Maldden alld a Vol. 29, No. 14 den AADD -FREEBy Christopher Roberson M alden Taxi, an iconic transportation company in the city, will close its doors for at least two weeks as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. “As we get closer to April 20, we’ll reassess,” said David Morovitz, the son of longtime proprietor Lester Morovitz, who has made numerous donations to city organizations over the past fi ve decades. He said the decision to close was based on Governor Charlie Baker’s projection that the number of COVID-19 cases in Important COVID-19 Information see page 9 CTE CAT AT www.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday 617-387-2200 the state will begin to surge between April 7 and April 17. “The best way to combat this is to stay home,” said Morovitz. “It’s an unfortunate situation, but health supersedes anything else.” The company has been owned by the Morovitz family since the 1960s. Morovitz said the last time Malden Taxi closed was for 24 hours, following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in November 1963. On March 31, Baker announced that the closure of all nonessential businesses would be extended to May 4. Free laundry loads of love C ity offi cials were back on Malden Access TV and Facebook on Wednesday night with another update on COVID-19 and its eff ects on the community. Mayor Gary Christenson and Director of Public Health Christopher Webb fi elded questions from viewers about the city’s response, and Superintendent John Oteri explained what’s ahead for families with students in city schools. (See related story.) Christenson began with MalLaundry Express owner Joe Cantin is donating his time to wash 5,000 pounds of laundry for Malden senior citizens. (Photo Courtesy of Joe Cantin) den’s latest numbers which, as of Wednesday night, were 75 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 85 residents in quarantine because they were exposed directly, or indirectly, to someone who has the virus. Webb said the key to keeping the numbers down is for residents to continue to stay home except for trips out to grocery stores and pharmacies. “The plan is in place; it does work and it is working,” he said. Webb said that the Malden Police and Fire Departments are probably the least aff ected fi rst responders in the area because they have followed their extensive training. As with previous updates, residents called in or posted questions on Facebook, and once again, there was a request from a Maplewood resident for more specifi c information about where the city’s confi rmed cases were located. “They are everywhere,” said Webb. “We have one small cluster, which really isn’t even a cluster. What we are looking at is widespread, so the trick is to stay home.” The state Department of Health has shared information about the location of COVID-19 cases with police, firefighters and emergency medical technicians so they can take precautions if they need to respond to calls from those homes. Otherwise, federal laws that protect patient information and confi - dentiality prohibit releasing that information to the public. Last week, Police Chief Kevin Molis assured residents that the location of COVID-19 cases was not an issue and no one inside a home can transmit the virus to someone outside. Several residents asked about grocery stores and if crowded aisles and lines are risk. Molis recently met with managers at Super Stop & Shop on safety measures, including separating the self-checkout lines and marking off the required six feet for social distancing with tape on the fl oor. And the Health Department is checking on sanitation measures every day. “Just keep your distance,” said Webb. “The store is making progress; they are short-staff ed, but they are getting the cleaning done.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has suggested that people unpack groceries, throw out shopping bags, wipe down kitchen surfaces, consider changing clothes and, as always, wash their hands. One viewer asked if the city had considered stopping conE Friday, April 3, 2020 Malden Taxi shutting down for two weeks A CAREER OF CARING: Lester Morovitz, owner of Malden Transportation, is shown with his late wife, Peggy, when they presented a $5,000 donation to the Malden Teen Enrichment Center back in 2012. Morovitz decided this week to close his taxi company to keep his employees and passengers safe during the pandemic. (Advocate File Photo) City officials say emergency measures are working By Barbara Taormina struction projects and said that workers on construction sites in the city were not following social distancing advisories. The state initially defi ned construction as an essential service. “The governor has changed that order eff ective immediately,” said Christenson. While restrictions on construction have been tightened, workers in construction-related trades can still provide services to maintain safety and sanitation to residences, businesses, public buildings and health care facilities. Construction projects that will provide much-needed residential housing are also allowed to continue. Although city parks have been closed and signs have been posted to inform people about the new restrictions, one resident who lives near the bike path called in to say she often sees groups of 10 to 20 teens walking along the trail. Another viewer asked what to do if there were large parties taking place in apartment buildings, and another resident wondered about nonessential businesses that are still working behind locked doors and curtains. Webb advised them and everyone else who sees others ignoring public safety rules and restrictions to call the police or the health department. “When you see it, say it,” said Webb. Christenson advised any residents who need help with grocery shopping and other erCITY OFFICIALS | SEE PAGE 2
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