Video Update for April 16
Good evening Melrose. This is Mayor Paul Brodeur.
Melrose now has a total of 98 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Please keep in mind the importance of these public health statistics is in identifying trends in order to track the spread of the virus and flatten the curve. As I mentioned last night, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has a great deal of statistical information on their website, and I encourage you to refer to it.
I want to share with you part of an email I received from a Melrose resident who works in one of our supermarkets.
My coworkers and I have grown very concerned about the lack of customers at our store wearing masks or face coverings practicing proper social distancing. Most people are covering their faces and doing their best, however face coverings work best when everyone in a space is wearing one. We are scared. We are putting ourselves on the front lines to serve our customers and we only ask that they do their part to keep us and each other safe.
I spoke earlier about statistics available from DPH, but the most important statistic I can share comes from Dr. Anthony Fauchi. He recently noted that 25-50% of people infected with the virus may never show symptoms or fall ill, but can still transmit the illness to others. To protect ourselves and each other, we need to assume everyone is carrying the virus. That is why I have asked you to wear a mask whenever you are outside, and why it is critically important to do so in places like the supermarket and to observe physical distancing in order to protect yourself and people like the frontline supermarket worker who wrote to me. They are working hard for us. Let’s do all we can to protect them!
Finally, tomorrow night at 7 I hope you will join your friends and neighbors at our weekly Clap Because We Care event to show our thanks to those frontline workers. This week we willing be singing because we care! So at 7 tomorrow night, open your window or step out into your yard and sing Sweet Caroline as loud as you can. And if you’re a bit shy about singing, tune your radio to Mix 104.1 FM and turn it up as you can because they will be broadcasting the Fenway favorite in support our effort! It looks like we will finally have good weather, so I look forward to hearing you!
Thank you again for all you are doing to keep yourself and the community safe. Remember that together, we will get through this.
Thank you and good night.