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Gov. Gina Raimondo said the first phase of reopening Rhode Island’s economy appears to be going well, but that the fiscal fallout from the pandemic will cause furloughs of state workers and some reorganization of state government.
Raimondo said she feels good about the initial phase of the opening, since Rhode Islanders are heeding guidance to wear face coverings, maintain social distance, and resuming routine activities slowly.
“Walking before we run, whatever analogy you like,” the governor said during her daily briefing on Tuesday. “Keep your social engagement small, limit your engagement with other people. Follow the rules. Put a toe in the water for these next two weeks, while we get some actual lived experience to see, is Rhode Island ready to continue the reopening? I’m not overly concerned. I wouldn’t have done it if I were.”
Rhode Island reported 14 additional death related to coronavirus, 13 of them involving residents of long-term care facilities. A total of 444 deaths are now blamed on the virus in the state.
Meanwhile, fewer than 10 percent of those tested Monday – 164 of 1,907 – tested positive for COVID-19. There are 277 people hospitalized with the virus, 72 in the ICU and 53 on ventilators.
While concern has been expressed about some states reopening too early, Raimondo said she felt confident about her decision to begin phase 1.
“We had 14 days of a plateau,” she said, “our hospitalizations were going down, our testing is the highest per capita of either any state in America, certainly any state in the Northeast, and our experience here on the ground is such that I felt it way safe to go ahead and do this.”
Raimondo also pointed to the need for a balance between protecting public health and getting people back to work.
On the fiscal front, the governor said she remains hopeful that federal help will emerge to help Rhode Island cut down a shortfall of more than $800 million for the current and next fiscal years.
But the governor said she doesn’t see how the state will be able to avoid furloughs of state workers as part of the response.
“This budget is going to be brutal,” Raimondo told reporters. “I don’t know where we’re going to find $800 million. Everyone’s going to be unhappy. Everything is on the table.”
The governor said the budget outlook is so severe that some degree of reorganization will be needed in state government, along with more traditional cuts.
Raimondo said she sympathizes with frustration among some restaurant owners about restrictions being put on plans to allow outdoor dining next week. She said the restrictions are necessary to preserve public health while trying to provide a revenue stream to restaurants.
The governor underscored the need for residents to maintain logs of their social contacts and points of travel, to pinpoint possible future infections.
She also encouraged people to pursue medical appointments previously delayed by the pandemic and non-critical surgeries.
“It’s safe to go back,” Raimondo said. “We’re hearing from hospitals and large physician practices that patients are still afraid. The doctors are there, the hospitals are ready …. Today I want to say to the Rhode Islanders who are out there, I want you to have confidence. We wouldn’t be allowing this if weren’t safe.”
The state has posted online guidance for businesses looking to reopen.
Political reporter Ian Donnis can be reached at idonnis (at) ripr (dot) org
