Proof of Vaccination for Fundraisers? Some RI Candidates Are Requiring - And One Refuses to Comment
Tuesday, September 21, 2021
Political fundraising season is in full swing in the Rhode Island 2022 gubernatorial race.
In the backdrop is the shadow of the pandemic. In Rhode Island, the state is suffering from “High Transmission” — 229.7 total new cases per 100,000 people in the past seven days.
As the mandate for healthcare workers to be vaccinated takes effect in just ten days, are political candidates requiring proof of vaccination at upcoming fundraisers?
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Candidates on Record — or Refusing
Some of the campaigns have clear policies, others have policies that are inconsistent with their public stances and one candidate is dodging the question.
“While transmission rates are high, Nellie will require proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test within 48 hours of any campaign fundraising event,” said Jennifer Burton, campaign spokesperson for Nellie Gorbea. “She encourages even those who have been vaccinated to get PCR tested regularly to prevent asymptomatic community spread.”
Current Governor Dan McKee does not presently have a policy for his fundraisers.
“The campaign has not established a policy on this as of now,” said McKee campaign spokesperson Mike Trainor. “The campaign will follow State and Federal guidelines in this regard and we will abide with the requests of any host venue in this regard.”
Dr. Luis Daniel Muñoz — who ran in 2018 as an independent and who now says he is running as a Democrat, is a member of the state COVID-19 Health Equity Council said he too will defer to fundraising venues’ own policies regarding vaccination.
“Our campaign will respect the policies enforced at the private venues within which we are hosting fundraisers, and some venues already have a requirement for proof of vaccination,” said the campaign in a statement, adding masks will be required of anyone who is unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated.
And while Seth Magaziner — as General Treasurer — called for a vaccine requirement for teachers and school staff, his campaign refused to answer what his fundraising policy will be.
It is not the first time Magaziner has refused to answer questions — he refused to take any press questions at his kick-off event at his announcement that he is running for governor.
Avoiding and Blocking the Press
In 2019, GoLocal after a review of flight log information unveiled Ira Magaziner had flown repeatedly with the late convicted sex abuser Jeffrey Epstein. The senior Magaziner played leading roles in the Clinton Foundation and related organizations - he is the father of Seth.
After Ira Magaziner refused to respond to multiple requests for comment from GoLocal, Seth Magaziner’s office strangely provided a statement — on behalf of Ira — and then blocked GoLocal’s press access to the public office.
GoLocal had not requested comment from the General Treasurer's office. The younger Magaziner has refused to answer questions as to why a state office was issuing statements for a private citizen -- the Treasurer's father.
The younger Magaziner then removed GoLocal from the Treasurer's press distribution list.
When GoLocal asked Magaziner why it had been removed from the state's distribution list refusing to answer basic questions of the Treasurer’s office — Magaziner said he was “not familiar” with what transpired — and refused to answer additional questions.
GoLocal was restored to the press list thereafter.
SEE VIDEO HERE
On Tuesday, Magaziner's campaign finally provided comment following publication of the article.
"The campaign has and will continue to follow the expert’s advice and all Department of Health regulations regarding indoor and outdoor events," said the campaign in a statement.
First published Tuesday 8:12 AM
Updated Tuesday 2:17 PM
