Video Update for May 4
This is Mayor Paul Brodeur.
I hope you all enjoying this stretch of nice weather. I know many of you are very excited that the city is back on its normal curbside leaf pickup and will be removing those bags all week!
The DPH COVID-19 dashboard continues to be an excellent source of statistical information on the pandemic. I want to highlight the fact that the number of people in ICU care for COVID-19 at Boston hospitals has been gradually going down. At the same time, Boston hospitals are still operating at around 120% of normal ICU capacity. The orders and advisories are helping to control the spread.
I want to again remind people that Governor Baker’s executive order requiring all Massachusetts residents over the age of 2 to wear face coverings in public and wherever physical distancing is a challenge, including at grocery stores, retail stores, and on public transit goes into effect on Wednesday. The order is similar to the Melrose Board of Health order regarding face coverings and it has the force of law. I know compliance with this order can be challenging in some circumstances, but it is the right thing to do to protect public health. While the police and the health department have the power to enforce this order, they can’t be everywhere and have competing priorities to address. The order won’t do what it is intended to do unless you can do your part by wearing a face covering. We are counting on you!
As you know, contact tracing is another very important part of the effort to control the spread of the virus and protect public health. The process involves reaching out to people who have been in contact with somebody who has tested positive. This is being done by our local Board of Health but also through a state-sponsored Community Tracing Collaborative. So if you get a call that shows up MA COVID team on your caller ID, please answer the call and provide the requested information. The caller will not ask for your social security number or health insurance information. Whenever somebody asks for that information over the phone, do not provide it!
Finally, by now we seen news reports and seen it on our own streets. People are taking advantage of the lack of traffic to speed. Kids are still out and about. More people are getting outside as the weather improves. Speed limits exist to keep people safe – drivers, bikers, and pedestrians. And if you get pulled over, you are risking exposure of our officers and taking them away from other priorities. So please, slow down.
I hope everyone had a great weekend. May the 4th be with you, and remember that together, we will get through this.