Tropical Storm Henri as of Sunday, August 22, 9:00 am

Henri is now a Cat1 hurricane

Governor's press conference (4/2/20): 1. Governor and First Gentleman Andy Moffit held a fireside chat where the First Gentleman read the questions from RI children, while the Governor responded.

Governor's press conference (4/1/20): Key salient points 1. It has been one month since first COVID-19 case was reported. 2. Managing >500 tests per day, and scheduled to generate 1,000 tests per day effective tomorrow. Again, if you are planning to use the three public colleges and university sites for testing, you must have an appointment scheduled by your physician. 3. STATS: 77 new cases, bringing total to 566, with 60 hospitalized and 10 total deaths. 4. A new RI Bridge Loan program ($2M = $1M from RI Commerce and $1M form Bank Newport) for those who have completed an SBA application. Call 521-HELP for details. 5. Tomorrow's press conference will be devoted to Children and their questions.

Governor's press conference (3/31/20): Key salient points 1. A stark reminder, that COVID-19 will get harder with higher numbers, before it gets better. 2. The three public colleges will start drive-in testing tomorrow, April 1. You need a Doctor's appointment to get tested. 3. We are currently testing 500 - 600 people/day, with a goal of 1,000/day 4. President Trump approved the State's request for a Disaster Declaration - this means federal funding will be available to reimburse for State expenses. 5. STATS: 86 new cases, bringing total to 488, with 59 hospitalized, and 8 deaths. 6. Pleading for retired and part-time health professionals to volunteer and support existing medical staffs. riresponds.org and note the correct link from that previously posted. My apologies.

Governor's press conference (3/30/20): Key salient points 1. Distance Learning will continue through April, at which time it will be revisited. Many success stories abound from last weeks start. 2. "April is reading challenge month" - read each day and managed by RI Department of Education (RIDE). 3. STATS: 114 new cases, bringing total cases to 408, with 41 hospitalized, and 4 deaths. 4. Smart Phones: All cellular service providers will allow "Hot Spots" to be activated through May 18, for FREE. This is meant to connect those with limited coverage. 5. Requesting volunteers for health services professionals for all types of medical support at www.riresponse.org 6. All Childcare facilities are closed through April 4, at which time they will be reevaluated. 7. URI Kingston, CCRI Warwick and RIC Providence, will provide COVID-19 testing after being pre-screened by your doctor, with an appointment ONLY.

Governor's press conference (3/27/20): Key salient points 1. Thanked the administrators, teachers and the 140,000 students making distance learning a reality. Yes, there have been glitches, but RI is the only state in the country performing statewide distance learning. 2. STATS: 38 new cases, bringing new total to 203, of which 28 are hospitalized. 3. Requesting volunteers for health services professionals for all types of medical support at www.riresponse.org 4. Dine-in service at restaurants, bars, cafes is extended to April 13 5. A reminder that out-of-state employees (your employees) are not impacted by any RI executive order, with the exception of working from home if possible.

Governor's press conference (3/25/20): Key salient points 1. STATS: 8 new cases, bringing cumulative total to 132. Note - no deaths. 2. Happy that Congress passed a $2 trillion stimulus package - RI will receive $1.25B and its use is TBD. 3. Generating new guidelines for large retailers that include numbers of customers allowed in the store and while waiting in line to enter. 4. Emphasized that the COVID-19 pandemic is a Marathon, and not a Sprint. 5. She thanked everyone for their cooperation and sympathetic to their situation.

Governor's press conference (3/24/20): Key salient points 1. STATS: 18 new cases, bringing the cumulative total to 124 2. Regarding Child & Elder Care, RI is the first State to partner with Care.com/rineed to provide access for Rhode Island front-line workers, free, for three months. 3. Any Childcare Center that chooses to remain open, can operate under new emergency regulations issued by the RI Dept of Human Services (DHS). 4. The Governor desires to open-up the economy, incrementally, but everyone must abide by current edicts, to make that sooner, rather than later. 5. Finally, the Governor is not implementing "Shelter in Place". Again, everyone must comply with the executive orders issued to date.

Governor's press conference (3/23/20): Key salient points 1. STATS: 23 new cases, bringing the total to 106 - note that only 4 are hospitalized 2. To the Business Community: "I know this is devastating the economy, and this is not the new normal". 3. MA Governor Baker issued an "Advisory" to shut businesses. Because of this action, there are no measures to close RI borders and further businesses. This assumes we all comply with existing executive orders. 4. 204 Companies/Orgs/People have donated medical supplies - click on 5. Beginning March 24, any flight arrivals - domestic or international - will require the traveler/passenger to self quarantine for 14 days.

Good morning: I just want to say thank you to our members for their continued support as we address the COVID-19 situation. We continue to produce medical supplies from RI manufacturers, who are reconfiguration their operations. A good example are distilleries and breweries who are producing an alcohol based hand sanitizer. You may have seen the article in yesterday's Projo about Industrious Spirits donating to people in their community. Sons of Liberty, a distiller in South Kingstown will have a drive-through donation from noon to 6 pm today at the Peace Dale Elementary School. As always, do not hesitate in reaching out if you have questions where to find medical products such as hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes.

Governor's press conference (3/20/20): Key salient points 1. We are not proposing "Shelter in Place". It is a measure of last resort. 2. RI has moved its tax deadline to July 15, same as the IRS 3. Dr. Alexander-Scott thanked the many companies that have contributed medical supplies. Here is the RI Dept of Health web link to view requests for medical supplies. https://rigov.wufoo.com/forms/covid-19-medical-supply-donations/

Governor's press conference: Key salient points. 1. Stated that "Shelter in Place" is a last resort. 2. 10 new cases, bringing total to 43

A BIG thank you to Toray Plastics in North Kingstown, for contributing 750 N95 masks to the RI Department of Health, in support of the COVID-19 fight.

Governor's Press Conference: 1. ALL RI Public Schools will institute "distance learning" starting March 23 through April 3, 2020. 2. Executed an Executive Order (EO), that mandate ALL RI insurance companies to cover medically appropriate tele-health calls/video chats. 3. ALL RI regulated utilities cannot terminate anyone's service for water, sewer, gas and electric. 4. Any out-of-state health licensed practitioner can secure a RI temporary license, good for 90-days, with a simple form and issuance in 2 days. 5. We have 10 new cases in the last 24-hours, bringing the total to 33. This note is from the ticker tape on the bottom of TVs: Microsoft 365 will be free to businesses for 6-months.

Update: 1. We fulfilled a request from an Alliance member for hand sanitizer and disinfectant. 2. Continue to work with RI manufacturers to produce RI supplied medical product such as COVID-19 test kit - a long shot, but worth the effort if successful. 3. Governor just announced that all HHS and HSRI business to be conducted by phone or online. All professional licenses should be performed on-line. If you have no internet access, a 30-day grace period will apply. 4. DO NOT go to the DMV in person, go on-line. satellite offices will be closed until next week, with the exception of the Cranston main office.

Governor's Press Conference: Key salient points 1. NO dine-in for restaurants, bars, cafes and other eateries effective March 17 through March 30. Take out and delivery is available. The Governor will review this policy near the end of the second week. 2. NO Gatherings of 25 or more people 3. Unemployment and TDI claims are up. RI is seeking an "Economic Injury" declaration from the federal government to support these requests. 4. COVID-19 Hotline is 222-8022 John

Governor and RI Commerce are assessing solutions, such as direct loans, and partnering with non-traditional lenders, as well as leveraging SBA emergency loans, to help small businesses.