My Turn: Next pandemic will we treat the homebound better? AL NORMAN
Published: 6/9/2021 1:13:10 PM
Massachusetts began administering COVID-19 vaccines on Dec. 15, 2020. One hundred four days later, on March 29, Gov. Charles Baker announced the launch of a new “Homebound Vaccine Program.” By that point in time, the commonwealth had already administered 3,409,635 doses of vaccine to the public. The Homebound Program was clearly not as high a priority as reaching patients in nursing facilities, where COVID fatalities were a daily headline. As a result, homebound elderly and disabled people waited three and a half months to get their turn at a shot. Some of these people had as many as three or four home health aides, visiting nurses, or physical therapists, coming into their homes daily any of these workers were potential COVID spreaders. In-home COVID testing was also not widely available.
ORANGE The Selectboard plans to work with the town administrator and police chief to draft clear signs and enforceable rules for Lake Mattawa in response to a thread of social media comments complaining of public drinking, drug use and other issues.
Orange Selectboard opts out of state’s mosquito control plan
AP File Photo AP File Photo
Published: 5/23/2021 4:00:37 PM
ORANGE The Selectboard has voted unanimously to opt out of the state’s aerial mosquito-spraying program, provided that the town devises its own alternative plan.
“This is really a bear to put your arms around, because we don’t have much time. We have to opt out by next Friday,” Town Administrator Gabriele Voelker advised, “and we have to fill out a nine-page plan of what we’re going to do.”
Matthew Fortier, Orange’s health agent, addressed the Selectboard at last week’s meeting and said spraying aims to protect people against mosquito-borne diseases, but pesticides carry with them their own public health risks.
ORANGE The Selectboard has voted unanimously to opt out of the state’s aerial mosquito-spraying program, provided that the town devises its own alternative plan.“This is really a bear to put your arms around, because we don’t have much time. We.
Mailloux brings youthful enthusiasm to Orange selectmen’s race MAILLOUX
Published: 11/1/2016 11:38:37 PM
ORANGE Ryan W. Mailloux feels the town is moving in a positive direction and a jolt of youth could help facilitate that progress.
“I do … believe that bringing in a different generation’s mind will help it get in that direction a little faster,” he said. “I truly believe that the town is ready for a different hand to be in the mix and not necessarily the same hands that have kind of been running the town for years.”
Mailloux turned 24 years old on Oct. 21, making him 34 years younger than Richard Kwiatkowski and 40 years younger than Robert Stack, his opponents in the race for a vacant seat on the Orange Board of Selectmen. The town has scheduled a special election for Tuesday to replace Walter Herk, who resigned on Aug. 31.