Page 14 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, September 10, 2021 State health officials announce two new human cases of West Nile virus T he state Department of Public Health (DPH) recently announced two new human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) in the state this year. Both individuals are male, one in his 50s and the other in his 70s, and both were exposed to WNV in Middlesex County. On September 1, DPH announced that the first human case of WNV identified in Massachusetts this year was likely exposed in Middlesex County. The Greater Boston area and several towns in Bristol and Worcester counties are at moderate risk for WNV. There have been no deaths this year associated with WNV. Based on the human cases, recent increases in WNV findings in mosquitoes, and weather favorable for mosquito activity, the WNV risk level of an additional 38 communities is being raised from low to moderate. These communities are Beverly, Danvers, Lynn, Marblehead, Middleton, Nahant, Peabody, Salem, Saugus, Swampscott and Wenham in Essex County; Agawam, Chicopee, East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Springfield and West Springfield in Hampden County; Bedford, Billerica, Burlington, Carlisle, Lexington, Lincoln, Natick, North Reading, Reading, Sudbury, Wayland, Weston and Wilmington in Middlesex County; Dedham, Needham and Wellesley in Norfolk County; Chelsea, Revere and Winthrop in Suffolk County; and Grafton and Upton in Worcester County. “These are the second and third human cases of West Nile virus infection in Massachusetts this year and we are seeing significant expansion of virus activity in mosquitoes,” said Acting Public Health Commissioner Margret Cooke. “Risk from West Nile virus will continue until the first hard frost. As we enjoy the unofficial last weekend of summer and then head back to school and work, it is important for people to remember to continue to take steps to avoid mosquito bites.” In 2020, there were five human cases of WNV infection identified in Massachusetts. WNV is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe disease. Most people infected with WNV will have no symptoms. When present, WNV symptoms tend to include fever and flu-like illness. In rare cases, more severe illness can occur. People have an important role to play in protecting themselves and their loved ones from illnesses caused by mosquitoes. Avoid mosquito bites Apply insect repellent when outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET, permethrin, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 according to the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. Be aware of peak mosquito hours. The hours from dusk to MassFiscal weighs in on TCI Ballot Committee Filed with OCPF B OSTON – The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance (MassFiscal) released the following statement in response to the official formation of a ballot committee with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) to advocate for the initiative petition seeking to repeal the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI). The Committee to Stop the TCI tax was filed today with Cecilia (Cece) Calabrese of Agawam serving as Chairwoman and Michael Kane of Ashland serving as Treasurer. Cece is a lawyer and city councilor elected in the city of Agawam, and also works in her family’s dental practice. More recently, Cece served as a past President of the Massachusetts Municipal Association and in 2020 she was part of the effort on the Agawam City Council to pass a resolution opposing TCI in her western Massachusetts municipality. Michael Kane is a longtime business owner located in Ashland. Michael serves on the Board of Directors for MassFiscal and the Massachusetts state chapter of the National Federation of Independent Businesses. Michael owns a self-storage business and spent a career building energy efficient houses in central Mass. His self-storage business in Ashland was designed in 2009 to use solar energy at a time before solar energy was mainstream. “The TCI gas tax scheme would be a regressive tax on western Massachusetts working families and small businesses. For my constituents in Western Mass., driving a car or truck is an essential way of life. Massachusetts should not be restricting the supply of gasoline to the middle-and working-class families that rely on it,” said Cece Calabrese, Chairwoman of the Committee to Stop the TCI Tax. TCI started out with 12 states but as of today, only Massachusetts is “fully committed” to the program. TCI is set to go into effect in Massachusetts in 2023. Fuel shortages and massive price increases, which will feel like a gas tax to the consumer, are expected as early as 2025. “Cece and Michael are part of a bi-partisan group of citizens that are taking important steps to bring TCI before the voters of Massachusetts in 2022.Their volunteer leadership roles toward this effort are greatly appreciated by MassFiscal and everyone in Massachusetts who supports affordable energy costs. The people that will feel the most pressure of the price increases and shortages that will result from TCI deserve a voice in this process. Drivers should be free to make their own decisions and TCI should never restrict the amount of gasoline Massachusetts consumers can use,” said Paul Craney, spokesperson for MassFiscal. dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. Clothing can help reduce mosquito bites. Wear longsleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors to help keep mosquitoes away from your skin. Mosquito-proof your home Drain standing water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed in by either draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change the water in birdbaths frequently. Install or repair screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly fitting screens on all of your windows and doors. Protect your animals Animal owners should reduce potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers, such as buckets, tires and wading pools – especially after heavy rains. Water troughs should be flushed out to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas. Horse owners should keep horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. Animal owners should also speak with a veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals and vaccinations to prevent WNV and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). If an animal is diagnosed with WNV or EEE, its owner is required to report to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ Division of Animal Health by calling 617626-1795 and to DPH by calling 617-983-6800. More information, including all WNV and EEE–positive results, can be found on the Arbovirus Surveillance Information web page at www.mass.gov/ dph/mosquito or by calling the DPH Epidemiology Program at 617-983-6800. Talking to loved ones about life insurance September is Life Insurance Awareness Month The COVID-19 pandemic changed consumer perceptions about life insurance. And with September being Life Insurance Awareness Month, it serves as a time to help consumers understand the importance of life insurance and how it can help protect a family’s financial future. According to the Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association, seven in 10 Americans agree that the pandemic has been a wake-up call to reevaluate their long-term financial goals, which may include life insurance. “The pandemic jolted consumers awake to the crucial importance of life insurance,” said AIG Life & Retirement’s President of US Life Insurance, Timothy Heslin. “By including life insurance as part of a holistic financial plan, individuals and families can begin to prepare for the unexpected, today and in the future.” How do you start the conversation? Having a conversation about life insurance with a loved one can seem unsettling or morbid, but it does not need to be. AIG Life & Retirement offers tips to help get the conversation started: • Find the right opportunity: Major life events, such as marriage, having a child or buying a home, present an appropriate opportunity to start a conversation. • Set aside dedicated time: The topic of life insurance isn’t something to bring up lightly, like in the car on the way to the grocery store. Set aside dedicated time when both you and your loved one are at home and relaxed. • Do your homework: Do some online research or speak with a licensed life insurance representative who can provide information on the different types of life insurance. • Approach it as a financial plan: Rather than making it about death, frame the conversation around protecting the family financially if one of your paychecks was to suddenly stop. If you already have life insurance, Heslin says, “Life Insurance Awareness Month is a reminder to reevaluate your policy, because changing circumstances may lead to different insurance needs.”
15 Publizr Home