When Can Rhode Islanders Expect Things To Go Back To 'Normal'?

PROVIDENCE, RI — Gov. Gina Raimondo announced that the first doses of the new coronavirus vacciens could arrive in Rhode Island as soon as mid-December on Thursday. With the light at the end of the tunnel suddenly shining brighter, many Rhode Islanders are likely asking themselves: could this be the end?

The short answer? Not really. Raimondo cautioned Rhode Islanders that only around 29,000 doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are expected to come to the state by the end of the year, which will only be enough to inoculate a fraction of the state's approximately one million residents. These first doses will go to those at the highest risk from COVID-19: health care workers, first responders and certain congregate care residents. Additionally, both vaccines must be adminstered in two doses, three to four weeks apart, to be effective.

Raimondo said the vaccines will come as a "trickle" rather than a "rush," meaning most Rhode Islanders won't get vaccinated until like late spring. For that reason, residents should expect to keep wearing masks, social distancing and avoiding large gatherings for the next few months, at the very least.

So what's the good news?

Raimondo said she expected many of the most onerous restrictions, especially those placed on businesses, to be lifted by the summer.

"A lot of people say June, July and August are the best months in Rhode Island," she said, adding that she expects a much better summer in 2021 than this year.

Coroanvirus in Rhode Island: Read more

• First Coronavirus Vaccines Could Arrive In RI Within Weeks
• Beginning Of RI's Coronavirus Pause Looks Promising: Raimondo
• Rhode Island's 2 Field Hospitals Open, Accepting Patients
• Gov. Gina Raimondo Calls On Healthcare Workers To Help R.I.
• Gov. Gina Raimondo Gives Update On R.I. Coronavirus Testing
• RI Lawmakers Call For Better Access To Coronavirus Testing
• Coronavirus Case Spike Reported In RI Prisons