Dr. Fine Says RI Needs to Change Coronavirus Policies, “What We Are Doing Simply Is Not Working”
Tuesday, December 08, 2020
As Rhode Island continues to score the highest rate of infection in the United States, former RI Director of Health Michael Fine is warning that it is critical that Governor Gina Raimondo’s administration change policies.
Fine said on GoLocal LIVE on Monday, "What we are doing now simply is not working."
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTFor the second consecutive day, Rhode Island has the highest number of cases per 100,000 of all states. RI's rate of 110 cases per 100,000 is five times higher than Maine's rate of 19 new cases and more than 50% higher than Connecticut's rate of 60 and Massachusetts' rate of 66 respectively.
Since September, RI's cases have been going nearly straight up. Raimondo did not materially change policies until November 30, when she implemented a partial closure. The partial closure has come under fire by some business owners for being inconsistent across sectors.
One gym owner refused to comply and was cited by the state and then was issued a court order to close -- but remained open.
Providence's upscale restaurant Gracie's filed for bankruptcy in Federal Court on November 30. It is the most recent of dozens of local eateries to close during the pandemic. The restaurant hopes to reopen in the new year and posted to its website, "We can’t wait to open our doors again in January when the world will be brighter in 2021."
RI's cases are higher than midwestern states that have no requirements for wearing a mask.
RI Cases Continue to Spike
On Monday, the Rhode Island Department of Health reported 3,681 new coronavirus cases in the state over the weekend.
The prior weekend, for the same three day period, the state reported 2,769 cases -- meaning the state saw a 33% increase in cases in a one week period. Rhode Island reported 35 COVID-19 related deaths over the weekend, bringing the state's total to 1,448.
There are currently 422 people hospitalized in Rhode Island with coronavirus, with 30 people in the ICU.
Fine warns that Raimondo’s focus on testing has been a failure. Raimondo has repeatedly on national TV appearances and at weekly press briefings trumpeted that RI has the highest per capita testing in the U.S.
Fine has stated for months that RI’s standard benchmark standard of 100 new cases per week per 100,000 is too high and has allowed for too much virus.
“We did not choose the right standard for the cutoff,” Fine reiterated again on Monday on GoLocal LIVE. Fine has argued that the standard needed to be and needs to be changed to 14.
“Because we did not use a strict enough standard, we are now paying the price,” said Fine.
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