Editor’s note: The office of Mayor Joseph Solomon issued the following press release Wednesday afternoon in the wake of the latest guidance from Gov. Gina Raimondo and Rhode Island Department of Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott regarding the coronavirus situation.
In light of new guidance issued by Governor Gina Raimondo and Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), Mayor Joseph J. Solomon is implementing additional protocols for the City of Warwick in response to the COVID-19 virus.
Mayor Solomon immediately convened the City’s Coronavirus/COVID-19 Response Team to ensure immediate, and effective cross-departmental implementation of the guidelines recommended by Governor Raimondo and RIDOH.
“As Governor Raimondo noted, we only have one shot to get this right and contain the spread of COVID-19, and these recommendations are aggressive and swift,” said Mayor Solomon. “As a community, we must do everything possible to protect our residents, particularly those who are most vulnerable.”
Effective immediately and in accordance with recommendations from Governor Raimondo, all large-scale activities in the City of Warwick (groups of more than 250 people) will be postponed for at least the next two weeks. All activities at Warwick’s senior centers will be postponed for at least two weeks, in accordance with the guidelines issued today to protect adults over age 60, who are especially at risk for COVID-19. The Buttonwoods Community Center will be canceling and/or not accepting reservations for events until the threat of COVID-19 is determined to be over.
Additionally, Mayor Solomon is urging residents to heed the guidance from the State, which includes the following:
“I know that some of our seniors depend upon our senior centers for meals. We are implementing provisions to ensure the continuity of food services for our seniors,” said Mayor Solomon.
Warwick Public Schools have announced that they will restructure lunch programs to mitigate exposure for students. Instead of the typical lunch blocks, where it was possible for more than 250 students to be in a lunch room simultaneously, Warwick Schools will implement “grab and go” lunches to prevent large-scale virus spread.
“I realize that these precautions may pose a tremendous hardship for our residents, but no party, parade or activity is worth risking someone’s life,” said Mayor Solomon. “Virus carriers may not show symptoms of COVID-19 for as long as 14 days, and in the meantime they are potentially spreading germs to the community. The bottom line is that this is such a new virus, there is just a lot we don’t yet know. I would rather err on the side of caution to protect our public.”
In addition to the new guidelines, Mayor Solomon is also reminding residents of the symptoms of COVID-19, which may include fever, cough and shortness of breath.
Symptoms of COVID-19 may be present in as little as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. While many people experience little to no symptoms, other people can become severely or even critically ill. Some individuals are at higher risk of becoming very ill from this virus, including older adults and people with serious chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease.
Mayor Solomon is urging residents to take everyday precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19:
Mayor Solomon has posted an alert for staff and residents on the City’s homepage, which lists resources for accurate, updated information. Additionally, employees participating in the City’s health insurance program have a telemedicine benefit available; Mayor Solomon has proactively shared information about this benefit with city employees and is encouraging them to take advantage of it.
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Jsimmy230
Warwick POLITICIANS are introducing legislation to allow for 4 year terms instead of 2, without term limits included, for Council members and Mayor, this sounds like a great opportunity to have term limits imposed by citizens if anyone/everyone sick can go to all political functions, meetings, events, and shake as many politicians hands as possible. LMFAO
Wednesday, March 11, 2020 Report this
Warwick_Resident1998
Tim Sullivan and the RIEMA duty officer don’t appreciate their phone numbers being left on the board for everyone to see.
Wednesday, March 11, 2020 Report this
Former User
Politics aside, I am glad to see our local officials taking proactive steps to alert the city and provide guidance to protect vulnerable residents.
With COVID-19 in its early stages, such coordinated efforts are vital to helping contain its spread.
Wednesday, March 11, 2020 Report this
perky4175
schools should be closed they can make it up in the summer and no body should be allowed to come in the city from the airport or train station whats more important peoples health or money the markets should have to have all registers open so that the move freely and people ar not forced to bunch up and there should be limits on hand sanitizer and other disinfecting products and dont for get the toilet paper
Thursday, March 12, 2020 Report this
perky4175
this virus has been here since dec and they tried covering it up so dont believe everything they say
Thursday, March 12, 2020 Report this
DD1977
Perky - Reporting on COVID-19 has been ongoing since December 2019. Nobody has covered anything up; it's been right here all along. Obviously coverage was lighter then than it is now, but it was reported and has been known.
Thursday, March 12, 2020 Report this
Justanidiot
this is up to the general assembly to pass a law making covid illegal. pish posh problem solved,
Thursday, March 12, 2020 Report this
bill123
statistically the flu is more dangerous than coronavirus
https://gulfnews.com/world/flu-vs-coronavirus-which-one-is-more-dangerous-facts-that-will-blow-your-mind-1.1580923658868
Thursday, March 12, 2020 Report this
Norm88
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/11/top-federal-health-official-says-coronavirus-outbreak-is-going-to-get-worse-in-the-us.html
Thursday, March 12, 2020 Report this
Thecaptain
If anyone gets the Corona virus, please immediately got to the state house and begin coughing all over the house. Don't forget to sneeze into your hand and touch every door knob that you can. With any luck, the elected criminal element will get sick for a couple of weeks and not impose more legislation that hurts the hard working taxpayers.
Thursday, March 12, 2020 Report this