THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 2021 PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY SERVING BACK BAY - SOUTH END - FENWAY - KENMORE Violins & Vaccines Boston Hope Music moves fast to play live at mass vaccine sites By Seth Daniel this week for folks waiting in line to get their COVID-19 vac- If the Boston Hope Music cine. With a nod to two previ- effort were described in musi- ous efforts they conducted – one cal terms, it would have to be with recorded performances at some sort of jazz piece due to the Boston Hope Field Hospital the improvisational nature and last year and the other an online the quick jumps from one place music lesson program taught to the other that the live music by New England Conservatory effort has displayed throughout (NEC) students for front-line the COVID-19 pandemic. healthcare workers – the latest Now, with safety protocols effort to play live during vacci- in place, Boston Hope Music nation sessions is being dubbed (BHM) has begun playing live BHM 3.0. string music at the Fenway Park “Having this music for those mass vaccination site – having already played two sessions there (BOSTON HOPE MUSIC, Pg. 8) Several musicians from Boston Hope Music gather before the first music session at the Fenway Park Mass Vaccination Site last week. The program has used music throughout the pandemic in an ad hoc way as ther- apy. First, at the Boston Hope Field Hospital last spring, then providing front-line health care workers with John Barros announces online music lessons, and now playing live at mass vaccination sites to take the edge off the experience. Fenway vaccination site to move to Hynes Convention Center campaign for Mayor with a strict 12 percent capacity the Fenway site will be Saturday, By Lauren Bennett ton’s first Chief of Economic limit,” Baker said. “With that in March 27. By Seth Daniel Last Thursday, Gov. Charlie Development under Mayor Mar- mind,” he said, the state has been “All individuals that were vac- Baker announced that the state’s As the only person in the Bos- tin Walsh – a post he recently in conversation with the Red cinated at Fenway Park and have mass vaccination site at Fenway ton mayoral race who has previ- left to run for mayor full-time. Sox, CIC Health, which operates a second appointment scheduled Park will be moving to the Hynes ously run for the office, former A former community organiz- the site, and the other partners will be able to receive their sec- Convention Center in the Back Walsh Administration Economic er and executive director of the “about the future of that site.” ond dose at the Hynes,” Baker Bay on March 18. Development Chief John Bar- Dudley Street Neighborhood Baker said that the Hynes said. CIC Health will reach out “Red Sox opening day is com- ros announced on March 4 that Initiative (DSNI), which is only Convention Center will be ready to patients via email, “and there ing up on April 1, and our cur- he intended to make a run for a stone’s throw from the Mass/ to accept patients on Thursday, will be additional outreach to rent plan allows fans in the stand March 18, and the last day of mayor this year. Cass area of the South End, Bar- (VACCINATIONS, Pg. 4) Barros is described as a com- ros made the announcement at munity development leader, Restaurante Cesaria, the neigh- small business owner, and Bos- borhood restaurant in Dorches- ter he has owned and operat- Essaibi George’s ‘Get Boston Back to Business’ tour kicks off ed for the past two decades. By Lauren Bennett efforts and what kind of support ment. “Of course we’re talking Barros ran for mayor in 2013, they’re looking for following the about recovery, but we’re tak- but lost out in the Preliminary City Councilor At-Large COVID-19 pandemic. ing it a step further and really Election, and then supported and mayoral candidate Annissa “Since the beginning of this getting at the root issue of rede- Walsh – later joining the adminis- Essaibi George has embarked tour, I’ve heard directly from signing our economy to work tration as the Chief of Economic on a “Get Boston Back to Busi- our city’s small businesses about for everyone. I look forward to Development. He has been there ness” tour, where she visits local the real challenges they’ve faced continuing these important con- the last seven years, but said he businesses across the city to chat before and during this crisis,” is ready to take what he learned with owners about recovery Essaibi George said in a state- (ESSAIBI GEORGE, Pg. 7) “I learned a lot in 2013,” he said. “It was a great race and a fun race. Not all candidates enjoyed it, but I enjoyed it. I Back to the race! John Barros enjoyed talking to people and J.J. Foley’s will celebrate St. Pat’s in moderation once again pins his ‘Barros for being in living rooms and kitch- By Seth Daniel – one year after St. Patrick’s South End annual go-to pub for Mayor’ button on his lapel March ens. As you know now we’re Day became the first celebration St. Patrick’s Day. 4, shortly before announcing going to have to start this race Irish step dancing and echoing that fell victim to the scourge of Last year was just such a time, that he would be running again with less kitchens and less liv- live music from the old sod won’t COVID-19. when the South Boston St. Pat- for mayor this year. In 2013, ing rooms. The conversations be available, but this year green he ran in a crowded Mayoral “Half of St. Patrick’s Day will rick’s Day Parade was cancelled Preliminary Election, but did not masks and Guinness will abound be better than no St. Patrick’s prevail to the General Election. (BARROS, Pg. 5) at J.J. Foley’s in the South End Day,” said Mike Foley, of the (J.J. FOLEY’S, Pg. 4) PAGE 2 THE BOSTON SUN MARCH 11, 2021 editorial WHAT ARE THEY THINKING? GUEST OP-ED Patrick Henry, the fiery American patriot and orator during the American Revolution, famously said, “Give me liberty, or give me Rollins in Support of H.R. 1280 – George Floyd Justice in Policing Act death!” By DA Rachael Rollins targeted harm and oppression. violence, and escalation in their However, Repubican governors in some of our Southern and Mid- This bill improves the ability of encounters with poor, Black western states have, under the guise of “freedom,” given that phrase America as a whole is just individuals and communities to and brown communities. By during the current pandemic a 21st century twist: beginning to recognize what seek accountability for abuses of acknowledging the systemic rac- “Give us liberty AND give us death!” Black and brown people have power and civil rights violations ism built into the very fabric of Ever since COVID-19 first was discovered, there have been a lot of known for generations – that committed by members of law our criminal legal system and the unknowns about the disease and how it is transmitted. Scientists and law enforcement and the crimi- enforcement. It reinforces the law enforcement agencies that medical professionals still are discovering new things about this bug nal legal system do not treat all core belief that those who serve are entrusted to serve and pro- and no doubt will continue to do so for years to come. people equally. As leaders and in positions of authority should tect every community, but often However, there is ONE thing about which there is now universal elected prosecutors work to cre- be held to a higher standard. The have tensions within diverse acceptance: Masking is THE most effective means we have for stop- ate more just and equitable sys- majority of the police officers and communities across the country, ping the spread of this terrible disease. tems at the local level, the George law enforcement partners that we have begun walking the long Some Republican governors have refused to order public mask Floyd Justice in Policing Act of my staff and I work with every- path to reconciliation and heal- mandates for reasons that clearly are about politics and have nothing 2021 is working at the national day meet this high expectation. ing. I want to thank the Massa- to do with the health and safety of their citizens. level to do the same. This legisla- They represent their agencies and chusetts congressional delegation They make the argument that they want to reopen their states tion is an important step toward their badge with honor, exhibit- for unanimously supporting this because the economic benefits outweigh the potential negative health addressing systemic racism and ing cultural competence and bill, and I urge the Senate to take consequences. That, at least, is a debatable point. abuses as a country while striv- restraint in all of their encounters swift action and send it to Presi- However, the need to wear masks during a pandemic that features ing to build greater trust in our with community. This federal dent Biden’s desk. a virus that is spread by airborne particles from our noses and mouths criminal legal system and help- legislation takes steps to address is not debatable. More to the point, requiring citizens to wear masks ing acknowledge our nation’s the actions of the outliers, those Rachelk Rollins is the District is not inconsistent with “reopening” states’ economies.