Yesterday the City of Lynn announced it will continue in a modified Phase 2,Step 2 until further notice. Read more by clicking here.

Today Governor Baker announced extending temporary restrictions to pause activity and reduce mobility until January 24. This is due to the continued rise of COVID-19 cases & hospitalizations in the state.

A full list of restrictions can be found by clicking here. A summary of these restrictions is as follows:

• Gatherings & events shall be limited to no more than 10 indoors & 25 outdoors for private homes, event venues, and public spaces
• Restaurants at 25% seating capacity
• Close Contact Personal Services at 25% capacity
• Movie theaters at 25% capacity, maximum of 50 people
• Outdoor performance venues at 25% capacity, maximum of 25 people
• Indoor performance venues remain closed
• Casinos, offices, places of worship, retail businesses, & more at 25% capacity

Statement from Mayor Thomas M. McGee on yesterday’s events

Yesterday’s attack was a horrific display of disrespect for one of our country’s most symbolic institutions, the United States Capitol. A key principle of our democracy has been the peaceful transfer of power from one president to the next. This longstanding tradition began in 1801 when John Adams stepped down from his position as president and returned to Massachusetts after losing the election to Thomas Jefferson.

I strongly condemn the domestic terrorism and actions to undermine and prevent the constitutionally authorized responsibility of the newly elected congress to certify the electoral votes for both the President Elect & Vice President Elect. This act of hatred we witnessed yesterday is a direct result of repeated demonizing lies from the President and his administration. It is imperative the transition of power be peaceful to ensure our republic maintain its image as a model of democracy around the world.

January 6th, 2021 will be remembered as one of the darkest days in American history not only for the assault on the Capitol, but also because of another record setting day of coronavirus cases and deaths in the United States caused by the inaction and the ineptitude of the current administration. The American public has been funneled misinformation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic which has continued to wreak havoc on this country every day. Yesterday, the United States recorded 268,840 new cases and 3,920 deaths of coronavirus. The administration’s mismanagement has now carried over into a disastrous vaccine rollout which has fallen far behind the necessary speed with which we need to act in order to adequately vaccinate the American public. I call on our leaders in Washington to unify in our continued fight against this unrelenting, deadly virus.

We as Americans have always shown the courage to join as one nation whenever presented with any obstacles. Today, we need to come together and understand the common bonds we share and realize that through cooperation, no challenge is too great for us to overcome. We can and must do better as a country. This kind of hatred has no home in our great country, and certainly has no home in the City of Lynn.

LEHS Drama Club virtual show
rescheduled to January 22-28

After toiling for weeks on rehearsals and recordings, the English Theater Collective (LEHS Drama Club) has run up against some major technology issues! The creation of this piece is a huge undertaking and we are learning as we go along. But as the saying goes, “the show must go on.” In order to present the best work we can, we are pushing the date back by two weeks, so our premiere will be January 22, 2021. The show is called “Three for One (341)” and consists of three short plays.

The Lost Girl, or First Chair by Lauren Yee: When the first chair violinist at a performing arts high school disappears, the competition is on to find her replacement. As the girls who occupy the second to fifth chairs vie for the prime spot, the mystery of what exactly happened to Katie, the first chair, unfolds.

Old Folks by Max Posner What separates the teen years from the seventies, eighties and nineties? Not as much as you might think. As these old folks reminisce about each other and their pasts, their younger selves come forward to give a glimpse of their youth before they move on.

The Astonishing and Dangerous History of Mazefield the Frog by Jen Silverman What do you get when you mix jealous sisters, the meanest kids on the planet, skateboarders, internet dating, foreign spies and a homicidal vigilante frog? The best school dance ever!

Three for One is a collection of three short plays all created specifically by professional contemporary playwrights to be performed by teen actors. This play is free for any student who wishes to see it. Adults may purchase tickets on a “pay what you can” scale, and we are also asking for donations from anyone who can afford it to help keep our group going.

To see the show visit showtix4u.com and search for LEHS Drama Club. The show will be available for viewing from January 22-28, but you can get your ticket now.

The above press release & pictures were provided to us by the Lynn English High School Drama Club.

Lynn MVP grant videos

English: The City of Lynn is seeking community input on green infrastructure projects being designed for Boston Street and Barry Park. Learn more and take the survey at: www.tinyurl.com/LynnGISurvey

Spanish: La ciudad de Lynn busca la opinión de la comunidad sobre los proyectos de infraestructura verde que se están diseñando para Boston Street y Barry Park. Realice la encuesta en: https://tinyurl.com/lynnespanol

The information above was submitted to us by the City of Lynn.

Talking to children about
yesterday’s events

From Lynn Public Schools: In light of the events at the US capitol building. the attached graphic is a resource you can use in talking about it with your child. In the wake of unspeakable violence and an assault on our democracy, let this be an event that calls us to be better together.

Please click here for additional info. & resources.

Updates from state government

• As of Wednesday night, DPH reported a total of 386,052 cases of COVID-19. The state reported 6,419 new confirmed cases. The state has now confirmed a total of 12,563 deaths from the virus.
• Speaker Mariano, who first ascended to the top House role just one week ago, easily secured a full term as speaker on Wednesday with almost no dissent from the Democratic ranks. He earned 127 of the 157 votes cast for speaker during the first formal session of the 2021-2022 lawmaking session. All 30 Republican lawmakers backed Minority Leader Brad Jones, while Independent Rep. Susannah Whipps supported Mariano. Just two Democrats, second-term Rep. Tami Gouveia of Acton and first-term Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven of Somerville, voted present rather than supporting Mariano.
• Senate President Spilka was elected to her second full term atop the body on a party line 37-3 vote, with the chamber’s three Republicans backing Minority Leader Bruce Tarr. Sens. Joan Lovely of Salem and Joseph Boncore nominated Spilka.
• Emergency paid leave to help buoy Massachusetts residents who need to take time away from work during the COVID-19 pandemic will be an early focus for state senators in the new session, Senate President Karen Spilka said Wednesday after her colleagues elected her to a second full term leading the body.
• Senate President Spilka begins the session presiding over a Democratic supermajority that has expanded its ranks and now holds 37 Senate seats to the Republicans’ three, from a 35-5 breakdown at the start of the last term in 2019.
• Senate President Spilka also said legislators must continue to commit ourselves to expanding COVID testing, tracing and vaccination, particularly for our most vulnerable, and ensuring those on the front lines have what they need to fight this virus. Speaker Mariano said the House’s “ongoing task” is to monitor how the COVID-19 vaccines are rolled out and to support the state’s vaccination plan. He said the House will need to make sure that businesses and especially restaurants “are getting enough support to weather these hard times” and that people who have lost their jobs during this recession “are given the benefits they need, and that the unemployment rate isn’t worsened by crushing labor costs on employers.”
• The speaker also highlighted the expiration of the state eviction moratorium, which lapsed in October though a federal moratorium on some evictions remains through Jan. 31, and said the House under his leadership will “have to make sure our eviction diversion program is doing enough to keep people in their homes.”
• On Wednesday, Speaker Mariano pledged “that my leadership team will reflect the growing diversity of the body” though leadership positions and committee chairmanships are typically not doled out in the House until late January or February.
• The Senate voted to agree with temporary Joint Rules that will add an extra month to bill-filing season, pushing the filing deadline (Joint Rule 12) from Jan. 15 to Feb. 19. The Senate meets next on Thursday, when it will also convene a joint session with the House to swear in the members of the Governor’s Council.