THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2020 Page 7 Mayor delivers updated statement on COVID-19 By Mayor Carlo DeMaria A s a City, as a state, as a nation, and as an international community, we are faced with an unprecedented time. Day-by-day, hour-by-hour, the responses to the COVID-19 pandemic are evolving, which I know is having a tremendous impact on all of you. Understandably, many of you have experiencing feelings of anxiety, confusion, and fear. It is my goal to alleviate those feelings, to provide answers, and to connect you with the necessary local, state, and federal resources to assist you in getting through this difficult period. In dealing with a global crisis such as this, it is important that we act as a community and adhere to the guidance provided by the professionals in this field. Measures aimed at preventing the continuing spread of the virus will only be effective if all of us are on the same Mayor Carlo DeMaria page. I am proud to say that Everett was one of the first municipalities in the State to announce closures of our schools and municipal buildings. While it is a certainly a testament to both my Administration and the School Department for being able to band together and continue to provide services to our residents despite the closures of many of our buildings, we will not be able to make significant progress fighting back against the spread of the virus unless we see decisive and timely action from the higher levels of government. My staff and I have been on multiple calls every day with local leaders, Governor Baker, Lt. Governor Polito, Senator Warren, medical experts from the Center for Disease Control and Department of Public Health, Metropolitan Area Planning Council, Massachusetts Municipal Association, to seek guidance, to petition for greater resources, to offer our own policies, and to urge our leaders to hand down uniform guidelines so as to best contain the spread and allow us to get back to our normal lives as soon as possible. The need for prompt, accurate, and accessible communication is more important now than ever before. I pledge to continue keeping you, the resPublic health nurse pushes social distancing By Christopher Roberson P ublic Health Nurse Sabrina Firicano has had her eye trained on COVID-19 since it first surfaced in the Chinese city of Wuhan three months ago. “We’ve been watching this,” she said. “We’ve been putting a lot of protocols in place; it’s a dayby-day situation.” At this point, Firicano said, social distancing, unnatural as it may seem, is what will eventually take the virus down. “We really have to practice social distancing; it’s so important,” she said, adding that the city’s Health Department is acting on directives from the state Department of Public Health. She also acknowledged that STOP & SHOP | FROM PAGE 6 with the early morning shopping time. “Our customers have been very respectful of our intent to protect the most vulnerable among us with these special shopping hours,” said Fruci. She also said that tape has been put on the floor to reinforce the six-foot minimum distance as directed by the U.S. Centers for Disease ConMIDDLESEX | FROM PAGE 3 • SafeLink – 877-785-2020 • National Domestic Violence Hotline – 1-800-799-7233 Help is also available at Jane Doe, Inc. and through the there are scores of young people who are still not taking the pandemic seriously and are, therefore, not taking any precautionary measures. “They’re putting so many more people at risk,” said Firicano. To date, there are three confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Everett. However, Firicano said additional cases are probable as new test results continue to come in. “Within the next week or two, we could see higher numbers,” she said. Firicano said healthcare workers have the greatest risk of contracting the virus as they scramble to keep up with overcrowded hospitals. “They’re in the trenches,” she said. Firicano also spoke about the trol and Prevention (CDC) and that plastic guards have been installed at every cash register and at the pharmacy. “We’re asking that customers please stand behind the clear plastic guards until all groceries have been scanned and payment is complete,” said Fruci. In addition, she said that as customer volume allows, every other checkout lane will be used to continue social distancing. Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance at www.mass. gov/mova. Shelters are open. If you need an emergency restraining order, you can do that at your local police department. idents of Everett, as informed as I can. A shutdown does not mean a slowdown. City Hall will continue to assist all of its residents through our many available resources. If you have any questions, please direct them to 311 who can either provide answers themselves or direct your call to the appropriate person. While this pandemic poses a major test of our collective fortitude, together, as a City and as a people, we will get through this difficult period of time. Next, please find the most up-to-date information regarding the things that matter most in our community. Please remember, the City can be reached via Facebook, by calling 311, or emailing any Department. growing number of residents who feel compelled to wear face masks. “I think a lot of people do it out of fear,” she said. “There’s no proven benefit to wearing it.” In addition, Firicano said City Hall will now be closed until April 7. Governor Charlie Baker also issued an order that every school and nonemergency childcare center in the state must remain closed until May 4. Space for Lease 3 Large Rooms, each with Large Walk-in Storage Area. or Aerobics Studio. Located at Route 1 South at Walnut Street. Rollerworld Plaza, Route 1 South, 425 Broadway, Saugus. Call Michelle at: 781-233-9507
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