SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2020 CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE Saugus Lynn schools schools are now prepare closed to close By Elyse Carmosino By David McLellan ITEM STAFF ITEM STAFF SAUGUS — Starting LYNN — The Lynn Monday, Saugus Public school district — and at Schools will close through least 28 others on the at least March 27 as a North Shore, including precaution to mitigate the Lynn eld, Marblehead, spread of COVID-19, also Nahant, Saugus, and known as the coronavirus. Swampscott — have can- Superintendent David celed all classes until at DeRuosi made the an- least March 27. nouncement Friday in a At a Friday press con- series of statements to ference, Lynn Mayor parents and faculty. Thomas McGee said the “As you are well aware, city made the decision in the ongoing COVID-19 the face of an “unparal- situation is prompting leled” situation, the pan- long-term school closings demic of COVID-19, a not only in Massachu- ITEM PHOTO | DAVID McLELLAN strain of coronavirus that setts, but throughout the has infected more than country,” his statement Two rolls of paper towels remain on the shelves at Stop & Shop in Swampscott Friday after- 100,000 people across the read. “I am writing to noon after crowds cleared out many of the perishable goods at the supermarket. globe, and more than 100 let you know the Saugus in Massachusetts. There Public Schools will be closing for the foreseeable Swampscott Lynn group is no known cure or vac- future.” cine for the coronavirus, Residents were initial- which presents symptoms ly told school buildings cupboards are expects to similar to the u. would be closed through “I want you to know that at least March 20, but a we are taking all neces- second statement hours all but bare feed a need sary steps to prevent later extended the time the potential spread of frame an extra week. By David McLellan By Steve Krause COVID-19,” McGee said. DeRuosi explained ITEM STAFF ITEM STAFF While Lynn does not have a con rmed case of there have been no diag- SWAMPSCOTT — On one side of the aisle, the LYNN — The Lynn Education District, which ties nosed cases of the virus coronavirus, a number of freezers were full with ice cream. On the other side, together Lynn Public Schools, KIPP Academy, St. residents have been test- in Saugus and that the a lone jug of 2-percent milk sat next to a depleted Mary’s, and several key non-pro t agencies who decision was made “out ed. One resident has been section of eggs. serve school-age children, is putting its collective of an abundance of cau- tested at the Lynn Com- There was no shortage of nonessential items at heads together to ensure that students who might tion” in light of a meeting munity Health Center, ac- the Swampscott Stop & Shop Friday afternoon, but be in need of meals while schools are closed due to between himself and the cording to Chief Medical shelves normally holding toilet paper, hand sanitiz- the COVID-19 virus have those needs met. Town of Saugus Emergen- Of cer Geoff Pechinsky, er, or bottled water were barren. There was also no KIPP director Caleb Dolan organized a conference cy Planning Team. and results are pending. “This two-week school shortage of shoppers, who crowded the store and call with the various heads of school, branch direc- Lynn has nine people un- closure is consistent with packed their shopping carts with food and supplies. tors and CEOs Friday afternoon to coordinate an der quarantine at home, many of our neighboring “People are freaked out,” said Alberto Ruiz, who organized response to the closing of schools in Lynn according to the city’s districts on the North was stocking up on canned goods and other non- at least through the end of the month. Public Health Depart- Shore,” he said. perishable foods. “I don’t think it’s that bad. I’m not “At KIPP we are grateful to be surrounded by ment, and they are having The announcement scared, but you have got to be careful.” school and community partners who believe, like their temperatures taken came one day after DeRu- Ruiz was one of many shoppers preparing in the James Baldwin wrote, that ‘all the children are al- twice a day. These people osi told attendees at Sau- event they are quarantined due to potential expo- ways ours,’ Dolan wrote in an email sent out to all have traveled from a Cen- gus’ school committee sure to COVID-19, a type of coronavirus that has Education District members. ters for Disease Control meeting to prepare for SWAMPSCOTT, A3 FEED, A3 and Prevention-desig- “inevitable” closure in the nated high-risk country, wake of Governor Charlie or have possibly come in Baker’s State of Emer- contact with someone who gency declaration earlier CLOSINGS OPINION SPORTS has contracted the virus. this week. Local closings and Letter to the Editor: Local runners react to They have not become INSIDE postponements in wake Questioning cautions postponement of Boston SAUGUS, A3 of COVID-19. A2 abundance. A4 Marathon. B1 LYNN, A3 Travel agent: ‘Stay put and wait for deals’ By Thor Jourgensen loom, Kathy Lucey of Saugus is ITEM STAFF helping her travel agency cli- Luis Azevedo, ents decide if they are going to veteran travel A travel agent for 42 years, cancel trips. agent and own- Luis Azevedo is much calmer “I know it’s stressful for peo- er of Gomes about coronavirus than many ple. I tell them, ‘Go with your Travel Service of his clients anxious to cancel gut feeling,’” she said. in Peabody, trips or wondering if they can The rapid and stressful al- urges people to travel. terations in daily life corona- “stay put and “It’s not going to put me out virus is imposing on people wait for deals” of commission,” said the own- prompted travel professionals amid concerns er of Gomes Travel Service in like Azevedo, Yakov Tseitlin of over COVID-19. Peabody. Lynn, Salem agent and Sensa- With the virus totaling more tional Travel owner Marisa L. ITEM PHOTO | cases and airlines slashing SPENSER HASAK ights as travel restrictions TRAVEL, A3 OBITUARIES ..............................A2 ENTERTAINMENT .......................A7 COMICS/DIVERSIONS ........... B4-5 HIGH 52° VOL. 142, ISSUE 80 OPINION ...................................A4 LOOK! .......................................A8 CLASSIFIED ...............................B6 LOW 31° POLICE/FIRE .............................A6 SPORTS ................................ B1-3 REAL ESTATE .............................B8 PAGE A8 $1.50 LIMITED The Ultimate Guide To FREE TIME INSIDE TODAY’S OFFER What’s On TV NEWSPAPER Keep TV Weekly coming – subscribe today 1-844-612-1082 A2 THE DAILY ITEM SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2020 OBITUARIES CLOSINGS/POSTPONEMENTS DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK LYNN www.facebook.com/StAn- cerns can call (617) 722- Girls: Brown School The ribbon cutting for drewsMarblehead/. Check 2410 or email Theodore. Dorothy Eloise Gratiano, 96 LB Music School, 577 Wal- there and the church’s [email protected]. SAUGUS nut St., Lynn, scheduled website, www.standrews- Due to the grow- Saugus public schools for March 23, 3 p.m., is mhd.org, for the latest up- ing health concern of closed starting Monday LYNN — Dorothy Eloise Gra- canceled. dates on measures taken COVID-19, the Peabody and continuing through tiano, age 96, of Lynn, passed Lynn Public Schools in response to COVID-19 Recreation, Parks, and March 27. This may be ex- away Saturday, March 7, closed through at least as well as cancellations Forestry Department tended. 2020. Prior to her retirement, March 27. and postponements. Rec- has decided to cancel the The Friday night Teen tor Clyde Elledge and championship games for she worked for Purity Oil for 55 SWAMPSCOTT Drop-In Center at Lynn Assistant Minister Cara our Peabody Elementary years. Dorothy enjoyed dress- Swampscott Public Rockhill are available for Basketball League. ing in the 30’s and 40’s style Tech is canceled for the next four weeks. There’s pastoral needs, and the “This decision was made Schools closed through at outts and with a feathered no Teen Center on March church ofce is scheduled to prioritize the health and least March 27. hat and veil. She loved horses 13, 20, 27 and April 3. to be open during regular wellbeing of all involved, Town Hall will be closed and going to Salem Willows Grace United Methodist ofce hours through the as safety is always our to the public. Most town for ice cream. Church is canceling all week of March 16. number one priority,”Pea- business can be handled She is survived by her sister, church activities, meet- Tedesco Country Club body Recreation Program online, by mail, through Virginia Morabito, her nephew ings, clothes closet, and closed until further notice. Supervisor Kierstin Merli- email, or by telephone; and his wife Ernest and Cindy worship services until fur- no stated in an email. and appointments will be Sharpe, her great nephew and ther notice. This includes NAHANT She added: “To close scheduled only if entirely Saturday Breakfast and Nahant public schools the season, we have de- necessary by calling 781- great nieces, Ernest, Saman- the Boiled Dinner on Sun- closed through at least cided to declare tourna- 596-8850. tha, Jessica and Jennifer. day. March 27. ment co-champions. All The Senior Center will private. Arrangements by the Service information: Dor- All public buildings, in- trophies and certicates be closed to the public. othy’s funeral and burial at GOODRICH Funeral Home, LYNNFIELD cluding Johnson Elemen- will be delivered to school Limited services will be Pine Grove Cemetery were Lynn. Lynneld public schools tary school, will be closed principals in the upcom- available to seniors includ- closed through at least starting Monday.