Watch for Winthrop’s Front Step Project: Thank You to our Essential Workers Video coming soon on social media Check out Establishedour website; www.cottagehillrealestate.com in 1882 Winthrop, MA 02152 | 617-846-9900 op’s P thr ion in ee W Wr WinthropINTHROP Newspaper SSUNUN TTRANSCRIPT 50 C E NTS E ST . IN 1882 Published by the Independent Newspaper Group Protecting our community. COVID-19 Keeping you informed. IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR RESIDENTS THURSDAY, April 9, 2020 EBNHC wants to see you...at Home! INDEX Special to the Journal high-quality care to our pa- seen through telemedicine. use of telemedicine is sky- portant if you have a chron- Editorials 2 tients during this pandemic That changed on March rocketing at EBNHC and ic or a behavioral health Telemedicine allows while minimizing expo- 15 when Governor Baker medical facilities across the condition. You should be Sports 7 health care professionals sures,” said Laura Rogers, signed an executive order country. Over the last two treated if needed, especial- Obituaries 9 to evaluate, diagnose, and EBNHC Chief Information that dramatically increased weeks, EBNHC provided ly during this public health treat patients at a distance Officer. “We can treat peo- the potential of telemedi- more than 6,000 telemedi- crisis. Business Directory 10 using telecommunications ple who are most at-risk cine by requiring commer- cine visits, with 640 occur- Any EBNHC patient technology, such as a smart- for COVID-19 while they cial insurers to reimburse ring on the busiest day. Vid- who has fever and flu-like Classified 10 phone or computer. As we stay safely at home—and providers for telemedicine eo conferencing launches symptoms or has had a fight the COVID-19 pan- we can accommodate the visits and relaxing certain this week, which will sig- possible COVID-19 expo- demic, telemedicine has essential stay-at-home or- regulations. Two days later, nificantly enhance the tele- sure should not come to the quickly become an essen- ders that we should all be the Centers for Medicare & medicine experience for pa- health center. Instead, call INDEPENDENT tial tool in our health care following right now. EB- Medicaid Services (CMS) tients as well as providers. the health center at 617- arsenal. The East Boston NHC patients who might broadened access to Medi- Do you need to schedule 569-5800 for phone screen- Neighborhood Health Cen- otherwise miss important care telehealth services so a telemedicine appointment ing. If appropriate, you will ter (EBNHC), like other or routine appointments can that beneficiaries can re- with your primary care be given instructions on medical providers across continue to be monitored by ceive a wider range of ser- provider? Did you miss an how to get tested. the commonwealth, is mov- their doctor’s office without vices from their providers appointment that needs to Recently, Mayor Walsh ing swiftly to increase tele- having to leave home.” without having to travel to be rescheduled? If so, call announced the launch of medicine access. Prior to the pandemic, a health care facility. 617-569-5800 to schedule two online dashboards “Telemedicine allows only a tiny fraction of EB- Now that these barri- a telemedicine appoint- that allow Boston resi- Newspaper Group us to continue to provide NHC patients were being ers have been reduced, the ment. This is especially im- dents to see the number of Winthrop Coronavirus Update 57 total cases confirmed since March 15; one deceased, seven recovered, 49 in isolation Special to the Journal of COVID-19, the illness seeking Contact Tracers to call 877-785-2020 or visit associated with the nov- support Massachusetts De- janedoe.org at https://jane- Town Manager Austin el coronavirus. They are partment of Public Health doe.org/find_help/ Faison and Public Health pleased to report that 9 resi- and Local Boards of Health Director Meredith Hurley dents have recovered. to perform COVID-19 con- Public Health Updates would like to update Win- tact tracing. Interested can- State Police began towing cars Sunday along Winthrop throp residents on the latest This week the Bak- didates can apply online at The Town of Winthrop Beach that did not listen to the Governor’s parking restric- information involving the er-Polito Administration https://jobs.crelate.com/ Emergency Operations tion order for the beach. Photo courtesy of Bob Carroll. COVID-19 pandemic. announced the creation of portal/talentboost/job/3ky- Center (EOC) is stream- the COVID-19 Commu- qki4zeqoyugdzsha5iynhce. lining the COVID-19 re- Town Manager Austin nity Tracing Collabora- sponse effort to ensure the State closes parking along Faison and Public Health tive (CTC) to mitigate the Social distancing during continued delivery of ser- Director Meredith Hurley spread of COVID-19 in COVID-19 leaves survivors vices to residents. The EOC have received notifica- Massachusetts. This initia- of sexual and domestic vio- will remain operational un- Winthrop Shore Drive tion from the Massachu- tive is a collaboration be- lence particularly vulnera- til further notice. setts Department of Pub- tween the administration ble. If you or someone you By John Lynds WInthrop Beach will re- lic Health (DPH) of four and Partners In Health, and know in Massachusetts is at The EOC can be reached main open and available to additional Winthrop resi- is the first of its kind in the risk—you are not alone— In an effort to better pedestrians for transitory See COVID-19 UPDATE Page 3 dents with positive cases nation. Partners In Health is help is still available. Please promote social distancing use only, i.e. walking, jog- and curb gathering of more ging, biking, solitary fish- than 10 people Gov. Charlie ing, etc. Center Business District construction remains on schedule Baker issued an emergency Town Manager Austin order last Friday requiring Faison and Public Health By Laura Plummer Town Manager Austin Fais- to the future viability of hand sanitizer, gloves, all coastal beach reserva- Director Meredith Hurley on, and Winthrop Board of the CBD,” he said. “It’s of masks and trash dispos- tion parking areas managed Health member Meredith the utmost importance due al. Safety monitors will be have received notification The Winthrop Town by the Department of Con- Hurley. Councilors were to climate change over the installed on site to be sure from the Massachusetts De- Council met remotely on servation and Recreation split on whether or not to past few years.” workers are complying with partment of Public Health Tuesday, April 7, via the (DCR) to close. video conferencing plat- delay the massive project Board of Health member the guidelines. (DPH) on Tuesday of five The order applies to form Zoom. The dominat- until after the COVID-19 Hurley reported that Gioio- “We are in a good place. parking WInthrop Shore additional Winthrop resi- ing theme of the meeting pandemic. so & Sons will be in charge We have a capable con- Drive and by Friday morn- was whether Council had The long-awaited con- of keeping its workers safe tractor,” said DPW Direc- See PARKING Page 2 ing traffic cones and signs the obligation to postpone struction to the CBD began during the construction tor Calla. “If things go in directed drivers away from the construction that began on Monday, April 6, under project. Their safety plan another direction, I will go in the Center Business Dis- contractor P. Gioioso & includes checking tem- to [Faison] and tell him to the beach’s on-street park- trict (CBD) on Monday. Sons, Inc. Town Manager peratures, maintaining so- reconsider.” ing areas. On Sunday State In attendance were all Faison stressed the impor- cial distance, and sending He added that with many Police began towing cars Price Town Councilors, Council tance of the project. home workers who devel- of the stores being closed, that did not move after the subject to order was given to resi- change Clerk Denise Quist, DPW “This is a critical infra- op symptoms. In addition, the impact to the communi- without Director Steven Calla, structure project necessary the contractor will provide ty could be less than origi- dents. notice nally planned. In addition, Gov. Baker said the or- .79 $ Per he announced there would der was to further reduce Gallon SOCIAL DISTANCING large concentrations of peo- be no interruption in water • 1001 Gal. Minimum • 24 Hour Service service to residents, which ple at beaches during the CALL FOR DAILY LOW PRICE was previously a concern. COVID-19 outbreak. “I feel it’s safe,” said Council President Boncore. “I think [Faison] and [Cal- la] are doing a great job. The minute we see it’s not SPECIAL SENIOR ONLY HOURS safe, it will be closed.” 60 years old and up 7:30-8:30 am Mon-Sat. But not everyone at the 60 years old and up 8:00-9:00 Sunday meeting felt it was prudent to continue with the con- We are closing at 7:00 pm everyday struction. We will be closed on Easter Sunday April 12th Winthrop Marketplace Appreciates your Continued Support PHOTO BY ERIN DEFURIA See CBD Page 3 The Marenghi family praticing social distancing as part of Wintrop’s Front Step Project. www.winthropmktplace.com • 35 Revere St. Winthrop See our Ad on Page 7 For the latest news in Winthrop that you need to know, check Winthroptranscript.com Page 2 The Winthrop Sun Transcript • Thursday, April 9, 2020 Email: [email protected] WINTHROP POLICE BLOTTER Monday, March 23 overhead. Caller reports she Wellness check, family units clear. Argument at Winthrop Units searched the area Hang up 911 call at store just got home after being at home does have a tenant Marketplace between own- spoke to male party getting Thursday, March 26 on Pauline St.; Owner sated work since 6:30 a.m.