Around Town

Tracking COVID-19 Deaths, Tracing Contacts of People Testing Positive is Tricky for Watertown Officials

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Details of the cause of death from the death certificate of a Watertown resident. Like many aspects of COVID-19, figuring out the exact number of deaths related to virus in Watertown is complicated and confusing. This is just one issue the Town of Watertown is facing, along with trying to trace contacts of people with active cases of the Coronavirus. The officially confirmed number of fatalities in Watertown, as of May 5, is 17 residents — up from 12 the previous day. When looking at the death certificates in the Town Clerk’s Office, as of May 4, 18 people who live in Watertown, or whose last known address was in Town had COVID-19 as one of the causes of death.

Transportation

MBTA Riders Required to Wear Face Coverings

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Riders of MTBA buses, subways and other public transportation must wear face coverings as part of the Governor’s order to stop the spread of COVID-19. The following announcement was provided by MassDOT:

Effective Wednesday, May 6, MBTA customers must wear face coverings when using the MBTA. This requirement is pursuant to the Executive Order issued on May 1, which takes effect tomorrow. The Executive Order applies to any person over the age of two who is in a place open to the public, and expressly requires masks or face coverings when using public transportation or when in an enclosed or semi-enclosed transit stop or waiting area. The Department of Public Health notes that mask use by children two years of age and up to the age of five is encouraged but also at the discretion of the child’s parent or guardian with full information available via the Department of Public Health.

Schools

High School Looking for Ways to Celebrate Graduating Seniors in a Time of Social Distancing

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This week, lawn signs will begin to pop up around Watertown congratulating the high school’s Class of 2020. This is one way the school has come up with to celebrate the seniors in a year when a normal graduation ceremony and other traditional events will not likely happen due to the COVID-19 pandemic. People at the school and the community are trying to come up with other ways to acknowledge the Class of 2020, WHS Principal Shirley Lundberg told the School Committee on Monday night. There may be a car parade of seniors, a specific time when the town applauds the senior class (similar to the celebrations of medical workers), and at some point in the future, perhaps, a live and in-person graduation ceremony. The last day of class for seniors is May 28, and graduation was scheduled for Friday, June 5.

Building Inspector

Town Accepting Building Permit Applications, Will Approve When State Reopens

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In preparation for when Massachusetts lifts its COVID-19 shutdown, the Town of Watertown will begin to accept building permits. Watertown Building Inspector Peter McLaughlin sent out details of how builders can submit plans on Monday afternoon. In mid-March, the Town stopped construction in Town and announced it would not accept applications for new projects as part of efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19. A week later, the State issued a ruling that allowed some construction, such as residential projects, so some projects could continue construction in Watertown, but the application process remained halted. The latest order from Gov. Charlie Baker extended the State of Emergency, which includes halting of some construction, until May 18.

Around Town

Library Closed Until May 18, But Plenty of Online Activities for Children, Teens & Adults

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The historic facade of the Watertown Free Public Library. The Watertown Free Public Library sent out the following information:

As directed by Town Manager Michael Driscoll, the Watertown Free Public Library will remain closed to the public until Monday, May 18th to help minimize the spread of COVID-19. This extends the Library’s previous closure period by two weeks. 

Do you need help accessing WFPL’s (newly expanded) digital library? The Reference Department has created simple video tutorials to introduce our most popular digital services and help you set up an account, step by step: watertownlib.org/eLibTutorials

While the Library is closed, WFPL will continue to offer virtual programs for children, teens, and adults. Here’s what’s coming up for the week of May 4 – May 10:

FOR CHILDREN

Springo!May 1 – 30 | Can you get bingo on our spring-themed outdoor scavenger hunt?

Around Town

Gov. Baker Issues Order to Wear Face Masks in Stores & When Unable to Social Distance

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Gov. Charlie Baker, with Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. All Massachusetts residents must cover their faces in public places as part of the effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. The requirement applies when people while they are outdoors and are unable to social distance, and all the time in indoor spaces such as stores. Gov. Charlie Baker announced the order Friday afternoon, and it takes effect on May 6. The exceptions include children under the age of 2 and those who have medical conditions that prevent them from wearing a face covering.

Around Town

Watertown Groups Providing Ways to Get Help From & Give Assistance to Neighbors (Including Face Masks)

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The recently created Mutual Aid Network is a way for Watertown residents to help their neighbors, and for people in town to get assistance during the COVID-19 outbreak, including food, financial assistance and even face masks. The combined effort by the Watertown Community Foundation and the Wayside Youth & Family Support Network kicked off last week, and has already garnered a team of volunteers. Jan Singer, executive director of the Watertown Community Foundation said that people can request assistance or volunteer to provide help through this Mutual Aid form. The idea of Mutual Aid is to connect people, Singer said. Normally the groups would create a central drop-off and pick-up site, but that is not possible with places like the Watertown Library and Town Hall closed due to orders by the Governor.

Around Town

See How to Make Your Own Face Mask with Items at Home

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Starting May 4, people in Watertown will be required to wear a face covering when out in public — indoors and out. Face masks may be hard to find in stores, but the CDC has a video showing how to make your own using items in your home. Items needed are a piece of cloth (a bandana, small towel or piece of clothing) and two rubber bands. No sewing necessary. https://youtu.be/tPx1yqvJgf4

The requirement to wear something to cover your face and mouth was put in place by the Board of Health on Thursday.