Around Town

State Closes Part of Greenough Blvd. to Traffic So it Can be Used by Pedestrians, Bicycles

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A screenshot of a Google Map showing the section of Greenough Boulevard closed by the DCR for recreation use. It stretches from North Beacon Street to Arsenal Street. A section of Greenough Boulevard in Watertown along the Charles River has been closed to traffic to allow people to use it for recreation. The Department of Conservation and Recreation closed Greenough between Arsenal and North Beacon streets starting last weekend. The DCR’s announcement said, in part: “To expand pedestrian and cyclist access, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will open segments of three parkways in the Greater Boston Metro Area for recreational use starting Saturday, April 11, 2020 at dawn.

Around Town

U.S. Postal Products Available from Home, No Computer Needed

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The following announcement was provided by the U.S. Post Office:

You don’t have to go to the Post Office to use many postal products and services. In fact, most simple tasks can be done from the convenience and safety of your home with or without a computer. Like purchasing stamps. Using your computer, you can go to the Postal Store on usps.com and select different stamp denominations. USPS will deliver them right to your home.

Around Town

Watertown Citizens Group Holding Monthly Meeting Online

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The following information was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment:

Our April monthly meeting will be held Wednesday, April 15, at 7 PMAfter a brief business meeting and updates, Watertown Citizens for Black Lives will lead a discussion on systemic racism based on Peggy McIntosh’s article “Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack.” Please join us for this online meeting via Zoom. To connect to this meeting, go to the Watertown Citizens’ website at http://watertowncitizens.org. We look forward to seeing you.

Around Town

Mass Cultural Council Offers Relief Fund for Individuals

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The following information was provided by the Mass. Cultural Council:

Mass Cultural Council believes in the power of culture, and we recognize that the work done by creative and innovative individuals is key to our vital communities. We know that the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis has caused major disruptions for the careers of individuals who earn income through their work in the cultural sector. In response, Mass Cultural Council has launched the COVID-19 Relief Fund for Individuals. The purpose of the COVID-19 Relief Fund is to support individuals whose creative practices and incomes are adversely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

Around Town

Area Hospitals Preparing for Peak of COVID-19 Outbreak in Massachusetts

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Dr. Kristin Cox wears a protective mask that has become a staple at Newton-Wellesley Hospital and other medical facilities during the COVID-19 outbreak. Cox is the Medical Director of Quality and Safety at Newton-Wellesley. Massachusetts has been in prevention mode to help curb the spread of COVID-19 for the past few weeks and the predicted peak of the virus is expected to hit in mid-April. Meanwhile, hospitals in the Bay State, including two that serve many Watertown residents, have been planning and adapting to the new virus to make sure they are prepared for the worst of the outbreak. Statewide, there have been 16,790 positive cases of COVID-19, 433 deaths and 1,583 people hospitalized, as of April 8.

Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation Using Resilience Funds to Help Food Pantry, Fund Coordinator

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Just weeks after creating the Resilience Fund to help Watertown weather the Coronavirus outbreak, the Watertown Community Foundation has awarded money to help make sure residents have food, and to fund a coordinator to help those in need of assistance. The fund started with $40,000 from the Foundation’s unrestricted fund and donations from board members and staff. That amount has increased to more than $60,000 thanks to donations from individuals, local businesses and foundations, said WCF Executive Director Jan Singer. The money is intended to help people who are struggling due to the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak. Some of the funds have already been distributed to help restart the operation of the Catholic Coalition Food Pantry in East Watertown, and to hire a part-time coordinator to help match people with the assistance they need.

Around Town

LETTER: U.S. Post Office Using Social Distancing to Protect Mail Carriers During COVID-19 Outbreak

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Dear Editor:

During these challenging times, postal employees are working hard to ensure residents stay connected with their world through the mail. Whether it’s medications, a package, a paycheck, benefits or pension check, a bill or letter from a family member, postal workers understand that every piece of mail is important. While service like this is nothing new to us, we need our communities’ help with social distancing. For everyone’s safety, our employees are following the social distancing precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health officials. We are asking people to not approach our carriers to accept delivery.

Around Town

Mass. Grocery Stores Ordered to Limit Capacity to Prevent Spread of COVID-19; Most New Cases & Deaths in 1 Day

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Grocery stores in Massachusetts will be limited to allowing less than half their capacity of shoppers after an order sent out by the Mass. Commissioner of Public Health. The move is aimed at limiting the spread of the Coronavirus. Stores will be allowed to have 40 percent of their capacity, according to the order issued on Tuesday, according to a report by WHDH Channel 7. The order from Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel reads, in part:

“Each Grocery store shall limit occupancy to 40 percent of its maximum permitted occupancy level as documented in its occupancy permit on record with the municipal building department or other municipal record-holders in order to provide for in-store social distancing while preserving sufficient access for the public to supplies of food and necessities.”