February 4, 2016 – RI Future

February 4, 2016January 12, 2016

AIDS Project RI offering free testing on Sunday

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AIDS Project Rhode Island is joining with National Black Leadership on AIDS, the Centers for Disease Control, the Black AIDS Institute and other organizations in participating in National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on Sunday, February 7, 2016.

The national theme is “I am my brother’s and sister’s keeper. Fight HIV/AIDS.” A supporting theme is “Get educated, get tested, get involved and get treated.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, of all racial/ethnic groups in the United States, African Americans have the most severe burden of HIV. The Rhode Island Department of Health reports that Blacks/African Americans and Hispanics in Rhode Island experience a disproportionate burden of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

In observance of the day, AIDS Project Rhode Island is offering special hours for free, anonymous, rapid HIV testing at its 9 Pleasant Street, Providence, RI 02906 location on Sunday, February 7 from noon until 3 p.m. on a walk-in basis. No blood is drawn, and results are available in 20 minutes.

Anyone wishing to be tested is welcome. Testing will be available in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

HIV stands for “Human Immunodeficiency Virus.” HIV can lead to AIDS, “Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome,” which greatly weakens the immune system increasing the opportunity for serious infections and cancers. Treatments for AIDS, and to prevent HIV from turning into AIDS, have greatly improved over the years so infected persons can often have normal lifespans with proper care.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends everyone between 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once. “HIV testing should take place more often if you are engaging in risky behavior, such as sharing needles or engaging in unprotected sex,” said Stephen Hourahan, AIDS Project Rhode Island’s executive director. The organization offers an “HIV Risk Quiz” under the “Get Tested” drop-down menu on its website www.aidsprojectri.org.

In addition to testing, information will be available about treatment to reduce the risk of HIV infection, Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). PrEP is an HIV prevention approach where HIV-negative individuals use anti-HIV medications to reduce their risk of becoming infected if they are exposed to the virus. PEP is an HIV prevention strategy where HIV-negative individuals take HIV medications after coming into contact with HIV to reduce their risk of becoming infected.

AIDS Project Rhode Island regularly offers free, anonymous, rapid HIV, and Hepatitis C, walk-in testing Tuesdays 4 to 6 p.m. and Thursdays from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Appointments are also available and can be made by calling 401-831-5522 ext. 3824 or emailing takecharge@aidsprojectri.org.

AIDS Project Rhode Island will be providing free, anonymous, rapid testing in the United Way 2-1-1 Outreach RV at South Providence Neighborhood Ministries, 747 Broad Street, Providence from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, January 19; Camp Street Ministries, 190 Camp Street, Providence from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, January 21; McAuley House, 622 Elmwood Avenue, Providence from 9 to 11 a.m. on Friday, January 22; and at the Church of St. John the Baptist, 69 Quincy Street, Pawtucket on Monday, January 25 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Also, on Tuesday, January 26 at Olneyville Food Center, 261 Manton Avenue, Providence from 9 a.m. to noon; Wednesday January 27 from 9 a.m. to noon at St. Edward Food and Wellness Center, 1001 Branch Avenue, Providence; and Emmanuel House, 239 Public Street, Providence, on Thursday, January 28 from 9 to 10 a.m.

Visit www.aidsprojectri.org for an updated schedule for testing on the United Way 2-1-1 Outreach RV.

AIDS Project Rhode Island is a division of Family Service of Rhode Island.

[From a press release]

February 4, 2016

RhodeWorks is inevitable

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RhodeWorks is going to happen and nothing is going to stop it.

The idea of installing 14 tolling gantries and charging trucks up to $20 to transport goods through our state is key to Governor Gina Raimondo’s plan to generate the funds needed to repair Rhode Island’s crumbling bridges and roads. There is a logic to this: Trucks are heavy and do the most damage to the roads so they should pay their share.

In her State of the State address, Governor Raimondo said, “While we’re at it, let’s reject the politics of procrastination and pass RhodeWorks.” Both House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello and Senate President Teresa Paiva-Weed have strongly supported the program.

The revised RhodeWorks plan is cheaper, and is to include a strict prohibition on tolling cars without a public referendum. “Generally,” said Mattiello, “I don’t like referendum questions.” But he included this feature in the truck toll bill to cut off opposition to the plan based on the slippery slope: tolling trucks will now not lead to tolling cars without a majority vote from the public.

At the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce (GCPP), Mattiello said, “I’ve thought about this more than any of you care to.” Mattiello says he’s consulted experts on the economic impact, and that the “experts say it is going to improve the economy… I don’t know any way to do this without listening to the experts.”

The GCPP is a strong, vocal supporter of the truck toll bill, as are the Building Trades. Michael Sabitoni, President of the Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades Council was a welcomed, if surprising guest at the GPCC luncheon.

After the GPCC luncheon, about five hundred members of the various building trades and their allies showed up at the State House to express their support for RhodeWorks. So many union members showed up it took over an hour for them all to enter through the metal detectors. There was supposed to be a speaking program from union leaders, and maybe it happened, but I had to leave.

It didn’t matter. Labor made their point. They want (and need) the jobs that come with fixing our bridges and roads.

Rhode Island needs to repair and upgrade its infrastructure and government, business and labor are all in agreement that the debate as to how to pay for it is over: The plan is RhodeWorks.