LYNN NEWS ROUND-UP
JANUARY 11, 2021
See our other COVID-19 related posts by clicking here.
The City of Lynn is currently in a modified Phase 2, Step 2 until further notice. Learn more by clicking here.
COVID-19 testing in Lynn this week
The City of Lynn was selected to be a part of the state’s “Stop the Spread” Initiative back in July. The COVID-19 testing sites located at Lynn English High School and behind the Western Avenue Fire Station are now closed, as of Jan. 4th. Other COVID-19 testing sites have been set up and are available for residents to visit. More information about testing is below. Please note that COVID-19 vaccines for community distribution have not yet been received. When we receive updates we will share in one of our daily news postings, so please follow us to stay informed.PROJECT BEACON
Located at 398 Blossom St. in Lynn
The City of Lynn has been selected as one of four communities across the Commonwealth for a COVID-19 express testing site beginning Wednesday December 23rd through at least March 31st. The site will be run by Project Beacon which specializes in high-volume appointment only testing.
The site will be located at the Blossom Street Extension parking lot, commonly known as the Lynn Ferry Terminal, and will have the capacity to perform up to 2,000 tests per day once the site reaches full capacity in early January. Residents will be able to schedule their test appointment in advance, drive up to the site at their assigned time, be tested from the comfort of their car, and receive their results within 24 hours. There will be no pedestrian, walk-up access allowed at this site. For all Massachusetts residents, there is no cost for this test, no health insurance is required, and you will not be asked about your immigration status.
Residents can create an account, make appointments, and view their test results all through one, online platform for the Project Beacon COVID-19 Express Testing site at the Blossom Street Extension by visiting app.beacontesting.com. If you have questions about getting tested or issues regarding appointments or results at Project Beacon, please go to www.mass.gov/express-testing, call Project Beacon’s Call Center at 617-741-7310, or email at help@beacontesting.com. Appointments will become available several days in advance at a time.
In the event of a City of Lynn snow emergency, testing may be cancelled or limited based on the weather conditions. Please check the City of Lynn website and this Testing page for information about possible testing cancellations due to inclement weather.
LYNN COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER
Located at 50 Blake St. in Lynn
Testing for COVID-19 is available for everyone in the Greater Lynn Community at Lynn Community Health Center through March 31st. You may be tested regardless of your symptoms or exposure to COVID-19. Call 781-581-3900 for an appointment. Appointments are strongly recommended, limited walk-in appointments are available. You do not need to be a patient at LCHC or have health insurance.
Two trailers were set up along the Blake Street side of the lot directly across from the health center to continue testing this winter. Patients enter the site through the gate across from the Mulberry Street alleyway and enter the first trailer for registration. They will exit the first trailer and proceed to the second trailer for testing. After their test they will exit the second trailer and leave the site through the gate across from the LCHC entrance. Patient movement will be one-way through the site,with plans in place to support social distancing at all times.
LCHC has created a video that helps explains how to make an appointment, what happens when you get to LCHC for your test, & how to access your testing results. Please click here to view the video.
LCHC Coronavirus Updates / informacion sobre covid19
COVID-19 testing times this week at LCHC:
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am – 7:00 pm
- Thursday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Saturday, Sunday: TO BE ANNOUNCED
OTHER RESOURCES
- Testing at CVS on South Common Street in Lynn
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Every individual who wants a test must make an appointment by clicking here. Bring proof of identity & in-state residence, as well as test confirmation email/text message. Be sure to have your mobile phone in case we need to reach you. Stay in your car. Minors ages 10-15 will need to be accompanied by an adult. Confirm charge for asymptomatic testing online, before booking your appointment.
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- Interactive map of COVID-19 testing sites in State of MA
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This map provides an easy way to locate a COVID-19 test site near you. Click/tap on a test site within the map for more details. All information is sourced from site operators and healthcare providers, and it is encouraged to contact the site prior to arrival in case it has changed.
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- Additional resources:
The information above was taken from the City of Lynn, Lynn Community Health Center, & State of Massachusetts websites.
The Salvation Army Food Pantry will only be open TUESDAY and FRIDAY this week, due to low food. Healthy volunteers are needed during pantry hours, which are 1-4pm at Manning Field.
Please stop by The Salvation Army, 1 Franklin St. from 8am-1pm to fill out a volunteer form if you are interested.
“Housing Lynn: A Plan for Inclusive Growth” draft version available for public comment until January 21st
The City of Lynn, through the Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development and the Mayor’s Office, and working with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, is pleased to share the draft version of Housing Lynn: A Plan for Inclusive Growth with the public. This draft includes the full plan, an executive summary in English, and an executive summary in Spanish. This Housing Production Plan was created through a community-driven process and establishes goals and strategies to expand and diversify Lynn’s housing stock and increase affordability for people at a variety of income levels. The public is invited to share feedback on the draft version of Housing Lynn: A Plan for Inclusive Growth before January 21 by emailing housinglynn@mapc.org.
“This plan is a product of a yearlong process involving community partners and members of the public to arrive at these recommendations for a balanced approach to future mixed income housing developments in the city,” said Mayor Thomas McGee. “I hope people will take advantage of and participate in the public comment period between now and January 21st so that we can finish with a plan that accurately reflects the housing needs of our community.”
“This plan took an incredible amount of time, resources and effort by LHAND staff, city planning staff, MAPC consultants, and the volunteer steering committee. I cannot thank them enough for all the hard work,” said LHAND Executive Director Charles Gaeta. “We look forward to receiving feedback during the public comment period and then presenting the findings and recommendations to the Planning Board and City Council. We hope the community input given during this process will lay the foundation for significant housing policy and affordability options to help Lynn residents.”
The Housing Lynn draft is the culmination of a community-driven process led by a steering committee of local partners and advocates. Starting in November 2019, the project team hosted in-person and virtual forums, workshops, and webinars as well as an online open house. The plan highlights five key strategies for housing policy in Lynn, informed both by community input and detailed data-based analysis.
At the closure of the comment period on January 21, the City and MAPC intend to make any necessary edits to the plan and submit the revised version to the City Council and Planning Board for approval. Sign up to the email newsletter for this project to receive updates.
RESOURCES:
The above press release was sent to us by Mayor McGee’s office.
COVID-19 Urgent Micro-Grants for Immigrants
Funds raised on this GoFundMe page support the creation of a COVID-19 Financial Solidarity Micro-Grant Program, to be facilitated by the Lynn Rapid Response Network (LRRN) . The program will provide emergency rent and essential utility support to immigrant families connected to the LRRN who have been affected by COVID-19.
The Lynn Rapid Response Network (LRRN) provides community networking and resources for over 125 immigrant families living in or near to Lynn, MA. Many of these families lived with financial stress before this crisis. Now, COVID-19 has caused mass unemployment, destroying these families’ livelihoods and what limited financial stability they had. For most of our community, their immigration status means that they are ineligible for many relief efforts. Language and fear present additional barriers to resources for the families we serve. As a result, the LRRN is launching the COVID-19 Financial Solidarity Micro-Grant Program to meet emergency, COVID-19-related needs within our community.
WHAT AID WILL THE MICRO-GRANT PROGRAM PROVIDE?
Families will be able to apply to receive a grant of up to $500 once per month. To make the biggest difference in the stability of our families at this time, we will prioritize requests for rent assistance. In addition to funds, grant recipients will receive information on additional resources, and wherever possible our volunteers will facilitate negotiations with landlords for rent relief to help provide stability during this difficult time.
WHO CAN RECEIVE A MICRO-GRANT?
Immigrant families connected to the LRRN who are currently financially impacted by COVID-19 can receive a micro-grant. Priority will be given to those who have been impacted by detention and others who have been identified as having the greatest need.
WHAT IS THE LRRN?
The Lynn Rapid Response Network is a network of non-profit, public interest, and faith-based organizations working to bring communities across the North Shore closer in the common goal of making our communities safer and welcoming to immigrants of all backgrounds who live, work and raise their families here. For more info. on the Lynn Rapid Response Network visit our website by clicking here.
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The above info. are multiple excerpts from the GoFundMe page. To find out full details and donate please click here.
YMCA diaper drive still collecting donations to support families in need
Did you know?
- 1 in 3 families do not have enough diapers and wipes for their children.
- WIC and S.N.A.P programs do not allow for diaper and wipe purchases.
- During COVID-19, families who used to be able to afford diapers are struggling to secure basic necessities.
The Y is collecting unopened packages of formula, diapers, and wipes at four locations to be distributed to those in need in our communities through the Little Necessities Pantry at the Lynn YMCA. We will be following CDC guidelines to ensure safety, disinfecting packages and coordinating drop off & pick up while ensuring social distancing. If you plan to purchase diapers please consider larger sizes, as these are less likely to be donated.
Since the COVID-19 crisis began, $20,000 worth of necessities have been distributed for free to families in need.
To Donate:
- Drop offs will be collected at the Lynn YMCA from 8am -12pm Mondays – Thursdays.
- Diapers and wipes must be unopened (inner sleeves/ packages are acceptable provided the plastic is unbroken). This is important so that packaging can be cleaned.
- Please leave your name and contact information (phone, address, and/or email) on the package so that we can thank you for your donation.
- If the branch is not yet open to the public, please follow signage at each location on the front doors as to where to leave your donation.
- To make a monetary donation, please contribute to our YMCA Community Emergency Fund.
*Due to high demand, we are not accepting requests at this time. Please check website regularly*
Learn more about this donation drive by clicking here.
The above information was taken from the Lynn YMCA’s website.
Updates from state government
As of Sunday night, DPH reported a total of 413,329 cases of COVID-19. The state reported 5,396 new confirmed cases. The state has now confirmed a total of 12,875 deaths from the virus.- Beacon Hill leaders are assessing State House security needs in the wake of Wednesday’s siege on the U.S. Capitol. Without getting into any specifics, Governor Baker, Senate President Spilka and House Speaker Mariano issued a short joint statement addressing the issue Friday morning. State House access was tightened following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and State Police, Department of Conservation and Recreation park rangers, and House and Senate court officers all play roles in building security and access protocols.
- The State House has been closed since March, with entry afforded only to a limited number of elected officials, staff and reporters present to cover legislative sessions and Governor Baker’s regular COVID-19 press conferences. State Police do not discuss specific information but said they employ a rigorous, multi-layered safety plan at the State House, make adjustments as necessary, and work closely with DCR Rangers and building security.
- Massachusetts schools will be able to participate in a new, weekly pool testing program to screen students and staff for COVID-19 in a way that’s more efficient than individual testing, Governor Baker announced Friday as he again made the case for repopulating classrooms during the pandemic. Pool testing allows for more people to be tested using the same amount of lab resources. Governor Baker said it will help districts more quickly identify and isolate any cases of the highly contagious coronavirus, giving them the ability to bring more kids back for in-person schooling.
- Governor Baker and his administration’s education officials have regularly been promoting in-person learning and prodding schools to physically reopen their classrooms if they have not yet done so. The governor said Friday that, four months into the school year, “too many kids remain learning remotely or in complicated hybrid programs.” Health and Human Services Secretary Sudders said the pool model costs “at least 75 percent less than the cost of an individual test.” It involves multiple test swabs transported to a lab in a single tube, she said, then tested together in one batch.
- Public schools in Massachusetts reported 431 new cases of COVID-19 among students and staff between Dec. 24 and Jan. 6, according to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Salem, Watertown and Medford have recently launched pool testing with good results, Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeff Riley said. Commissioner Riley said his department will cover the costs of pool testing during the startup phase, estimated at between $15 million and $30 million.
- They said the program will be available within the next month. The program will be voluntary and open to all public school districts, charter schools and special education collaboratives with plans to eventually open it up to private schools as well. Schools offering in-person and hybrid learning will be prioritized for testing kits, but they will also be available to remote-learning schools that are looking to bring back students.
- According to the administration, the recent federal stimulus package means there will soon be sufficient funds at both the state and local level to implement an effective statewide program.
Special thanks to MassAccess for providing us with this summary.
From Mayor McGee’s office: The Lynn Public Health Department has confirmed that as of today, the number of active, confirmed positive COVID-19 cases is 2,035 with 136 new cases today. 10,558 Lynn residents have recovered and 166 have died. The total number of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in Lynn since March 21, 2020, including those who have died and recovered, is 12,759. Please visit the City of Lynn COVID-19 Data Dashboard which is updated daily.
The North Shore Alliance for Economic Development is hosting a Zoom Meeting on Wednesday, January 13th from 8:30-10:00am to discuss the current COVID-19 environment on the North Shore, the impact COVID is having on our hospitals and healthcare system, what community members can do and vaccination plans. Registration for the event is required and can be accessed here: Webinar Registration – Zoom
The event will be moderated by Mayor Kimberley Driscoll of Salem and include Dr. David Roberts, President of Mass General Brigham North Shore Hospital and Phil M. Cormier, President of Beth Israel Lahey Health Beverly Hospital.
Please visit http://www.ci.lynn.ma.us/covid19/resources.shtml#p7GPc1_2 for the most up to date COVID-19 Testing information.
We will continue to provide regular updates on COVID-19 and any Snow Emergency Parking Bans through the City website (www.lynnma.gov), social media, and the Smart 911 emergency notification system (sign up at www.smart911.com).
If you have a news story that you would like to share, please contact us via email or call 781-780-9460.
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