Public schools face challenges

For Everett’s public schools to reopen in September, many hurdles must be overcome.

First and foremost is the danger that students pose not so much to themselves by associating with one another in classrooms, but rather, the danger they pose to their parents and their grandparents.

Again, youngsters have shown that the virus doesn’t attack them with the ferocity that it attacks those over 60. Even then, some 40% of those who contract the virus are under the age of 60, and some very young have contracted the virus as well.

Those are very bad odds where we come from. Let’s say we cast our fate to the wind and open the schools at all costs in September.

Accomplishing and putting into place social distancing standards – fewer students spaced far apart in fewer classes held at the same time in the same schools – does nothing to protect the teachers. Continue reading “Public schools face challenges” →

Science competing with economics

There is an undeniable truth to the findings when science is used to measure the undeniable dangers of the Coronavirus.

There is an undeniable truth in the warnings from economists that we face the ruination of our economy if we don’t open it up and soon.

Somewhere between these two places is where the situation needs to be dealt with here in Everett, around the state, the nation and the world.

We believe this is happening in Massachusetts and in New York, and many other states where the virus has run rampant and caused so much pain, sickness and death.

We believe Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito have done a good job trying to balance science against the needs of the local economy.

Their strong messaging here has kept the state from falling apart in response to this epidemic.

It is a tough thing to lead these days. The politics of the economy and the virus are clashing.

Those of us who get the virus, who get sick and who die, truly understand the terror of the virus and what it can do to a society that tries to wish it away. The virus won’t be wished away, anymore than cancer or a heart attack can be wished away. Continue reading “Science competing with economics” →

Will Rogers said it best

Will Rogers was one of the great American humorists and comedians to come out of Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression.

He once noted that “America is the first country in the world where it citizens were driving themselves in their automobiles to the poor house.” He said this during the Depression.

And he was right.

Fast forward to recent weeks when we watch with amazement on television long lines of late model automobiles carrying families waiting patiently to pick up food from a food pantry line.

Here in Everett, food pantries are saving the day for many poor working families who have been put out of business by the virus and the economic collapse.

Right here by our newspaper office on Church Street, the lines spread long, all the way down the street, for Everett residents waiting and needing food to feed their families.

Continue reading “Will Rogers said it best” →

Captain Rick Basteri

The death last week of Everett Police Captain (retired) Rick Basteri is a terrible loss for his family and for the many people of this city who regarded him as a friend and protector.

He had recently retired, so his death at such an early time in his retirement makes the loss that much harder to bear.

The city has changed dramatically since he was sworn in in 1983. The city is a far different place today than it was back then.

Captain Basteri was not one of those who failed to change with the times since the day he began almost four decades ago.

He changed with the times. He understood his role. He was always fair and kind to those who he met during the discharge of his duties.

Continue reading “Captain Rick Basteri” →

No testing for uninfected residents

How do you know if you have the virus inside your blood stream and readying itself to attack?

You don’t.

The only way to know is through testing – systematic, wide- spread, testing of the population.

Everett residents are not being tested at all locally.

Having to travel to Malden or to Chelsea doesn’t do the trick for Everett residents.

Testing should be available here.

Testing is the only way out of this mess.

We again urge the city government to act on this matter.

We cannot understand how the city government is remaining silent about testing our own people.

Continue reading “No testing for uninfected residents” →