Video Update for May 21
Good evening Melrose. This is Mayor Paul Brodeur
According to yesterday’s release of statewide COVID-19 municipal case data, Melrose has had 216 confirmed cases since the beginning of the pandemic. Unfortunately, the total number of deaths statewide has surpassed 6,000.
As you know, phase 1 of the statewide “Safer at Home” advisory went into effect. Next week, as part of the phase 1 rollout, there will be expanded access to haircuts and curbside pickup at many retail establishments. There are very strict rules governing this phase 1 reopening, and you can learn more about them at the state’s reopening website.
The Safer-at-home guidance does direct residents to continue staying home except for healthcare, essential errands, and other activities permitted by Phase 1 guidelines. All residents should continue physical distancing, frequent handwashing, and wearing face coverings whenever they leave home and are around other people.
Update on food insecurity:
A recent report from the Greater Boston Food Bank that shows that the number of households they served in April was up 69% compared to a year ago; and the number of children they served is up 81%. Help is available, and I encourage anyone who is experiencing food insecurity to contact Project Bread for resources, including assistance with applying for SNAP benefits.
Locally, Melrose Helps continues to get food to those who need it. In the last week, Melrose Helps purchased $2,000 in groceries that were either delivered to those in need by volunteers or provided to our outstanding partner, A Servant’s Heart Food Pantry for drive-by pick-up by families in need. That resource continues to be available to all who need it, be it food insecurity or other economic challenges you might be facing whether related to the pandemic or not. Simply email melrosehelps@cityofmelrose.org or call 781-979-4191.
Finally, as you probably know by now, Melrose will not be holding its traditional Memorial Day Parade. However, Karen Burke, our VSO, and Lisa Lord of the Melrose Veterans Memory Project have prepared several tributes and remembrances that will honor our fallen as best we can under the circumstances. I will provide more details tomorrow, but you can learn many details by visiting the city website.
Please take a moment over the next several days and reflect on the service and sacrifice of the men and women who we lost while in service to our country as well as the family members left behind.
And remember that together we will get through this.