Woonsocket Radio News Room

 

Rep. Tobon requests his name be removed from vaccine mandate letter to governor

 

STATE HOUSE – Rep. Carlos E. Tobon (D-Dist. 58, Pawtucket) is requesting that his name be removed from a recent letter to Governor McKee regarding the executive order mandating that healthcare workers receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

“While I was vaccinated as soon as possible, I understand the fear and trepidation that some of my constituents felt concerning this new vaccine.  Whether these apprehensions were rooted in fact or not, the anxiety felt by these individuals is very real, which is why I signed on to the letter. 

“But, after more consideration and conversations with those I represent in District 58, I realized there is a significant difference in regards to public health when comparing the risks of an unvaccinated worker in most professions to that of medical professionals who provide care for all of our residents. Individuals who care for patients of COVID-19 and numerous other health issues must protect themselves and their patients, and the only way to do this is through vaccination.  It is for this reason that I am requesting my name be removed from the letter sent to Governor McKee,” said Representative Tobon.

“Frontline workers were the heroes who took care of us and our loved ones in the dark, frightful and uncertain days of the pandemic,” he added.  “The numbers of those with COVID-19 have drastically dropped due to the vaccines they are now administering, and I encourage them to vaccinate themselves as well.”  

 

-30-

Details of David Pecker's Involvement in Donald Trump's alleged hush money trial came to light in court Thursday. Pecker took the stand for his third day of testimony, and revealed conversations between himself, the former President, and Associate Michael Cohen. Pecker says he arranged to buy the story surrounding Trump's alleged affair with Playboy model Karen McDougal for $150,000, but backed out of the deal after consulting with election lawyers, believing the payment may break the law.        Students at Columbia University are filing a federal civil rights lawsuit against the school. They filed the complaint with the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights on Thursday, demanding an investigation into the school's actions against pro-Palestinian students. The lawsuit alleges Columbia has mistreated students utilizing their first amendment rights.        The Food and Drug Administration says remnants of the bird flu were found in one in five pasteurized milk samples. Earlier this week, the FDA found fragments of the bird flu in commercially sold milk but said it's still safe to drink, as the pasteurization process kills the virus and only leaves small traces behind. On Thursday officials revealed about 20-percent of their milk samples contained remnants of the virus.        Former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein is having his conviction for sex crimes in New York overturned. The New York Court of Appeals ruled Weinstein did not receive a fair trial. The court found the judge in his trial made an error allowing women to testify about alleged sexual assaults committed by Weinstein that were not part of the charges against him. Weinstein was also sentenced in Los Angeles in February of last year to 16 years in prison after he was convicted of rape and that conviction still stands.        Buying a home is now more expensive than ever. A new report from Redfin found the median home price in the United States is now over 383-thousand-dollars, a record high. The economic research lead with Redfin says prices may drop slightly in the coming months, but buyers should accept that "housing costs are likely to remain elevated for the foreseeable future." The median down payment is also up 24-percent compared to last year, at around 56-thousand-dollars.        Soulja Boy says he wants to help save TikTok. Congress passed a bill on Wednesday that requires TikTok's Chinese-owned parent company ByteDance to sell the app or else it will be banned in the United States. Soulja Boy has offered up a solution, posting "How much yall want for TikTok? I'll buy it." The rapper tagged the social media company in the post.       

Old News Archives