COVID-19

OP-ED: State Sen. Brownsberger on Updated Mask Guidelines

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State Sen. Will Brownsberger

This week, as the delta variant has spread, we’ve gotten new advice from the Centers for Disease Control, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. I’m personally going with the stronger CDC advice. New general advisory from DPH (July 30)

Today, in response to the emerging evidence of about the infectiousness of the Delta variant of the COVID virus, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued a new mask advisory. Masks remain mandatory in certain locations where risks of transmission are higher (including public transportation) and are newly advised in some additional circumstances. The mask rules page on the state’s website now includes the following summary.

Business

Businesses Can Qualify for $1,000s in Credits from Federal Pandemic Relief

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Charlie Breitrose

Watertown businesses may be able to qualify for thousands of dollars back from the Federal government through a credit against the employment taxes they paid during the pandemic. Businesses and non-profits may be eligible for the employee retention tax credit from the Federal government. The program started with the first COVID-19 Pandemic relief act and was expanded to give businesses the opportunity to claim more money back from wages they paid to employees in 2020 and 2021, according to an article on CNBC.com, which was highlighted the Newton Needham Regional Chamber. The program is aimed at small and midsized businesses, which are those with 500 or fewer employees. To qualify, the business must have seen a drop of at least 20 percent in a quarter in 2021 compared to the same quarter in 2019.

Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation Gets Biggest Grant Ever, Using it to Support 3 Organizations

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The Watertown Community Foundation will help three local organizations with grants over $100,000 after the foundation received the largest grant in its history. The money will go to Metro West Collaborative Development, Watertown Boys & Girls Club, and Wayside Youth and Family Support Network. The funds came to the Watertown Community Foundation in a grant from the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development Community Foundations Grant Program for COVID-19 Relief. “This $400,000 grant is the largest single grant that our foundation has ever received,” said WCF co-president Darshna Varia. “We have been able to distribute the funds quickly and directly to where they are needed most.

Business

Watertown Advertising Agency Works on Campaigns of Change, Including the State’s COVID-19 Efforts

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MORE AdvertisingThe co-owners of MORE Advertising, Managing Partner and President Judi Haber, left, and Founder and CEO Donna Latson Gittens. A Watertown-based advertising agency with a different focus has been in business for nearly a quarter century. Unlike most agencies it does not market products, it works on campaigns of behavior change, including Massachusetts’ COVID-19 prevention and vaccination efforts. MORE Advertising is a full-service, integrated advertising agency, but there is a major difference from most agencies, said Managing Partner and President Judi Haber. “Traditional advertising agencies sell products.

Armenian Museum of America

Watertown’s Armenian Museum Reopening in June, Will Begin with Health Protocols

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Armenian Museum of America

The Armenian Museum of America announced it will soon be reopening after being closed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The museum sent the following letter out about the reopening:

Dear Members and Friends,On behalf of the Board of Trustees and Armenian Museum Team, we are thrilled the day has finally arrived that we can safely reopen our galleries to the community. In anticipation of this long-awaited day, we have been working on updating exhibitions, designing new exhibits, and developing programing to present both virtually and on-site to provide you with a meaningful and memorable cultural experience. The initial schedule and protocol for our reopening will begin on June 18th. The Museum will be open Fridays through Sundays from 12:00 noon to 6:00pm.

Business

Join the Watertown Business Coalition’s June Online Coffee Connect

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Speak with people in the Watertown business community, non-profits and others about doing business during COVID and how to operate in the post-pandemic environment. The Watertown Business Coalition will be holding its monthly online networking event on Wednesday, June 16. The event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and will be held remotely on Zoom. This month’s forum will be an opportunity for the business community to discuss the challenges of our COVID altered reality and a path back to some level of economic normalcy. “Our online forum is free to Watertown Residents and our Business Community and will include general networking and breakout rooms. Find a comfortable place in your home with a cup of coffee or tea! Let’s get through these times together, Watertown!”

Around Town

Watertown Library Lifts Most COVID-19 Restrictions, Opens at Full Capacity

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Free Public Library:

Starting on Saturday, May 29, most covid restrictions were rescinded inside the Watertown Free Public Library. With capacity and social distancing limitations removed, patrons were welcomed back to full use of the library. It didn’t take long to feel the buzz that was so common before COVID hit last March. For the past year, library services have been greatly reduced to primarily browsing the collection, checking out materials, and limited computer and equipment use. Now, patrons can walk in and use computers, study rooms, sit and read, work, and use the public meeting rooms. Library operating hours are near pre-covid with the final move to full hours on July 11 when the library will resume Sunday hours.

Schools

Watertown High School Graduation to be In-Person, Seniors Will Have Prom, Other Events

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Charlie BreitroseThe Watertown High School’s Class of 2021 will hold an in-person graduation ceremony at Victory Field with no limits on guests. Pictured here, the Class of 2014 celebrates. Watertown High School’s graduation ceremony will return to Victory Field in 2021, with full attendance, and the senior class will also get to attend prom, the senior barbecue and other events. The Class of 2021 will graduate on Friday, June 4 at 6 p.m. at Victory Field, announced WHS Principal Joel Giacobozzi on Tuesday. There had been discussions about limiting the number of guests each student could invite, but with the change in the state’s COVID-19 guidelines the school will not limit the number of people attending the ceremony.