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Page 12 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2020 THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS By Mark E. Vogler H ere are a few tidbits that you might want to know about this week in Saugus. Have a safe Halloween! Some communities are discouraging or cancelling Halloween events because of the potential exposure to the Coronavirus. Saugus does not have any Town of Saugus–sponsored events, so the town is leaving it up to families as to whether they want their children to go trick-or-treating as the community observes Halloween tomorrow night (Saturday, Oct. 31). “The Health Department and the town are urging people to follow the state guidelines regarding Halloween and Trick or Treating,” Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree said. “That is wearing masks or face coverings, practicing social distancing and washing your hands – things that stop the spread of the virus. And remember to exercise caution and not take anything for granted, as 45 to 50 percent of people who have the virus show no symptoms.” To follow-up on the town manager’s advice, we offer the following from the state Department of Public Health website, from the section titled “Tips for a Safe and Healthy Halloween.” “Residents and communities should follow safe and healthy tips to participate in Halloween activities that may limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19. As a reminder, any Halloween activities are subject to the current state gathering size limits as well as applicable sector-specific workplace safety standards. “Consistent with the Halloween activity guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some things to keep in mind in celebrating Halloween this year include: • Enjoy Halloween outside rather than attending indoor events. • Place candy on a platter instead of a bowl • Instead of traditional trick or treating, opt for oneway trick-or-treating, with treats placed outside of the home for trick-or-treaters as a “grab and go” while keeping distance from others. • Consider leaving hand sanitizer by any treats left out for trick-or-treaters to use. • Wear a face mask or face covering. For more information on face masks and face coverings, please see the state’s Mask Up MA webpage. • A costume mask is not a substitute for a face mask or face covering. To protect yourself and others, ensure you are wearing a protective face mask or covering instead of or in addition to a costume mask. • Observe good hand hygiene, including hand washing and use of alcohol-based sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol. Carry hand sanitizer and use it often, especially after coming into contact with frequently touched surfaces and before eating candy. • Refrain from touching your face. • Decorate your yard for others to enjoy from their car or while on a socially-distanced walk. • Hold virtual costume contests or pumpkin carving events. • Celebrate with members of your household with a Halloween-themed meal, Halloween movie night, or by preparing a Halloween scavenger hunt. • Maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet of physical distance from all other participants who are not members of the same household. • Avoid: • Attending crowded costume parties held indoors, or any gatherings that exceed indoor or outdoor gathering limits; • Going to an indoor haunted house where people may be crowded together and screaming; and • Going on hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household. • Stay home and refrain from Halloween activities, including handing out Halloween treats, if: • you feel unwell; • you have tested positive for COVID-19; • you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19; or • you have traveled to or from a state that is not classified as lower risk within the last 14 days. For more information on lower risk states, please see the state’s COVID-19 Travel Order webpage.” policy that is withdrawn from his pension before it’s deposited. I went ahead and filed a fraud complaint with the bank, alleging unauthorized access to the account. The fraud division wrapped up its investigation in two weeks and got the health insurance company to give the money back. It was an incomplete job by the bank. I wanted to GUESS WHO GOT SKETCHED? In this week’s edition, we continue our weekly feature where a local artist goes out and mingles with townsfolk and sketches them. Got an idea who this Saugus resident might be? If you do, please email me at mvoge@comcast.net or leave a phone message at 978-683-7773. The first reader to respond between now and Tuesday morning and correctly identify the person sketched is the winner of a $10 gift certificate, compliments of Dunkin’ at the 1204 Broadway Saugus location at Route 1 North. But you have to enter to win! Look for the winner and identification in next week’s “The Sounds of Saugus.” (Courtesy illustration to The Saugus Advocate by a Saugonian who goes by the name of “The Sketch Artist”) Watch out for the fraudsters! Ever since I became my brother’s active power of attorney in July of last year, I’ve lost a lot of faith in the competence and integrity of banks, health care agencies and insurance companies. It seems like some of them don’t give a darn about the welfare of senior citizens and are eager to fleece them at the drop of the hat. A year ago, I had to threaten an insurance company based in Kansas City with filing complaints with the state insurance commissioners in Missouri and Massachusetts and several federal government agencies if they didn’t return more than $32,000 that my brother was owed when I called in the rider that allowed him to recover 80 percent of his premiums after 13 years on a useless policy. When I paid ($2,500) to extend the policy one more year to collect nearly all of his premiums, the company cancelled his policy and returned a check for a measly $2,000, adding that their obligation was fulfilled. But after I mailed the threat, the company backed down and quickly forwarded a check for $32,000. They indicated in the cover letter to my brother that there was a misunderstanding and that a second check was in the mail. Sure, about a month after I filed a complaint. Recently, I had another go-around with a health insurance company that I never heard of, which had made unauthorized bank draft withdrawals from my brother’s checking account – four of them totaling more than $1,700. The timing was suspect, because health insurance companies don’t begin charging for monthly coverage in August or September – especially for a retired school teacher who already has a great know the answers to two simple questions: why the health insurance company was charging my brother in the first place and how it gained access to my brother’s checking account when it never had permission to withdraw from the account. I offer this experience to readers who might be monitoring the checking account of a family member, friend or relative. If you see a questionable, unauthorized expense, file the complaint immediately. Don’t become a victim of these fraudsters. In most cases, they will back down when challenged because they don’t want to be facing criminal prosecution. Be on the PEG Cable Access Board Feel like doing some volunteer work for the Town of Saugus? Well, Wendy Reed, Clerk of the Saugus Board of Selectmen, told us about this opportunity: The Saugus Board of Selectmen is accepting applications for appointment to the PEG Cable Access Board of Directors in the Town of Saugus. These are volunteer / non paid positions for Saugus residents. Those interested may submit letter of interest / resume to: Saugus Board of Selectmen Saugus Town Hall 298 Central St. Saugus For more details, please call Wendy at (781) 2314124. THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS | SEE PAGE 13

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