>Two graphs</b></font></div><div><br></div>
<div><div id="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527">
<div>
<table class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527template-body yahoo-compose-table-card" style="text-align:center;min-width:100%;" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tbody><tr>
<td class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527preheader-container">
<div>
<div id="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527preheader" style="display: none; font-size: 1px; color: transparent; line-height: 1px; max-width: 0px; min-height: 0px;">
<span>Today I want to share with you two graphs that tell us a lot about wh...</span>
</div>
<img src="http://r20.rs6.net/on.jsp?ca=d3476014-6211-4132-968a-4ba34c1b0432&a=1119629898357&c=c6b30280-aaf4-11e4-9398-d4ae5292c4bc&ch=c6b7bd70-aaf4-11e4-9398-d4ae5292c4bc" alt="" data-inlineimagemanipulating="true" draggable="false">
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527template-shell-container" align="center">
<div class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527bgcolor" style="background-color:#00539F;">
<table class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527bgimage yahoo-compose-table-card" style="background-color:#00539F;" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" bgcolor="#00539F">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="center">
<table class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527main-width yahoo-compose-table-card" style="width:630px;" width="630" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" align="center">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527layout" style="padding:15px 5px;" valign="top" align="center">
<table class="yahoo-compose-table-card" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" align="center">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527layout-container-border" style="background-color:#000000;padding:0px;" valign="top" bgcolor="#000000" align="center">
<table style="background-color:#000000;" class="yahoo-compose-table-card" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" bgcolor="#000000" align="center">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527layout-container" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0;" valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff" align="center">
<div class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527">
<table class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527galileo-ap-layout-editor yahoo-compose-table-card" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527 ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527editor-col ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527OneColumnMobile" width="100%" valign="top">
<div class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527gl-contains-image">
<table class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527editor-image ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527logo-container yahoo-compose-table-card" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:0px;" valign="top" align="center">
<div class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527publish-container"> <img alt="" class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527" style="display: block; max-width: 800px; width: 620px;" src="https://files.constantcontact.com/572742fa401/4ac05d58-d7b8-47d9-9e2e-115fcd0be8b1.png" draggable="false" vspace="0" hspace="0" border="0">
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527galileo-ap-layout-editor yahoo-compose-table-card" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527editor-logo ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527editor-col ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527OneColumnMobile" style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);" width="100%" valign="top" bgcolor="FFFFFF" align="left">
<div class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527gl-contains-text">
<table style="min-width:100%;" class="yahoo-compose-table-card" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527editor-text" style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(60, 98, 142); text-align: left; display: block; line-height: 1.2; padding: 10px 20px;" valign="top" align="left">
<div></div>
<div class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527text-container ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527galileo-ap-content-editor"><div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;color:rgb(60, 98, 142);font-family:Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527greeting-tag">Hi David,</span></span></div>
<div><br></div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;color:rgb(60, 98, 142);font-family:Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I want to share with you two graphs that tell us a lot about where we’ve been, where we are, and what we need to do to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.</span></div>
<div><br></div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;color:rgb(60, 98, 142);font-family:Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first graph is today's COVID-19 data released by the Department of Health. As you can see, we administered 8,870 tests, we were able to maintain a 0.7% positivity rate, and thankfully, we had no new deaths. This data shows that Rhode Islanders are working hard to keep COVID-19 contained, and it's working. Thank you. I know we have all had to cancel events and gatherings we were looking forward to, but it's saving lives.</span></div>
<div><br></div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;color:rgb(60, 98, 142);font-family:Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-weight:bold;">It’s critical that we keep working hard to stop the spread of COVID-19 – especially this Labor Day weekend.</span></div>
</div></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527galileo-ap-layout-editor yahoo-compose-table-card" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527 ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527editor-col ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527OneColumnMobile" width="100%" valign="top">
<div class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527gl-contains-image">
<table class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527editor-image yahoo-compose-table-card" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:0px;" valign="top" align="center">
<div class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527publish-container">
<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001b5HiqwGDEnVBgrOHj6s0H5smC8-SDRQEg_WXYIfU8209LIsBkpFqfXJ2y1JZzIFLghERYiabQt1bTGOhGuB_2-KzBnE7As9xMjr3xmKX0aFzMibzwF5raMJNZXhlUmiFagE4wHPLxwgiWePYGUw81drJUJjEiJeJLVdLAhuaBSPo7-yI6wY7yOZqrL6SRMnYy7uzOeroqDo=&c=dmWmomvfBckEhOo1YWVJcRtfHVoBDwEGW9HEN7zhSXrag-kpFu_jMQ==&ch=uyFtt5-lGvEEBGrmqrpCK39MjaVJ0G9FWe026fmUM5AsqvtYBg-Fvw==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">
<img alt="" class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527" style="display: block; max-width: 800px; width: 620px;" src="https://files.constantcontact.com/572742fa401/a350bee6-e839-4b89-abd9-6ec5987547c3.png" draggable="false" vspace="0" hspace="0" border="0">
</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527galileo-ap-layout-editor yahoo-compose-table-card" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527 ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527editor-col ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527OneColumnMobile" style="background-color:rgb(0, 83, 159);" width="100%" valign="top" bgcolor="00539F">
<div class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527gl-contains-text">
<table style="min-width:100%;" class="yahoo-compose-table-card" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527editor-text" style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(60, 98, 142); text-align: left; display: block; line-height: 1.2; padding: 10px 20px;" valign="top" align="left">
<div></div>
<div class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527text-container ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527galileo-ap-content-editor"><div><div style="text-align:center;" align="center">
<span style="font-size:12px;color:rgb(255, 255, 255);font-style:italic;">Click the graph to see check the Department of Health's </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001b5HiqwGDEnVBgrOHj6s0H5smC8-SDRQEg_WXYIfU8209LIsBkpFqfXJ2y1JZzIFLghERYiabQt1bTGOhGuB_2-KzBnE7As9xMjr3xmKX0aFzMibzwF5raMJNZXhlUmiFagE4wHPLxwgiWePYGUw81drJUJjEiJeJLVdLAhuaBSPo7-yI6wY7yOZqrL6SRMnYy7uzOeroqDo=&c=dmWmomvfBckEhOo1YWVJcRtfHVoBDwEGW9HEN7zhSXrag-kpFu_jMQ==&ch=uyFtt5-lGvEEBGrmqrpCK39MjaVJ0G9FWe026fmUM5AsqvtYBg-Fvw==" style="font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; color: rgb(173, 168, 26); font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor;" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">COVID-19 data dashboard</a>.</div></div></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527galileo-ap-layout-editor yahoo-compose-table-card" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527galileo-ap-layout-editor yahoo-compose-table-card" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527 ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527editor-col ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527OneColumnMobile" width="100%" valign="top">
<div class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527gl-contains-text">
<table style="min-width:100%;" class="yahoo-compose-table-card" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527editor-text" style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(60, 98, 142); text-align: left; display: block; line-height: 1.2; padding: 10px 20px;" valign="top" align="left">
<div></div>
<div class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527text-container ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527galileo-ap-content-editor"><div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;color:rgb(60, 98, 142);font-family:Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second graph I want to show you today illustrates what happened after the Fourth of July. Before that, we had days with new cases in the twenties and thirties, and even as low as the teens. It took a lot of time, hard work and sacrifice to get there from our peak at the end of April, when we had days with more than 400 new cases. </span></div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;color:rgb(60, 98, 142);font-family:Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;color:rgb(60, 98, 142);font-family:Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But then, soon after the Fourth of July, we saw a spike in cases because people did not follow the rules. People got together in big groups. They had big parties and barbecues. They weren’t wearing their masks and they weren’t practicing social distancing. That's not guesswork - we did extensive interviewing with people who tested positive to learn about where they contracted the virus. We know for a fact that because of that behavior, our daily case numbers jumped into the triple digits. </span></div>
</div></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527galileo-ap-layout-editor yahoo-compose-table-card" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527 ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527editor-col ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527OneColumnMobile" width="100%" valign="top">
<div class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527gl-contains-image">
<table class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527editor-image yahoo-compose-table-card" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:0px;" valign="top" align="center">
<div class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527publish-container"> <img alt="" class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527" style="display: block; max-width: 650px; width: 620px;" src="https://files.constantcontact.com/572742fa401/d85b9f4a-59ca-47f3-8608-66e35720976b.png" draggable="false" vspace="0" hspace="0" border="0">
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527galileo-ap-layout-editor yahoo-compose-table-card" style="min-width:100%;" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527 ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527editor-col ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527OneColumnMobile" width="100%" valign="top">
<div class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527gl-contains-text">
<table style="min-width:100%;" class="yahoo-compose-table-card" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527editor-text" style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(60, 98, 142); text-align: left; display: block; line-height: 1.2; padding: 10px 20px;" valign="top" align="left">
<div></div>
<div class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527text-container ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527galileo-ap-content-editor"><div>
<div><font size="3"><span style="font-size:14px;color:rgb(60, 98, 142);font-family:Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s important to remember that COVID-19 can turn on a dime. The minute we start to go back up the curve, cases can spread exponentially, and the only way to bring it back down is to tighten restrictions. On this slide you see a clear inflection point on the Fourth of July. But you also see a second inflection point a few weeks ago, when new hospitalizations started ticking down again. This timing also has a clear correlation – this time to our lowering of the social gathering limit to 15 and early closures of bars.</span></font></div>
<div><font size="3"><span style="font-size:14px;color:rgb(60, 98, 142);font-family:Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></font></div>
<div><font size="3"><span style="font-size:14px;color:rgb(60, 98, 142);font-family:Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-weight:bold;">COVID-19 does not care what day it is. It will not take the day off on Labor Day, even if you really, really want it to. It is still not safe to gather in large groups over the long weekend, and doing so puts your health, the economy, and the lives of your fellow Rhode Islanders at risk.</span></font></div>
<div><font size="3"><br></font></div>
<div><font size="3"><span style="font-size:14px;color:rgb(60, 98, 142);font-family:Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now is not the time to let our guard down. We cannot let Labor Day become another inflection point on this graph. If we wear masks and keep our gatherings small, outdoors, and socially distanced, we can continue on our current trajectory. But if we don’t follow the rules this weekend, if we let up like we did on the Fourth of July, we will see it in the data over the next few weeks, right as kids are getting back to school. Please, be responsible this weekend. </span></font></div>
<div><font size="3"><br></font></div>
<div><font size="3"><span style="font-size:14px;color:rgb(60, 98, 142);font-family:Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We're all in this together,</span></font></div>
<div><font size="3"><br></font></div>
<div><font size="3"><span style="font-size:14px;color:rgb(60, 98, 142);font-family:Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Gina Raimondo</span></font></div>
<div><font size="3"><span style="font-size:14px;color:rgb(60, 98, 142);font-family:Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Governor</span></font></div>
</div></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<table class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527footer-container yahoo-compose-table-card" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); background-repeat: repeat; background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-size: auto; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; table-layout: auto !important;" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" bgcolor="#ffffff">
<tbody><tr>
<td style="width:100%;" width="100%" valign="top" align="center">
<div class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527footer-max-main-width" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;max-width:100%;" dir="ltr" data-setdir="false" align="center">
<table class="yahoo-compose-table-card" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tbody><tr>
<td class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527footer-layout" style="padding:16px 0px;" valign="top" align="center">
<table class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527footer-main-width yahoo-compose-table-card" style="width:580px;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tbody><tr>
<td class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527footer-text" style="color:#5d5d5d;font-family:Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12px;padding:4px 0px;" valign="top" align="center">
<span class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527footer-column">Governor's Office<span class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527footer-mobile-hidden"> | </span></span><span class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527footer-column">82 Smith Street<span class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527footer-mobile-hidden">, </span></span><span class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527footer-column"></span><span class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527footer-column"></span><span class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527footer-column">Providence, RI 02903</span><span class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527footer-column"></span>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527footer-row" style="padding:10px 0px;" valign="top" align="center"><div><table class="ydpf2810a87yiv3280797911templateContainer yahoo-compose-table-card" style="border-collapse:collapse;max-width:600px !important;" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" align="center"><tbody><tr><td class="ydpf2810a87yiv3280797911preheaderContainer" valign="top"><table class="ydpf2810a87yiv3280797911mcnTextBlock yahoo-compose-table-card" style="min-width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"><tbody class="ydpf2810a87yiv3280797911mcnTextBlockOuter"><tr><td class="ydpf2810a87yiv3280797911mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top:9px;" valign="top">
<table style="max-width:100%;min-width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;" class="ydpf2810a87yiv3280797911mcnTextContentContainer yahoo-compose-table-card" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" align="left">
<tbody><tr>
<td class="ydpf2810a87yiv3280797911mcnTextContent" style="padding:0px 18px 9px;text-align:center;color:#656565;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;line-height:150%;" valign="top">
<a href="https://mailchi.mp/johnforward1.com/resolutions?e=33715a1852" style="color: rgb(101, 101, 101); font-weight: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor;" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View this email in your browser</a>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<table class="ydpf2810a87yiv3280797911templateContainer yahoo-compose-table-card" style="border-collapse:collapse;max-width:600px !important;" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" align="center">
<tbody><tr>
<td class="ydpf2810a87yiv3280797911headerContainer" valign="top"><table class="ydpf2810a87yiv3280797911mcnImageBlock yahoo-compose-table-card" style="min-width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tbody class="ydpf2810a87yiv3280797911mcnImageBlockOuter">
<tr>
<td style="padding:9px;" class="ydpf2810a87yiv3280797911mcnImageBlockInner" valign="top">
<table class="ydpf2810a87yiv3280797911mcnImageContentContainer yahoo-compose-table-card" style="min-width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" align="left">
<tbody><tr>
<td class="ydpf2810a87yiv3280797911mcnImageContent" style="padding-right:9px;padding-left:9px;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;text-align:center;" valign="top">
<a href="https://johnforward1.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=627d403ab5671dae64834341c&id=0d72edd04d&e=33715a1852" title="" class="ydpf2810a87yiv3280797911" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">
<img alt="" src="https://mcusercontent.com/627d403ab5671dae64834341c/images/653e418e-d170-47fd-b6be-55180607fbd7.jpg" style="max-width: 800px; padding-bottom: 0px; display: inline !important; vertical-align: bottom; border-color: currentcolor; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; outline: currentcolor none medium; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; width: 360.96px;" class="ydpf2810a87yiv3280797911mcnImage" align="middle">
</a>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table><table class="ydpf2810a87yiv3280797911mcnImageBlock yahoo-compose-table-card" style="min-width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tbody class="ydpf2810a87yiv3280797911mcnImageBlockOuter">
<tr>
<td style="padding:9px;" class="ydpf2810a87yiv3280797911mcnImageBlockInner" valign="top">
<table class="ydpf2810a87yiv3280797911mcnImageContentContainer yahoo-compose-table-card" style="min-width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" align="left">
<tbody><tr>
<td class="ydpf2810a87yiv3280797911mcnImageContent" style="padding-right:9px;padding-left:9px;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;text-align:center;" valign="top">
<a href="https://johnforward1.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=627d403ab5671dae64834341c&id=19f77e544b&e=33715a1852" title="" class="ydpf2810a87yiv3280797911" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">
<img alt="" src="https://mcusercontent.com/627d403ab5671dae64834341c/images/b4b30f01-132f-4315-abba-6dda5c44d92e.png" style="max-width: 600px; padding-bottom: 0px; display: inline !important; vertical-align: bottom; border-color: currentcolor; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; outline: currentcolor none medium; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; width: 564px;" class="ydpf2810a87yiv3280797911mcnImage" align="middle">
</a>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<table class="ydpf2810a87yiv3280797911templateContainer yahoo-compose-table-card" style="border-collapse:collapse;max-width:600px !important;" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" align="center">
<tbody><tr>
<td class="ydpf2810a87yiv3280797911bodyContainer" valign="top"><table class="ydpf2810a87yiv3280797911mcnTextBlock yahoo-compose-table-card" style="min-width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tbody class="ydpf2810a87yiv3280797911mcnTextBlockOuter">
<tr>
<td class="ydpf2810a87yiv3280797911mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top:9px;" valign="top">
<table style="max-width:100%;min-width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;" class="ydpf2810a87yiv3280797911mcnTextContentContainer yahoo-compose-table-card" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" align="left">
<tbody><tr>
<td class="ydpf2810a87yiv3280797911mcnTextContent" style="padding-top:0;padding-right:18px;padding-bottom:9px;padding-left:18px;color:#202020;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:16px;line-height:150%;text-align:left;" valign="top">
<div style="text-align:left;">
<table style="border-collapse:collapse;" class="yahoo-compose-table-card" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="100%" valign="top" align="left">
<table style="border-collapse:collapse;" class="yahoo-compose-table-card" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" align="left">
<div style="text-align:center;">
<h3 style="text-align:center;display:block;margin:0;padding:0;color:#202020;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:20px;font-style:normal;font-weight:bold;line-height:125%;letter-spacing:normal;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica neue, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:18px;">Councilman Goncalves and Council Colleagues Introduce Several Resolutions Regarding Returning to School in Providence</span></span><br>
</h3>
<div style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:18px;">At the
September 3 City Council Meeting, Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1)
introduced several resolutions with City Council colleagues regarding
the start of the new school year, school improvements, and COVID-19
preparedness within Providence schools.</span><br>
</div>
<div style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:18px;">“As we
approach the 2020-2021 school year, it is crucial that we take all
considerations to build a safe and productive school year. I commend and
applaud the hard work of the Department of Education, Commissioner
Infante-Green, Superintendent Peters and the Department of Health, and
offer these resolutions as simply suggestions to further ensure these
goals are met,” stated Councilman Goncalves.<br>
<br>
<b>¶ The first resolution</b> encourages Providence residents to <font style="background-color: inherit;" color="#cd232c"><b>vote “Yes”
</b></font>on the November ballot referendum to approve a $40 million bond for
school improvements in Providence. These improvements would include
construction, renovation, landscaping, furnishing and equipping
Providence schools and school facilities throughout the City. <br>
<br>
This resolution is co-sponsored by Council President Matos (Ward
15), Council President Pro Tempore Correia (Ward
6), Councilwoman Anthony (Ward 2), Councilwoman Castillo (Ward
9), Councilman Espinal (Ward 10), Finance Chairman Igliozzi (Ward
7), Councilwoman Kerwin (Ward 12), Councilor Miller (Ward 13), Councilor
Salvatore (Ward 14) and Councilman Narducci (Ward 4). <br>
<br>
Council President Matos stated, “While we should prioritize the
warmth, safety, and security of our learning spaces for our youth, we
should also invest into projects that inspire learning and instill a
sense of pride in students about the spaces they spend most of their
days in. Voting yes on this ballot referendum would help provide us the
flexibility we need to work towards transforming our schools both
academically and structurally into investments we can be proud of.” <br>
<br>
As plans are made to begin the new school year, the possibility
remains that students will be returning to in person learning for at
least some of the school year. This means that the physical state of
Providence school buildings remain a timely and important concern.<br>
<br>
<b>¶ The second resolution</b> proposed by Councilman Goncalves requests
that the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) ensure that every
Providence Public School has a <font style="background-color: inherit;" color="#cd232c"><b>trained nurse</b></font> available on site during
the day.<br>
<br>
“As in-person learning resumes, at a time when public health is so
important, it is imperative that a trained nurse or substitute nurse in
every building be made available to all Providence students. This will
further protect the health of Providence children, their families and
surrounding communities,” added Councilman Goncalves.<br>
<br>
<b>¶ The next resolution</b> suggests that the RIDE and Providence Public
Schools provide a <font style="background-color: inherit;" color="#cd232c"><b>remote learning best practices </b><font color="#000000">workshop</font></font> for parents,
through whichever means they see fit. This resolution has been
co-sponsored by Council President Matos, Council President Pro Tempore
Corriea, Councilor Anthony, Councilor Castillo, Councilor Miller,
Councilor Narducci, Councilor Kerwin and Councilor Salvatore.<br>
<br>
“So many parents have suddenly had to become teachers as they help
their children navigate distance learning. Feedback has indicated that
many parents would like to learn more about what they can do at home to
provide the best possible learning environment for their children,”
continued Councilman Goncalves.<br>
<br>
“With the possibility that schools may be relying on distance
learning for part of the school year, this type of training would help
to mitigate absenteeism and provide parents with some assurance as
families adjust to this change,” stated Councilor Anthony. <br>
<br>
<b>¶ The final resolution </b>recommends that RIDE utilize <font style="background-color: inherit;" color="#cd232c"><b>disaggregated
data</b></font> in their school operations decision making. While the current
guidelines call for broad municipal data in which any city or town with
more than 100 positive cases per 100,000 residents cannot move to a full
in-person reopening, disaggregate data captures community spread of
COVID-19 more closely by pinpointing data within certain subsets of the
populations such as race, ethnicity and zip code. <br>
<br>
“We have all learned that data and science is crucial when it
comes to combating COVID-19. I have 100% confidence in our Governor,
Department of Health, and Department of Education and the five metric
methodology for a safe reopening in person, and this is simply a
recommendation to look at our municipal readiness in a more granular
way. Since COVID zip code data is readily available, looking at zip
codes, race and ethnicity to guide school operation decisions could
ensure a safe and equitable return to school, specifically among
communities of color and zip codes that have been disproportionately
impacted,” stated Councilman Goncalves.<br>
<br>
“Communities of color and lower-income communities have been
disproportionately affected by COVID-19 within the City of Providence.
This disaggregate data would provide a deeper understanding of the risks
involved with returning to school within these specific communities and
zip codes' ' stated Finance Chairman Igliozzi. <br>
<br>
Council President Matos added, “It’s extremely important that we
as the City Council continue to advocate for reform and transformation
in our schools: whether it be for better family engagement or basic
personnel such as a school nurse. I’m proud to have partnered
with Councilman Goncalves and my Council Colleagues in bringing forth
these resolutions to keep our kids and families safe.” <br>
<br>
These resolutions have been transmitted to the Honorable Governor
of the State of Rhode Island, the Mayor of Providence, the
Superintendent of the Providence Public School District, and the
Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education for the State of
Rhode Island.</span><br>
</div>
</div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br></div></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="ydp2d4c0b37yiv7404908527footer-text" style="color:#5d5d5d;font-family:Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12px;padding:4px 0px;" valign="top" align="center"><br></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table></div>
</div></div>
</div>
</div></body></html>