March 26, 2020 Online Edition All Schools Closed Until at Least May 4 the Baker-Polito Ad- Ing COVID-19 Response, Child Care Programs and Sure
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The Quincy Sun Historic Quincy’s Hometown Weekly Newspaper Since 1968 VOL. 52 No. 28 Thursday, March 26, 2020 Online Edition All Schools Closed Until At Least May 4 The Baker-Polito Ad- ing COVID-19 response, child care programs and sure. The Department of stores. childcare programs, until ministration announced including extending the clo- steps to protect homeown- Public Health (DPH) also Schools and Non-Emer- May 4 in an effort to pre- Wednesday (March 25) new sure of all public and private ers and low-income tenants issued an order relative to gency Child Care Programs: vent the further spread of actions to support the ongo- schools and non-emergency from eviction and foreclo- pharmacies and grocery Governor Charlie Baker is- COVID-19 in the Common- sued an emergency order wealth. extending the closure of all This order expands on public and private schools, previous orders issued on and all non-emergency Cont’d On Page 2 36 COVID-19 Cases In Quincy; 1 Fatality As of March 25, there bringing the total to 15 were 36 confirmed and state-wide. These include a presumptive cases of CO- male in his 80s from Nor- VID-19 in Quincy accord- folk County, preexisting ing to an update released by conditions, hospitalized; the city. Of that number, 8 male, 80s, Barnstable Coun- people have recovered and ty, preexisting conditions, one man in his 80’s has died hospitalized; male, 70s, from contracting the virus. Worcester County, unknown Statewide as of March preexisting conditions, hos- 25, there are 1,838 cases pitalized; and a woman in including presumptive and her 70s, Worcester county, confirmed. State officials preexisting conditions, hos- also announced four more pitalized. THE BEST – and only – float in the Saint Patrick’s Day parade in Quincy. From left to right: Dick Leonard, Frank Hogan, Adrian Leonard and Kathy Hogan. More on the parade Page 6. Photo by Steve Samsel fatalities due to COVID-19 Cont’d On Page 2 Councillors OK $500,000 For Coronavirus Response By SCOTT JACKSON people worldwide and killed tent for a mobility testing spent on other items related others, Walker noted the city through April 6. Walker said City councillors, at the nearly 10,000. facility that could be located to the city’s response, de- would not be able to provide the Quincy Police Depart- request of Mayor Thomas “Our concern is the safe- in the city. While the city pending how the epidemic the equipment or personnel ment has been asked to en- Koch, set aside $500,000 ty and wellbeing of the peo- would be setting aside fund- unfolds. necessary to operate them. force that rule since it came March 20th for Quincy’s ple of the city. We will find ing for the tent, Walker said During the meeting, “We would happy to into effect. response to the coronavirus the money,” he said. “We Koch would not have the Walker also provided coun- build a field hospital, but we Friday’s council meeting pandemic, including funds are prepared to weather any final decision on whether cillors with an update on don’t have the ventilators, was the second city meeting to purchase personal pro- storm and it is going to be such a facility would open Quincy Medical Center. the doctors or the nurses,” held remotely this week. On tective equipment for first quite a storm.” in Quincy. The hospital closed in 2014 he said. Thursday, the Affordable responders, acquire a tent Walker identified three “This isn’t happening to- though the emergency de- Several of the councillors Housing Trust Fund Com- for a mobile testing facility areas where the $500,000 morrow. There are already partment site remains open. who spoke at the meeting mittee set aside $1 million if needed, and overtime pay could be spent. some in the area,” Walker Walker said Koch has applauded the work Koch for rental assistance for hos- for the city’s public nurses The city plans to buy said. “When the call comes, reached out to FoxRock and other city officials, in- pitality workers impacted and other personnel. personal protective equip- we will be ready to go.” Properties – the owner of cluding Health Commis- by the outbreak. Councillors voted 9-0 in ment for first responders, South Shore Health, the the hospital and the sur- sioner Ruth Jones, have Walker said the details favor of the appropriation including masks, gloves, operator of South Shore rounding site – to discuss done in recent weeks amid of that program are being during an hour-long special and reusable suits that can Hospital, has already the status of the building. the outbreak. worked out. The Quincy meeting held by videocon- be disinfected. The equip- opened a mobile testing FoxRock, Walker said, was “It is important to show Chamber of Commerce and ference, the first time the ment would primarily be for area at Union Point in Wey- “absolutely willing,” to al- even in times of crisis we Quincy Community Action body has met in such a fash- police officers, Walker said, mouth. If a similar facil- low it to be used for any have a functioning govern- Programs will both be in- ion. The money will come because firefighters’ gear ity were to open Quincy, purpose deemed necessary. ment,” said Ward 4 Council- volved in administrating the from the city’s snow and ice provides them with protec- Walker said it would likely A substantial capital in- lor Brian Palmucci. program. removal account, which had tion. Some of the equipment be on the grounds of Quincy vestment, however, would “The mayor has really Gov. Charlie Baker has roughly $1 million remain- will also be set aside for De- Medical Center, but that is be needed before the hospi- set an even-keeled tone at a suspended the state’s open ing in it prior to the vote. partment of Public Works subject to change. tal could be reopened. That time when people’s anxiety meeting law in response to Chris Walker, Mayor employees who respond He also noted there could require the assistance is high,” Ward 3 Councillor the pandemic, allowing lo- Thomas Koch’s chief of to emergencies, like sewer would certain criteria to de- of the Army Corps of Engi- Ian Cain added. cal boards to meet remote- staff, said the $500,000 backups, in individuals’ res- termine who was eligible for neers. Councillor Anne Ma- ly. Council President Nina could be the first of several idences. testing at the site. “It is not a functioning honey said it is important Liang said her colleagues appropriations the council The city has worked “There will not be under facility,” Walker said. “That residents continue to follow would likely meet again via would be asked to approve with Brewster Ambulance any circumstances a testing being said, it does not mean city and state orders in rela- teleconference at their next related to the pandemic. to source the personal pro- free for all,” Walker said. it is impossible.” tion to the outbreak. regularly scheduled meeting Walker said the admin- tective equipment, Walker The third area the city is Eastern Nazarene Col- “They do feel draconian on April 6. istration would spare no said, and was prepared to looking to use the $500,000 lege in Wollaston has also at times, but it is important Liang also thanked her expense in its response to purchase it once the appro- for is overtime for the nurs- offered its dorm rooms if to follow the rules,” she colleagues for their partici- COVID-19, the disease by priation was approved. es of the Health Department necessary, Walker said. said. pation in the meeting. the coronavirus, which has The $500,000 would also and other personnel, he said. While the city could As part of those rules, “Everything is stopped, infected more than 234,000 include funds to purchase a The $500,000 could be make available those sites or the state has banned gather- but this is the time we all ings of more than 25 people can’t stop,” she said. Page 2 The Quincy Sun Thursday, March 26, 2020 Baker Orders Non-Essential Businesses Closed Until April 7 Governor Charlie Baker tinue to operate brick and enter or appear at the brick- self-isolation and social dis- The Baker-Polito Ad- Health issued an emergency order mortar facilities during this and-mortar premises closed tancing protocols. Residents ministration Order also lim- Law Enforcement, Pub- Monday (March 23) requir- two-week time period. This by the order. are advised to stay home its gatherings to 10 people lic Safety & First Respond- ing all businesses and orga- list is based on federal guid- Restaurants, bars, and and avoid unnecessary trav- during the state of emergen- ers nizations that do not provide ance and amended to reflect other establishments that el and other unnecessary ac- cy, a reduction from the 25 Food & Agriculture “COVID-19 Essential Ser- the needs of Massachusetts’ sell food and beverage prod- tivities during this two-week person limit established in Critical Manufacturing vices” to close their physical unique economy. While ucts to the public are en- time period. Residents over an earlier order. Transportation workplaces and facilities to these businesses are desig- couraged to continue to of- 70 years of age or with un- This includes commu- Energy workers, customers and the nated as essential, they are fer food for take-out and by derlying health conditions, nity, civic, public, leisure, Water & Wastewater public as of Tuesday, March urged to follow social dis- delivery if they follow the who are considered at high faith-based events, and any Public Works 24th at noon until Tuesday, tancing protocols for work- social distancing protocols risk when exposed to CO- similar event or activity that Communications and In- April 7th at noon.