Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - April 24, 2020

HOT

Purple, Purple

U.S. News and World Report unveiled this week its ranking for best high schools.

No Rhode Island public high school made the top 100 in the country, but Classical High School in Providence ranks #132 in the U.S. 

Tops in Rhode Island.

HOT

Brown University

Brown University has announced that is providing housing for up to 700 front-line healthcare and emergency workers in Rhode Island than are battling the coronavirus.

For emergency personnel and healthcare workers serving on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic, increased exposure to the disease elevates the risk of infection not only for themselves, but for the family members they come home to after each shift. 

Brown has announced, that to reduce this risk of transmission between exposed workers and their households, the University has partnered with the State of Rhode Island to make several currently unoccupied student residence halls available to front-line personnel who need to isolate themselves from their families while they support the State’s COVID-19 response.

HOT

Recognizing Heroes

Ed Brady and other Cranston leaders have joined together to recognized community heroes.

They write:

We have partnered with our friends at BORI graphix | Balloons Over Rhode Island to provide 125 lawn signs for FREE to Cranston residents! With so many families struggling at home we want to show our appreciation to our Cranston community and our first responders.

If you would like to reserve a lawn sign please contact Chris Paplauskas, Ken Hopkins, Michael Farina, Robert Ferri, Matt Reilly, Jay Bombardier Jr. or myself and we will DELIVER it safety to your doorstop.

Looking to have a lawn sign designed on your own? Signs are also available for purchase if you are not a Cranston resident for $10. 

HOT

Governor Gina Raimondo

Looking even better than CNN host John King's hair.

HOT

Rhode Island's Response

For the most part, Rhode Islanders have done an amazing job responding to the state's restrictions.

Regardless the numbers continue to be concerning.

RI has the 5th most cases in the U.S. per 1 million. 

And, the 8th most deaths per 1 million. 

HOT

San Miguel School

Innovators innovate.

While most schools in RI are closing this summer, the private San Miguel School which serves inner-city low-income boys is looking to innovate.

“We’re thinking aggressively and creatively about summer options,” said John Wolf, who heads the school. “We know the need is not going to drop in the summer. We’re considering figuring out ways to keep the social distancing norms when we do get guidance from the Governor and Department of Health to then get outside for things like hiking, fishing, or even robotics on the playground.”

“There are no options off the table right now — we are in extraordinary times,” said Wolf of looking to provide learning opportunities year-round. 

NOT

Linnell Peavey Bickford, Director of Development at URI

The University administrator took to social media to attack the media for reporting that a group is planning an event at the State House on Saturday - the group is calling for the economy to be opened sooner rather than later. GoLocal has also repeatedly reported nearly all public health experts believe that would be a mistake.

“GoLocalProv is supporting a movement that will get more people sick and keep us all home longer,” wrote Bickford.

Nope, just reporting the news.

GoLocal reported on the protest, as it has reported and covered protest groups opposing President Donald Trump’s policies, groups opposed to a war with Iran, groups opposed to war in Yemen, on immigration issues, gun issues, and more. 

NOT

Hospitals Under Tremendous Pressure

Care New England reports that the hospital group lost a total of $44.5 million in March.

Care NewEngland lost $15.2 million in operating losses and $29.3 million in non-operating losses.

This announcement comes on the heels of Lifespan announcing massive losses by Lifespan.

Rhode Island's largest hospital group -- Lifespan -- announced a total loss of $75.7 million for the month of March.

The losses at Lifespan included an operating loss of $23.8 million for the month of March related to the COVID-19 crisis.

NOT

Cicilline v. Projo

Congressman David Cicilline launched a tweet attack on Providence Journal's editorial writer Ed Achorn.

Talk about kicking a guy when he is down. Achorn and other Projo staffers are furloughed one week a month. The Journal's parent company stock is trading at $0.77 a share.

Cicilline Tweeted:

On Monday, @Ed_Achorn said Dems blocked small biz relief for “partisan goodies.” “Goodies?” The fact is we won the fight to get $60B for the smallest companies, $75B for hospitals/PPE, and $25B for testing. Sad that @projo sees these as partisan. They are essential. Cut the BS.
 

NOT

Gronk and Brady

So tired of you.

Good luck in Tampa Bay -- the city of champions.