THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2020 Page 3 Residents reminded to remain vigilant as city reopens By Barbara Taormina A s COVID-19 cases continue to decline and Revere moves forward with its reopening, Mayor Brian Arrigo and Board of Health Chair Dr. Nathalee Kong are asking residents to remain vigilant. Arrigo and Kong held a virtual community forum this week to share the good news about the virus and several programs the city has launched to help residents with the economic fallout of the pandemic. New daily cases of the virus in Revere have been in the single digits for the past couple of weeks. Kong credited residents who stayed home, wore face masks and practiced social distancing for containing the spread of the virus. “Everyone in the city helped save the lives of a neighbor, a family member or a friend by doing the right thing,” she said. Still, both Kong and Arrigo stressed the importance of continuing to follow health and safety guidelines. “The fi ght is not over yet,” said Kong. “As we continue to reopen, we’ll have positive cases.” A viewer called to ask about the decline in COVID-19 deaths despite the surge in cases now occurring across the South and in California. Kong said that many of the recent infections have hit younger people, who are more likely to recover from the virus. She also said hospitals and health care workers have shared information and now have a clearer sense of how to care for COVID-19 patients. Kong said she does not expect a vaccine to be available before early 2021. And she cautioned that even when a vaccine is approved, it will take time and eff ort to ramp up vaccine clinics. Arrigo focused on the city’s strategy for a safe reopening and economic assistance for businesses and residents who are struggling due to the pandemic. Unemployment in the city has reached 25 percent. “Knowing we would be hit with an economic crisis on the heels of the pandemic, we have set aside $1.5 million of federal, state and city money to help Revere residents get back to work,” said Arrigo, adding that the focus would be on growth industries, such as Amazon. The city’s CONNECT program is assisting residents with information on unemployment benefi ts and programs. Grants of up to $10,000 are available to local businesses through a small business grants program. Arrigo also highlighted the city’s rental assistance program launched last week. “We have $1 million in federal funding to assist Revere families facing homelessness once the moratorium on evictions expires,” he said. “The fact that we have already had more than 300 applicants shows the devastating impact [on] the economic outlook of our residents.” Eligible applicants for rental assistance will be entered into a lottery, which will remain open through Wednesday, July 15. Funds will be distributed by Metro Housing Boston. Additional details and criteria are available at Revere.org/rentalassistance. Arrigo reminded viewers that Revere has declared that racism is a public health crisis. He said the city needs to make ending systemic racism a priority, which will pave the way for additional funding for behavioral health programs, housing stability and economic mobility. “One thing that COVID-19 has highlighted is the disproportional impact we’ve seen on the health and well-being of our residents, especially in communities of color, and the continued violence and racism against our Black and Brown residents,” he said. “A lot of work needs to be done, and it has to be done with more urgency.” www.eight10barandgrille.com We Have Reopened for Dine-In and Outside Seating every day beginning at 4 PM WE'RE OPEN! 8 Norwood Street, Everett (617) 387-9810 STAY SAFE! A.B.C. CIGAR 170 REVERE ST., REVERE (781) 289-4959 Same Location * Same Service for 48 Years! Chris Dan Steve We Welcome You Back & Wish You Well! * Desktop Humidors * Travel Humidors * Vapes * Juice * Cigar Accessories * Bongs * Lighters & Ash Trays * Glass Pipes * Gift Cards * Rewards Program * Juuls * CBD Infused Products Cigar of the Month! Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Magnum Box of 20 - Only $149.95 Buy your Cigars by the Box & Save! Plus our “Golfers’ Special” 15 Handmade Cigars - Churchill Size including a Cohiba! Only $43.95 STORE HOURS 8 AM - 7 PM Mon. - Sat., Sun. 8 AM - 6 PM
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