Around Town

Watertown Health Department’s Tips for Staying Healthy During COVID-19

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Health Department:

The purpose of this notice is to remind our Residents here in Watertown of specific provisions and procedures that can be put in place in light of the New Coronavirus (COVID-19). We as a Health Department take great pride in the safety and well-being of our residents. To ensure we continue to operate this high standard and protect our community, we HIGHLY recommended the following guidelines:

RECCOMENDATIONS

Recommendations that may help you and your fellow residents during this time: Practice everyday preventive actions now. Remind everyone in your household of the importance of practicing everyday preventive actions that can help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.Staying home from work, school, and all activities when you are sick with COVID-19 symptoms, which may include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.Keeping away from others who are sick.Limiting close contact with others as much as possible (about 6 feet).Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue.Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily (e.g., tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet handles) using a regular household detergent and water. o If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent and water prior to disinfection.

Schools

Watertown Schools Look to Adjust to Extension of School Closings for COVID-19

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The following letter was sent out on Wednesday by the Watertown Public Schools Administration:

Good evening,

I want to provide you with the recent announcement this afternoon by Governor Charlie Baker that Massachusetts schools will remain closed until May 4. We will follow up later this week with further information about the implications of this extended closure, but be assured we will continue with the excellent plans in place for the WPS community. As we learn more about the opportunities as well as the limitations that remote learning presents, we will all become more skilled as partners on this journey to keep the learning moving forward even when our school buildings are closed. Attached you will find a joint statement from the twelve communities that comprise the Middlesex League about our shared vision and goals for the extended closure. Our primary goal for the remainder of this week is to identify students who still need access to online learning and to provide continued support for all of our families. Originally, our focus was on families with limited access to devices or the internet.

Transportation

Three MTBA Bus Drivers Test Positive for Coronavirus

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The following announcement was provided by the MBTA (Note the Cabot bus facility is located in South Boston):

Following three confirmed employee cases of COVID-19, the MBTA took immediate steps to protect its workforce and riders by enacting its facility maintenance protocols to clean and disinfect all exposed work areas, vehicles, and equipment at the T’s Cabot bus facility. The three confirmed cases are MBTA Bus Operators and were reported yesterday. “We ask the public to keep our employees in their thoughts, and I continue to express my deep gratitude to the women and men of the MBTA workforce who are serving a vital purpose in combatting COVID-19,” said MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak. “To ensure we can protect the health and safety of our workforce, we strongly urge essential travel only, and we will continue our enhanced protocols for cleaning and disinfecting all vehicles, equipment, and surfaces.”

Consistent with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), the MBTA has enacted its COVID-19 outbreak plan. We are disinfecting the employees’ workspace, vehicles, and equipment that they may have come into contact with. 

Through the public health tracing process, public health officials alert close contacts of the individuals who tested positive and will provide them with instructions for self-quarantine. Under health information privacy laws, the MBTA is prohibited from providing identifying information about a particular employee’s medical status.

Schools

MassBay College Moving Many Courses Online in Response to Coronavirus

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The following information was provided by MassBay College:

Joining in the global movement to limit large gatherings, MassBay Community College is encouraging faculty to transition their courses online in an effort to facilitate social distancing wherever possible. Much of the training and curriculum conversion will happen the week of March 16, 2020 during spring break. The following week of March 23, 2020, online courses already in progress will continue as usual. However, no face-to-face classes will be held to allow professors more time to convert their classes and prepare their students for the change in format. Students are encouraged to check their MassBay email accounts often, from today on, as professors will be communicating changes in their class formats that will begin the week of March 30, 2020.

Around Town

See How to Help New Rep Weather Financial Difficulties Caused by COVID-19

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New Repertory Theatre sent out the following information:

Like other arts organizations, New Rep is facing financial challenges due to the necessary and important steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The difficult decision we made to postpone and cancel our spring performances and events (including our annual gala) puts us at risk of losing 20 percent of our annual revenue. How Can I Help? Purchase a 20/21 Subscription! The best option of all – your purchase today provides revenue that will help to relieve our cash flow challenges, and you guarantee your seats for a phenomenal upcoming season. It’s a win-win!

Business

Pizza Chain Hiring 500 People in Boston Area

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The following information was provided by Domino’s:

Domino’s franchise-owned locations are looking to hire about 500 new team members across more than 100 stores throughout the Greater Boston area. The positions include delivery drivers, customer service representatives, assistant managers and managers. “Domino’s works hard to serve local communities across the country and Boston is no different,” said David Jenks, a Boston-area Domino’s franchise owner. “Stores across this area are continuing to provide pizza to those who are looking for a delicious, hot meal, and at times like this, staffing is critical.”

Domino’s stores throughout the U.S. provide a contactless delivery option to customers, while also offering carryout to those who prefer it. To make sure service levels remain strong, Domino’s locations throughout the region need additional team members.

Around Town

Town Manager Orders Construction Halted in Watertown, Town Starts COVID-19 Info Line

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Watertown residents can call a local info line to ask questions about the Coronavirus (COVID-19), and also announced an end to construction in town beginning Wednesday. The moves came after Gov. Baker’s order on Monday morning that all non-essential businesses would be closed starting Tuesday due to the Coronavirus outbreak, and a stay-at-home advisory for Massachusetts residents. Construction must come to an end by 5 p.m. on March 25. “The Governor’s order is clear that essential services are the only activities that should continue until 12:00 p.m. on April 7, 2020,” Driscoll said in the announcement. The construction halt applies to all projects, whether private or by the Town, said Town Council President Mark Sideris.

Entertainment

Watertown Schools Art Exhibit Postponed Due to COVID-19

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Mall:

We are very sad to say that in a response to COVID-19 public health concerns, the annual Watertown Public Schools’ Student Art Exhibit, originally scheduled for March 24 through April 9, has been cancelled for this year. As of right now, we do not have any postponed dates for the exhibit set in place, but we will keep the community informed on any changes. About the Watertown Mall

The Watertown Mall is wheelchair accessible and accessible by MBTA Bus routes 70 and 70A. Hours are Monday through Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.,m.; Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. For more information about this event and other Watertown Mall programs, such as our weekly Walking Club, please visit www.watertown-mall.com or contact the management office at 617-926-4968 x21.