[Summit] Pandemic messages, charts & video from the Governor, the Mayor and RISD -- the New Guidelines [Covid News mo. 393]

Mon Nov 9 05:44:28 UTC 2020

   ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Gina Raimondo <communications at governor.ri.gov>To:Sent: Thursday, November 5, 2020, 8:31:11 PM ESTSubject: New guidance pt. 2

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| Hi David,
It was about a month ago that we started to see our COVID-19 numbers ticking up, and we asked everyone to find small changes we can make in our own lives to keep people safe, from wearing our masks more often to canceling social plans. To those who made changes last month, thank you. We also said at that time that if the trends continued in this direction, we’d have to impose new restrictions, and that was something we had hoped to avoid.
Unfortunately, we haven't seen the change in our numbers that we need to. Today Rhode Island set a new daily record for case numbers, and unfortunately we’re not alone in this spike. It’s happening all over the country and the world. In fact, just yesterday, the U.S. saw its first day with more than 100,000 new cases. Because of that, today we’re announcing seven new measures that will take effect on Sunday. These measures are part of a regional approach in close coordination with Massachusetts and Connecticut. Over the next two weeks, we will be closely monitoring behavioral data to see if this approach is working or if we need to impose additional restrictions. |

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| 1. Effective Sunday, a stay-at-home advisory is in effect from 10pm-5am on weeknights, and 10:30pm-5am on Fridays and Saturdays. At that time, unless you’re going to and from work or running essential errands like getting food or going to the pharmacy, you should be in your own home. Not someone else’s home – your home. We know that late-night house parties are a major factor in this second wave. And if you’re at a restaurant or bar until that time, once it closes, drive straight home. We’re not going to take a heavy hand – as always, our approach calls for voluntary compliance. But if we do see big parties at any time of day, and particularly at night, we will break them up and fine you. 
2. Also effective Sunday, all restaurants, bars, gyms, recreational facilities (such as casinos, bowling alleys, and museums), and personal services must close at 10pm on weeknights, and 10:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Restaurants can continue to offer takeout and drive-through after that time.
3. We’re lowering the capacity limit for indoor events and venues of assembly to 50%, with a maximum of 125 people. For outdoors, the limit will be 66%, with a maximum of 150 people. This applies to things like performing arts venues, movie theaters, and houses of worship. I’d ask everyone to consider switching to virtual worship for the next few weeks.
4. We’re reducing the limit for catered events to 25 indoors and 75 outdoors. If you already have a wedding planned in the next two weeks, we’re able to consider an exception if you contact the Department of Business Regulation. 
5. We’re reducing the capacity limit at malls and big box stores – retailers with more than 30,000 sq. ft. of space – back to the Phase 2 limit of 1 person per 150 sq. ft. Over the last few weeks, we’ve started to see more crowding at these businesses, and we anticipate that will continue to increase as we head into a big shopping season.
6. In addition to working from home when possible, we’re asking businesses to postpone or cancel nonessential work-related travel. We’re also leading by example in this regard and have put a hiatus on work-related travel for state employees.
7. We’re updating our masking guidance to require masks at all times with anyone you don’t live with. That includes anytime you leave your home – including at the gym – and private gatherings if there’s anyone there you don’t live with. |

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| I know this is hard to hear for businesses – and particularly restaurants and bars. While it’s my hope that doing this now will prevent us from needing to shut you down entirely in a few weeks, it’s still tough. You’re doing everything you can, but the fact is that anywhere that people are gathering and taking off masks, the virus is spreading, and that’s unavoidable when there’s food and drinks. Today, as we announce these new measures, I am also announcing that we will be sending grants to all active Rhode Island restaurant and bars impacted by this early closure order. 
Restaurants and bars will receive between $2,000 and $10,000 based upon how much business they typically do. These businesses will need to attest that they were affected by this early closure, and then they can expect their grant from the Division of Taxation within 30 days. We know these grants might not make up for what has been an extraordinarily difficult time, but we hope it will help as we make another round of temporary sacrifices to stop the second wave.
I’m confident these targeted interventions will make a difference. But that’s only true if we all take it to heart. It’s been a long 8 months, and it’s not lost on me how hard this is. I feel it myself, and I see it in my family. But I also know what can happen when Rhode Islanders rally together. We did it in the spring, and we became national leaders. Let’s do it again.
We're all in this together.
-Gina RaimondoGovernor
P.S.: Information is our greatest weapon in the fight against COVID-19. If you or someone you know wants to sign up to receive these emails, you can use this link. |

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|  Governor's Office | 82 Smith Street, Providence, RI 02903  |
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Fri, Nov 6 at 11:28 AM 
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Not displaying correctly? View this email in browser.
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November 7, 2020
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| Haga clic aquí para español |

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Dear neighbor –

I want to thank you all for your help in keeping each other safe and healthy during this time. While I appreciate all the creative and inspiring actions you’ve taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19, cases are again on the rise and we must do more. As we continue to work together to ensure the health and safety of our residents, I would like to take time to review the steps we took this week to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 in our community.

   - The Governor announced yesterday that, effective Sunday, residents are encouraged to stay home between the hours of 10PM-5AM on weekdays and 10:30PM-5AM Friday and Saturday unless performing essential tasks such as getting food, medicine, gas or going to work. 
   - Indoor dining at restaurants as well as bars, gym and recreational facilities are also required to end service by 10PM weekdays and 10:30PM on Fridays and Saturday. Restaurants can continue to offer drive thru, pick up and take out options after that time.
   - Recommended limits on capacity for venues will be reduced to 50 percent with a maximum capacity of 125 people for indoor and up to 150 people for outdoor venues. Capacity for catered events will be reduced to 25 percent or up to 75 people; whichever is lower. 
   - Capacity for box stores and other retail outlets will be reduced to one person per 150 square feet and businesses must mark spaces for customers to wait in line six feet apart.
   - As a reminder, masks ae required when you are with people who you don’t live with, even while outside or at the gym and the limit for social gatherings is 10 people.

For more information on the local response to COVID-19, resources or operational changes, residents can visit our website, call to connect to the Mayor’s Center for City Services by dialing 3-1-1, visiting www.PVD311.com or downloading the PVD311 mobile app on your smart phone for 24/7 access.

Residents can also register to receive CodeRED emergency notifications by phone, email, text, and/or mobile alerts for the latest updates from the City and to reach out to the Rhode Island Department of Health's COVID-19 Assistance Line at 401-222-8022 Monday through Friday during regular business hours should they have additional questions. 

Sincerely,

Jorge O. Elorza 
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Providence : The Creative Capital.

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| Mayor Jorge O. Elorza
 City of Providence
 25 Dorrance St.
 Providence, RI 02903
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Fri, Nov 6 at 10:53 AM 
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November 2020 
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Dear Neighbors,

As this email is being sent, Rhode Island is seeing an uptick in COVID-19 cases, and there is still no clear outcome in the national election, leaving many in our community feeling anxious and uncertain. As RISD President Rosanne Somerson said in a recent email to students,  “I think we can attest to the reality that we share a collective exhaustion after an incredible year of challenges. At times such as these we usually seek solace and support in the presence of others. It feels cruel, then, that we are unable to come together easily in person without fear of the virus. Yet, I have seen the evident resilience of our community more caringly and concretely than ever this year. I have been awed by how you each have forged and strengthened relationships in your own ways and through your sheer drive to remain connected to one another.”

Below are a few stories highlighting the ways RISD's students, faculty, staff,  and alumni continue to stay connected, safe and engaged not only with each other, but with the local community.

Sincerely,
Bethany Costello
Director, Community Relations

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COVID Updates 

As Rhode Island sees an uptick in its positive COVID-19 cases, RISD continues to monitor and respond to the challenges of this pandemic.  The institution remains committed to keeping the entire RISD community —students, faculty, staff and our neighbors alike – informed on policies, procedures and safeguards put in place.

Testing 
RISD continues to test 50 percent of the on campus population every week, which includes students who live off campus that are learning on campus. In addition, the institution will offer additional testing for community members who have participated in election-related gatherings.  Read more

Dashboard 
To help keep RISD students, faculty, staff and families informed about community health and wellness, the COVID-19 dashboard provides up-to-date statistics from ongoing campus testing. Updated daily Monday–Friday with laboratory-verified results, it offers the most accurate snapshot available of negative and positive COVID-19 tests and of the collective health of our community. Read more

Holiday travel 
Student travel during Thanksgiving break is being strongly discouraged. Alternative academic and co-curricular programming, including a Thanksgiving meal, will be offered on campus during the holiday. Students who do travel will be required to quarantine upon return. Read more

Physical spaces
Campus has been transformed to ensure to the health and safety of the RISD community and at the same time, support students in creative practice. Read more

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Addressing Social Equity and Inclusion on RISD’s campus

RISD has renewed its commitment to addressing deeply embedded racist practices in its structures and pedagogy. Read more

RISD Launches “Race in Art & Design” Cluster Hire Search
In response to student activism and calls from BIPOC faculty members to diversify RISD’s faculty and curricula, RISD has launched a search for 10 new full-time faculty members with expertise in the areas of race, colonization, decolonization, post-coloniality and cultural representation, as well as in material practices of resistance. The “Race in Art & Design” cluster-hire initiative—one of many actions RISD has committed to in its plan to address systemic racism—is made possible through one of the largest (anonymous) gifts in the institution’s history. Read more.

RISD Museum Effecting Change
RISD Museum Director John W. Smith pledged that he and his team would work to dismantle systems of oppression tainting the museum’s curatorial practices. “The RISD Museum, like many museums, plays a role in the unjust and systemic racism and oppression we continue to see in our country in acts of violence and a disregard for human life,” he wrote in a June 5 letter to the community. “We have a moral and mission-driven obligation to help repair that system.” Read more

Initiating Dialogue During Quarantine
An extensive range of virtual programming has been created to support students as they consider how they’ll contribute to the discourse around racial justice. Read more

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Rhode Island School of Design and Brown University Launch Joint Master of Arts in Design Engineering

RISD and Brown University have come together to launch a new joint Master of Arts in Design Engineering (MADE). This unique program between RISD Architecture + Design division and Brown School of Engineering is designed to foster innovation at the intersection of design and engineering. Applications are now being accepted, with courses beginning summer 2021. Read more

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Rhode Island School of Design
 Two College Street
 Providence, RI 02903-2784 
USA
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