Government

Congresswoman Pressley Surprised She Received Vaccine So Soon

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Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-7th MA) received her first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Saturday, which came as a surprise to her. “Candidly, I did not expect I would be able to receive the vaccine this soon. I planned to receive the vaccine at a Community Health Center in my district later in 2021," said Pressley via press release. "Members of Congress received notice at the end of this week from the Attending Physician that doses would be made available to us as part of a ‘continuity of government plan,’ a measure put in place during national crises. After consulting with my family and my doctor, I decided that I would move forward with this opportunity to receive the vaccine."

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Coronavirus

Free Mobile COVID-19 Testing in Jamaica Plain

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The city announced numerous sites this week that are offering free, mobile COVID-19 testing available to anyone regardless of symptoms. Along with a site in Jamaica Plain, there are also mobile testing sites in Roxbury and Hyde Park. The city's mobile teams are in partnerships with Whittier Street Health Center,  East Boston Neighborhood Health Center and LCG Boston, which are located in Roxbury, Hyde Park and Jamaica Plain. In Jamaica Plain, testing is available in partnership with LCG through Wednesday, December 30 at the Anna Mae Cole Community Center, located at the Mildred Hailey Apartments at 24 Heath St. Testing is available to anyone at no cost and regardless of symptoms and insurance, and by walk-up only during the hours. Please contact the Mayor's Health Line at 617-534-5050 if you have questions.

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Coronavirus

Boomerangs Needs Donations: Fewer People Have Donated Items Since COVID

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Fewer people have donated to Boomerangs since the worldwide pandemic began. And now the store is looking for particular items to support its mission. "The good news is that eager thrift shoppers have returned to our stores in larger than expected numbers, we are finding that our inventory reserves need a boost," says an email newsletter sent by Boomerangs
Boomerangs is currently seeking all clothing items (especially men’s clothing), home décor items, kitchen/cooking/dining supplies (pots, pans, plates, silverware, and more. Please don't donate items with mildew, smoke, or pet odor, especially clothing, furniture and curtains. You can read more here about what other donations are wanted.

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Business

Two JP Salons Join Forces! Miss Laura’s and Hidden Hair Salon + More Cool Stuff

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Laura Dembski has been the owner of Miss Laura's Beauty Culture on South Street for more than 20 years. This year she used her creativity to expand her shop in different ways, including teaming up with another local salon, selling plants, and more. Dembski is also a great supporter of her neighbors, as several years ago she helped Ivy Insurance adopt her late father's cat, Sikuwar. Q: How long has Miss Laura's Beauty Culture existed at 46 South Street? Dembski: Double Deuce.

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Coronavirus

Curley School Staff Member Tests Positive for COVID-19; Parents Not Yet Notified

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A Mary E. Curley School staff member recently tested positive for COVID-19. This is the first known case of a Curley School community member. Principal Katie Grassa sent an email to staff members last week. That email was provided to Jamaica Plain News by a member of the Curley School community. "We were recently notified that a member of the Curley K-8 community has tested positive for COVID-19.

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Opinion

Opinion: Boston Needs Stable Housing That is Both Affordable and Accessible

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I began my career in housing first working with individuals facing homelessness in California at Sacramento Loaves and Fishes and then as a housing advocate for the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance in Boston. The work showed me that housing is about more than finding a place to live. Stable housing plays a role in creating a solid foundation for improving someone’s health and their ability to receive support for mental health issues, recovery and addiction, and trauma. Reliable housing can also enable connections to transportation, education, and work opportunities. COVID-19 has only made the work of providing housing more difficult and important.

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Coronavirus

If You’re 5 or Older You Must Wear a Mask in Public Starting Nov. 6, Says Governor

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Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker announced that anyone five years or older must wear a mask in public due to rising positive Coronavirus test rates. "Today we are taking several targeted measures to curb rising #COVID19MA cases + hospitalizations. Our goal is to disrupt this trend now, so the Commonwealth can keep our economy + schools open and prevent the need to roll back to Phase I or II," tweeted Baker. 

Positive test cases are up by 278% and hospitalizations up by 145% since Labor Day, reported Baker. Baker announced several new orders and advisories:

The revised mask order requires all persons to wear face-coverings in all public places, even where they are able to maintain 6 feet of distance from others. The revised order still allows for an exception for residents who cannot wear a face-covering due to a medical or disabling condition, but it allows employers to require employees to provide proof of such a condition.

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Business

Nine Jamaica Plain Bizs Awarded JPCS Main Streets Grants for Reopening

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JP Centre/South Main Streets has awarded grants to nine Jamaica Plain businesses to help them with their reopening expenses and outdoor seating. The grants were given to businesses in the JPCSMS district. Grants of $1000 were awarded to the following businesses:

Casa Verde at 711 Centre St. Jeanie Johnston at 144 South St. JPizle Kitchen at 536 Centre St.

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Coronavirus

COVID Testing Not Being Offered at Brookside Community Center Starting Nov. 6

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With New England fall weather upon us, the Brookside Community Health Center is closing its outside COVID-19 testing and resource site on Nov. 5. Brookside Community Health Center is part of the Brigham & Women's Hospital, and has operated the test site for six months. It's also been a distribution site for care kits, a a voter registration location, and more. "We understand this continues to be a challenging time for so many of us and are committed to identifying an indoor location where we can serve you consistently throughout the winter months.

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Schools

Boston Public Schools Suspend All In-Person Learning Due to Citywide COVID Test Rates

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Effective Thursday, all Boston Public Schools are suspending in-person learning due to a jump in COVID-19 positive test results. The city’s seven-day average COVID-19 positive test rate was reported at 5.7%, an increase from last week’s rate of 4.5%, according to Boston Public Schools (BPS) press release. All students will receive remote education until there are two full weeks of falling infection rates. “We have said all along that we will only provide in-person learning for students if the data and public health guidance supports it, and this new data shows that we are trending in the wrong direction,” said Mayor Martin Walsh. “We will continue to monitor the metrics and work towards our goal of welcoming students back into our classrooms, learning among their peers, supported and educated by our dedicated staff.”

BPS officials made the decision in consultation with public health officials, and reviewing data that showed two weeks of increased confirmed positive cases across all of Boston.

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