Subscribe Tonight we are reminded yet again of how much the pandemic has disrupted our lives. Traditionally, we would have been together in the City Council chamber with Councilors and their President, Susan Albright, School Committee members, staff and residents for this State of the City address. But not this year. In addition to the rituals of civic life, we've been forced to reimagine how we celebrate the milestones of birthdays, weddings and graduations and have foregone the pleasures of July 4th at Albemarle or a simple Sunday dinner with extended family. COVID-19 has stripped us of essentials. We can't comfort loved ones in the hospital or collectively mourn at a funeral. Our hearts break week after week for everyone who has lost a loved one – including the families and friends of 188 of our neighbors who have died with COVID.