This Just In: The new debate over masks, and the continuing debate over shoreline access

Also, welcoming back Mark Patinkin [providencejournal.com]( This Just In Thursday, December 9 [N95 masks to fight the spread of COVID-19,]( [The new debate over masks, and the continuing debate over shoreline...]( Also, welcoming back Mark Patinkin Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal. Today is Dec. 9; on this date last year, Rhode Island was averaging 1,328 COVID cases a day over a seven-day period, which remains the all-time high. Yesterday in this newsletter I noted that the state had reported an unusually low number of positive and negative coronavirus test results; as I suspected, the numbers were much higher today, as thousands of results from recent days were reported. In all, the state reported 1,468 additional COVID cases (1,109 were from tests taken yesterday, most of the rest were added to Tuesday's total) and 27,864 negative tests, for a 5.0% positive rate. The state has now gone over 200,000 coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic, and has reported an average of 926 new cases a day over the last seven days. The Health Department also reported two more deaths, and there were 222 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals at last count, down from 226 reported yesterday, with 35 in intensive care. Looking deeper at the Health Department's new numbers, unvaccinated people made up 56% of the new cases from Nov. 28 to Dec. 4, even though more than 71% of the state's population is fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated Rhode Islanders were six times more likely to contract the coronavirus last week than fully vaccinated Rhode Islanders. The highest infection rate in the state was in Exeter, for the second consecutive week, followed by West Greenwich. Gov. Dan McKee has told Rhode Islanders that reinstituting an indoor mask mandate[is "on the table"]( as the state sees rapidly increasing cases and hospitalizations. But while other Democratic candidates in the 2022 gubernatorial race and health-care industry leaders called for such a mandate to be imposed immediately, McKee said today that he was not yet ready to do that. Noting that there were more than twice as many COVID patients in hospitals last year at this time, he said the stress hospitals are experiencing are primarily a staffing issue, not a COVID issue. We're all glad that columnist Mark Patinkin is back after missing some time due to shoulder surgery. But just as he was getting set to return, the pandemic threw Mark a big curveball, in the form of a positive COVID test. Mark has no second thoughts, though, about his three vaccine shots, and he today [he explains why]( The extent of the public's right to access the shoreline, embedded in Rhode Island's constitution but clouded by a past legal ruling, remains a hot issue in the state. Tensions are running high between beachgoers, fishermen and homeowners. One lawyer warns that the disputes could even escalate into violence without clarity from the state. Clarity is the goal of a state legislative commission that is now taking the most comprehensive look at shoreline-access questions in decades. Antonia Noori Farzan [has a deep dive]( into the complex and emotional issues that the commission is trying to figure out. Some Warwick residents are not happy that Crossroads Rhode Island has rented out the NYLO hotel for use as a temporary homeless shelter. But for many of the 150 or so people who are living there, [it's a "godsend."]( In other news on the housing front, McKee announced the appointment of Josh Saal [as the state's first "housing czar"]( to tackle the crisis of affordability The Health Department [is conducting a performance review]( of the leadership team at the state-run Eleanor Slater Hospital after yet another incident of "patient self-harm," where procedures were apparently not followed properly.  Pawtucket police [are trying to find a 43-year-old mother of three]( who hasn't been seen since her husband dropped her off for a medical appointment nearly a month ago. Rest in peace Ralph Tavares, the New Bedford-born singer of the Grammy-winning group Tavares, [who has died]( just a few days shy of his 80th birthday. Finally, if you're planning to book a restaurant table for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, it's smart to make arrangements now. [Here's a rundown]( of what some Rhode Island restaurants are offering for holiday meals. Have a great night. And remember, if you enjoy This Just In, [please encourage a friend to sign up]( [Discover more with our newsletters: Get the latest headlines, things to do and more in your inbox. Sign up here.]( [click here]( Problem viewing email? [View in browser]( [Unsubscribe]( • [Manage Newsletters]( • [Terms of Service]( • [Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights]( • [Privacy Notice]( • [Do Not Sell My Info/Cookie Policy]( • [Feedback]( © 2021 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI 02902