Malden
AD VOCATE Vol. 29, No. 12
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COVOID-19 VIRUS INFORMATION see pages 12 & 13
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Free Lunch at Salemwood School
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Mayor declares State of Emergency in Malden By Barbara Taormina
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LUNCHTIME: The Salemwood School site was busy with free meals being distributed on Tuesday. See page 6 for story and photo highlights. (Steve Freker Photo)
Led by local business owner, Malden’s business community comes together in time of crisis By The Advocate
J
oe Crowley, owner of Pisa Pizza, has been a longtime supporter of Malden’s local community – sports and community groups and organizations – for decades, donating food or offering his business at a discounted rate and allowing organizations, both private and charitable, to make money. Now faced with the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down his restaurants in Malden and Danvers, Crowley is still giving to the community by providing pizzas and pasta to the local elderly community and, possibly, to local schoolchildren. Crowley also is feeding first responders and health workers such as the workers at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital who are also on the front lines.
HELPING OUT: Pisa Pizza owner Joe Crowley (left) accepts a donation of $500 from ABH Services owner Tony Howard.
It all started when fellow businessman ABH Services owner Tony Howard of Malden heard about Crowley’s
generosity and decided to donate $500 to help Crow-
COMES TOGETHER | SEE PAGE 11
To our loyal readers, advertisers and community, Life has tossed us a curve with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic which has transformed our lives and livelihoods. In these trying times, always remember that they are temporary as our scientific community hurries for a cure. The Advocate Newspapers will keep you updated as information comes in through our weekly print editions, our website at: www.advocatenews.net updated every Thursday evening; and social media at Facebook.com/advocate.news.ma and Twitter. com@advocatenews.ma
Our office, located at 573 Broadway, Everett will be open Monday through Friday, 9:30 am to 5 pm. Please feel free to contact us at 617-387-2200; 781286-8500; or 781-231-4446 or via email at: Info@advocatenews.net or Croberson@advocatenews.net We urge everyone to use common sense and follow the rules and recommendations of the CDC as we continue to fight this pandemic. And please look out for each other. Be safe, The Publisher & Staff of the Advocate Newspapers
Friday, March 20, 2020
n Wednesday afternoon, Mayor Gary Christenson took an aggressive stand in the fight against COVID-19 and declared a state of emergency in Malden. Christenson made the decision during an emergency meeting of the city’s Board of Health, which has declared a public health crisis. The formal declaration allows the city and the board to take aggressive steps to control the spread of the virus. It also allows the city to tap resources to respond to the COVID-19 crisis, such as emergency expenditures and reimbursements from the federal government. The Board of Health has also issued an order to restrict services where members of the community gather in groups or have close physical contact with staff and other individuals. The order affects hairdressers, barbers, nail salons, message services, fitness centers, body art studios and houses of worship, but the list could grow. Although daycare programs were not included in the order, Governor Charlie Baker announced that family childcare providers will be closed on March 23. “I understand that these are severe measures that will have a significant economic impact on many of our residents and businesses, but they are necessary and critical during this public health crisis,”said Christenson. Less than 24 hours earlier, Christenson was leading an online forum on COVID-19 with a panel of city leaders and assuring viewers who logged
on to watch on Facebook that Malden would weather the COVID-19 crisis as long as the community remains united. “I’m here at the Senior Center, where we are facing the biggest challenge of our time,” Christenson said.“But I’m here, we’re here to let you know that we’re going to make it through by working together.” Public Health Director Chris Webb began the forum with a report on the latest numbers. Malden now has 57 presumptive cases of COVID-19 and two cases that have been confirmed through testing. Webb explained that in order to be tested, individuals must go to their primary care health provider or an emergency room, where their symptoms will be assessed. If they meet the criteria, they will be tested for the virus. Otherwise, they are usually advised to return home and self-quarantine for 14 days. “I’m optimistic that the federal government will provide drive-through testing which we can expect to see in about a month,” said Webb. Senior Center Director Karen Colón Hayes, who was on the panel to provide information about city services, said Cambridge Health Alliance is providing COVID-19 testing for CHA patients. Emergency Management Director Captain Glenn Cronin explained the emergency management team’s role in mitigating, preparing for and responding to a health emergency. Parking Department Director Ron Hogan explained that city services are continu-
EMERGENCY | SEE PAGE 7