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Town Managers Update, April 24, 2020
Town Managers Update, April 24, 2020
WATERTOWN
Office of the Town Manager
Administration Building
149 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-972-6465
Michael J. Driscoll www.watertown-ma.gov
Town Manager [email protected]
COVID-19 Numbers
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is reporting that as of April 23, 2020 there are:
• 46,023 cases statewide
• 10,724 Middlesex County
• 2,360 deaths statewide
Watertown has a total of 186 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 51 community members have recovered
from the virus. Four Town employees have had confirmed cases. Two of those employees are back to
work. Watertown has recorded nine COVID-19 fatalities. Our thoughts go out to the families as they
mourn the loss of their loved one.
70
19 and 60- and Unknown/no
Under 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 69 over age recorded Total
5 24 37 29 28 28 35 186
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Watertown COVID-19 Informational Call Center and Email
For general COVID-19 questions not specific to the Town of Watertown, all Massachusetts residents are
encouraged to call the State’s 2-1-1 Hotline that is staffed by operators 24/7 and with translators available
in multiple languages. Residents with questions can dial 2-1-1 from any landline or cell phone or use the
live chat option on the Mass 2-1-1 website (mass211.org).
The Town of Watertown has established a COVID-19 informational call center to allow residents and
business owners to ask non-medical questions specific to COVID-19 in Watertown. The call center will be
staffed Monday through Friday from 8am to 4pm and the number for the call center is # 617-972-6565.
Questions can also be emailed to [email protected].
Four (4) electronic sign boards have been placed around Town with the message: “Stay safe, stay home”.
Further message updates will be provided as needed.
CARES Act Unemployment Benefits For Self-Employed, Gig Economy, and Other Workers (News
Release)
On April 20th, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that Massachusetts residents who are not eligible
for regular unemployment benefits can now apply online for the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
(PUA) program.
The new federal PUA program provides up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits to those who are unable
to work because of a COVID-19-related reason but are not eligible for regular or extended unemployment
benefits. This includes self-employed workers, independent contractors, gig economy workers, and those
with limited work history. Applicants can learn more and apply at www.mass.gov/pua.
Multi-State Initiative to Provide Relief to Massachusetts Student Loan Borrowers (News Release)
The Massachusetts Division of Banks (DOB) has joined a multi-state initiative to secure payment relief
options for Massachusetts student loan borrowers and issued a Consumer Advisory with important
information and resources for private student loan borrowers. Through this initiative, DOB has secured
relief options with 15 private student loan servicers to expand on the protections the federal government
granted to federal student loan borrowers. These new options stand to benefit over 182,000 Massachusetts
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borrowers with privately held student loans. This response builds on the federal CARES Act, which
provided much needed relief for students with federal loans, including the suspension of monthly payments,
interest and involuntary collection activity until September 30, 2020, as well as the recently announced
Massachusetts Department of Higher Education’s deferment of payments in its No-Interest Loan Program
until August 1, 2020.
Schools and Non-Emergency Child Care Programs (Read the News Release)
On April 21st, Governor Baker issued an emergency order extending the closure of all public and private
schools through the end of the school year, and the closure of all non-emergency child care programs until
June 29, 2020 in an effort to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth.
• This order expands the March 25 order suspending normal educational operations at schools and non-
emergency child care programs. The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) established a
process to approve Exempt Emergency Child Care Programs to serve families of first responders,
medical personnel and essential workers.
• Emergency Child Care programs approved by EEC will continue operating. Currently there are 523
emergency child care programs statewide serving families of essential workers. Weekly attendance
averages about 2,500 children in these programs across the Commonwealth.
• EEC will continue to pay subsidies to child care providers based on their pre-COVID-19 enrollment, in
order to support the workforce.
• The order does not apply to residential special education schools.
Read the Orders here: K-12 School Order Link | Child Care Program Link
The School Nutrition Department continues to provide Grab n Go meals to any student who could benefit
from this service on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in the WHS parking lot from 11am to 1pm. They
are currently serving meals to 200+ students.
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nursing facilities and rest homes with known clusters of COVID-19 cases and data on PPE distribution by
recipient type and geography. (See the new Daily Dashboard report)
Update on Mobile Testing Program for Long Term Care, Assisted Living Residences and DDS Group
Homes
On March 31, the Commonwealth implemented a project that allows for safe, on-site testing of residents of
nursing and rest homes with a quick turnaround. The program has expanded and can now test both
symptomatic and asymptomatic residents and staff at nursing homes, rest homes, Assisted Living
Residences, and Department of Developmental Services group homes. Facilities with clinical capacity can
also order test kits to perform themselves. The program operates under the auspices of the Massachusetts
National Guard, in partnership with the Department of Public Health and Broad Institute of Cambridge, See
a summary below of activity since the launch of the program.
Update on Mobile Testing Numbers for Long Term Care, Assisted Living Residences and EOHHS
Group Homes & Sites (as of 4/23)
Onsite Testing
Date Number of Tests Completed Facilities Visited
4/22 1672 17
Mobile Testing at EOHHS Group Homes & Care Sites (as of 4/23)
DDS, DMH, DCF and DPH Facilities
Clients 3219
Staff 3710
Total Tests 6,929
Number of Locations 407
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Hospitals Urge People Experiencing Medical Emergencies to Seek Care
Boston-area hospitals are urging residents who are experiencing emergency illnesses other than COVID-19
to seek appropriate medical care. Hospitals have seen a decrease in residents seeking treatment for medical
issues like heart attacks, strokes and injuries as people are concerned about contracting COVID-19.
Hospitals have launched a Public Service Announcement (PSA) encouraging residents to seek care and
assuring patients that Emergency Rooms are clean and safe. Watch the PSA.
Health Department
The Health Department has created a portal for COVID-19 Information : COVID-19 Resource Center
where all COVID-19 related information will be posted:
https://www.ci.watertown.ma.us/978/COVID-19-Resource-Center
New resource alert: The Library has added two new streaming services to their elibrary. Qello provides full
length concerts and music documentaries. Acorn TV offers streaming British tv, movies, and miniseries.
For more information visit watertownlib.org/elibrary.
Watertown Council on Aging/Senior Center/Food Pantry
The Watertown Council on Aging/Senior Center will remain closed for all programs and services
including all activities, exercise classes, AARP tax appointments, SHINE counseling, podiatry and blood
pressure clinics, shuttle bus runs and Senior Parking Permits until Monday, May 4th. The Watertown
Food Pantry continues to be open Tuesdays, 10 AM until 2 PM at 80 Mt. Auburn Street, rear. When
going to the Food Pantry, please wear a mask or other face covering to protect your own self and
those around you in the parking lot and at the Food Pantry. See above for links about masks and other
face coverings. Food donations are accepted at the Food Pantry on Tuesdays starting at 9:00 AM until 2
PM. Senior Center staff are available to answer your questions and to help connect you to resources you
may need. Call the Senior Center at (617) 972-6490 or send an e-mail to [email protected].
Watertown Veterans’ Services
Watertown Veterans’ Services is closed to the public but is still available to assist with administering and
applying for benefits. Families and Veterans may reach out to inquire about applying for benefits.
Watertown Veterans’ Services, in partnership with the Greater Boston Veterans’ Collaborative has a
detailed spreadsheet with benefits and services—including but not limited to: financial, mental health,
transportation, and food resources— available to Veterans and others during this pandemic. The list is
constantly being updated and interested Veterans and families should contact Patrick George, Veterans’
Services Officer (VSO) for the most up to date list. Please contact the VSO at: PGeorge@watertown-
ma.gov or (617) 972-6416 (Office) and (781) 645-9127 (Cell)
COVID-19 Resource Guide
Parks and Recreation
All programs offered by the Watertown Recreation Department will remain cancelled until Monday,
May 4th. All fields, courts, track, tot lots and dog parks in Watertown will remain closed until May
4th. Please adhere to this request and follow all guidelines by the Watertown Health Department and all
governmental agencies.
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Town Hall will remain closed to the public until Monday, May 4th. Town Hall and the Department of
Public Works Administrative Offices remain available only by phone or online. All calls and emails
will be responded to Monday through Friday 8:30am-5:00pm.
Please continue to take the following actions to limit the spread of COVID-19:
• Stay safe, stay home
• Practice social distancing – when in public spaces try to remain at least 6-feet away from
others.
• Stay home if you are sick – and avoid close contact with others.
• Cover your mouth – when you cough or sneeze use a tissue or your inner elbow, not your
hands.
• Wash your hands – with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based sanitizing gel.
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We are in this together
We are living in an unprecedented time where our world, our nation and our community, is faced with
the threat of an international pandemic known as COVID-19.
All of our Town employees are incredibly committed to ensuring the Town can safely meet the needs
of our community while we are also protecting our employees’ safety. All departments have
implemented vigorous social distancing and hygiene protocols. I am so grateful for all of our
employees’ efforts under difficult circumstances.
The members of the Honorable Town Council continue to be available to help all residents and to
provide updates/information to protect the health and safety of all the residents of Watertown.
I want to thank all of the members of our community for your cooperation and efforts to date; and for
your continued actions to limit the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, please check on your
neighbors who may live alone. If you have any concerns, please email us at
[email protected] or call the Police Department at (617) 972-6500; and we
will follow up.
Watertown is a resilient community and we are all in this together. We will continue to support each
other and stay strong, Watertown Strong!