Massachusetts – Everett Leader Herald

More vaccine due soon as Covid-19 cases worsening

A Pfizer technician prepares vials for the firm’s Covid-19 vaccine at the NY facility. (Photo courtesy of Pfizer)

Mayor blames residents for virus spread

By JOSH RESNEK

Everett counted nearly 700 new cases of the COVID-19 virus during the past seven days.

The week began with elevated numbers of new infections in this city and among all our neighboring cities and towns.

The mayor has placed the blame for the spread of the virus on residents.

He claims the virus is being spread from apartment to apartment and from home to home by families failing to adhere to pleas for social distancing and face masks.

Massachusetts reported more than 5,500 new cases last week and 77 deaths.

State infections numbers rose to about 40,000 new cases in the past seven days.

At the former Whidden Hospital now owned and run by the Cambridge Health Alliance here in Everett, beds are hard to find.

The hospital is crowded and busy.

“The hospital is packed. It is not entirely filled with COVID-19 patients. A lot of people are sick,” said an employee of the hospital who wished to remain unnamed.

Polito applauds state for new law enforcement reform bill

Official Massachusetts portrait of Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. (Courtesy of Mass.gov)

Governor Charlie Baker signed “An Act Relative to Justice, Equity and Accountability in Law Enforcement in the Commonwealth,” which creates a mandatory certification process for police officers, increases accountability and transparency in law enforcement, and gives police departments a greater ability to hire or promote only qualified applicants.

Coronavirus running wild in Everett

Overcrowded coronavirus testing sites like the one above have become commonplace in Everett this holiday season. (Photo by Jim Mahoney)

Testing sites mobbed, restrictions put damper on Thanksgiving

By JOSH RESNEK

Everyone celebrating Thanksgiving is being asked by state officials to have an abbreviated holiday, with smaller gatherings, less elaborate and well-attended family dinners, and with as little travel from place to place as possible.

Not only the forecast of rain putting a damper on this year’s holiday. It comes at a moment in history quite unlike that of any modern or ancient celebration of the holiday.

The annual Black Friday shopping extravaganza was expected to be down this holiday with so many people indicating they would be remaining at home rather than to venture outside.

With the state now reporting almost 3,000 new infections a day, with soaring hospitalizations and deaths (there were 24 new deaths Sunday alone), this Thanksgiving holiday will prove itself to be one of the new lows brought on by the COVID-19.

Health officials estimate there are 40,000 active cases of the virus across the state.

State issues warnings as COVID-19 cases rise

Help Everett Stop Covid-19 volunteers Renato Trombini and Joyce Silva show some of the free face masks they are distributing throughout Everett. (Photo by Jim Mahoney)

Everett still in “red”, urged to continue precautions as second wave appears forming

By JOSH RESNEK

Massachusetts reported the highest number of new virus infection cases earlier this week, a trend which is continuing.

The rising numbers have prompted a widening of the “red communities” throughout the state to include about 10 locations.

The state notified the city Monday that Everett, and nine others, have been sent an emergency alert by the COVID-19 Command Center to warn of the higher possibility of infection here and in neighboring cities like Chelsea and Revere. Lynn also made the list.

The alert, sent to mobile phone holders encouraged facemask wearing, hand washing, and social and physical distancing.

The city ended its second consecutive week with more than 100 new cases of the virus.

Monday alone, 827 new cases of the virus were reported by the Department of Public Health throughout the state.

Fifteen new deaths were added to the state total of almost 9,800 since the pandemic hit us in March.

3 million in grants to help schools

Baker-Polito admin adds $150K for bus lanes

For the LEADER HERALD

The Baker-Polito Administration announced last week the opening of the sixth year of the Community Compact IT Grant Program which will provide a total of $3 million in grants for municipal and school district projects de- signed to modernize and improve technology systems. The Community Compact IT program will be accepting applications from September 15, through October 15, and will provide each municipal recipient up to $200,000 in funding.

Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito and Governor Baker arrive at Bistro 5 to tour the restaurant and meet with the owner Vittorio Ettore in Medford, Ma on Thursday September 10, 2020.

Also, in a second bit of great news from the governor and lt. governor, the state has awarded Everett $150,000 for a northern bus lane to move pedestrian traffic on public transportation.

Since its inception, the Community Compact IT Grant Program has awarded 240 grants totaling $12 million to municipalities and school districts to invest in transformative technology infrastructure and critical equipment.