Mayor Walsh Column: Help your city by getting tested for COVID-19

 By Mayor Martin J. Walsh

(Boston, November 10) The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged us in profound ways, and has impacted nearly every aspect of city life. Although we have made great progress since the spring in controlling the spread of the virus, Boston has been facing an increase in COVID-19 positive rates for the last few weeks. Currently, 7.1 percent of people who get tested are testing positive. Since anyone can be infected and spread the virus even if they don’t show symptoms, testing is a key part of stopping the spread. 

I recently announced a new campaign called “Get The Test, Boston,” a pledge that encourages every Boston resident to make testing a regular part of their routine. It also encourages employers to let their employees know about testing resources available to them. The City of Boston is offering benefit-eligible City employees one paid hour every 14 days to get tested during their normal work hours. Several local businesses have also committed to signing the pledge, to ensure their employees know how and when to get tested for COVID-19. 

I encourage everyone in our city to look at the testing resources we have worked so hard to make available, and seriously consider getting tested to protect themselves and their communities as we work to stop this increase in COVID-19 cases. Here are some reasons why you should get tested: 

• If you are experiencing COVID-like symptoms, like fever, cough, or shortness of breath

• If you are at high risk for complications from COVID-19

• If you have been in contact with someone who was infected with COVID-19

• If you have traveled or have been in large gatherings

The City offers free testing for residents with or without COVID-like symptoms through our mobile testing teams currently in East Boston’s Central Square and at Jubilee Christian Church in Mattapan through Saturday, November 14. The teams change locations every couple of weeks to increase testing accessibility and availability, prioritizing neighborhoods that need dedicated testing efforts. For locations and hours of the more than 30 COVID-19 testing sites we have in the City, including these mobile sites, please visit boston.gov/covid19-testing. 

We are entering a critical time in this pandemic, and everyone who does their part will help save lives, and make a real difference. By following the safety guidelines, everyone can minimize the spread. In addition to getting tested, residents should continue to wear a face covering or mask, stay six feet apart from others, wash your hands often with soap and warm water, and avoid crowds and gatherings. 

Together, we will continue to keep our city and our communities safe.

Source: Mayor's Press Office 11/10

East Boston Neighborhood Health Center Announcement on Baby Vaccinations

Long awaited Logan Study based on 6,000 individual interviews to be released in Winthrop on Wed., May 28

ADVISORY OF PUBLIC MEETING

The Department of Public Health will hold a public meeting to release the findings of the Logan Airport Health Study (also known as the Logan Study). The Logan Study involved interviews with more than 6,000 adults living within a 5-mile radius of the airport evaluating potential health impacts of air pollution and noise on residents in 17 communities within the study area.

Associate Commissioner Suzanne K. Condon and staff will review methodology used in the study and findings.  The study will be available on the Department’s website following the meeting.

WHEN:    Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at  6:30pm

WHERE:     Winthrop Senior Center,  35 Harvard Street, Winthrop, MA

For more information contact: Anne Roach (617) 624-5006

Public Health Commission to Host Health Forum in East Boston on Nov. 17

BOSTON – The Boston Public Health Commission, in partnership with the East Boston Adult Education Coalition, the East Boston Neighborhood Against Substance Abuse (EBNASA), and the Boston Alliance for Community Health, is hosting a community dialogue on the health status of East Boston residents.  The meeting will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, November 17 at the Umana Middle School Academy cafeteria, 312 Border Street, East Boston.

The third in a series of 2010 health forums, the meeting is a platform for people living and working in East Boston to discuss health issues specific to their neighborhood.  Participants will learn about the findings of the latest Health of Boston report, and will have the opportunity to discuss two key health issues affecting their neighborhood – substance abuse and obesity.

“This dialogue presents a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together to brainstorm new ways to address health challenges,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, executive director of the Boston Public Health Commission. “Everyone has a role to play in making our neighborhoods healthier.”

The Commission, the East Boston Adult Education Coalition, EBNASA, and the Boston Alliance for Community Health are working collaboratively with residents, businesses, community agencies, faith-based institutions, elected officials, and others to develop creative ideas that will help build a stronger, healthier East Boston.

“The impact these issues have on our community, which are by no means limited to East Boston, cannot be overlooked.  I encourage all East Boston residents to attend this community dialogue to learn about these issues and how we – as a community – can work together to address them and make East Boston a healthier place to live, work, and raise a family,” said Andrew Kenneally, EBNASA coalition coordinator.

The event is free and open to the public. Dinner, childcare, and interpreter services (Spanish and Portuguese) will be provided at no charge. For more information, contact Pam Jones at 617-534-7195 or pjones@bphc.org or Andrew Kenneally at 617-635-5114 or akenneally@ebnasa.org.