Page 6 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2021 Ematesse Joseph celebrates major life milestone E By Christopher Roberson verett resident Ematesse Joseph achieved quite a rare feat when she turned 111 on February 18. When Joseph was born in 1910, Charles Bruce was serving as the 13th mayor of Everett, Eugene Foss had been elected governor of Massachusetts, William Howard Taft was the U.S. president and the average income was between $200 and $400 per year. In 1997, Joseph left her home in Haiti at the age of 87 to move to Massachusetts. In 2017, she became a U.S. citizen at the age of 108. Affectionately known by her family as “The Boss,” Joseph now has six children, 18 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. “She’s still the same person, AUTOTECH 1989 SINCE CA$H FOR YOUR CAR! DRIVE IT - PUSH IT - TOW IT! Cold Hard Cash For Your Car, Truck or SUV! 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 4X4 Crew Cab, Z71 Package, Just Serviced, Clean Title, Only 126K Miles, Warranty! TRADES WELCOME! $11,900 Easy Financing Available! EddiesAutotech.com 2010 MERCURY MILAN 4-Door, Auto., Most Power Options, Clean Title, New Tires, Only 130K Miles, Runs & Drives Great, Warranty! TRADES WELCOME! $3,995 781-321-8841 1236 EasternAve • Malden We Pay Cash For Your Vehicle! always happy, always makes people laugh,” said her granddaughter Suzette Zubre. A supercentenarian, Joseph is only one of a handful of people who witnessed the devastation caused by the Spanish fl u, which raged from February 1918 to April 1920. According to her family, Joseph believes she has lived a long, healthy life and has no interEverett resident Ematesse Joseph celebrated her 111th birthday on February 18. (Courtesy Photo) est in getting the COVID-19 vaccine. “She’s still the boss, she’s still giving orders so we have to take the orders, I don’t go over her orders,” said Zubre. Local doctors attempt to quell fears about COVID-19 vaccines By Christopher Roberson F or more than an hour, a panel of infectious disease specialists fi elded a fl urry of calls from residents with concerns regarding the COVID-19 vaccines during a virtual Town Hall discussion on February 24. Dr. Ilona Goldfarb of Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) spoke about concerns that the vaccines could negatively affect women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Although no major studies were conducted to test the vaccines in those patients, she said, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease specialist, reported that the vaccines have been given to 10,000 women nationwide who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Thus far, there have been no documented complications noted by the federal Food and Drug Administration. Goldfarb also said there is no evidence that the vaccines cause miscarriages or decrease fertility. “The COVID vaccine seems like a very safe choice,” she said. In addition, Goldfarb said no part of the virus is put into the vaccines. “The COVID vaccine is not a live vaccine; no one is going to get COVID by getting the vaccine.” Dr. Sandra Nelson of MGH encouraged residents to get vaccinated even if they already had the virus, adding that after symptoms subside patients can wait 90 days to get the shots. Yet, she acknowledged the possibility of side eff ects, particularly after the second inoculation. “The rate of side eff ects are a little bit higher after the second dose,” said Nelson. She also said the most common side eff ect has been soreness in the arm where the vaccine was administered. She also said residents should continue to wear masks after they receive the vaccines. “We know that some people who acquire this virus never get sick,” said Nelson. Dr. Paige Wickner of Brigham and Women’s Hospital said there is nothing in the vaccines that would trigger a reaction from someone with a food allergy. “These vaccines are safe, even for people with food allergies,” she said. Minuteman Technical Institute off ers free CNC operator training program M ayor Carlo DeMaria recently announced that Minuteman Technical Institute (MTI), the Commonwealth Corporation and the MassHire State Workforce Board are collaborating with regional partners to provide a free 300-hour training program in Computer Numeric Control (CNC) Machine Operation for unemployed or under-employed adults. Training programs are scheduled to begin on March 1. “The CNC Operator training program seems like a fantastic opportunity,” said DeMaria. “Not everyone is meant to be on a scholastic path, and I think it is great that Minuteman Technical Institute is offering a program that can train someone to have a technical career. I look forward to learnINSTITUTE | SEE PAGE 11
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