Fully vaccinated: 824,068 (out of approximately 1.1 million inhabitants)

New cases: 2,697

Positive test rate: 12.6%

Currently hospitalized: 317

Total number of deaths: 3,062

More statistics from the RI Ministry of Health. Globe Rhode Island COVID-19 News and Resources. Subscribe to our Coronavirus Next newsletter

To leave

Programming instructions: There won’t be a Rhode Map tomorrow, but I’ll be back in your inbox by Monday morning. Good year!

Welcome to the latest Rhode Map of 2021. Thank you to our tens of thousands of readers who receive this newsletter every morning. Know that it is your Globe subscription that allows our team to cover Rhode Island’s most important issues. You can register here.

Now let’s move on to some predictions. I asked a group of well-known Rhode Islanders from various industries to tell me what to expect in 2022. Here’s what they had to say.

Dr Megan Ranney

Emergency doctor

The optimist in me believes 2022 will be a year of coming together, both physically and emotionally, as we finally move to the other side of the pandemic. The pessimist in me worries that the healthcare system has already been broken and that by 2022 we will only begin to understand the implications for the health of our community.

Nina Pande

Skills for Rhode Island’s Future

2022 will continue to provide excellent opportunities for evolving workplace standards as industries continue to experience significant employee turnover. Employers will need to adopt creative strategies to attract talent, offer more competitive salary packages, offer remote working options and an attractive work-life balance. It will also provide the time to have meaningful conversations about how to promote more inclusive hiring practices.

Neil steinberg

Rhode Island Foundation

Rhode Island leaders will formalize a fair, sustainable and transformative implementation plan to allocate the state’s ARPA funding over the next several years, including a high level of oversight.

Karen santilli

Carrefour Rhode Island

In 2022, we’ll see the conversation about homelessness move beyond the need for more shelters to real solutions, like using federal stimulus funds to build more homes that are desperately needed, thereby doing so. of RI the first state to end roaming.

David hardy

Orsted Offshore North America

Rhode Islanders have heard quite a bit about offshore wind lately, but 2022 is the year the offshore wind industry is going to really take off, with major investments, hundreds of new jobs, a ramp-up. construction in the region and acceleration of the American supply. years of production chain.

Timothée J. Babineau

Lifetime

People will return to work after ‘the big resignation’ and COVID restrictions will ease by the summer of 2022.

Marcela Betancur

Institute of Latin Politics

We will see at least five chosen ones attempt to dance – and fail – at the PVD Fest. But seriously, we will finally reach a COVID variant that equates to the common cold.

Buff Chace

Cornish Associates

My prediction and firm hope for 2022 is that Providence and its essential partners will mobilize our diverse experiences and skills to build climate resilience in all of our neighborhoods. Severe weather is knocking on the front door of our capital, demanding that we pay attention. We must act NOW to protect the communities that bear the brunt of the increased impacts of storms and rising sea levels.

Emilie Oster

Brunette college

My main prediction is that January and February will be extremely chaotic as society quickly adjusts to a more contagious and less severe variant. The attitude towards COVID was going to have to change to accept rampant COVID at some point, but Omicron forced that change to be much faster.

Larry warner

United Way of Rhode Island

Rhode Islanders will seize the opportunity – whether through generosity, advocacy, or volunteerism – to create racial equity and opportunity for all of our neighbors.

Tanja Kubas Meyer

Rhode Island Coalition for Children and Families. I predict that 2022 will be the year, thanks to tariff reform, our coalition members and their staff will finally receive the resources they need to provide the services our children and families need to thrive here. in Rhode Island.

Charles kelley

Rhode Island Student Loan Authority

I predict that by 2022, more employers will help their employees pay off their student loans.

Liza Burkin

Streets of Providence Coalition

As traffic and congestion continue to increase in and around Providence, 2022 will see continued demand for better transportation options – like public buses and safe biking – that make Providence a more desirable city for. live, work and do business.

Kristen adamo

Providence Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau

I already see coalitions of businesses and individuals working together for the betterment of Providence and Rhode Island as a whole – just look at the work being done downtown, where many of us come together. forces to find ways to make the region safer and more vibrant. It is my hope, and my prediction, that these types of collaborative and strategic efforts will secure the funding necessary to bring about real, positive change throughout Rhode Island.

Jason iannucilli

PureVita Laboratories

2022 will be a big year for the cannabis industry in Rhode Island. Legalization of adult recreational use is on the horizon and our state is ready to ensure that only safe and accurately labeled products are sold in our market, through proper analytical testing and regulation.

Dan McGowan

Boston Globe

What everyone ⬆️ said. In addition, the Friars will dance, the Knicks will make the playoffs and The Rock will return to WrestleMania. 🖐️🎤

The Globe in Rhode Island

⚓ In the latest Rhode Island Report podcast, you’ll meet the Globe Rhode Island team and find out why we’re so passionate about the work we do. Read more.

⚓ In Central Falls, the COVID-19 crisis is measured by long lines around the block. Read more.

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority on Wednesday provided information about a data breach that compromised the personal health information of thousands of people. Read more.

⚓ Yale New Haven Health, which includes Westerly Hospital, said it will institute an “extremely limited” system-wide visitation policy starting Thursday amid concerns over the Omicron variant and the growing spread of COVID-19 in the community. Read more.

⚓ A man who barricaded himself in an apartment with a gun and who allegedly threatened to kill police officers surrendered peacefully after a standoff of nearly three hours on Wednesday afternoon. Read more.

🎂 Rhode Map readers sent another set of happy birthday wishes to: Michelle Roi, Jeff walker (53), Daniel Rodriguez, Rick Fitzgerald, Lee Dooley, Seth Klaiman, Allyn Jones (58), Ric Santurri, Luis Vargas, Julie Tremaine and Betsy Shea-Taylor.Here is more coverage from Globe Rhode Island.

Also in the Globe

⚓ New data from researchers in South Africa shows that two injections of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine were 85% effective in preventing hospitalizations in the country, where the Omicron variant is prevalent. Read more.

⚓ Hundreds of National Guard soldiers were activated by the governor Charlie baker to help shore up Massachusetts health care system in the face of the rapidly spreading Omicron variant in the state. Read more.

⚓ Is it possible that Mac Jones hit the rookie wall? Read more.

Our journalism relies on the support of readers like you. Help us continue our mission with a Globe subscription. Here is a special offer for Rhode Island.

What’s new today

Email us events at [email protected]

Governor Dan McKee will hold a COVID-19 briefing at 2 p.m. in Woonsocket.

⚓ Tomorrow is New Years Eve. Here is a list of great places to celebrate.

⚓ South Kingstown Solicitors Council to discuss House and Senate redistribution maps at 3:30 p.m.

⚓ The Providence Emergency Management Advisory Council meets at 1:30 pm Here is the agenda.

My previous column

From a governor’s race to the collapse of Rhode Island’s healthcare system, here’s a look at the five biggest stories to watch in 2022. If you missed the column, you can read it here. And all of my columns are on our Rhode Island reviews page.

Rhode Island Report Podcast

Hear directly from the Globe Rhode Island team about our expansion, the big issues we cover and our plans for the future. Listen to all of our podcasts here.

Boston Globe app

You can receive Rhode Island news alerts on the Globe app (iOS and Android). Just tap on the gear icon, then hit “Change alert settings” and choose Rhode Island.

Thanks for reading. Send your comments and suggestions to [email protected], or follow me on Twitter @DanMcGowan. See you Monday.

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You can reach Dan McGowan at [email protected] Follow him on Twitter at @danmcgowan.