Rhode Island House Republicans
  • Home
  • Reports
    • Minority Report >
      • 2022 Minority Report
      • 2020/2021 Minority Report
      • 2019 Minority Report
    • Gaming Contract >
      • Gaming Study Report
    • State of the State >
      • 2020 State of the State
      • 2022 State of the State
  • Representatives
    • Michael W. Chippendale
    • David J. Place
    • Sherry Roberts
    • George A. Nardone
    • Robert Quattrocchi
    • Brian C. Newberry
    • Brian J. Rea
  • Legislation
    • House Seating Chart
    • Commissions/Task Forces
    • Legislative Committee Membership
    • Legislative Dates and Deadlines
  • News & Media
  • Contact Us
    • Representatives
    • Media Contact
    • Caucus Staff
    • Interns
The Latest News and Media From the
Rhode Island House of Representatives Republican Caucus

Shekarchi appoints House task force for COVID-19 vaccine

11/24/2020

Comments

 
News
STATE HOUSE – Speaker-nominee K. Joseph Shekarchi today announced the establishment of a House of Representatives task force to oversee the state’s implementation of COVID-19 vaccine distribution.
By Gustavo Fring from Pexels
Image by Gustavo Fring from Pexels
The purpose of the task force is to ensure that Rhode Island’s distribution of the vaccine is done in a timely manner following the CDC guidelines and that front-line workers, the health-compromised and the elderly are given access first, and also to make certain the needs of the underserved populations are appropriately addressed. The task force will work closely with the Rhode Island Department of Health and learn about the state’s vaccine plan.

“The stakes are very high here, and we need to do our absolute best with getting this vaccine to our population as quickly as possible. This is a time to come together, to work swiftly and carefully, and ensure that we vaccinate in a way that protects the most people and the most at-risk people as soon as we can. Distribution of the vaccine will doubtlessly be complicated by the fact that it is coming out the midst of a surge that is already pushing the limits of our health care system and those incredibly dedicated professionals who work in it, as well as our communities,” said Speaker-nominee Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick). “This task force is to support everyone involved, to help address hurdles and ultimately to protect the health of Rhode Islanders and get us to the other side of this pandemic as soon as possible.”

The task force will also learn more about the state’s involvement as one of four states in the Pfizer’s pilot program to test distribution of the vaccine.

The task force will be chaired by Rep. Raymond A. Hull (D-Dist. 6, Providence, North Providence). Other members of the task force are:
  • Rep. Karen Alzate (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket)
  • Rep. Michael W. Chippendale (R-Dist. 40, Foster, Glocester, Coventry)
  • Rep. Kathleen A. Fogarty (D-Dist. 35, South Kingstown)
  • Rep. Joshua J. Giraldo (D-Dist. 56, Central Falls)
  • Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee (D-Dist. 33, South Kingstown, Narragansett)
  • Representative-elect Michelle E. McGaw (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Little Compton)
  • Rep. Mary Duffy Messier (D-Dist.62, Pawtucket)
  • Rep. Thomas E. Noret (D-Dist.25, Coventry, West Warwick)
  • Rep. David J. Place (R-Dist. 47, Burrillville, Glocester)
 
The task force will meet virtually, with its first meeting scheduled Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 3 p.m. with Dr. Michael Fine, chief health strategist for the city of Central Falls and senior clinical and population health services officer of Blackstone Valley Community Health Care, Inc. Dr. Fine served as the director of the Rhode Island Department of Health from 2011 to 2015, and has spent his career developing systems for and directly providing health care to underserved communities.

The task force is expected to meet virtually twice more in December, and then will continue to meet in 2021. ​
​Contact Information
Meredyth R. Whitty
Publicist
Rhode Island State House, Room 20
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
mwhitty@rilegislature.gov
401-222-1923
Comments

    nEWS & Media


    All News
    News Releases
    Member Opinions
    Infographics
    Video Updates
    Podcasts

    stAY CONNECTED


    Sign up below to receive the latest News & Media from the Rhode Island House Republican Caucus sent directly to your inbox. 
    * indicates required



    ​FIND NEWS BY


    ​Member




    ​subject




    ​​MONTH




    YeaR




    TWITTER


    Picture

    ​SOCIAL MEDIA


    Facebook
    Twitter
    YouTube
    Instagram
    RSS Feed: News & Media

About rhode island house republicans


In 1636, Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island, established the first working model of Democracy after being banished from Massachusetts for his “extreme views” concerning freedom of speech and religion. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams publicly acknowledged Williams as the originator of these concepts, along with the freedom of public assembly, in the First Amendment in the United States Constitution. Today, Rhode Island House Republicans uphold the liberties designed by our Founders and preserved in our Constitution, and are the primary legislative body promoting lean government, fighting for lower taxes, and advocating for initiatives and policies that improve the economy and in turn, the lives of Rhode Islanders.  As members of a part-time assembly, we are small business owners, retired educators, community activists, lawyers, farmers, military service veterans, volunteers, former local officials, retired social workers, coaches, musicians, churchgoers and board directors -- bringing these community engagement and professional experiences to our work, on your behalf, at the Rhode Island State House.

​2023 Rhode Island State House Republicans | 82 Smith Street, Room 106 Providence, RI 02903 | 401..222..2259 | Email Us
  • Home
  • Reports
    • Minority Report >
      • 2022 Minority Report
      • 2020/2021 Minority Report
      • 2019 Minority Report
    • Gaming Contract >
      • Gaming Study Report
    • State of the State >
      • 2020 State of the State
      • 2022 State of the State
  • Representatives
    • Michael W. Chippendale
    • David J. Place
    • Sherry Roberts
    • George A. Nardone
    • Robert Quattrocchi
    • Brian C. Newberry
    • Brian J. Rea
  • Legislation
    • House Seating Chart
    • Commissions/Task Forces
    • Legislative Committee Membership
    • Legislative Dates and Deadlines
  • News & Media
  • Contact Us
    • Representatives
    • Media Contact
    • Caucus Staff
    • Interns