THE PRINT EDITION
THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020
VOLUME XIX- ISSUE 74
Triduum: Three Days of Easter by Rick Winterson
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hat is often called “The Triduum” in Latin translates to “The Three Days” in English – the three-day, 72-hour period between Holy Thursday night and the end of the day on Easter Sunday. One of the reasons for this is historical: At the time of Christ, new days traditionally began in the evening around sunset, not at midnight as they do now. The Triduum thus includes Holy Thursday evening, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday until nightfall. On the first Holy Thursday, Christ convened t he L a st Supper in a rented, secondf loor room known later as the Cenacle in Jerusalem. It was for the Passover Supper, called
“Seder”. Christ washed the feet of His Apostles, and He later consecrated the Supper’s bread and wine, thus creating the first Mass. The Last Supper is so called because that night, Christ was arrested and then condemned to death by Pilate the next day, as he (Pilate) literally, not symbolically, washed his hands of the whole a f fair. The tria ls t hat Christ met with and endured, as He carried His Cross on the way to be crucified on the first Good Friday, are called the “Stations” of the Cross. There are 14 of these individual Stations along the entire “Way of the Cross Eggs at Easter symbolize, among other things, a new life and Christ’s emergence from the tomb. They are associated with Continued on Page 2
A Palm Sunday Ceremony
Our Lady of Czestochowa Church is located on Dorchester Avenue in South Boston, in what is now known (officially) as “The Polish Triangle”, which straddles the Dorchester/South Boston border between Boston Street and Dorchester Avenue. Polish people are known for their strong Catholic faith, a faith that seemed to grow even stronger after Karol Jozef Wojtyla became Pope John Paul II and the Iron Curtain subsequently fell. This picture was taken on Palm Sunday at an Adoration ceremony. Note that it took place outdoors on the church steps, with proper six-foot “Social Distancing” between the participants.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
Continued from Page 1
Holy Triduum Easter worldwide. For instance, the Polish decorate their Easter Eggs (“pysanky”) elaborately as a kind of prayer on Holy Saturday. And other Easter Egg customs led up to the extraordinar y craftsman-ship found in the Faberge Easter Eggs possessed by the Romanov Czars of Russia. Perhaps the most significant observances on Easter Sunday are the Ser vices at Sunrise. This stems directly from the Gospel according to Sa int John the Evangelist. He wrote of Mary Magdalene going to Joseph of A rimathea’s tomb, where Christ was buried. Just at sunrise, she, John, a nd Peter discover that Christ’s body has disappeared, later finding out that He had Risen. T he E a ster Se a son is the source of an incredible number of customs and stories. Now, Easter is a movable feast. Its date varies each year.
But it occurs on the first Sunday after the first Full Moon after the Spring Equinox Fort ysix (46) days later is Easter Sunday on April 12th. But take out the six Sundays when no Lenten fasting is required, which leaves 40 fast days – that’s the number of days Christ fasted in the desert, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Make sense? And Joseph of Arimathea,
who gave his own tomb to Ch r i st’s bu r ia l, wa s a l so supposed to have owned the tin mines in Cornwall in Ancient England. According to legend, Joseph buried the Cup Christ used at the Last Supper (called the “Holy Grail”) in one of his tin mines. A thousand years later, this legend led to countless ot her legend s about K ing A rthur sending the K nights of the Round Table on quests
to find the Cup – Sir Galahad was the one who found it. The best way to celebrate Easter and show kindness along with doing good things for your family and neighbors, is to practice social distancing. St ay home a nd pre ve nt the spread of the disea se.
We hope you have a Happy Easter.
Azaleas Adorn L Street
Gate of Heaven, St. Brigid and St. Augustine Chapel Parish News 2020 Holy Week & Easter Sunday Schedule LIVE STREAM ONLY at
www.gateofheavenstbrigid.org
PENDING POSSIBLE FUTURE CHANGES
Holy Thursday, April 9th Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 4:30 p.m. Good Friday, April 10th Celebration of the Lord’s Passion at 3:00 p.m. Easter Sunday Mass April 12th at 10:00 a.m.
Sunrise Mass on Castle Island is Postponed until a later date! The bells of St. Brigid and Gate of Heaven will ring every day at 3 p.m. For all those who are on the front lines as we battle COVID-19 - the bells ring for the Doctors and Nurses, our First Responders (Fire Police, EMS) and our National Guard and Military and all those who are going above and beyond to help us at this time. Thank you to all of our parishioners who have continued their offertory - your generosity is incredibly appreciated during these hard times.
Mass will be live-streamed from April 13th onward at 10:00 a.m. every day at www.gateofheavenstbrigid.org
Springtime is azalea time (or azalea time is springtime – take your pick). This azalea on L Street blossomed earlier in April than usual, perhaps because of the generally mild, moist winter we’ve had around here. Geoffrey Chaucer, master poet and credited with being the key founder of the English language, wrote about this month, “April, when the sweet showers fall …”. We are in valiant combat with Coronavirus at this moment in time, so perhaps T.S. Eliot’s line, “April is the cruelest month …”, is more fitting. It is possible that Eliot wrote that line that began his poem “The Wasteland” because America joined World War I on April 6, 1917, which later was called “The war to end all wars”.
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020
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City Councilor Ed Flynn: A Phone Interview Despite his jam-packed schedule, District 2 City Councilor Ed Flynn found time for a half-hour telephone interview with South Boston Online on Monday, specifically dealing with the COVID-19 crisis during the month of April. Our thanks to the Councilor.
by Rick Winterson
I
n response to South Boston Online’s request for a brief update on t he Coronavir us situation, including any comments about the Mayor’s broadcast on Sunday, Councilor Ed Flynn responded emphatically that procedures such as the curfew (9 p.m. until 6 a.m. daily), wearing of face coverings (these can be homemade), and shutdowns of City sports areas are essential. He pointed out these restrictions a re ba sed upon Feder a l guidelines. He then f irmly stated, “It is absolutely necessary that we stop the spread of this disease. Each South Boston resident can have an impact.” Ed believes these measures are a moral issue – “This is what we must all do – it will save lives!” W hen asked about what he thought was in store for South Boston, Ed replied by focusing only on the next 10 or 15 days of April. He labeled the coming two-week interval as the “toughest two weeks we are going to face”. But he was optimistic: “I see a lot of long-timers and new residents helping out those in need. By watching out for their neighbors, as in the food deliveries by the Neighborhood House, as in simply checking up on neighbors, it is residents coming together – this is the South Boston way.” Clearly, in a crisis like this, which is new and unique to all of us, we can learn ways to do things better. When asked about this, Ed responded by emphasizing
physically distancing ourselves from others – the practice referred to as “Social Distancing”. Physically separating ourselves from others around us and keeping to ourselves (“No more house parties”, Ed stated), as well as having respect for our neighbors is absolutely essential, according to him. “Stay at home; go out only when necessary.” And according to him, the requirement to use face coverings out of doors is a symbol that sets an example for others about being a member of this community. Immediately before our phone interview with Ed, he had gone to a meeting about Coronavirus, which is now held every single day by Mayor Walsh. Much of what Ed mentioned to
us was therefore fresh, up-todate news, including preventive measures based upon recent experiences with Coronavirus. He wanted us to express his (Ed’s) support of the Mayor, the City of Boston staff, and t he outsta nding leadership that Mayor Walsh is providing. We asked Ed if he had any comments on the recently modif ied Convention Center and its use for homeless victims of COVID-19. He mentioned that the modifications within the Convention Center have just been completed, and they are still being inspected before any actual use for patients. Since the Convention Center is a state facility, he also suggested that South Boston Online get
a more direct update from our State Rep. David Biele, which we’ ll cer ta inly do. Ed closed this interview on a definitely positive note. He requested that we mention the particularly good work Ed’s staff and a large number of South Boston volunteers are performing right now. “I have asked them to call on seniors and anyone who is disabled. And I am looking for more volunteers to help us do this. I am very, very proud of those South Boston residents who continually watch out for their South Boston neighbors,” he said. To volunteer for t his key effort yourself, contact Ed at his email address –
e d . f l y n n @ b o s t o n . g o v.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
Ideas to Keep Kids Entertained During The Coronavirus By: Tara Kerrigan Hayes
T
hese a re sca r y times for everyone, includ ing our children, so it’s important not just to occupy our kids, but also to find ways to emotionally support them. In an effort to capitalize on this unexpected gift of family time, (while struggling to keep our sanity in tact), I’ve compiled a list of activity ideas for indoors, outdoors, and even online, (gasp). Let’s face it, the war against screen time rages on. So for the times you can’t beat ‘em - join ‘em, (literally), and explore the world together without leaving your living room. There are countless virtual tours and webcams, (both entertaining and educational), for kids of all ages with varying interests:
Future travelers:
Transport your family to Paris, France by taking a digital tour of one of the most famous
international museums, the Louvre. Take a digital field trip to Yellowstone National Park to visit the Mud Volcano, Mammoth Hot Springs and more. Scroll over the terrains of several National Parks (Sequoia, Acadia, Grand Canyon and others), with Google Mapss where you can click on your places of interest. Explore historic monuments like the Great Wall of China.
Animal lovers: See what the beluga whales are getting up to at the Georgia Aquarium webcam. Check in on the sea otters via the Monterrey Bay Aquarium sea otter cam. Learn about the wildlife of Africa by visiting the African Wildlife Cam situated by a busy watering hole. Get up close and personal with Polar bears without getting mauled, thanks to the webcam at the Ouwehand Zoo in the Netherlands.
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Space enthusiasts:
Explore the surface of Mars with a digital 360° camera. Listen to NASA astronauts read amongst the stars via Stor yt i me From S pa ce . Then abandon the electronics, (including your phone), and venture outside if you can do so responsibly, (as in you have a private yard or access to secluded outdoor space away from fellow humans). There are some great outdoor games with lightweight portable options (and carrying cases) like Ladder Ball, Corn Hole, and Bocce Ball. Amazon actually sells a “soft” Franklin Sports Bocce Set that can also be used indoors, which we discovered one endless, incessantly rainy day. Bike riding is another great way to enjoy the outdoors with limited exposure to others. For those without your own bikes, you can rent one from any Blue Bike station for a $10 Exploration Day Pass. Just be sure to wipe down with bike with Clorox wipes, wear gloves, and wash your clothes afterwards. When the great outdoors is not an option, it’s time to go old school with simple card games like Rummy, Go Fish, War, and Uno, or dust off the old board game classics like Scrabble, Monopoly, Clue, and Operation! A jigsaw puzzle is a great way to come together, as is a few rounds of Charades, and it’s never too early to teach your kids Checkers or Chess. Or how to clean a bathroom properly, solely to teach them responsibility, of course. Turn television into an ally instead of an enemy, by
watching together, followed by an activity (i.e. watch Top Chef Junior as a family, then have a cooking contest recreating your favorite dishes from the show). But for the parents still juggling work from home, not every moment can be spent on family activities. This is a ripe opportunity to nurture creativity during quiet time. To inspire reading, invest in a book series (like Harry Potter). Get little artists drawing with an inexpensive sketchpad and a set of colored pencils (or an easel and paint for older kids who won’t destroy your walls). A simple diary is a great way to get children to be still, and write. Or a hard cover book kit, which can be purchased online. Encourage little ones to write about their favorite family moments during this time, to be kept as a keepsake. Or why not use this time to foster compassion in your children and encourage them to help others, by crafting handmade masks for donation, or writing heartfelt letters to be mailed to the sick or the elderly who can’t have visitors during this difficult, isolating time. However we choose to spend these days, know that structure is calming during these stressful times (especially for younger children). It might be helpful to mimic a school or camp schedule. And when you feel overwhelmed as a parent, remember this is a rare opportunity for family time that can be either dreaded, or embraced… and our little ones are only little, once.
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020
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Helping Others – Part Four by Rick Winterson
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n its last three issues, South Boston Online has presented articles entitled “Helping Others”. These articles have described the many, many ways in which South Boston has helped its own during these times of pandemic – the incredibly hard times caused by Coronavirus and COVID-19. But also times when the residents, businesses, non-profit agencies, and institutions in South Boston took care of their own, voluntarily and with extreme generosity. It has been South Boston Online’s privilege to report on institutions from Boston Police Station C-6, to Councilor Ed Flynn’s office, to the Children’s Museum, to the City of Boston’s “Resiliency Fund; about churches including St. Monica and Fourth Presbyterian; concerning agencies, like our South Boston Neighborhood House and the Greater Boston Food Bank; and on local businesses, such as COVET and Roza Lyons. And there are more, far more, who deserve praise for their ongoing, generous, voluntary efforts to help us all get through COVID19. Especially notable are the cadres of medical personnel working under extreme pressure for the sake of public health during this crisis. And there are still more to mention. We have written about Monica’s Kitchen, a charmingly named activity of St. Monica/ St. Augustine Church that is now taking on the mission of providing
Fr. Peter DeFazio (r.) and the Monica’s Kitchen crew – Phil, Jean, Ed, and Colin – as they prepare bags of groceries in St. Monica Hall. bags of essential grocery staples to those who have no other place to turn. They are doing this with the highest regard for the hazards of Coronavirus – you call the Kitchen for an appointment, they assign you a ten-minute time slot, and when you arrive you find your groceries sitting in a chair at the Church door. No human contact or contagion. Remarkable! We could only show a few of the volunteers in our photos, but here’s a figure for you to consider – on some weeks, Monica’s Kitchen distributes to 100 people or more as much as 4,000 pounds of groceries, which equals two tons of nourishing food! Just call (617)268-2100 (and press 6 when told) to get on board. And yes, we know this next “Helping Others” item is not about South Boston, but even so, we’ll ask you a question. Didn’t you get a feeling of great joy when you heard about the trip by the Patriot’s plane to pick up a million 95-mesh face masks from China, and then share them with Rhode Island and Boston’s great good friends (?) in New York City? Thank you, Mr. Kraft, for arranging that more-than-20,000-mile trip
last week. It was a marvelous adventure to hear and read about! And we also read in Boston Homes: The Complete Guide (South Boston notes, page 11) this week that for the next few weeks, all takeout tips and 50 percent of gift card sales at Capo and Lincoln on West Broadway will be contributed to a relief fund for their staffs. Nice going, guys and gals! A final note to close this
week’s “Helping Others”: South Boston’s non-profit agencies are banding together to form a new group they call the “South Boston Neighborhood Aid Network”. A partial list of the Network’s functions includes needs, resources, offerings, and overall information. If you want (or need) to get in touch with the Network, go to bit.ly/3d8w53n, email SBNeighborhoodAid@gmail. com, or call/text 617-221-7594.
South Boston-Seaport Catholic Collaborative Holy Week Liturgies Online: https://.facebook.com/SBSCatholoc
Holy Thursday 7:00 p.m. Facebook Mass Good Friday 7:00 p.m. Facebook Mass Saturday, Easter Vigil 7:00 p.m. Facebook Mass
Jean and Ed Shiflett are preparing bags of groceries in St. Monica Hall – see the array of goods on the table.
Easter Sunday 10:00 a.m. Facebook Mass
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THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
What You Do Is Appreciated By: Brianne Fitzgerald RN, NP
S
o starts the Queen’s speech to the citizens of Great Britain yesterday. As we enter what is expected to be the most challenging phase of our collective Covid 19 experience, I beg all of us to follow both Mayor Walsh and Governor Baker’s directives. Specific to Boston Mayor Walsh said on Sunday that there are real and manageable recommendations to follow. We do not live in a dictatorship. We are expected to use common sense and follow the guidelines laid out by our leaders voluntarilly. These guidelines are more than reasonable and by following them you will do your part, perhaps save a life or f latten the curve. In case you still need a few more deadening statistics to move you into the reality of this pandemic right in Boston: As of Sunday, 189 beds at Mass General Hospital
were f illed with conf irmed Covid infection. Of those 189 human beings 75 patients were on ventilators. Across town at Beth Israel Hospital, there were 86 confirmed Covid cases and another 71 suspected Covid patients hospitalized. At BI there were also 106 employees who ere positive for Covid. In Boston 45 % of our cases are among those under 40 years and we are seeing a more substantial burden of severe illness among those individuals. Boston is still 10 (or more) days away from what we expect will be Ground Zero as determined by public health modeling. We need ever yone to get on boa rd wit h t hese recommendations. I have watched Queen Elizabeth ’s 3-minute message of hope, strength and most importantly of comfort several times over and I suggest it as an antidote to the doom and gloom many of us may be feeling. You will come away both energized and calmed.
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Here isa nearly 94-year-old woman upright and cognitively intact comforting us. ( https:// y o u t u . b e / 1 m y 3 6 m b U F L M ). The recommendations set out by the City and the Boston Public Health Commission ask that we all wear a facial covering nose to chin when we are outside. At the very least masks are a deterrent to us touching our faces with hands that may have germs on them. If everyone wears a mask, we will psychologically be in tune that all of us are at risk; all of us can make a difference. A second advisory to remain inside your home after 9 PM until 6 AM is more than reasonable. These guidelines are for everyone. If we
do as asked there is hope that we can f latten the curve. There is hope that those most vulnerable among us; the aged, those with asthma, diabetes, cardiac, liver and kidney disease as well as those who are immunosuppressed by cancers, HIV/AIDS, and other autoimmune illnesses will remain alive and able to thank you for your sacrifices. We are stronger together. We are Boston Strong. For additional concerns, ple a s e v i sit ht t p s://w w w. b o s ot n.g ov/c oron av i r u s , or call 3-1-1 the 24-hour hotline. Text BOSCOV ID to 99411 to receive text alerts regularly that is available in 6 languages.
Rep. Biele Supports Legislation to Aid First Responders Exposed to COVID-19
R
ecently, Representative David Biele submitted written testimony in support of H.4611/S.260, An Act relative to emergency hazard pay to the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. As written, the legislation would create a presumption that public safety officials who have been exposed to or contracted COVID19 resulting in hospitalization or quarantine, contracted their medical condition or incapacity from COVID-19 in the line of duty. The legislation defines public safety officials as “police officers, fire personnel, correction officers, dispatchers, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, nursing professionals and first responders.” Under the legislation, the amount of time a public safety official is hospitalized or quarantined due to COVID-19 would be considered as “emergency hazard health duty” for the period of incapacity from regular work. The number of documented exposures to COVID-19 and the number confirmed cases for
public safety officials continues to grow. According to available data, between March 16 and March 29, the number of confirmed exposures to COVID-19 for one group of first responders increased from 88 individuals to over 1000 individuals. During that same timeframe, the number of first responders who tested positive increased from 0 to 34, and the number in quarantine increased from 12 to 491. “Our first responders are at the forefront of addressing the COVID19 public health pandemic and its impacts in our communities,” said Rep. Biele. “This legislation will protect our first responders from economic or financial penalty caused by missed work time from exposure to COVID-19 as they continue to respond to this public health emergency while taking care our communities and residents.” This bill is currently under review by the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security, and testimony was submitted remotely and electronically.
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020
Flynn Coordinates Senior Outreach
B
oston City Councilor Ed Flynn is currently coordinating phone calls to our seniors living throughout District 2. This initiative aims to be a way of checking in with our neighbors, to provide helpful information regarding city services, and to make them feel supported during this time of physical distancing. Since last week, over 80 residents have signed up to volunteer and over 2,900 calls have been distributed to them accordingly. So far, over 1,400 calls have been made and volunteers have had hundreds of helpful conversations with District 2 Seniors. Seniors are one of the most impacted populations during the COVID-19 pandemic, as they are at higher risk of severe illnesses and complications from contracting the virus. Because of this, our seniors are advised not to leave their homes. This can lead to many not being able to access the resources they need, or feel increasingly isolated. As a result, it’s especially important now
that we check in with our seniors to see how they’re doing, provide pertinent information, and to let them know we’re here for them. This outreach effort is still ongoing, and anyone who is interested in volunteering can email Councilor Flynn’s office at Ed.Flynn@Boston.gov or sign up here: https://docs.google.com/ forms/d/1d0EugPZTQrfaq08Ju-_ I5 e OW lU B - L z C X K Y Ut H _ Yz - d I /e d it ?t s =5e 823f 13 “Our seniors are deeply affected by this crisis, and we need to continue to do our part as neighbors by checking in to make sure that they have both the resources and information they need to stay healthy and safe,” said Councilor Flynn. “I’d like to thank the volunteers for their kindness and compassion in reaching out to our seniors. Let’s continue to work together to help our seniors and our communities get through to the other side of this pandemic.” Contact Flynn’s office at 617635-3203 and Ed.Flynn@Boston.gov.
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Protect Our Postal Workers Dear Residents uring these challenging times, postal employees are working hard to ensure residents stay connected with their world through the mail. Whether it’s medications, a package, a paycheck, benefits or pension check, a bill or letter from a family member, postal workers understand that every piece of mail is important. While service like this is nothing new to us, we need our communities’ help with social distancing. For everyone’s safety, our employees are following the social distancing precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health officials. We are asking people to not approach our carriers to accept delivery. Let the carrier leave the mailbox before collecting the mail. With schools not in session, children
D
should also be encouraged to not approach a postal vehicle or carrier. If a delivery requires a signature, carriers will knock on the door rather than touching the bell. They will maintain a safe distance, and instead of asking for a signature on their mobile device, they’ll ask for the resident’s name. The carrier will leave the mail or package in a safe place for retrieval. We are proud of the role all our employees play in processing, transporting, and delivering mail and packages for the American public. The CDC, World Health Organization, as well as the Surgeon General indicate there is currently no evidence that COVID-19 is being spread through the mail. With social distancing, we can keep the mail moving while keeping our employees, and the public, safe.
Mike Rakes U.S. Postal Service
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THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
“Social Distancing”, Part Three by Rick Winterson
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n two previous articles, South Boston Online attempted to stress the importance of what’s called “Social Distancing” – keeping six feet away (or more) from other people in order to prevent the Coronavirus and COVID-19 from spreading any more than it has. It was surprising, at least to this writer, just how few people were around in these attractive neighborhoods, even on weekend days and during sunny weather. However,“Social Distancing” is not being practiced reliably, and COVID-19 is still spreading rapidly. In his “Availability” news conference, Mayor Walsh stressed the need for keeping away from each other, especially outdoors. He used the phrase “Physical Distancing”, signifying staying far apart or not going outside at all for the next few weeks. In a telephone interview with South Boston’s City Councilor Flynn, Ed put “Distancing”, both social and physical, on a moral plain by stating it as a right-or-wrong issue – “It saves lives!” In the first two articles on “Distancing” mentioned above, we published various photos of South Boston in its more residential part, as well as along the Fort Point Channel
and in the Seaport. Those were taken on both weekends and on weekdays. As mentioned, it surprised to us how empty most of these walking routes were. We have included more photos of empty walkways in this article that stretch along the Dorchester Shores out to the JFK Library (closed, of course), and eastward on Carson Beach to Pleasure Bay and the causeway. Perhaps the still nippy weather and the JFK closure were sufficient to reduce the usual crowds to essentially nothing, but very few people are venturing forth. However, Mayor Walsh is justified in making sure “Distancing”, either social or physical, is practiced at all times right now. Pick-up teams playing sports, places with crowded parking lots, and even an outdoor recovery meeting were causing crowds to form. That was unintentional, we believe, but unfortunately the Coronavirus isn’t aware of our intentions – good, bad, or indifferent. It just infects all of us equally. Certainly if you must walk about, stay (very) well separated from everyone you see. And we realize that’s tough, especially when the next two weeks hold Easter and Passover. Some are recommending that you only walk in your own neighborhood, by circling around a few nearby blocks, and saying “hello” to anyone you know
at a good, healthy distance. South Boston Online isn’t sure about this, except to advise you to go out only at uncrowded times of day, strictly obey the 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew, and cover your face whenever you go outside. And a blunt word to the young. Since the Coronavirus arrived here, we’ve been told that younger people are at least partly immune to it. Well, that’s typical of the rumors and the “fake news”
you are always hearing these days. The actual figures state that 45% (almost half) of the positive Coronavirus tests are now occurring in those who are in their thirties or younger. Perhaps it was true that COVID-19 took longer to develop in younger, healthier bodies at first, but as of now it seems to affect all ages, even teens, children, and infants. So stay apart, no matter what.
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020
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Take-Out and Delivery: South Boston Style
Marissa Walsh welcomes you to Deja Brew at 704 – open for take-out FRI-SATSUN, 8 to 2
by Rick Winterson
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ou don’t have to be told that the interiors of South Boston’s restaurants and bars are closed during the Coronavirus/COVID-19 crisis – at least until May 4 and very possibly for a long time afterwards. This is necessary because the virus is extremely contagious. But all restaurants, as well as bars that serve food, are permitted to provide take-out meals and drinks; many
of them will deliver to your home or business. There are two reasons you should use their services: first (and very important), you can give yourself and your family a treat while staying indoors, safe at home; second, you’ll be supporting South Boston enterprises against the day when the Coronavirus/COVID19 pandemic is finally over. South Boston Online will attempt in this article to list local take-out and delivery sites. If we don’t mention your take-out and delivery enterprise, please let us know so we can list you in our next issue. And to customers of takeout and delivery establishments, please (!) remember to tip their wait staffs and delivery people. These folks are performing important work that helps you and all South Boston residents avoid contact with Coronavirus. Beginning on lower West Broadway, you can enjoy Fox Pasta take-out from Fox & the Knife in the evenings (617-766-8630) or call
the nearby Teriyaki House (617-2692000). Phone up the new Purple Shell across West Broadway (617989-9982) for both take-out and delivery of their Asian cuisine. We can also recommend Lulu-Green for healthful vegetarian/vegan pickup-only offerings from an Executive Chef. Going up West Broadway beyond D Street, Shennanigan’s is open for pick-up/to go only (617269-9509) .Get dessert at J.P. Licks, which is open for take-out ice cream, coffee, and yogurt only. On East Broadway, the Paramount Restaurant, a transplant from Beacon Hill/Charles Street, is doing a very brisk business of pick-up, take-out, and delivery via Uber Eats. At K Street, Moko’s Japanese cuisine is available only by delivery, but it’s certainly classic. For super take-out breakfasts and brunches during your weekends, go to Deja Brew on FRI-SAT-SUN mornings until 2 p.m. It has been an “Anchor” on East Broadway for 25 years.
The “eye has it” at Lulu-Green on West Broadway – google them up. We should mention a few of the places off of Broadway that offer take-out and/or delivery. Be sure to order from the timeless Seapoint at Eighth and Covington, which features their pub offerings along with delivery if needed (HINT: Try their sausage and pepperoni pizza). L Street Diner is well-known - try their take-out kitchen that seems non-stop. The Village on the other end of L Street does likewise. Please be sure to let us know about any establishments that we missed.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
Project Bread and Partners Ensure Uninterrupted Food Access to Low-Income MA Students grab & go meals at more than 1,295 alternative meal sites throughout the state. As the Commonwealth adjusts to social distancing and a stay-athome advisor y, Project Bread and critical partners are quickly adapting existing programs and innovating
As Massachusetts grapples with the shuttering of public buildings, schools, and businesses due to coronavirus, the one in 11 households and 1 in 9 children experiencing food insecurity before this crisis can depend on uninterrupted access to a critical child nutrition resource: school meals. Project Bread, in partnership with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, is leveraging decades of experience with federa l nutrition programs and school meals in particular, to support community partners and school districts operationa lizing
to ensure continuity of school meal service in the context of a global pandemic. There is no one-sizefits-all school meals model during a public health crisis. In that context, Project Bread provides school districts with essential resources, expertise, gra nts
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f i r st h a nd
how
important these mea ls are to so many families trying to stay healthy right now, so we are constantly optimizing – eva luating gaps and barriers and adapting as we go,” says Erin McA leer, President of Project Bread. Some districts offer “drive-up mea ls”
to
fa milies
t hrough
ca r
windows to reduce exposure, others
use bus routes to drop meals close to
Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
students’ homes. Organizations that
and Saturdays from 10a.m. to 2 p.m.
provide free, federa lly-reimbursed
Assistance is offered in 160 languages
me a ls
a re
and a dedicated line is available to
opening sites in many communities.
those who are hearing impaired. The
Project Bread is the central hub,
most up to date meal site information
connecting people to available food
is available through the hotline or at
resources. Requests for assistance
at www.projectbread.org/covid19.
are met with compassionate and
Strict safety protocols and best practices
personalized support by Project Bread’s
for social distancing are being closely
FoodSou rc e
C ou nselors
adhered to across distribution models
connect people to a wide range of food
and locations for maximum safety. No
resources such as SNA P (formerly
registration or ID is required to receive
food stamps), food pantries, the
a meal. Project Bread is designated
alternative school meal sites, and more.
essential by the government and will
“We’re looking at unprecedented
continue for duration of this crisis.
demand in the coming weeks and
the nonprofit’s COVID-19 Resources
months, so scale and efficiency are
pages in English
in
su m mer
mont h s
hot line.
essential,” Mc A leer explains. Even
About
now, school meals achieve both. Free
Project Bread is the leading
to-go meals are available at more
statewide anti-hunger organization
than 1,200 meal sites to youth 18 and
in Massachusetts. Beginning in 1969
under across Massachusetts. “We’re
with the first Walk for Hunger, the
seeing communities, legislators, school
nonprofit focuses on driving systemic
districts, families, and government agencies come together in new ways. Collaboration and agility are paramount to effective crisis response and I
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and Spanish.
think everyone involved understands how high Projec t
the
sta kes
Bread ’s
are
now.”
FoodSou rc e
Hotline (1-800-645-8333) operates
Project
Bread:
change to ensure people of all ages have reliable access to healthy food. Project Bread works collaboratively across sectors to create innovative solutions to end hunger and improve lives across the Commonwealth. For more information, visit:www.projectbread.org.
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020
11
Mayor Walsh Enacts Stricter Measures for Social Distancing Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced strict new measures for social and physical distancing for residents in the City of Boston, in an effort to curb the anticipated peak of COV ID19 in the coming days. The new measures align with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and local public health officials, and if followed by all residents, are expected to reduce the impact and spread of COVID-19. As of April 5, there are 2 ,502 conf ir med ca ses of COVID-19 in Boston residents, representing an increase in cases from the previous day. Public health modeling indicates that Boston is only days away from peak demand for hospital resources, an estimate that emphasizes the critical need to f latten the curve immediately. “I cannot stress enough that the actions we take now through the next several weeks will help curb the spread of this virus, and save lives,” said Mayor Walsh. “There is nothing that I won’t do as Mayor of the City of Boston to protect our residents, and at this very critical time, we must do everything we can as Bostonians to protect one another. This is bigger than any one person - this is about the greater good of our people. Stay safe, stay inside, and let’s get through this together.” To date, nearly 45 percent of positive tests in Boston are in people under the age of 40 and more cases of severe illness are now being seen in young people. Further, nearly 80 percent of positive tests are in people under the age of 60. The CDC estimates that nationally 25 percent of people infected with COVID-19 are asymptomatic, and may not know they are a carrier of the virus, or that they could be infecting others. As of April 8, 30 residents of Boston have died from COV ID-19. Social a nd p hy s i c a l
distancing remain the primary strategy to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The new measures that Mayor Walsh is putting into place strengthen the guidance previously issued around social and physical distancing, which include staying home as much as possible and maintaining a distance of 6 feet or more from others. These new measures will be effective on Monday, April 6 t hrough Monday, May 4, 2020, and include: Encouraging everyone to wear a face covering over their mouth and nose when in public: In add ition to socia l distancing when going out in public for an essential trip, wearing face covers will help to reduce the risk of a person spreading the virus, especially if they do not know they are sick. Face coverings should be worn anytime someone is outside the home, including on walks or other passive recreational activities. Face coverings should not be placed on children under 2 years of age, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or other wise unable to remove the cover without assistance. Face coverings can include a cloth, scarf, bandana, etc. that cover a person’s mouth and nose. Homemade face coverings should be made of intact, close-weave cloth and allow comfortable breathing. Visit CDC guidelines on face coverings for more information a nd g uida nce. Fac e covering s shou ld be frequently washed using a washing machine with detergent and hot water and dried on a hot cycle. They can also be hand washed with soap and warm water and left to dry. It is advised that residents use a face covering, as opposed to a medical grade facemasks, in order to preserve protective equipment for health workers and those serving on the front
lines in response to COVID-19. The Boston Public Health Commission is issuing a Public Health Advisory for everyone in Boston except essentia l workers to stay at home from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily: This advisor y will address unnecessary trips to businesses, restaurants, and other locations, and is intended to encourage people to stay inside their homes at night. Residents are encouraged to utilize delivery services as
much as possible after 9 p.m. As a reminder, residents are encouraged to remain in their homes as much as possible throughout the day and only leave for essential needs, including trips to the grocery store, pharmacy, emergency meal sites and other essentia l ser vices. Residents are discouraged from visiting essential businesses only to browse and should be mindful of only visiting essential businesses to pick-up essentia l items.
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020 THE PRINT EDITION
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