Woonsocket Radio News Room

NORTH SMITHFIELD WEEKLY UPDATE

 

Dear Residents, Businesses, and Community Partners,

 

I hope you are doing well. As we mark almost a year since the first case of COVID-19 in Rhode Island, I want to thank our first responders, town staff, teachers, and community partners for always stepping up to help those in need. We are also thankful for residents doing their part to keep cases low in our community. It has been a difficult year, but there is an end in sight. Until we are all vaccinated, please continue to remain vigilant and safe.

 

Rhode Island’s COVID-19 positivity rate continues to remain low at 2.1% for the week, and 225,551 vaccinations have been administered statewide. 

 

Locally, we are proud to have vaccinated 160 residents 75 years and older. We have 160 more to vaccinate with our allotted amount from the RIDOH.

 

COVID-19 Vaccine

There are several options for Rhode Islanders 65 years of age or older to be vaccinated: 

 

1.     State Sites: Register for a vaccine at the two state sites in Providence and Cranston here: https://www.vaccinateri.org/ or call 844-930-1779.

a.      We will update you as additional locations open in Middletown, Woonsocket, and elsewhere. 

 

2.     Pharmacies: CVS and Walgreens are now accepting online reservations.

 

3.     Register for a Lifespan Clinic: http://bit.ly/LifespanVax

 

If you are unable to leave home to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, or are the healthcare provider or family caregiver of someone who is homebound, please inform RIDOH through the following form: http://bit.ly/homeboundvax.

 

For more information on vaccines, visit: https://covid.ri.gov/vaccination. Sign up for RIDOH’s weekly vaccination newsletter here.

 

COVID-19 Testing

Please consider getting tested on a weekly basis. Rapid and PCR testing is available at various locations throughout the state. A full list of locations is located here. To make an appointment click here.

 

COVID-19 Guidelines 

As a reminder, the state is operating under the following guidelines: 

 

·        Wear a mask when outside of your home, even in the outdoors.

·        Keep your social interactions limited to members of one additional household when indoors, and two additional households when gathering outdoors.

·        Self-isolate whenever possible. Work from home. Shop locally online.

 

Local Reminders

A reminder that there is a special election on Tuesday, March 2nd. For those who are voting by mail, ballots must be received by 8:00 pm on March 2nd. Early/emergency voting is open until March 1st until 4:00pm. 

 

·        Monday March 1st: 8am-4pm

·        Tuesday, March 2nd 7am-8pm

 

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced an exclusive access period for the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses with fewer than 20 employees for the next 14 days (starting 2/24). Find out more and apply, here: http://ow.ly/JVqi50DGZrY

 

Thank you for your continued patience and cooperation. 

 

Sincerely, 

 

Paul Zwolenski

Town Administrator

 

Former President Trump is back in court as his criminal hush money trial continues. Former Michael Cohen associate Gary Farro is now on the stand. This comes after jurors heard testimony from former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker who gave details this week on how he protected Trump from negative stories leading up to the 2016 presidential election. Meanwhile, the judge in the case has said he'll consider four more Trump gag order violations being alleged by the prosecution.       President Biden is willing to debate Donald Trump ahead of the November presidential election. During an interview today with radio host Howard Stern, Biden said he doesn't know when, but that he'd be happy to debate Trump. The comment comes as the Biden campaign has declined to commit to a debate for months.        The Biden administration is making it clear to House Speaker Mike Johnson it's up to state governors to decide if the National Guard should be brought in to combat pro-Palestine protests on college campuses. Johnson called on President Biden to call in the National Guard after visiting Columbia University on Wednesday. The Speaker said "there is an appropriate time for the National Guard" if the protests aren't contained quickly.       The U.S. is calling on China to stop supporting Russia's war on Ukraine. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing today. Blinken told reporters he raised concerns with Chinese officials over the country's support for Russia's military. He added that Moscow would struggle to sustain its assault on Ukraine without China's backing.       Saturday is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. It's an opportunity for folks to safely dispose of their prescription drugs that are no longer needed. The goal is to keep prescription painkillers from being misused.       The NFL Draft continues tonight with rounds two and three. A record 23 offensive players were taken in the first round yesterday. Top players still on the board include Cooper DeJean, Jer'Zhan Newton, Kool-Aid McKinstry and Ladd McConkey. USC quarterback Caleb Williams was taken with the first overall pick by the Chicago Bears.       

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