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RE REVERE E E V R Vol. 29, No.14 -FREEREE D C onfirmed cases of COVID-19 in Revere more than doubled at the start of this week. On March 29, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health notifi ed the city there were 83 confi rmed cases, but by Wednesday that number had climbed to 166 positive cases. “That’s a high number,” said Mayor Brian Arrigo during Wednesday night’s community forum that was livestreamed on Facebook. “We are higher than other communities; we are a www.advocatenews.net hotbed in the Commonwealth.” Throughout the hour-long forum, Arrigo and Board of Health Director Dr. Nathalee Kong urged viewers over and over to stay home. They worried that the sharp spike in cases refl ects the fact that residents either weren’t hearing or heeding the message that the best way to avoid the virus is to severely limit social interaction and the possibility of being infected. “Staying home is the only way we can slow the spread of the virus,” said Arrigo. Kong went over the sympIMPORTANT COVID-19 INFORMATION O ATE CAT CAT Free Every Friday 617-387-2200 Friday, April 3, 2020 As COVID-19 spreads, city pleads with residents to stay home By Barbara Taormina toms of COVID-19, such as coughing, sneezing and shortness of breath. She said person-to-person transmission of the virus and people touching their faces after touching an infected surface are among the most common ways the virus is spread. “Everyone is at risk, and everyone has a role to play,” she said. Kong said younger people will be able to recover at home, but those over 65 and residents with preexisting conditions are more vulnerable to the damage the virus does to the respiratoLife during Pandemic Residents living under quarantine ry system. “It’s a scary virus, a scary time, but 80 percent of those infected will recover,” she said, adding that residents should stay at home and when they do go out, to grocery stores or pharmacies, they should practice social distancing. Residents texted and called in with concerns about the community and questions about city services. One viewer said he was still seeing people jogging together in groups and tossing footballs and playing basketball in city parks. Arrigo said the basketball hoops have been zip-tied to prevent any more games, but Revere Beach, where groups are still gathering, remains a problem. He was there on Saturday with a bullhorn urging people to be safe and go home. But Revere Beach is a Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation reservation, and the state has not yet called for its closure. “I’ve communicated my concerns to the governor and the state,” said Arrigo. Another viewer felt the city should provide more information about places in the city where there are active cases of COVID-19. “It’s important to share information, and we share the numbers because it shows the impact the virus has had on our community,” said Arrigo, who added that federal laws on patient confi dentiality prohibit the city from sharing the locaDaveen Arrigo, a real estate agent for Keller Williams Eastern Middlesex, was assisted by Spider-Man and Batman, sons Jack and Joseph, as she worked from home on Tuesday afternoon. (Photo Courtesy of Daveen Arrigo) By Tara Vocino R esidents shared some quarantine photos this week, adhering to social distancing guidelines, inside and outside of their homes. They have been using music, pets, politics and friendship to get through the stay-at-home advisory. Councillor-at-Large Jessica Giannino, who is running for State Representative, said the important thing about being home is to remember the big picture. “We’re staying home in order to keep other people safe, who are more vulnerable to COVID-19,” Giannino said. “The most important thing to do – in times like this – is to be positive.” Giannino said that while she has been working from home her kitchen has been temporarily turned into an offi ce. In her free time, she has enjoyed spending more time with family, cooking and watching movies together. Another resident had a similar stance on the quarantine. “To me, quarantine is about making sacrifices,” said Teo Hood, a freshman at Revere High School, who was taking a virtual violin class with North Shore Music Center instructor Jozef Nadj. “To be stuck inside and limit social interaction can seem daunting.” Hood said sometimes it can be hard to motivate each other to wake up early and do schoolwork or extracurricular activities, but he reflects on how much this experience makes him more self-disciplined and responsible over time. “In the end, it's all about saving lives,” said Hood. Ward 1 Councillor Joanne McKenna, who is spending more time with her dogs, Lola and Jack, said being quarantined is a diff erent way of living – one that she has never experienced. “It needs to be taken seriously, so that we can keep everyone safe,” she said. Tara Vocino may be reached at printjournalist1@gmail.com. LIFE DURING | SEE PAGE 4 tion of cases. “We’re seeing cases all over the community, not in one or two places,” added Kong. “That’s alarming because it shows community transmission.” Several viewers asked about the risks of shopping in crowded grocery stores with narrow aisles and long checkout lines. Arrigo said there are new measures being put in place at big-box stores so that people can shop in a way that protects public safety. “One step that we’ve taken is to limit the number of people who can enter a grocery store to 140 people at a time, so employees and customers feel safe,” said Arrigo. Community leaders frequently describe the COVID-19 emergency as fl uid with shutdowns being extended and more measures being put in place to protect the public. One piece of advice from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which seems to be shifting involves the use of facemasks. The public was initially told that facemasks would not off er protection against the virus and available masks should be reserved for health care workers. But this week, Kong said fabric masks, scarves and bandannas are a good idea. “I would encourage that,” she said. “I would love everyone to have a mask, it will encourage safety.” During the forum, viewers expressed thanks for all the city is doing, and they asked what and how they can help neighbors in need. Arrigo said the there is a volunteer sign-up form on the city’s website where residents can off er their services and support. He said there were many ways to help, including making phone calls from home to residents who are most at risk from the virus. But the main message of the forum was for residents to stay safe by staying home. Arrigo stressed that fi ghting COVID-19 is something the community needs to do collectively. “We are going through this together,” he said. “We hope that sharing information makes sure that people get the message, which is please, please, please stay home.” SEE PAGE 11

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