Lawmaker Pushes Bill With Harsh Recurring Fines for Unvaccinated Rhode Islanders

A former army medic organizes his syringes before giving out the next dose to a local resident at Central Falls High School in Central Falls, R.I., on Feb. 13, 2021. Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images

Rhode Island state Sen. Sam Bell has urged the state to pass his COVID-19 vaccine mandate that would fine residents in the state who choose not to get the shot.

Bell cited a poll by a Boston Globe columnist showing 64 percent of Rhode Islanders “support a universal vaccine mandate,” adding that he believes “it’s time for us to pass my mandate bill.”