Rhode Island

Rhode Island Officials: School Mask Mandates May Return

Published

2 years ago

August 15, 2022

Rhode Island Officials: School Mask Mandates May Return

A second Rhode Island well being official has not dominated out bringing again faculty masks mandates, whereas talking in a deposition carried out for an ongoing lawsuit introduced by dad and mom upset their youngsters needed to put on masks at college.

“Primarily based on what we all know right this moment, RIDOH wouldn’t suggest a masking mandate be put in place,” Jaime Comella, director of the Heart for COVID-19 Epidemiology on the Rhode Island Division of Well being (RIDOH), mentioned throughout a July deposition, based on a transcript reviewed by The Epoch Instances.

“Until one thing adjustments drastically with a brand new variant that will trigger a rise in pediatric hospitalizations or dying, I don’t foresee masking being mandated in colleges,” she added.

Comella was not conscious that there have been zero pediatric deaths in Rhode Island brought on by COVID-19. In reality, no one below 25 has perished from the sickness, based on RIDOH knowledge.

Comella is the second RIDOH official to not rule out bringing again a masks mandate within the state, the nation’s smallest by measurement.

Dr. James McDonald, the company’s former director, who was nonetheless employed by the division when he spoke in June in a deposition for the case, additionally mentioned a mandate might be introduced again.

The college masks mandate beforehand in place in Rhode Island was lifted in March, based mostly on a call by the well being division and Gov. Dan McKee, a Democrat.

RIDOH and a spokeswoman for McKee didn’t reply to requests for remark.

Letter Questioned

On Could 19, RIDOH despatched out a memo to main faculty directors, saying it beneficial “common indoor masking insurance policies” in colleges situated in counties that the U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention designated as having excessive group transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19.

A day later, a letter to oldsters and college students mentioned that college students who examined optimistic for COVID-19, even when they had been vaccinated, “should keep house and isolate for at the least 5 days” and, in the event that they returned to highschool on day 6, “they have to put on a well-fitting masks on the bus, in class, and in any respect school-associated masks.

McDonald claimed the letter was not a mandate. He mentioned compliance was voluntary regardless of using the phrase “should.”

He additionally mentioned he didn’t compose the memo or the letter.

Plaintiffs within the faculty masking case had been instructed by a lawyer with the Rhode Island Workplace of the Legal professional Basic that Comella was “most accountable” for speaking to the Rhode Island Division of Training that the Could 19 memo “ought to be interpreted as recommending that faculty districts situated in ‘excessive’ tier communities mandate the sporting of face masks whereas in class.”

Comella mentioned she didn’t draft the memo, although a working group she’s part of with individuals from different states’ departments did focus on “the ideas” that had been included.

Comella additionally mentioned that oldsters studying the letter can be incorrect to assume it was conveying a masking requirement.

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Zachary Stieber covers U.S. and world information. He’s based mostly in Maryland.

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Related Topics:Featured mask Rhode Island THE EPOCH TIMES

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Rhode Island

Best One Bite Pizza Reviews in 2024: Top 4 spots Dave Portnoy ranked in RI

Published

4 hours ago

January 19, 2025

Press Room

Best One Bite Pizza Reviews in 2024: Top 4 spots Dave Portnoy ranked in RI

Bar Stool Sports founder Dave Portnoy certainly loves a good pizza.

In 2024, Portnoy went all over the state and reviewed the pizzas of four Rhode Island establishments as part of his online show: One Bite Pizza Reviews.

Portnoy grades a pizza shop off his personal criteria: the store-owners’ vibes and the attitude of the patrons eating there, the ambience and atmosphere of the place and, arguably the most important part: the quality of the pie.

Lower ratings on Portnoy’s scale tend to be around 6.0 to 7.5, with the highest ratings being in the 8’s and 9’s.

Here are 2024’s best pizza restaurants in the state, according to Portnoy’s pizza reviews.

4. Merlino’s Pizzeria — Cranston, Rhode Island

Most of this review was Portnoy complaining about the then-recent backlash he received for his comments on the return of Ed Cooley, a former Providence College basketball coach.

Concerning Merlino’s Pizzeria at 889 Dyer Ave, he said it was good and that the pie had “Papa Gino’s vibes.”

He gave Merlino’s Pizzeria an 7.4 out of 10.

“Good, middle-of-the-road pizza,” Portnoy said.

3. D. Palmieri’s Bakery — Johnston, Rhode Island

At first, Portnoy got pizza strips from D. Palmieri’s Bakery at 624 Killingly St., having been told to review the local classic. He tried a cold pizza strip and said it was an acquired taste, giving the Rhode Island delicacy a 5.8.

“If this is Providence food, then everybody’s going hungry,” Portnoy said.

The owner then came out and convinced Portnoy to try their hot bakery pizza.

After approximately 10 minutes of waiting and locals taking selfies with Portnoy, the actual pizza came. Portnoy took a couple bites and gave it a 7.5, complimenting the crispy crust.

“I’m glad I tried this,” Portnoy said.

2. Nice Slice Pizzeria — Providence, Rhode Island

Visiting Nice Slice Pizzeria at 767 Westminster St, Portnoy took one bite and exclaimed “nice,” following up with a “no pun intended,” commenting that he was glad that he and his team picked Nice Slice.

“I take back Providence not having good pizza,” Portnoy said. “This is really good.”

He gave Nice Slice a 7.7.

1. Francesco’s Pizzeria — Providence, Rhode Island

This Providence spot was the standout champion of One Bite Reviews in 2024 in Rhode Island; the restaurant owners heralded Portnoy’s arrival with a sign saying “We Want Portnoy.”

Portnoy said he really liked the pizza at Francesco’s Pizzeria at 357 Hope St. He was surprised by his enjoyment of the pizza, calling it a distant relative of a New Haven pizza.

“This is as good as you can really get from me without getting to the eights,” Portnoy said.

He gave the pizza at Francesco’s Pizzeria a 7.9.

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Rhode Island

RI Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life winning numbers for Jan. 18, 2025

Published

12 hours ago

January 19, 2025

Press Room

The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 18, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 18 drawing

14-31-35-64-69, Powerball: 23, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 18 drawing

04-12-13-32-43, Lucky Ball: 17

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Numbers numbers from Jan. 18 drawing

Midday: 7-3-2-6

Evening: 3-1-7-0

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from Jan. 18 drawing

05-14-25-29-33, Extra: 22

Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
Winners of the Lucky for Life top prize of $1,000 a day for life and second prize of $25,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.

When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Rhode Island

Snow and bitter cold are on the way. Here’s where to find emergency warming sites in RI

Published

19 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Press Room

Snow and bitter cold are on the way. Here’s where to find emergency warming sites in RI

With snow predicted on Sunday night and frigid temperatures in the forecast for the week ahead, authorities are once again opening emergency winter hubs.

Hundreds of people are currently on the state’s shelter intake waitlist, and the lack of shelter beds combined with bitter cold has pushed homelessness to the forefront of Rhode Island politics this winter.

In Providence, the City Council and mayor’s office are organizing a temporary warming center at the DaVinci Center at 470 Charles St., which will be open on Monday and Tuesday from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. The city is seeking volunteers and donations for hygiene items, blankets and snacks.

People interested in volunteering or donating supplies can fill out this form.

At the state level, the Department of Housing has activated additional overnight capacity at several warming sites. The Emergency Management Agency will update its website at riema.ri.gov with the latest details. These emergency hubs and existing drop-in shelters are open for walk-ins and do not require referrals from the Coordinated Entry System the way standard shelters do:

West Warwick: West Warwick Civic Center, 100 Factory St. – Open Monday at 4:30 p.m. to Thursday at 10 a.m.
Westerly: WARM Center, 56 Spruce St. – Open 24/7
Woonsocket: 356 Clinton St. – Opens Monday at 5 p.m.
Pawtucket: OpenDoors, 1139 Main St. – Open 24/7
Providence: Crossroads Rhode Island, 160 Broad St. – Open 24/7
Providence: Emmanuel House, 239 Public St. – Open 24/7
South Kingstown (Peace Dale): Welcome House of South County, 8 North Road – Open 24/7

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