Government

See the Results of Sen. Brownsberger’s Poll on the State’s Coronavirus Response

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State Sen. Will Brownsberger

A majority of people who took State Sen. Will Brownsberger’s poll on Massachusetts’ response to the Coronavirus said they don’t think the state has gone far enough to stop the spread, would be willing to shelter-in-place for a few weeks and believe they are financially secure for a year. Brownsberger, who represents Watertown, Belmont and parts of Boston, put up the poll over the weekend, and asked four questions. “The surprising result of the survey is that willingness to increase social distancing appears, at least in this sample of people engaged in the community, to have only modest relationship to age, zipcode, financial security or current working arrangement,” Brownsberger wrote in his post about the poll results. The first question, about Massachusetts’ response to COVID-19, found that 54 percent of the 3,259 people who took the poll said the state “did not go far enough,” 42 percent said they state is getting it just right, while 3 percent checked “We have gone too far.” Note that the poll went up before Gov. Baker’s order to close non-essential businesses and the stay-at-home advisory.

Around Town

Community Foundation Starting New Fund Respond to Impacts of the COVID-19 Emergency

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Looking for ways to help people in Watertown who are adversely impacted by the Coronavirus, the Watertown Community Foundation has created a new fund. Jan Singer, executive director of the Community Foundation, said the response to the Community Resilience Fund already been positive. The Foundation boards met remotely using Zoom to put together plans for the fund. “We know that this is going to be very difficult for a lot of people and it’s going to last for a while, we are assuming at this point,” Singer said. “We met together as a board and came up with an idea for the Resilience fund.

Business

Watertown Company Looks to 3-D Print Medical Equipment to Help With Coronavirus

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A Watertown company has started looking at how it can produce much-needed medical equipment to help during the Coronavirus outbreak. A shortage of medical supplies has been a problem as hospitals test for and treat patients with the COVID-19. Mark-Forged, located on Pleasant Street, has started to develop ways to 3-D print swabs and protective face shields used by medical staff when working with patients who may have the Coronavirus. The company was featured in a story on WHDH Channel 7. CEO Mark Greg estimates that 20 3-D printers could make 14,000 swabs a day.

Around Town

See How to Help New Rep Weather Financial Difficulties Caused by COVID-19

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New Repertory Theatre sent out the following information:

Like other arts organizations, New Rep is facing financial challenges due to the necessary and important steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The difficult decision we made to postpone and cancel our spring performances and events (including our annual gala) puts us at risk of losing 20 percent of our annual revenue. How Can I Help? Purchase a 20/21 Subscription! The best option of all – your purchase today provides revenue that will help to relieve our cash flow challenges, and you guarantee your seats for a phenomenal upcoming season. It’s a win-win!

Around Town

Town Manager Orders Construction Halted in Watertown, Town Starts COVID-19 Info Line

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Watertown residents can call a local info line to ask questions about the Coronavirus (COVID-19), and also announced an end to construction in town beginning Wednesday. The moves came after Gov. Baker’s order on Monday morning that all non-essential businesses would be closed starting Tuesday due to the Coronavirus outbreak, and a stay-at-home advisory for Massachusetts residents. Construction must come to an end by 5 p.m. on March 25. “The Governor’s order is clear that essential services are the only activities that should continue until 12:00 p.m. on April 7, 2020,” Driscoll said in the announcement. The construction halt applies to all projects, whether private or by the Town, said Town Council President Mark Sideris.

Around Town

State Sen. Brownsberger Polling People About State’s Response to Coronavirus

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State Sen. Will Brownsberger

State Sen. Will Brownsberger is taking an anonymous poll of constituents about Massachusetts’ response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), so far. (See the results here: https://www.watertownmanews.com/2020/03/24/see-the-results-of-sen-brownsbergers-poll-on-the-states-coronavirus-response/)

The short questionnaire (four questions) asks people what they think about the steps taken by the State of Massachusetts, including closing schools, potentially sheltering in place and how it has impacted them. To take the poll go here: https://willbrownsberger.com/covid-19-response-questions/

Brownsberger represents Watertown, Belmont and parts of Boston.

Coronavirus

Gov. Baker Closing Non-Essential Businesses, Issues Stay-at-Home Advisory

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NEW: Gov. Charlie Baker orders all non-essential businesses in Massachusetts to close Tuesday at noon https://t.co/7FtmrZJiUi #Breaking— WBZ | CBS Boston News (@wbz) March 23, 2020

Gov. Charlie Baker announced an order closing non-essential businesses for two weeks, and put out a stay-at-home advisory to state residents, due to the Coronavirus outbreak. The order begins at noon on Tuesday, March 24 and runs through April 7. It closes physical workspaces and facilities to all workers, customers, and the public, Baker said, according to a report by WBZ Channel 4. This list of essential businesses include medical facilities, grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, restaurants open for delivery and take out and companies working on a vaccine for COVID-19, according to WBZ. Also medical equipment and pharmaceutical manufacturers, and the MBTA are exempted.

Entertainment

Watertown Schools Art Exhibit Postponed Due to COVID-19

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Mall:

We are very sad to say that in a response to COVID-19 public health concerns, the annual Watertown Public Schools’ Student Art Exhibit, originally scheduled for March 24 through April 9, has been cancelled for this year. As of right now, we do not have any postponed dates for the exhibit set in place, but we will keep the community informed on any changes. About the Watertown Mall

The Watertown Mall is wheelchair accessible and accessible by MBTA Bus routes 70 and 70A. Hours are Monday through Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.,m.; Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. For more information about this event and other Watertown Mall programs, such as our weekly Walking Club, please visit www.watertown-mall.com or contact the management office at 617-926-4968 x21.