COVID-19 Updates and Temple Sinai's Response
As of February 3, 2021 (updates will be posted here as necessary)
You have probably seen news and editorials showing that vaccinations are moving more slowly in Rhode Island than in other states. While it's true that Rhode Island is currently number 49 of the 50 states in the percentage of allocated doses administered, there are factors that should be considered:
• Rhode Island is close to the national average for all doses administered per capita, and the state is just outside the top ten nationally for second doses administered.
• Rhode Island has prioritized the stability of the hospital and healthcare systems, and protecting residents of nursing homes and other congregate settings. Vaccinating these health workers and residents takes longer than just opening large clinics at a public site, as other states have done.
• Rhode Island health officials have stated that when we reach the stage where all people over a particular age are eligible to receive vaccinations, the process will be faster and much simpler.
• Rhode Islanders are encouraged to protect their households at all times by (1) wearing a mask, (2) getting tested often, and (3) limiting interactions with individuals outside of their households. Click here for more information on the latest health guidelines.
• Getting tested is one of the simplest, most effective ways you can protect your household from the virus. Testing is now easier than ever. Everyone in Rhode Island can sign up for a free test at portal.ri.gov. It doesn’t matter if you have symptoms or not – everyone can go to that one website, and every test scheduled through that site is free. The state has added a lot of capacity, so there are many open slots every day – including same-day appointments at some sites.
• Every person needs two doses before they are fully vaccinated. That means that Rhode Island will need as many as two million doses to vaccinate everyone. We are only expecting 29,000 doses in the next few weeks. For most people, the wait for the vaccine will be months, not weeks.
• If we stay serious about following the rules now, we can all look forward to a time next year when COVID-19 is in the rear-view mirror.
• All services, educational programs and events at Temple Sinai are now by Zoom and Facebook Live only. The only exceptions are weddings, funerals, and b'nei mitzvah services, which may have up to ten people attend in person, including officiants and staff. Outdoor funeral service are now limited to fifteen people.
• The Temple building is closed due to the pandemic. If you have business that must be conducted in person, please make an appointment with Dottie or Rabbi Jeff before coming to the building. All other business should be conducted by phone or email.
• You must wear a mask at all times while in the Temple building. We recommend that you sanitize your hands when entering and leaving. Please limit your time in the building as much as possible. Please do not use the bathrooms. When talking with Dottie, please respect the plexiglass partition in her office and do not attempt to walk around it.
• Temple Sinai strictly adheres to the Governor's current executive orders and recommendations concerning gatherings during the pandemic. This means:
• To the extent that we offer any in-person events or services, we will adhere to the current requirement to limit indoor occupancy to 25% of the worship area’s capacity. We will require a minimum of six feet of physical distance between members of different households. There is a maximum of 125 people permitted to attend any indoor gathering. The Governor has asked that all houses of worship limit themselves to virtual-only services as much as possible.
You have probably seen news and editorials showing that vaccinations are moving more slowly in Rhode Island than in other states. While it's true that Rhode Island is currently number 49 of the 50 states in the percentage of allocated doses administered, there are factors that should be considered:
• Rhode Island is close to the national average for all doses administered per capita, and the state is just outside the top ten nationally for second doses administered.
• Rhode Island has prioritized the stability of the hospital and healthcare systems, and protecting residents of nursing homes and other congregate settings. Vaccinating these health workers and residents takes longer than just opening large clinics at a public site, as other states have done.
• Rhode Island health officials have stated that when we reach the stage where all people over a particular age are eligible to receive vaccinations, the process will be faster and much simpler.
• Rhode Islanders are encouraged to protect their households at all times by (1) wearing a mask, (2) getting tested often, and (3) limiting interactions with individuals outside of their households. Click here for more information on the latest health guidelines.
• Getting tested is one of the simplest, most effective ways you can protect your household from the virus. Testing is now easier than ever. Everyone in Rhode Island can sign up for a free test at portal.ri.gov. It doesn’t matter if you have symptoms or not – everyone can go to that one website, and every test scheduled through that site is free. The state has added a lot of capacity, so there are many open slots every day – including same-day appointments at some sites.
• Every person needs two doses before they are fully vaccinated. That means that Rhode Island will need as many as two million doses to vaccinate everyone. We are only expecting 29,000 doses in the next few weeks. For most people, the wait for the vaccine will be months, not weeks.
• If we stay serious about following the rules now, we can all look forward to a time next year when COVID-19 is in the rear-view mirror.
• All services, educational programs and events at Temple Sinai are now by Zoom and Facebook Live only. The only exceptions are weddings, funerals, and b'nei mitzvah services, which may have up to ten people attend in person, including officiants and staff. Outdoor funeral service are now limited to fifteen people.
• The Temple building is closed due to the pandemic. If you have business that must be conducted in person, please make an appointment with Dottie or Rabbi Jeff before coming to the building. All other business should be conducted by phone or email.
• You must wear a mask at all times while in the Temple building. We recommend that you sanitize your hands when entering and leaving. Please limit your time in the building as much as possible. Please do not use the bathrooms. When talking with Dottie, please respect the plexiglass partition in her office and do not attempt to walk around it.
• Temple Sinai strictly adheres to the Governor's current executive orders and recommendations concerning gatherings during the pandemic. This means:
• To the extent that we offer any in-person events or services, we will adhere to the current requirement to limit indoor occupancy to 25% of the worship area’s capacity. We will require a minimum of six feet of physical distance between members of different households. There is a maximum of 125 people permitted to attend any indoor gathering. The Governor has asked that all houses of worship limit themselves to virtual-only services as much as possible.
