THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, March 13, 2020 Page 13 CITY OFFICIALS | FROM PAGE 1 Tuesday’s alert let residents know Gov. Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency in Massachusetts. Wednesday’s alert hit closer to home. “With an increase of Coronavirus cases recently reported state-wide combined with members being a part of a susceptible age group, and out of an abundance of caution, our Senior Center is ceasing all activities for its members until further notice,” reads the post. Ward 5 Councillor Barbara Murphy asked what type of outreach the city has been doing to ensure older residents, particularly those who live in senior housing, have the information they need to protect themselves from the virus. Webb said flyers are being handing out, and signs with information about the virus are being posted in senior housing facilities. “Most seniors are taking the right track with social distancing and staying home,” added Webb. Cronin said that as the director of emergency management, it’s his responsibility to keep things running. “My job is to keep the community safe and healthy by maintaining primary services, such as police, fire, the DPW, just to name a few,” he said. “These involve the basic services one would expect to receive even in the face of a crisis.” Cronin said that each mission-critical department in the city has a line of succession that guarantees someone will always be in charge. “The purpose is to ensure the essential functions of city government continue on unhindered,” he said. Cronin also said department heads with look at their department and determine if staff can and should work from home. Councillor-at-Large Craig Spadafora asked what would happen if the virus infected the fire station. Cronin said the key part of that potential scenario is prevention. “They prepare themselves before they go into something with that possibility in mind,” he said. Cronin said if the virus took hold in the police station, the department would have to limit their services. “There are certain calls we wouldn’t respond to,” he said. “Of course, we would always respond to crime calls and to anyone who needed help.” With the virus moving so quickly, the Emergency Management Team is continually reviewing different management approaches. We can’t predict the path of COVID-19 here in Malden, but we have trained for it, and we are prepared for it,” said Cronin. I Mayor’s book discussion and Skype event – March 19 f you’ve read or have been reading “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury, come discuss the book selection at a special event on Thursday, March 19, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the Malden Public Library. The first half hour will be a group discussion with The Carson Center for the Performing Arts in Kentucky – via Skype. This is another community reading “Fahrenheit 451” as part of their 2020 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read. Stay for the book discussion at 7:00 led by Mayor Gary Christenson. Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP to maldenreads@gmail.com. Hope to see you there! On March 19, join Mayor Gary Christenson for a discussion of “Fahrenheit 451” and a Skype discussion with a Kentucky community. (Courtesy Photo) Free course to be held March–April for family caregivers supporting loved ones with Alzheimer’s or dementia f you are a family caregiver working to support the needs of a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or other form of dementia, there is now help! Mystic Valley Elder Services will be holding its free, six-session course The Savvy Caregiver Program at Mystic Valley Elder Services (300 Commercial St., #19, Malden) on Thursdays I from March 26 through April 30, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. for family and friends who are active caregivers. The Program will provide you with the information, skills and support you need to provide top-quality care to the person you love while taking care of yourself. As a caregiver, you deserve to be confident that you’re making your loved one’s life better. Don’t let anxiety define your life; you deserve to feel competent and skilled. Don’t spend your days questioning your own ability to provide care. The program will provide you with essential information and resources: • Understand the impact of dementia on your loved one and on you. • Learn skills for managing daily life without burning yourself out. • Take control of your time and set goals for yourself and your household. • Grow into a stronger communicator. • Strengthen your family’s resources and resilience. Registration is free but required. To register or for more information, please call Kathy Learned at 781-388-2350. With advanced notice, Mystic Valley Elder Services can help connect you with a trained companion to stay with your loved one while you attend the workshops. $600 H2226_191016_032735_M UHCSCO_191016_032735 to buy approved health items. Now available at Walmart. Are you 65 or older and have MassHealth and Original Medicare? Call today. 1-844-866-2944, TTY 711 Benefits and features vary by plan. Limitations and exclusions apply. UnitedHealthcare SCO is a Coordinated Care plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Medicaid program. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare. This plan is a voluntary program that is available to anyone 65 and older who qualifies for MassHealth Standard and Original Medicare. If you have MassHealth Standard, but you do not qualify for Original Medicare, you may still be eligible to enroll in our MassHealth Senior Care Option plan and receive all of your MassHealth benefits through our SCO program. CST27301C Health & Wellness Products Card Jane Doe 9999 9999 9999 99999
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