The Cycle Can Be Stopped

The Center for Disease control released updated guidance on the need for urgently increasing COVID-19 vaccination coverage and a recommendation for everyone in areas of substantial and high transmission to wear a mask in public indoor places, even if they are fully vaccinated. And that’s us Rhode Islanders.

We can stop this cycle, just like we have with other diseases in the past. All it will take is more people age 12 and older getting the vaccine.

I recently read an article that said that COVID safety protocols are like the safety elements of a car: the brakes, seatbelt, airbag offer multiple levels of cumulative protection:

  • Vaccines are like the airbag: You get it, and it stays with you, protecting you behind the scenes.
  • Masking is like the seatbelt: You have to remember to put it on, but when you do, it adds an extra layer of protection for yourself and others near you.
  • Social distancing is like following traffic signals: If everyone plays it safe, we will all be safer.
Ronald Contreras, Chief of Finance