THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020 Page 3 City Council meetings could be suspended for up to five weeks By Christopher Roberson A lthough City Hall is slated to reopen on March 30, the spread of the coronavirus compelled City Council President Rosa DiFlorio to cancel all council meetings up to April 27. “Safety is the main priority. We don’t know how long this is going to go,” she said. “We shouldn’t be worried about meetings.” As budget season was about to get underway, DiFlorio said her colleagues should be ready to put in additional time once the council is back in session. “If we have to meet every night, then we’ll meet every night,” she said, adding that there is little the council can do remotely other than have conference calls. “If we have to meet until two or three o’clock in the morning then we have to meet until two or three o’clock in the morning – that’s our job.” With several relatives in Italy, DiFlorio said the coronavirus was bound to make its way to the United States. “I knew eventually this would happen,” she said. CHA Everett working to keep up with COVID-19 “This is an odd virus, it moves fast.” Therefore, DiFlorio said it would be prudent to shut down “everything in Massachusetts.” “If Italy can do it, if France can do it, we can do it, too,” she said. Ward 1 Councillor Fred Capone also underscored the seriousness of the pandemic. “We all need to do what we can to minimize exposure to and possible spread of the virus,” he said. “It is a very diffi cult time for everyone right now.” However, Capone raised concerns about waiting until April 27 to resume council meetings. “There may be monetary items that require attention sooner,” he said. “I am aware of at least one piece of business that needs to be addressed before that date: reappointment of department heads. Pursuant to our Charter, if we wait until April 27 the appointments renew automatically.” In addition to City Hall closing, the decision was made to close the Everett Public Schools until April 27. For Superintendent of Schools Priya Tahiliani, it was a decision that came nine days after she took the helm. “It was defi - nitely a daunting one,” she said. “Luckily, we made the decision collaboratively. We’re going to be reassessing as we go.” Tahiliani said those reassessments will be happening on a daily basis, adding that she and her colleagues will remain in close contact with State Education Commissioner Jeff rey Riley. “We’re on conference calls daily,” she said. Tahiliani could not predict how the end of the school year might play out if the virus does not loosen its grip. “I feel like the entire universe has changed,” she said. School Committee Vice Chairman Frank Parker said he does not expect any disruptions with the district’s budget process. “As far as the budget goes, a lot of prep has already been put into it from Central Administration, directors and building leaders so we are still moving forward,” he said. Parker also said the School Committee is planning to meet remotely on April 6, as Governor Charlie Baker has temporarily relaxed the Open Meeting Law. “All members can now participate remotely in meetings since the requirement for a quorum is suspended,” said Parker. “All votes will still be taken by roll call in remote meetings, and all other remote rules apply.” 505 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 Tel: 617-387-1120 www.gkdental.com The Everett campus of Cambridge Health Alliance is continuing its eff orts to help thwart the spread of COVID-19, acting on recommendations from the U.S. Surgeon General and the American College of Surgeons. (Photo Courtesy of the Cambridge Health Alliance) By Christopher Roberson L ike so many other medical facilities throughout the Commonwealth, the Everett campus of the Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) continues to do its part to fi ght the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). “Responding to the spread of COVID-19 is an evolving situation and CHA has experts working around the clock to ensure that our information and treatment plans are up to date,” said CHA Everett Hospital spokesperson David Cecere. “We are using evidence-based practices to inform our decision-making around clinical care, use of personal protective equipment and social distancing and minimal exposure modalities. Staff and providers across CHA are working tirelessly to both provide all of our patients with the care they need and minimize the spread of the disease.” Cecere also said the hospital has been following the directives of U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams and the American College of Surgeons. “We are postponing all elective surgeries and procedures that had been scheduled in the operating rooms and other procedure suites,” he said. “Any patients needing emergency or urgent procedures or surgeries will not be rescheduled and will receive timely surgical care at CHA.” In addition, Cecere said all patients are being monitored for cough, fever and/ or shortness of breath, which are all classic symptoms of COVID-19. Visitor restrictions are also in effect at all CHA hospitals. As of March 19, the State Department of Public Health (DPH) reported 328 confi rmed cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts. Within that figure, Middlesex County had the greatest number of cases at 119. Middlesex County was followed by Suffolk County with 72 cases and Norfolk County, where 52 cases of the virus have been reported. Therefore, Governor Charlie Baker announced that his administration has allocated $5 million in emergency funding to Boards of Health throughout Massachusetts. In addition, Baker and the DPH issued orders that will reactivate the licenses of retired medical professionals, allow out-of-state doctors to pracCHA EVERETT | SEE PAGE 16 • Family Dentistry • Crowns • Bridges • Veneers/Lumineers • Dental Implants • All on 4 Dental Implants • Emergency Dentist • Kid Friendly Dentist • Root Canals • Dentures • Invisalign Braces • Snap On Smile • Teeth Whitening We are the smile care experts for your entire family In House Dental Plan for $399 (Cleanings, X-Rays, Exams twice a year and 20% OFF Dental work) Schedule your FREE Consultations today Everett's Newest Real Estate Office Commercial Sales and Leasing Residential Home Sales Real Estate Consulting Apartment Rentals Real Estate Auctions Business Brokerage Personal Property Appraisals Mass Licensed Auctioneer 560 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149 | 617-512-5712 | sam@broadwayRE.com ADRIANA RESNICK DOMENICA RIGGIO SAM RESNICK
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