LYNN NEWS ROUND-UP
AUGUST 11, 2020

See our other COVID-19 related posts by clicking here.

Lynn Public Schools: Laptop info
& virtual town halls

Information about the Lynn Public Schools reopening plan for remote learning is still minimal due to the evolving nature of their reopening. However, we reached out to the Lynn Public Schools after several parents said they didn’t know when or where laptops would be distributed and that they had some technical issues.

We were told that another round of student laptops is currently being planned, and that the principals at schools would be informed (as is their process). Students and families should be on the lookout for messages from the principals regarding laptops & reopening topics regularly.

Recently Superintendent Dr. Patrick Tutwiler held virtual town halls on YouTube.  These town halls covered how teaching, learning, health, & safety will be addressed during the reopening process. Watch these videos below:

August 6, 2020: Heath and Safety Update
WATCH THIS VIDEO

August 10, 2020: Remote Teaching and Learning
WATCH THIS VIDEO

This is an ongoing and evolving situation, and we will continue to post updates as we get them in. It is recommended to like the Lynn Public Schools Facebook page and bookmark the LPS website’s Reopening section for important information.

West Nile Virus risk level raised to moderate for Lynn after positive case in Malden

Yesterday we received word that Mass DPH has raised the risk level for West Nile Virus to MODERATE for Malden, Chelsea, Everett, Lynn, Melrose, Revere, Saugus, and Winthrop. This comes after the City of Malden was informed by DPH of a positive case of the West Nile Virus, & last night they began trapping and testing a mosquito pool collection from the Medford Street area near Devir Park.

Mass DPH advise that you take precautions to protect yourself from mosquito bites such as limiting your outdoor activity between dusk and dawn, wearing long sleeved clothes when participating in outdoor activities, and using mosquito repellent that contains the chemical DEET.

Additionally, you can reduce the chances of mosquito bites by making sure that window and door screens do not have holes in them and by removing any standing water found around your property.

Approx. 80% of those infected with WNV show no symptoms, while around 20% show minor symptoms (fever, headache, vomiting, etc). Less than 1% of people infected with WNV will develop severe illness, & people older than 50 have a higher risk of developing severe illness.

For more on West Nile Virus please click here for information
from the state’s website.

Lynn Fire & Police scanners now available!

You asked, we listened.
Over the last few weeks we have seen an increase in requests for a Lynn Police scanner. Now on our website you can listen to the scanners for the City of Lynn’s Fire & Police Departments, as well as the MA State Police.

The feed for the Lynn Police scanner is being provided by LCTV, with others providing the Lynn Fire & State Police scanners. This is done through Broadcastify, the radio communications industry’s largest platform for streaming live audio for public safety, aircraft, rail, and marine related communications.

Please note that an ad from Broadcastify will play first & that it is not unusal for the feeds below to go through periods of silence. However, if you encounter an issue with the feeds below please let us know by calling 781-780-9460 or sending us an email.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE SCANNERS.

Goldfish Pond Association: Please stop feeding the wildlife

From the Goldfish Pond Association: WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!! There are signs up not to feed the wildlife but the geese and ducks get fed 24/7 from all the people bringing giant bags of bread and corn etc.

If that is you, please STOP and if you see somebody doing it, please tell them to STOP! We need everyone’s cooperation. These animals are wild animals and not to mention our neighbors are complaining of rats all over. Please help us!

New gathering restrictions & enforcement begin today across the state, & other MA. reopening information

Over the weekend Governor Charlie Baker announced new restrictions on gatherings, along with stricter enforcement efforts that take effect starting today.

Outdoor gatherings are now limited to no more than 50 people, down from 100. Indoor gatherings remain at 25. Face coverings will be  required when more than 10 people not from a single household are gathered.

Anyone violating limits will be subject to fines, even on private property. Gov. Baker has given state & local law enforcement power to enforce COVID-19 related orders.

This news comes after Gov. baker paused Step 2 of Phase 3 of the state’s reopening on hold indefinitely. Businesses such as arcades, indoor theaters, laser tag, & concert halls are all waiting to reopen during Step 2 of Phase 3.

Baker also announced the formation of a targeted cross-agency COVID Enforcement and Intervention Team that will be responsible for ramping up enforcement statewide and coordinating local intervention efforts at the local level in higher risk COVID-19 communities.

The final announcement from Governor Baker was that the “Stop the Spread Initiative” was extended until September 12th. This comes as Lynn’s numbers over 14 days showed a positivity rate of just over 6%. the highest in the state. Please click here to read about COVID-19 testing in Lynn this week.

Read more about this news on the state’s website by clicking here.

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 655 with 27 new cases today. 3,477 Lynn residents have recovered and 111 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 4,243. Please visit the new City of Lynn COVID-19 Data Dashboard which is updated daily.

Today Governor Baker released a new map of the Commonwealth breaking down each Massachusetts City or Town as a higher risk, moderate risk or lower risk community for the spread of COVID-19. Right now, Lynn is one of 4 communities across the state that has been designated as a higher risk community. As a result, Lynn will be receiving additional state resources to curb the spread of COVID-19. You can view the map at https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-average-daily-incidence-rate-august-11-2020/download

Our Public Health Department and Mass Gatherings Task Force will continue to work with the Administration and with our local health care providers to address the key factors of testing, contact tracing, and enforcement of health protocols. If you receive a call that you have tested positive for COVID-19 or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive, it is important to cooperate and be forthcoming about your whereabouts with the contact tracers, in order to stop the spread. You are not getting anyone in trouble, in fact, you are keeping others safe. It is vital that you stay home if you are sick and if you are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 please go and get tested.

Our community has worked too hard to get here and we need to continue to be diligent and focus on continuing to follow and comply with the state guidelines pertaining to social distancing, personal hygiene, wearing face covering at all times when interacting with others, and especially not gathering with people beyond those you live with. Our ability to follow these guidelines, will determine how we limit the spread in our community and ensure we keep our community safe.

STOP THE SPREAD Initiative

Please visit http://www.ci.lynn.ma.us/covid19/resources.shtml#p7GPc1_2 for more information on how you can get a free COVID-19 test in the City of Lynn until September 12.

We will continue to provide regular updates on COVID-19 through the City website (www.lynnma.gov), social media, and the Smart 911 emergency notification system (sign up at www.smart911.com).