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State’s COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility List Expanded

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Watertown Fire Chief Bob Quinn gets a COVID-19 vaccination shot during the clinic for police and firefighters run by the Watertown Health Department. Massachusetts residents ages 65 and older can begin getting the COVID-19 vaccine beginning Thursday, Feb. 18, along with others added to the groups that qualify. The additions to the vaccination list were announced on Wednesday by the Mass Department of Public Health. Others added to the list include people who have at least two comorbidities, as well as residents who live and work in low-income or affordable senior housing facilities.

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Watertown-Based Non-Profit Seeks to Include Media Literacy in School Curriculum

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The following information was provided by Watertown-based non-profit Media Literacy Now:

Teaching students to effectively process, define and understand wide-ranging messages displayed across media platforms is more critical than ever with increased screen time due to the global pandemic and a volatile news cycle filled with political and racial division. National nonprofit Media Literacy Now aims to make media literacy universally understood and accepted as a vital component in public school education across the country. Students of all ages are bombarded with images, words and messages through social media, news, TV, music, video games and other media outlets. They are often left on their own to make sense of all they hear and 21st century media literacy skills are vital for their health, well-being, economic participation, and citizenship.  Media Literacy Now is inspiring action in states across the country through public awareness campaigns, policymaker education, research, coalition building and efforts to influence regulations and legislation. The nonprofit successfully advocates for equal access to education and reform of education system policies and priorities to ensure media literacy skills are integrated across subject areas within public schools.

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Free Program on Stress, Fatigue & Depression During the Pandemic to be Hosted by Library

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A program called “We’ve Been There: Conversations About Stress, Fatigue, Depression, Coping, and Everything in Between,” the first in a series of programs focused on mental health and wellness will be held on Thursday, Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m.

The event is hosted by the Watertown Library in conjunction with Wayside Youth & Family Network, the Watertown Police, Advocates Inc. and the Watertown Community Foundation. Organizers sent out the following information:

Stressed, sad, exhausted? After a trying year, please join us as we discuss anything and everything that makes people feel isolated, sad, or anxious. You’ll learn what help is available locally and how we can support ourselves and loved ones through difficult times.

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MassBay College Nursing Students Volunteer at Watertown Vaccine Clinic

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MassBay Community College nursing students administering vaccines at a recent vaccine clinic in Watertown. The following announcement was provided by MassBay Community College:

MassBay Community College Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) and Practical Nursing (PN) students recently volunteered with the Watertown Health Department in administering COVID-19 vaccinations. Fifteen ADN students and 11 PN students assisted with vaccine administration and with the registration process for hundreds of residents who received their COVID-19 vaccine. “Nursing students are needed to administer vaccines and provide vaccine education in our communities,” said MassBay Director of Nursing, Andrea Bresnahan. “Being part of the COVID-19 vaccination effort is a rare opportunity for students to directly learn about population health, participate in public health program, gain clinical experience, and ultimately save lives.”

The Watertown Health Department vaccination clinics that the student’s participated in were held the first and second weeks in February at Perkins School for the Blind for both students and staff and at the Watertown Police Department for people over 75 years of age.

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Three COVID-19 Deaths in Watertown, Number of Cases Declining

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Watertown’s COVID-19 cases continued to drop this week, but the Town saw three more COVID-19 deaths. The fatalities, reported by the Watertown Health Department in the Town Manager’s weekly COVID-19 message, were the first for the Town since the first week of 2021. Watertown had 133 cases reported over the previous 14 days in the Mass. Department of Public Health report of Feb. 11, 2021.

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This Week’s Virtual Events for Watertown Seniors

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Watertown Senior Center

The following information was provided by the Watertown Senior Center:

Programs for Week of February 15, 2021

Join us via Zoom for the following programs. Call for access info: (617) 972-6490. New participants always welcome in every program! We hope you’ll join us! Monday:   Presidents’ Day~Senior Center Closed~No ProgramsTuesday:     10:00 AM, Reader’s Advisory with WFPL’s Emily Levine12:30 PM, Tai Chi & Meditation with Marie2:00 PM, Line Dancing with Bradley                                     Wednesday: 11:00 AM, Exercise with Joanna2:00 PM, Zoom Tour Part 2 of Isabella Stewart Gardner MuseumThursday:        9:00 AM, Pilates with Marina Z.10:30 AM, Talk with Tom: Coffee & Casual Conversation12:00 PM-1:30 PM, Grab-n-Go pickup for those who pre-registered2:00 PM, “Love Songs of Valentine’s Day” with John Clark, American Music ExperienceFriday:            10:00 AM, Exercise with Shannon Lee Jones     12:00 PM, Seated Strength & Balance with Pearl1:00 PM, New! Weight Management with Pearl ~ see the newsletter for details.NEW TIME! 2:45 PM, Mellowtones Chorus with Anne Silverman

COVID-19 Vaccine Update

COVID-19 vaccines are on everyone’s minds right now and there are many questions about how to get a vaccine.

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District Attorney Investigating Reports of Elder Abuse, Neglect at Watertown Facility

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A Watertown long-term facility is being investigated after reports of elder abuse and neglect surfaced. Vero Health & Rehab, also called the Watertown Health Center, is the focus of an investigation by the Middlesex County District Attorney’s office after Watertown Police responded to reports of abuse of residents at the facility on Coolidge Hill Road, according to a report by WBZ Channel 4 investigation. WBZ found reports of residents who were bruised and suffered cuts, firefighters finding a man on the floor injured and asking for help, and a patient’s ventilator not working. Hundreds of 911 calls were made from the facility in the last couple years, including some from patients. State officials found the facility was deficient in COVID-19 infection control, according to the story, and Medicare surveys rated the overall quality of care he below average.

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Vaccine Clinic for Watertown Residents Age 75+ Planned, CVS Has Appointments

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The following announcement was provided by the Town of Watertown:

Watertown Health Department – COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic for Watertown Seniors age 75 and older. The Watertown Health Department has been allotted 100 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine by the Department of Public Health, per State requirements. A clinic will be held for Watertownresidents 75 and older ONLY on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 from 9am-11:30am, Community Room, Watertown Police Department, 552 Main Street. An appointment is required to get a vaccine. To register and for more information, go to:https://www.maimmunizations.org/clinic/private_registration/97f13e6e-e981-442a-916f-1f96c0a2c8c4

Watertown Seniors requiring assistance with registering for this clinic can call the Senior Center at (617) 972-6490.