LYNNFIELD — For our community and for each other.
That’s the urgent message the town is sending these days in its Mask Up Lynnfield campaign, a town-wide appeal to residents to stop the spread of COVID-19 by practicing safety protocols.
The town has been hit especially hard with alarming — and seemingly out-of-control — spikes in the number of cases of the virus, many of which have been traced to irresponsible behavior on the part of residents, either by not wearing masks, not practicing social distancing and/or by hosting or attending large gatherings.
The online initiative consists of a series of three-plus-minute videos featuring statements from community leaders, all of whom conclude their remarks with an urgent plea: “We can stop the spread. Mask up Lynnfield. For our community and for each other.”
The videos can be watched on the town’s website, https://www.town.lynnfield.ma.us/.
Town Administrator Rob Dolan opens two of the videos saying, “I know you have heard from me and (Fire Chief) Glenn Davis again and again about wearing a mask and social distancing and avoiding large gatherings, but the fact is, in our country, in our state and even here in Lynnfield, the spread of COVID has never been more dangerous, so now is a time to reaffirm those best practices.”
“We want everyone to know we are concerned every day about bringing this home to our families,” Capt. Nick Secatore, who was joined by Sgts. Jon Provost and Chris DeCarlo and Patrolman Jon Santos, said on behalf of the Police Department.
Council-on-Aging Director Linda Naccara asked if viewers were aware that senior citizens make up almost one-third of the town’s residents.
“Sadly we have lost some of our seniors,” she said. “Other seniors are living in total isolation for nine months, spending Thanksgiving Day alone and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day alone.I can’t imagine how miserable that must be. We need to do better and help our seniors get through this terrible time.”
Bruce Siegel, director of Veterans Services, recalled that the town lost World War II veteran Earl Richard nine months ago to COVID.
“We must all work together to make sure that Lynnfield doesn’t lose any of its other distinguished veterans.
Strategic Planning Committee Chairman Joe Connell, the father of two high school students, noted the importance of making sure students stay in school.
“This will not last forever but we need to be doing our part every day,” he said.
Select Board Chair Chris Barrett said “the struggle ahead is real. The increase in COVID cases across the town does not lie.This is our time to join past generations and answer our call in action.”
Many speakers shared their feelings on the many ordinary things people used to take for granted that are missing from their lives because of the pandemic..
“This has deeply impacted my department,” said Kristen Vogel, Superintendent of Schools. “I miss hearing the voices of the students, the games, the pep rallies.”
School Committee Chairman Jamie Hayman said he misses “seeing our students excel outside of the classroom through their musical, drama and athletic performances and competitions.”
Lynnfield High School Principal Bob Cleary and Assistant Principal Brian Bates said they miss seeing the students in the hallways and in the cafeteria.
Recreation Director Julie Mallett said she misses “seeing people on the common for our annual tree lighting, as it’s one of my favorite events.”
Firefighter and EMT David Marengi, who missed several weeks of work when he tested positive for the virus last spring, said he misses football the most.
“The Thanksgiving Day game, the Friday night lights, the getting together with friends.and the community and the kids playing their hearts out. I’ve seen this community overcome adversity in the past and I know we can do it again.”
A Healthy Lynnfield Chairman and Select Board member Phil Crawford said, “Our mission is to empower people to make the right choices every day that impact both their physical and mental health. COVID-19 has made it much more difficult to reach our goals. That is why it is so important to stop this virus.”
Davis said his department is working hard to keep residents safe and he implored the community to “help keep his (fire department) family safe by not attending any gatherings with anyone who is not an immediate family Peg Sallade, Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator for A Healthy Lynnfield, said, “working together we can stop the spread.”
MarketStreet General Manager Charlotte Woods and Library Director Jennifer Inglis and her staff also shared their thoughts, urging Lynnfield residents to act responsibly by masking up.
Anne Marie Tobin can be reached at [email protected].
