Coronavirus

Watertown Memorial Day Parade Cancelled; Info on Aid for Residents During COVID-19

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Members of the Watertown Sons of Italy group joined Monday’s Memorial Day Parade

The annual Memorial Day Parade in Watertown has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Town Manager Michael Driscoll announced the cancellation in his weekly COVID-19 update. “Out of an abundance of caution, the Town has made the decision to cancel this year’s Memorial Day Parade,” Driscoll wrote in his announcement. “Patrick George, the Veterans’ Services Officer, is coordinating with Veterans Organizations and other key stakeholders to identify alternate ways to appropriately honor the holiday and the Veterans who have lost their lives. Contingency plans for Memorial Flags and Memorial Wreaths are also being worked on.”

Around Town

Two More COVID-19 Deaths in Watertown, State Sees Largest Number of Positive Tests

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Watertown had its eighth and ninth Coronavirus-related deaths, the Health Department announced Thursday, and Massachusetts had more than 3,000 new positive tests for the virus. The town now has 162 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and nine fatalities — two more than the last update on Monday. Fifty people have recovered from the virus, according to the Watertown Health Department website. Also on Thursday, Massachusetts saw the largest number of new cases reported in one day, 3,079, according to the Mass. Department of Public Health website.

Child Care

Gov. Closes Schools Through the End of the School Year Due to COVID-19

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Gov. Charlie Baker, with Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. Gov. Charlie Baker announced Tuesday afternoon that all K-12 school buildings, public and private, will remain closed through the end of the school year due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Baker made the announcement during his COVID-19 update at noon on Tuesday. He said there has been no guidance that would allow schools to safely reconvene during the Coronavirus outbreak. Baker told students that the state order does not mean that students should stop laerning.

Around Town

Two More COVID-19 Related Deaths in Watertown, New Cases in State Falling Slightly

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The Watertown Health Department announced Monday that the number of COVID-19 related deaths rose to seven, with the two most recent fatalities. Watertown’s total positive Coronavirus cases rose to 147, and 46 people have recovered, according to the Health Department. The new cases in Massachusetts have been going down, according to the latest information released by the Mass. Department of Public Health. On Monday, the state had 1,566 new cases, and there were 103 more COVID-19 related deaths.

Around Town

Find Out More About Pandemic Unemployment Benefits

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Massachusetts State House. The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance provided the following Q&A about Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, the program that was created by the Federal CARES Act. The new program provides up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits to individuals who are not eligible for other types of unemployment, including gig-workers, self-employed, those who have lost work hours and people who had a job offer rescinded due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Find out more information and how to apply for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program by clicking here. Frequently Asked Questions

Does the CARES Act provide benefits to workers who have been ineligible for regular or extended benefits until now?

Coronavirus

OP-ED: Mass. Legislature Passes Bill for Moratorium on Evictions, Foreclosures

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State Sen. Will Brownsberger

The following piece was provided by State Sen. Will Brownsberger, who represents Watertown, Belmont and parts of Boston:

The legislature enacted (Friday) a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures. We should not put tenants or homeowners out on the street while we are trying to enforce social distancing. The bill is not a rent or mortgage holiday. It does not extinguish the obligations of renters or borrowers. Those lucky enough to avoid job loss during the COVID-19 recession should continue to make their regular payments.

Coronavirus

Town Delays Due Date for Property Tax, Water Bills; Ages of Watertown COVID-19 Cases; Hosting Business Webinar

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Watertown residents will received a brief reprieve form paying their property taxes and water/sewer bills, and the Town Manager announced the breakdown of ages of the Town’s COVID-19 cases. Friday afternoon, Town Manger Michael Driscoll released his latest COVID-19 update, in which he announced the delaying of payment deadline for local bills. Property taxes will be due a month later, on June 1, 2020. This will be the due date even if the bill received indicates that the due date is May 1, 2020. The town will no charge late fees or interest on water and sewer bills that were marked due on March 10 or later.

Around Town

2 Firefighters Test Positive for COVID-19; 2 More Virus Related Deaths in Watertown

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Several Watertown Firefighters quarantined themselves after two members of the Fire Department tested positive for the Coronavirus. One of those who tested positive has already recovered, and the second is still recovering, said Watertown Fire Chief Bob Quinn. “When the first Firefighter tested positive we had to quarantine four other Firefighters for 14 days,” Quinn said. “None of them developed any symptoms and are all back to work. We had another firefighter test positive and had to send three others for testing due to the possible exposure, but luckily they all came back negative.” Where the firefighters became infected is not known, Quinn said, but it is possible it was while they were on duty.