Newport This Week

It’s a Simple Ask


 

 

Calling them the Zorro Brigade, city councilor Susan Taylor (left) joined Mayor Jamie Bova on June 17 to express gratitude to the volunteers stepping up to help disseminate both masks and information to visitors and locals on Newport streets last weekend. “It’s been a good thing to have the volunteers providing messaging in a positive way,” said Taylor, “and to remind people that the city has a rule that masks are required on busy streets between noon and 10 p.m.” Observers around town have expressed concern seeing walkers on Thames Street and America’s Cup Avenue with masks in hand, or stuffed in back pockets, rather than covering their faces.

In addition, said Taylor, some uncomfortable conversations have been taking place between restaurant workers and customers who do not want to wear masks. “We continue to monitor advice from RIDOH and the CDC and as we learn more about how the disease is transmitted, we’re ready to modify the requirement. But for the time being, we want to make sure our residents feel protected and our workers feel safe, and to ensure that our businesses will be able to stay open. We don’t want to see another shutdown,” she said. (Photo by S. Duca)

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