THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, July 31, 2020 Page 5 ASKS | from page 4 metrics that determine the phasing-in processes for businesses and all of that stuff. When all of the data is extrapolated, you can see the downward trend. That’s exactly what Gov. Baker says. That’s exactly what we are talking about when they say we’re trending in the right direction. Saugus, in my time here, hasn’t had a lot of cases… Since July 13, we’ve only had 13 cases. That’s one a day vs. the surge period when it was like 30 a day. I’m still the health representative in Stoneham and I’m still seeing community numbers for both communities. Some days it’s zero. Some days it’s one. Some days it’s two. There are no big spikes. Q: What gives you the biggest worry? Breakheart Reservation? A: What do you mean? Q: As far as when you are dealing with the COVID-19 – what gives you the biggest worry as far as protecting the community? A: When it comes to social distancing, when it comes to masks, enforcement of all these things that are coming from the state, the real issue lies with people being courteous to one another, especially at this point. Everybody knows what’s happening. You hear about “the new normal.” And you hear about the fact these are new things that everyone is expected to do. Again, you are always going to have people who don’t follow the guidelines. We’re always going to get calls that somebody saw somebody without a mask at the Square One Mall, or somebody saw somebody without a mask, walking down wherever. That’s always going to be there. That’s why the Department of Labor Standards is involved. That’s why we’re on conference calls twice a week with the state. This is a fl uid situation. Ultimately at some point when there might be a vaccine on the horizon, Saugus, as well as Stoneham, as well as every other city and town in the state will be wellprepared to be able to distribute that [vaccine]. We’re wellprepared to be able to face the challenges that something like this presents. I’m not going to sit here and say it [COVID-19] doesn’t present a challenge, because it does. It’s a global pandemic that, unfortunately, you are going to see that across the state and across the country, health departments are underfunded. And that’s something that is a glaring issue, especially when it comes to deal with enforcement and it comes to deal with something like COVID-19. It’s a challenge that we’re all up to. That’s the one takeaway that you should get. Health Departments across the state are well-prepared to be able to deal with it. But, it’s a frustrating time. Q: If you had to make the call, how would you proceed as far as schools reopening, right around the corner? A: We ’ ve got some walkarounds prepared for the next couple of weeks. The Department of Secondary Education – the Department of Education has come out with some guidelines with a number of diff erent proposals. If I had to make the call, the one thing I’d say is that as long as the guidelines that are being jammed down everybody’s throat – and with good reason – that they are there for a reason. And it’s because you make the environment safer when you follow these guidelines. And fl u or respiratory disease is spread person-to-person – like the fl u, the cold, like pneumonia, like anything. COVID-19, I’m glad, was identifi ed as an upper respiratory disease right out of the gate. There are already mitigation measures in place for that. People already know … Don’t cough on people. And wash your hands. And it goes back to what I was saying. It’s all about people being courteous to one another. Be a clean human being. Wash your hands. Socially distance and stay away from people. Q: How is the compliance in Saugus? A: I think it’s fantastic. Q: Has anybody been cited for violations? A: No, not at this point. The governor has set up a complaint line for people – it goes right to the Department of Labor Standards, then it goes right to us. We’ve responded to a few complaints. Q: So, there have been a few complaints in town? A: Sure. It’s been more of people spotting people without masks on in a business or what have you. But, other than that, there haven’t been any glaring issues, but it’s something that we are obviously talking about seriously. But we do have to understand that the enforcement and the actual punitive measures – it’s not particularly realistic – but what is realistic is the idea that I’m a big time proponent of education. And understanding the need for that common courtesy is – a lot of times – all people need. And that’s something we as a health department are putting out. We’re establishing lines of communication. We’re centralizing forms of information so people aren’t wading through – looking for the information that they need. Q: So, you got more information on the town website? A: Yes, and we’re forwarding people to the right sources. Like I said, it’s something that is not going away anytime soon. But as we move toward the fi nish line – Phase 4, which is “the new normal,” meaning that if there are treatments and vaccines available – we’re readily prepared to be able to distribute them to the residents. We’re on a crusade of information and education, because it is obviously a hotly debated topic. Our role in this whole thing is to make sure people understand what is going on and to make sure people are abiding by these guidelines, because they are there for everybody’s personal safety. They are not a blanket to be thrown to see what sticks. They’re rooted in science. Q: Anything else that you would like to say to the folks Gerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? 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And I’m excited to be able to come in here, especially at a time like this, when the need is just through the roof. And just like wrestling, being able to rise to the challenge is something that I’ve always enjoyed. For every municipality in the state facing the phase-in process, everything is going to be a challenge. It’s something I feel I am up to and look forward to meeting it head-on.
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