Woonsocket Radio News Room

RI Legislative Black and Latino Caucus Seeks Prioritized Access to COVID-19 Vaccine for Communities of Color

 

STATE HOUSE – The Rhode Island Legislative Black and Latino Caucus is calling on Governor Raimondo and the COVID-19 Vaccine Subcommittee to prioritize access to the COVID-19 vaccine for Rhode Island’s communities of color and high-density populations which have been the state’s hardest-hit populations by the virus.

“As the data has revealed consistently since the beginning of the pandemic, Rhode Island’s community of color and those living in high-density settings have been the most affected by this deadly virus.  Whether we are speaking about the essential workers who have continued to serve the public, even at great risk to themselves or families, or individuals living in tight spaces where the opportunity to properly quarantine is impossible, we must protect these populations that are struggling immensely.  This will only be possible if the state’s community of color and those living in the most-affected areas are prioritized to receive this game-changing vaccine as soon as possible,” said Rep. Jean Philippe Barros, chairman of the caucus (D-Dist. 59, Pawtucket).

The other members of the caucus are Rep. Marvin L. Abney (D-Dist 73, Newport, Middletown); Rep. Joseph S. Almeida (D-Dis. 12, Providence); Rep. Karen Alzate (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket); Rep. Liana Cassar (D-Dist. 66, Barrington, East Providence); Rep. Grace Diaz (D-Dist. 11, Providence); Rep. Joshua Giraldo (D-Dist. 56, Central Falls), Rep. Raymond A. Hull (D-Dist. 6, Providence, North Providence); Rep. Mario F. Mendez (D-Dist. 13, Johnston, Providence); Rep. Marcia Ranglin-Vassell (D-Dist. 5, Providence); Rep. Carlos E. Tobon (D-Dist. 58, Pawtucket); Rep. Anastasia P. Williams (D-Dist. 9, Providence); Sen. Sandra Cano (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket); Sen. Harold M. Metts (D-Dist. 6, Providence); and Sen. Ana B. Quezada (D-Dist. 2, Providence).

President Biden is expected to sign executive orders today that would increase health care coverage during the pandemic. One executive order will temporarily reopen health insurance exchanges in the Affordable Care Act to help Americans who lost their coverage recently. Biden is also expected to make it easier for low-income households to access Medicaid.        Mark Zuckerberg says Facebook is "turning down the temperature" on heated political discussions. The CEO said the social media platform will still allow people to engage in political discussions, but the company will no longer recommend civic and political groups to its users.       Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine is pushing for the Senate to censure former President Donald Trump instead of holding an impeachment trial. Collins was one of the few Republicans to vote for a trial earlier this week, and believes there's not enough support for Trump to be convicted. Trump's impeachment trial will begin February 9th.       People without appointments or eligibility have been camping out near Los Angeles County's coronavirus mass-vaccination sites. The so-called "vaccine chasers" are hoping to take advantage when eligible residents miss their appointments, and get injected with a dose that otherwise would be thrown away because it's due to expire.        A quarter of Americans say they plan to gather with people outside their household to watch the Super Bowl, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The poll, conducted by Seton Hall Sports, found 64 percent would not attend a gathering and 11 percent were not sure.        The City of Chicago has granted landmark status to the home of Emmett Till. Till lived on the South Side of Chicago before he was lynched in Mississippi at age 14 after being accused of offending a white woman at a grocery store. The Chicago city council said Wednesday that Till's death in 1955 became a rallying cry for the civil rights movement.        

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