RE REVERE E E V R Vol. 29, No.12 -FREEREE D By Barbara Taormina C OVID-19 closed Revere Schools last week, and the anticipated return of students and staff on April 7, at the end of the Gov. Charlie Baker’s mandated statewide school shutdown, is looking shaky. “There’s some talk at the state level of extending that further, and indications are that returns before May 1 are unlikely,” said Superintendent Dr. Diane Kelly during this week’s School Committee meeting, which some www.advocatenews.net School district continues support for students and families members attending remotely and the public watched online. On the day schools closed, Dr. Kelly and Mayor Brian Arrigo announced plans to continue education progress and services for all Revere students and families. “If we are extended to a longer closure, the one thing we want to make sure of is that our students do not experience a slide in their academic learning when schools aren’t open,” said Kelly. SCHOOL | SEE PAGE 2 To our loyal readers, advertisers and community, L ife has tossed us a curve with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic which has transformed our lives and livelihoods. In these trying times, always remember that they are temporary as our scientifi c community hurries for a cure. The Advocate Newspapers will keep you updated as information comes in through our weekly print editions, our website at: www.advocatenews.net updated every Thursday evening; and social media at Facebook.com/advocate.news.ma and Twitter.com@advocatenews.ma Our offi ce, located at 573 Broadway, Everett will be open Monday through Friday, 9:30 am to 5 pm. Please feel free to contact us at 617-387-2200; 781-286-8500; or 781-2314446 or via email at: Info@advocatenews.net or Croberson@advocatenews.net We urge everyone to use common sense and follow the rules and recommendations of the CDC as we continue to fi ght this pandemic. And please look out for each other. Be safe, The Publisher & Staff of the Advocate Newspapers HELPING HANDS: Shown handing out lunches at Staff Sgt. James Hill Elementary School on Tuesday was, from left; Manager Hanan Yousef, lunch server Heather Silva, lunch server assistant Delma Dello Russo, lunch server Fafa Bekheira, Mayor Brian Arrigo, lunch server Khadija Boukharfi en and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Dianne Kelly. See page 6 for story and photos. (Advocate Photo by Tara Vocino) City outlines emergency response to COVID-19 Orders closure of all City parks and playgrounds By Barbara Taormina C ity offi cials warned it was inevitable and on Wednesday, Mayor Brian Arrigo announced the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Revere, which was followed by news of a second confi rmed case postSupermarkets adjust hours for nervous shoppers ed on the city’s website late in the day. The news followed the City Council’s unanimous vote Monday night to approve Arrigo’s request to transfer $1 million from the city’s stabilization fund to the Emergency Management Planning Account. “We are doing everything possible and using every tool in the city’s toolbox to make sure we slow the spread of this virus,” Arrigo told the council during an update on the coronavirus. Kim Hanton, who is heading up the city’s Coronavirus Response Team, described diff erent aspects of the city’s strategy to manage the health emergency. Hanton is working with a case management team that responds to information and reports about possible positive cases of the virus in the city as well as other concerns, such as contamination. “They are our boots on the ground, making the phone calls and really investigating any of the reports we are getting,” said Hanton, adding that the case management team coordinates information from local, state and federal sources. In consultation with medical experts and Revere’s Board of Public Health, Mayor Arrigo has taken a number of actions in the interest of public health CITY OUTLINES | SEE PAGE 2 IMPORTANT COVID-19 INFORMATION O ATE CAT CAT Free Every Friday 617-387-2200 Friday, March 20, 2020 Grab-n-Go Lunch at Hill School SEE PAGES 13-15 Stop & Shop associates were seen disinfecting supplies on Monday afternoon. See pages 4 & 5 for story and photo highlights. (Photo Courtesy of Stop & Shop)
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