This Just In

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) Thursday (Aug. 18th) announced 41 additional cases of monkeypox within the past seven days, bringing the total number of monkeypox cases in the Commonwealth to 243 residents since the state’s first case was announced May 18. DPH provides public updates on monkeypox in Massachusetts on a weekly basis each Thursday.

The 41 cases announced Aug. 18 had their diagnoses between Aug. 11 and Aug. 17. DPH is working with local health officials, the patients, and healthcare providers to identify individuals who may have been in contact with the patients while they were infectious. Individuals with monkeypox are advised to isolate and avoid contact with others until they are no longer infectious.

There are currently 14 health care providers offering vaccination across the state. The list of health care provider sites is updated on a rolling basis on the Commonwealth’s monkeypox vaccine website. Additionally, the state has activated mobile providers to assist in vaccine administration. As of August 17, 12,205 doses of JYNNEOS vaccine have been administered in the Commonwealth. JYNNEOS vaccine allocation data by jurisdiction are updated on a weekly basis each Wednesday on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) website JYNNEOS Monkeypox Vaccine Distribution by Jurisdiction.

To ensure the maximum number of individuals eligible for monkeypox vaccination receive protection, DPH issued an updated advisory effective Aug. 18 for Massachusetts JYNNEOS vaccine providers to begin administering the vaccine intradermally (into the skin) in most people aged 18 years and older using an alternative lower dose regimen that results in an equivalent immune response. The advisory follows the Aug. 9 Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) released by the CDC and FDA.

Due to extremely limited national availability of vaccine, the JYNNEOS vaccine in Massachusetts still remains limited at this time. Vaccination is available to individuals who meet the CDC’s eligibility criteria and who live or work in Massachusetts. Vaccine is prioritized for individuals at greatest risk of exposure to someone with monkeypox. If an individual believes they qualify for a monkeypox vaccine, they should contact their healthcare provider or one of the state’s designated provider locations.

See more information on monkeypox vaccination in Massachusetts, including eligibility.

Current data from CDC indicate that there have been 13,517 cases of monkeypox virus this year in US residents as of August 17. Regularly updated case counts can be obtained on the CDC’s website: 2022 U.S. Map and Case Count. Patients generally recover fully from monkeypox in 2-4 weeks.

The World Health Organization on July 23 declared the global monkeypox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and on August 4, the Biden administration declared monkeypox a national health emergency. Gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men continue to make up a significant proportion of the cases identified to date. However, the risk is not limited to the LGBTQ+ community, and anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has monkeypox is at risk.

While the virus does not spread easily between people, individuals can spread the infection once they develop symptoms. Transmission occurs through direct contact with body fluids and monkeypox sores, by touching items that have been contaminated with fluids or sores (clothing, bedding, etc.), or less commonly, through respiratory droplets following prolonged face-to-face contact. In many of the recent cases, the locations of the rash lesions suggest transmission during sexual contact. Examples where monkeypox can spread and where it does not:

• Monkeypox can spread through:
  • Direct skin-to-skin contact with rash lesions. Sexual/intimate contact, including kissing while a person is infected.
  • Living in a house and sharing a bed with someone. Sharing towels or unwashed clothing.
  • Respiratory secretions through face-to-face interactions (the type that mainly happen when living with someone or caring for someone who has monkeypox)
• Monkeypox does not spread through:
  • Casual conversations. Walking by someone with monkeypox in a grocery store, for instance. Touching items like doorknobs.

Clinicians are asked to be alert to the possibility of monkeypox virus infection in individuals who have rash illnesses consistent with monkeypox. Early symptoms of monkeypox can include fever, headache, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes, but rash may be the first symptom. Rash lesions start flat, become raised, fill with clear fluid (vesicles), and then become pustules (filled with pus). A person with monkeypox can have many lesions or only a few. Learn more about how to recognize monkeypox. Providers should also test for other more common causes of rash illness as well as sexually transmitted infections (as appropriate); coinfections are not uncommon.

Actions for people to consider if they want to reduce their risk from monkeypox include:

• Avoiding large gatherings like raves and dance parties where you may have lots of close body contact with others
• Asking any partner, especially new partners whose health status and recent travel history you are not familiar with, if they have any symptoms of monkeypox
• Staying informed by reading information available on the DPH and CDC websites

As the CDC advises, if you believe you may have monkeypox, you should contact your health care provider. If you need to leave your home, wear a mask, and cover your rash or lesions when around others. Those who live with or care for someone who may have monkeypox should wear a mask and disposable gloves if they need to have any direct contact with lesions and when handling any clothes or bedding if the person cannot do it themselves. They should also wash their hands regularly, especially after contact with the person who is infected or with their clothes, bed sheets, towels, and other items or surfaces they may have touched.

Current testing recommendations and submission guidelines are available on the website https://www.mass.gov/doc/clinical-and-laboratory-testing-guidance-for-monkeypox/download.

For more information about this virus, visit www.mass.gov/monkeypox and www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox.

David McCullough, an American author and two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize, passed away Sunday at his home in Hingham. He was 89.

Mr. McCullough received the Pulitzer Prize for his books “Truman” and “John Adams.” His biography on Adams, the second president of the United States, was adapted into a HBO television miniseries and also sparked a resurgence in the popularity of the Adams family in Quincy.

McCullough had a fondness for the City of Presidents, visiting the city often and helping to raise money for worthy causes here. He was given the honor of unveiling a new bronze statue of John Adams at the dedication of the Hancock-Adams Common in 2018.

At that ceremony, Mr. McCullough began his comments by emphasizing the role John Adams played in the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. John Trumbull’s painting of the signing of the declaration, on display in the U.S. Capitol, is mostly inaccurate, Mr. McCullough said, except for the likenesses of the men included in the painting.

“Almost everything about that painting is inaccurate. The furnishings of the room, the size and shape of the room itself, are in no way close to being accurate,” McCullough said. “The one thing that is accurate – with remarkable skill and proficiency – are the faces. He wanted everyone to know who they were. After all, they were signing a document, putting their names to a document, that could mean their lives. They were committing treason.”

Adams is at the center of the painting, McCullough said, symbolizing his importance to the process.

“If you look at the painting with any sense of composition, at the very center of the canvas…is the only figure who is portrayed full scale, head to toe,” McCullough said. “There is no question that the artist is telling us who, of all these people, mattered most. It’s John Adams.

“John Adams fought for the Declaration of Independence on the floor of the congress in Philadelphia as did no one else, as attributed to not only his determination and his courage but his ferocity in argument – ferocity in speaking for a cause.

“Jefferson by contrast said almost nothing during the whole course of that long summer, but Adams never gave up day after day, and, as Jefferson himself said, he is the one who made it happen. He was the pillar of the Declaration of Independence, and he continued to be that way the rest of his life – his public life and his life here at home in Massachusetts.

“Jefferson, who had his troubles with Adams as time went on, described him as fighting furiously for every word. That he was the pillar of support on the floor of congress, its ablest advocate and defender against multifarious assaults encountered.”

One of Adams’ greatest contributions came right here in Quincy, McCullough said, when he authored the Massachusetts Constitution, the world’s oldest written constitution still in effect. Adams wrote it inside his law office, now known as the John Quincy Adams birthplace, part of the Adams National Historical Park on Franklin Street. The Massachusetts Constitution called for a bicameral legislative branch and an independent judiciary, both of which would be included in the U.S. Constitution.

“When he was back here in Massachusetts after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, he worked on – and in fact was the author of almost every aspect – of the Constitution of Massachusetts…one of the most important contributions – not just to this country and to this state, but to the world,” McCullough said.

“In that document, he said there would be two branches of the Legislature – the Senate and the House – and there would be an establishment of an independent judiciary, with the judges of the supreme court appointed, not elected, and for life – as long as they behave themselves.”

“As time would tell, it reached far,” McCullough said. “It is the oldest written constitution in the world– our constitution in the state of Massachusetts – think of that.”

Adams’ constitution also included a requirement for the state’s government to provide education to its residents.

“Imagine – as no constitution ever before – Adams was declaring the duty of the government not only to provide education, but to cherish the interest of science and literature,” McCullough said.

John Adams and his wife Abigail were also opposed to slavery, as was their son John Quincy Adams, who would later serve as the sixth U.S. president. That made the Adamses outliers among the early presidents, McCullough said.

“John Adams was the only founding father who became president of the United States who never owned a slave,” he said. “He and his wife, like so many of the descendants of the original English puritans who settled this part of our country, was an abolitionist to the heart and soul. They would not go along with that, and they never gave up.”

He noted the next president who never owned a slave was John Quincy Adams, the sixth President and son of John and Abigail.

Americans today, McCullough said near the end of his comments, owe much to the founding fathers.

“I think we are the luckiest people in the world, and almost everything that we have has come to us down the ages from those founders. The high ideals. The sense of mission in life. The sense of purpose in life. It isn’t just about accumulating wealth or prestige…it’s about making your life matter, making the world a little better off because you’ve been here,” McCullough said.

“That was in their blood stream. That was in their whole sense of reality.”

Mr. McCullough was a native of Pittsburg, PA. His work earned him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, more than 50 honorary degrees, two Pulitzer Prizes, two National Book Awards, honors from literary and historical societies and in 2014, membership in France’s Legion of Honor.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is conducting overnight bridge repair operations on the Quincy Adams on-ramp from the Washington Street/Independence Avenue intersection, which is located over the Burgin Parkway ramp at exit 42, to Interstate 93 northbound and southbound in Braintree. The bridge repair work will include joint repairs, and the installation of new waterproofing membrane and pavement.

 The work will require temporary lane and ramp closures as follows:

1. Right lane closures will be in place  on the Quincy Adams on-ramp from Washington Street/Independence Avenue intersection began Thursday night (Aug. 4) at 9 p.m.  and will continue continue through Sunday, Aug. 7 until 7 p.m.  One lane of traffic will remain open at all times during these day/night single lane closures.
2. The I-93 northbound and southbound ramps toward Burgin Parkway/Quincy Center will be reduced to one lane nightly on Friday, Aug. 5, and on Sunday, Aug. 7, during overnight hours from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following morning.  One lane of traffic will remain open at all times during these nighttime single lane closures.
3. The Quincy Adams on-ramp from the Washington Street/Independence Avenue intersection to I-93 northbound and southbound will be closed from 7 p.m. from Sunday, Aug. 7, to 5 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 8. A detour will be implemented to guide motorists back onto I-93 southbound and I-93 northbound.

Advance warning signs will be used onsite to notify drivers about the planned closures and provide updates.

Drivers who are traveling through the affected areas should expect delays, reduce speed, and use caution.

All scheduled work is weather dependent and subject to change without notice.

Any questions or public comments should be directed to Daniel Fielding, Government and Public Affairs Liaison, at daniel.fielding@state.ma.us.

For information on traffic conditions travelers are encouraged to:

1. Dial 511 before heading out onto the roadways and select a route to hear real-time conditions.
2. Visit www.mass511.com, a website which provides real-time traffic and incident advisory information, access to traffic cameras, and allows users to subscribe to text and email alerts for traffic conditions.
3. Follow MassDOT on Twitter @MassDOT to receive regular updates on road and traffic conditions.
4. Download MassDOT’s GoTime mobile app and view real-time traffic conditions before setting out on the road.

Quincy Fire Chief Joseph Jackson, Quincy Police Chief Paul Keenan, and State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey are asking for the public’s help as they investigate a suspicious fire that left more than a dozen people displaced on Bigelow Street this past weekend.

“We’re asking anyone who has information on Sunday’s fire to share it with investigators,” Chief Keenan said. “Photos, video, or personal observations from the scene could be very helpful here. Tipsters may remain anonymous if they wish.”

“This fire was proof that working smoke alarms save lives,” said Chief Jackson. “An early-morning fire in a house full of people could have been a devastating tragedy. If not for the smoke alarms, these residents could have lost much more than their home. If you do one thing tonight, please check your smoke alarms and be sure they’re working properly.”

“We’re deeply relieved that everyone made it out of the building safely,” said State Fire Marshal Ostroskey. “As we investigate the circumstances surrounding this fire, I want to remind everyone that the Arson Watch Reward Program takes confidential tips 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you have information on any suspicious fire, you can share it anonymously.”

Anyone with information on Sunday’s fire, its origin, or individuals involved is asked to call the Arson Watch Reward Program Hotline at 1-800-682-9229. The Arson Watch Reward Program is operated by the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriters Association and offers rewards of up to $5,000 for information that solves or detects arson crimes. All calls are confidential.  Tipsters may also contact Quincy Police detectives at 617-745-5774.

The July 31 fire at 100 Bigelow St. is being jointly investigated by the Quincy Police Department, Quincy Fire Department, the State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives.

 

The MBTA announced Wednesday (Aug. 3) its plans to accelerate major track and maintenance work on the Orange Line during a 30-day shutdown of the entire line beginning at approximately 9 p.m. on Aug. 19 through Sept. 18 with service resuming on Monday, Sept.19, to improve service, safety, and reliability on a faster timeline.

The major revitalization work to take place on the Orange Line during this 30-day shutdown will deliver a number of projects over five years faster than originally planned, and will result in track replacement, upgraded signal systems, and station improvements. The MBTA will also be able to accomplish required track maintenance associated with Federal Transit Association (FTA) directives as quickly as possible.

“This closure will allow departments across the Authority to make substantial improvements across the Orange Line,” said Secretary of Transportation Jamey Tesler. “Not only will improvements made benefit Orange Line riders, but they will allow for an overall rehabilitated system that is safe and efficient for employees and neighboring communities.”

“We’ve listened to our riders, and we hear them loud and clear – bold action needs to happen in order to improve the MBTA at the pace that riders deserve. This 30-day surge will allow the MBTA to accomplish major and expansive progress on a number of priorities at the same time,” said MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak. “Thirty days of 24-hour access to the Orange Line replaces over five years of weekend diversions needed to address delays and slow zones. We can eliminate slow zones, prevent unplanned service disruptions, and increase the reliability of our service. Perhaps most importantly, we will provide the quality of safety and service that our riders deserve.”

“The MBTA’s Capital Transformation program has used the surge approach successfully to make significant improvements across the Green Line over the last two years,” said MBTA Chief of Capital Transformation Angel Peña. “We are applying this experience and lessons learned as we transform the Orange Line. This surge will ensure rider safety with a continued focus on the quality of our employees and the service we offer.”

Maximizing the amount of work able to be accomplished, this shutdown will progress a number of projects and maintenance along the entire Orange Line on an accelerated timeline, which will improve service, safety, and reliability for riders, including:

• The replacement of over 3,500 feet of 38-year-old Orange Line track and tie replacement work that will allow for the removal of speed restrictions, improving travel time for Orange Line riders;

•  The replacement of two crossovers that facilitate the movement of Orange Line trains, allowing for improved reliability and future capacity improvements;

• Track repair, tie replacement, concrete work, and more along the Southwest Corridor of the Orange Line, which will improve reliability; and

• The installation of upgraded signals and associated systems at Oak Grove and Malden stations, allowing for improved safety and reliability.

The Orange Line provides approximately 101,000 trips each day with ridership approximately 49% of what it was prior to the pandemic.

To keep riders updated about this upcoming Orange Line work, the MBTA has created a specially designated webpage available at mbta.com/BBT2022.

The MBTA said the plan to shut down the entire Orange Line during this 30-day time period will provide work crews with unencumbered access to the entirety of the Orange Line’s 20 stations, over 121,000 feet of track, and infrastructure, allowing a substantial amount of work to be accomplished. Following these 30 days, riders will experience faster trips and better service on an Orange Line fleet that is predominantly new cars.

The MBTA encourages the public to consider their alternative travel options, including those listed below.

Alternative Travel Options for Orange Line Riders:

• Enhanced Commuter Rail Options: Orange Line riders who must commute downtown are strongly encouraged to use the Commuter Rail as an alternative as the MBTA is making a series of changes in service to accommodate the change in travel patterns:

1.     All Zone 1A, 1, and 2 fares can be paid simply by showing a CharlieCard or CharlieTickets on ALL Commuter Rail lines. Since many Orange Line riders drive to or transfer between buses and the Orange Line, the MBTA is making it easy to access the Commuter Rail before riders get to the Orange Line by allowing all riders to utilize Commuter Rail stations in Zones 1A, 1, and 2 by showing their CharlieCard or CharlieTicket to a conductor.

2.     During these 30 days, most passing south-side Needham and Providence Line Commuter Rail trains will stop at Forest Hills, Ruggles, Back Bay, and South Station. On the north-side, Haverhill Line Commuter Rail trains will stop at Oak Grove, Malden Center, and North Station. During these 30 days, riders can show their CharlieCard or CharlieTicket to the conductor to access the Commuter Rail. Riders should review the latest Commuter Rail schedule changes as a result of adding these stops, which will be available soon.

•  Seek existing MBTA bus and subway alternatives. Riders can use other existing MBTA bus and subway services to complete their trips.

  • Consider working from home. During this 30-day shutdown, Orange Line riders who are able to work from home are strongly encouraged to do so. The MBTA encourages employers with hybrid work policies to allow employees to work from home as much as possible.

• Alternative shuttle bus service will be provided. Earlier today, the MBTA Board of Directors approved an approximately $37 million contract for shuttle bus service to Yankee Line, Inc. Alternative shuttle bus service will also be provided by MBTA buses. Shuttle bus service will operate in both directions, connecting Oak Grove and Forest Hills stations to downtown Boston. Riders should expect that this alternative shuttle bus service will take longer and be less reliable than regular Orange Line train service. The MBTA is currently discussing options with the City of Boston for how to best service the downtown area and will provide updated information soon. This service will be at no cost to riders and fully accessible.

• Parking: The MBTA will continue to charge for parking at MBTA lots and facilities at Orange Line stations, and will communicate lost-parking impacts related to staged shuttle buses in advance if necessary.

• The MBTA is committed to providing as much information as possible before, during, and after this major and accelerated work to take place on the Orange Line. Ongoing and transparent outreach to riders, communities, and stakeholders will continue to take place through all available communication channels, including in-station signage, social media, mbta.com, and more. During these 30 days, extra MBTA personnel and Transit Ambassadors will also be on hand to assist riders.