Baker Looks Ahead To One-Shot J&J

Arlington MA

02 March, 2021

5:32 PM

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Your Arlington Last Updated: 01 March 2021 Written by Joan Roman, Bob Sprague, Patch, BostonGlobe.com A newly approved Covid-19 vaccine from Johnson & Johnson is coming to Massachusetts, and it could "dramatically boost" the state's heavily criticized vaccination rollout, YourArlington partner Patch reports. Gov. Charlie Baker said Monday, March 1, the state is expecting thousands of doses of the vaccine next week, though it will be a few more weeks until a more significant amount arrives. Still, the vaccine will be a big help. Unlike Moderna and Pfizer's vaccines, the Johnson & Johnson offering just needs a single dose. "One of the things you'll see with J&J is the ability to do certain kinds of things that would be hard to do now," Baker said. March 1 town update The March 1 Arlington update shows that Covid-19 cases rose to 1,584 -- or 304 higher than Jan. 18 and 558 more than on Dec. 31, 2020. Deaths remained unchanged, at 81. See daily counts going back to March here, under cumulative cases) >> See all numbers by clicking on View more tables >> Here's an explanation about how to read these numbers >> The age breakdown of cases reported through Feb. 26: 19 and under20-2930-3940-4950-5960-6970-7980 and overTotal cases 240 245 237 192 250 160 124 136 1,584 View Massachusetts case numbers here >> Baker gets earful from lawmakers, looks ahead to reopening sports stadium Gov. Baker said Thursday, Feb. 25, that the state on Monday will move to Phase Three, Step Two of its economic reopening amid the Covid-19 pandemic, allowing indoor performance venues and indoor recreational activities to reopen and capacity limits across all sectors will increase to 50 percent. The state will then move to the next step March 22, "as long as the public health data continues to get better," permitting large arenas, such as Fenway Park and Gillette Stadium, to welcome fans in person at 12-percent capacity, Patch, a YourArlington partner, reported. Meanwhile, the public continued to report long wait times to schedule incolulations along with some improvement from a state website, Patch reported. State lawmakers harshly criticized Baker over the state's handling of the Covid-19 vaccine rollout during a virtual oversight hearing Feb. 25, grilling the governor in sometimes contentious exchanges over frustrations with the state's troubled website used to book vaccination appointments and Baker's handling of the snags. Some downs -- and ups Arlington's Health Department, along with its regional partners in Belmont and Lexington will support the state's efforts and will continue to stand ready to conduct vaccination clinics if, and when, the state requests to do so. Read the full release from the state >> Despite being hobbled by website crashes and system errors, 60,000 vaccination appointments were booked Thursday, BostonGlobe.com reported Feb. 19, and there were no more openings available at Fenway, Foxborough, Danvers, Natick, Dartmouth and Springfield, state officials said. A window at Sunrise in March 2020. / Marjorie Howard Accounting for some deaths: The Boston Globe has reported that Ellen McDonald, a guardian to Norma Ricci, 92, said her friend's assisted-living residence, Sunrise of Arlington, told her April 1 that a nurse who worked on Ricci's floor had been infected. A week later, McDonald was told Ricci was rushed to Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, with no mention of coronavirus. The next day, Mount Auburn called to say Ricci had Covid-19. McDonald donned full protective garb to visit her friend on Easter. Ricci died April 15, according to a DeVito Funeral Home notice, which lacks an obituary. McDonald told the Globe that Sunrise nurses told her many residents were coughing and some staffers had stopped coming to work, without official word from management. In a statement, Sunrise Senior Living told The Globe that nine residents of its Arlington facility have died and 25 have tested positive. The statement said Sunrise has regularly updated residents and families by phone and e-mail. It quoted a regional vice president, Thomas Kessler, as saying, "Communication has always been a source of pride at Sunrise of Arlington." 9th local death identified Among the Covid-19 deaths so far reported among town residents since early March, YourArlington has identified an ninth from obituaries. A listing at Boston.com shows Helen T. Metros died Dec. 12 from the virus in Pittsfield. 8th local death identified Among the Covid-19 deaths so far reported among town residents since early March, YourArlington has identified an eighth from obituaries. A listing at Boston.com shows Vincent A. Aliberti died July 12 from the virus. 6th, 7th local deaths identified Among the Covid-19 deaths so far reported among town residents, YourArlington has identified a sixth and seventh from obituaries. Listings at Boston.com show that Joan M. Mockel and Danile F. Morrison recently succumbed to the virus. 5th local death identified Among the 19 Covid-19 deaths so far reported among town residents, YourArlington has identified a fifth, Vincie Teresa DeRose (Militello), as reported by the Gloucester Times. The fourth was Alfred "Fred" Iannacone. YourArlington reported a third death, occurring April 14 at Sunrise Assisted Living. A source confirmed the virus victim was Theodore S. Wayne. Since the end of March, two others have died in town from coronavirus: A Globe death notice identifies the first as James K. Power on March 30. A second death here was reported March 31, without details. Town issues "Wear A Face Covering in Public" advisory; continue to heed state's stay-at-home advisory. Only run essential errands.In addition to the current Stay at Home advisory by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, starting immediately, the Town of Arlington is issuing a townwide advisory that all residents wear a face covering when in public. This advisory applies to anyone age 2 or older when in any public indoor or outdoor space. Indoor public spaces include stores and common areas in multi-unit homes. Outdoor areas include sidewalks, parks, trails, and the bike path. All persons including joggers and cyclists must comply. This ongoing town statement continues: "We continue to believe this number may provide a false sense of security to residents as numbers in the region and across the state increase at a rapid rate. Public health officials remind all residents, regardless of age, to stay at home and away from anyone who does not live in your house, including relatives. If you have to go out to conduct a necessary errand, like grocery shopping, picking up medication, or checking in on a neighbor who may need assistance, it is crucial you practice social distancing and keep 6 feet away from others." Pandemic Unemployment Assistance information: The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program is now accepting applications; this program provides up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits to individuals who are unable to work because of a Covid-19 related reason, but are not eligible for regular or extended unemployment benefits. This includes the self-employed, independent contractors, workers with limited work history, and others. Individuals can review eligibility scenarios here and apply for PUA here. CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings when in public: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies). Wearing a cloth face covering is not a substitute for social distancing, but an extra measure while you are running essential errands to minimize the spread of the virus. The CDC provides instructions on how to make your own cloth face covering. For the national picture, see this U.S. map showing numbers from all counties >> The town is also accepting donations of cloth face coverings, to local seniors, as well as PPE equipment for first responders and healthcare professionals. List of businesses currently open in Arlington: The listings will be updated at least once daily. Please contact businesses directly before placing and order or going to their establishment to confirm that they are open, as the information on this list is subject to change. See the list here >> Additional resources for businesses and nonprofits may be found on the Business & Nonprofit Resourcepage. but should not comngregate in groups. YourArlington.com has provided news and opinion about Arlington, Mass., since 2006. Publisher Bob Sprague is a former editor at The Boston Globe, Boston Herald and Arlington Advocate. Read more at https://www.yourarlington.com/about.