THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 Page 5 2021 | FROM PAGE 4 be with Matewsky. However, Matewsky, who was usually full of gusto, could only faintly acknowledge the presence of others. Marchese said doctors intended to perform bypass surgery on March 19 and March 22; however, both times, they determined that Matewsky was not yet strong enough to tolerate the surgery. In addition, Marchese said Matewsky had a cardiac arrhythmia known as atrial fibrillation (AFib). Ward 2 Councillor Stephanie Martins said the situation was particularly difficult with Matewsky being nearly 1,500 miles from home. “I am so sorry to hear about this tragic news and it is even worse that he is that far away,” she said. Ward 3 Councillor Anthony DiPierro checked on Matewsky’s condition every day. “I’ve been very upset since hearing he suffered the heart attack but I know Wayne is a fighter and he will be back stronger than ever,” he said. “I continue to pray every day for his speedy recovery.” Ward 1 Councillor Fred Capone shared his concerns as well. “It really is terrible; everyone is praying for him and hopefully he will have a speedy recovery,” he said. Capone also spoke about how the City Council should proceed under these circumstances. “The proper course of action is to have the body appoint an acting president on a temporary basis until Wayne is able to resume his duties as president,” he said. In the weeks that followed, the City Council chose DiPierro to serve as president pro tempore until Matewsky was well enough to return. APRIL Local doctors weigh in on latest spike in COVID-19 cases As COVID-19 cases began to Superintendent of Schools Priya Tahiliani delivered the EHS graduation keynote address. (Photo courtesy of Everett School Dept.) increase once again, doctors at area hospitals agreed that the uptick was triggered not only by variant forms of the virus, but also by countless individuals who have grown weary of living with a pandemic for the past year. On April 1, the state Department of Public Health reported that 55 communities were in the red category of COVID-19 transmission. Everett had also slipped back into the red category with a positivity rate of 5.3 percent. “Variants are contributing to the increase in cases in Massachusetts,” said Dr. Lou Ann Bruno- Murtha of Cambridge Health Alliance. “The more infectious B.1.1.7 variant [UK variant] is increasingly being identified in Massachusetts and the P1 variant [Brazilian variant] is also beginning to increase.” On April 4, renowned epidemiologist Dr. Michael Osterholm made a bold prediction on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “Let me say that, at this time, we really are in a category five hurricane status,” he said. “At this point, we will see the highest number of cases reported globally since the beginning of the pandemic. We’re just at the beginning of City’s Inaugural ceremonies scheduled for Jan. 3 T he city’s 2022 Inaugural ceremonies of the Honorable Mayor Carlo DeMaria, the Honorable Everett City Council and the Honorable Everett School Committee will be held on January 3, 2022, at 6 p.m. The ceremonies will take place inside the Performing Arts Center at Everett High School at 100 Elm St. Residents, friends, families and colleagues are cordially invited to attend. Masks are required for all attendees regardless of vaccination status. Those who wish to watch the ceremonies rather than attend in person can watch live on ECTV Channel 22, on Facebook @City of Everett and on the city’s website. this surge; we haven’t even really begun to see it yet.” Despite her deep respect for Osterholm, Bruno-Murtha said she was “more optimistic for Massachusetts.” “We have maintained a state mask mandate and our vaccination program has been increasingly efficient,” she said. “As of April 5, 38 percent of residents have received at least one vaccine.” She also said that time is of the essence regarding the ongoing rollout of the vaccines. “The quicker we administer vaccines, the sooner we will have the upper hand on this pandemic,” said Bruno-Murtha. “I remain hopeful we will not experience another surge in Massachusetts.” Dr. Brian Chow of Tufts Medical Center said there were approximately 700 cases of the UK variant in Massachusetts. He said the Brazilian variant had also gained a foothold following an outbreak on Cape Cod. “We are all very concerned about the trajectory of the number of cases, particularly in Massachusetts,” said Chow. “Whether the next surge arrives will depend on our actions today. Now is the time to act to prevent the next surge.” With Massachusetts in the final phase of the Reopening WE CAN HELP PAY YOUR HEATING BILLS! You may qualify for ABCD’s Fuel Assistance Program and be eligible for as much as $1,030 towards your heating costs (oil, gas, or electric). Maximum benefit is $1,030 Household of 1 = $40,951 Household of 2 = $53,551 Household of 3 = $66,151 Household of 4 = $78,751 Cold days are coming. ABCD’s got you covered. Plan, Chow agreed with Bruno- Murtha that vaccinations needed to continue without delay. “We are in a race against time to get vaccines into arms,” he said. “It takes at least 14 days after the final dose of vaccine to be protected. For Pfizer or Moderna, that could be as long as five to seven weeks after the first dose.” Dr. Stephen Kissler of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health said that while the variants pose a significant threat, another shutdown would not be necessary. He said that during the past year healthcare professionals had learned an incredible amount of information pertaining to the spread of COVID-19. For example, he said, the probability of contracting the virus by going to 2021 | SEE PAGE 6 APPLY TODAY! Last day to apply is April 30, 2022 Residents of Boston, Brookline, and Newton: 178 Tremont Street, Boston, MA — 617.357.6012 Residents of Malden, Medford, Everett, Melrose, Stoneham, Winchester and Woburn: 18 Dartmouth Street, Malden, MA — 781.322.6284
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