🌱Omicron Surge Lessens + Understanding Inequity and Racism

Happy Sunday, Providence! Let's get this day started. These are the most important things happening today in town.

First, today's weather:

Increasingly windy. High: 43 Low: 15.

Here are the top four stories in Providence today:

1. According to a city Of Providence press release, Mayor Jorge Elorza and members of the African-American Ambassadors Education Reform Subgroup have announced applications are now being accepted to participate in Providence Community Academy, a new civic education pilot program that will familiarize participants with city services and municipal government. (Press Release Desk)
2. The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) has provided updates to COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites. Find out more here. (What'sUpNewp)
3. For the second year in a row, the United Way of Rhode Island is inviting residents to commit 15 minutes a day to better understand how inequity and racism impact their lives and our communities. The program is called the Equity Challenge and begins on February 28. Community members can sign up to participate online. (Johnston Sun Rise)
4. The hospitals around the state no longer resemble MASH units as the COVID-19 Omicron surge lessens. "We are getting back to where we were in the early part of November," said Dr. Saul Weingart, the president of Rhode Island Hospital. ( Subscribe: The Boston Globe)

Today in Providence:

• Vaccine clinic for ALL AGES! Children's entertainment! Giveaways! (11:00 AM)
• Providence Flea Every Sunday! (11:00 AM)
• Tish Adams Presents - Music Mansion (1:00 PM)
• Planetarium Show - Providence City Hall (2:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Brown University: CSCI 0200 finds its footing as new introductory course requirement (The Brown Daily Herald)
• PPAC: Win 2 Tickets to The Prom at PPAC! (WLNE-TV (ABC6)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Upper South Providence: "RICJ Youth have partnered with Rhode Island Department of Health to ensure access to safe and effective vaccines by hosting a FREE clinic." (Nextdoor)

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That's it for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with a new update.

— Karena Garrity

About me: I am a URI graduate and I have been a community reporter for the better part of the past 20 years. I love Providence and I am honored to be a part of Patch.com. You can reach me at; karena.garrity@patch.com.