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DeMaria shared news that the $2 trillion coronavirus economic stimulus bill (CARES Act) was passed by both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Hours later, it was signed into law by President Donald Trump. “Help is on its way,” said DeMaria. In addition, DeMaria announced that the city’s curfew order, which required residents to remain in their homes from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., would remain in eff ect until further notice. Regarding business closures, DeMaria said businesses off ering professional services had to remain closed. He said anyone found in violation of the order would be fi ned up to $300 per day. “I have ordered the Everett Police Department, the Health Department and Inspectional Services to strictly enforce these guidelines,” he said in his order. “I know these measures may seem extreme; however, this virus is extreme. As we grapple with the spread of the coronavirus, the response to mitigate the current pandemic and fl atten the curve has to be more vigorous. We must all understand the seriousness of the virus and work with one another as we get through this period of time together.” DeMaria said residents were starting to understand the purpose of social distancing. “A lot of people are adhering to it,” he said. “I think the message is hitting home.” Regarding the availability of ventilators, DeMaria said Baker had requested 1,400 of those devices from the federal medical device stockpile. However, at the time, the state had only received 100 ventilators. By April 14, Everett had 399 confi rmed cases of COVID-19, representing a 24-hour increase Mariajose Cardenas, a fifth grade student at the Whittier School, picked up her lunch at the drive-thru at Everett High School. of 28 cases. By comparison, Public Health Nurse Sabrina Firicano said the increase from April 12 to April 13 was 37 cases. “I’m hopeful that we may have reached our peak,” she said. Firicano said taking action early on kept the virus from spiraling out of control in Everett. “We made a pretty bold statement with closing the schools right away,” she said. CHA spokesperson David Cecere said the number of COVID-19 patients continued to grow exponentially. “Cambridge Health Alliance has been seeing a higher rate of patients than most hospitals in the area,” he said. In an effort to keep beds available for critically ill patients, Cecere said, recovering COVID-19 patients were being transferred to the Boston Hope Medical Center housed at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. In addition, Cecere said CHA had been working with approximately 200 vendors to ensure that enough personal protective equipment was on hand. “Our top priority is keeping our staff safe while meeting the needs of our patients,” he said. EHS Senior Class The Senior Class at Everett High School was less than three months away from graduation when COVID-19 brought everything to a grinding halt. As a result, Senior Class President Ashley Yebba said, hallmark events, such as the prom, senior week and graduation, became unknown variables adrift in a sea of uncertainty. “For now it’s on pause. A lot of us are on edge – it’s just an uneasy feeling,” she said. Yebba remembered the day when the decision was made to close the schools. “I was still in the building at the time it was announced, and then got the message from my mom – I immediately broke down into tears,” she said. “Everett High School means a lot to me, and to think that I might not walk the halls again scared me; I didn’t (Advocate photo by Christopher Roberson) want March 12 to be my last day.” MCAS cancelled For the fi rst time in its 27-year history, the MCAS exam was cancelled – as a result of the pandemic. “If there ever was a time that it should be canceled, that time is most defi nitely now,” said Tahiliani. “Right now, our collective priorities supersede standardized testing. We are most concerned about keeping our students engaged in learning and ensuring their social, emotional and physical well-being.” However, Tahiliani still acknowledged the ramifi cations that would come from cancelling the MCAS. “The repercussions of this will certainly be long-lasting,” she said. “I just hope the state and test-makers are forethinking and make adjustments to next year’s test or to our overall accountability system.” Once they return to the classroom, Tahiliani said, teachers and administrators would be harnessed with the task of ensuring that students “receive targeted intervention and intensive support.” School Committee Vice Chairman Frank Parker said he was pleased that the governor signed legislation authorizing state Education Commissioner Jeff rey Riley to cancel the MCAS. “There are so many questions up in the air and MCAS was one of them,” said Parker. However, like Tahiliani, Parker said the cancelation would create a void in terms of accountability. “There’s going to be a year’s worth of data that’s missing,” he said. State Senator Sal DiDomenico said cancelling the MCAS was “absolutely the right course of action during this unprecedented time.” “Our students and educators are facing enough stress and educational disruptions due to COVID-19 without the added pressure of having to prepare for the MCAS,” he said. 2020 | SEE PAGE 8
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