Quincy yellow-flagged for COVID-19 risk

Governor Charlie Baker announced a new color-coding system to track COVID-19 risk in towns and urged safe communities to go back to school.

– News covered by Quincy Quarry News with commentary added.

He be Q’ed
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Quincy yellow-flagged for COVID-19 risk on Tuesday.

In turn, City of Quincy officials could not be reached for comment Wednesday, not that anyone should be surprised.

Governor Charlie Baker has launched a new colored-coded system to label cities and towns based on the severity of their COVID-19 infection rates, initiating a targeted approach that should help guide the state, communities and their residents in deciding how to contain the coronavirus’ spread.

Quincy yellow-flagged
Graphic c/o of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

State officials have identified 33 communities where they believe worrying trends in COVID-19 infection rates warrant intervention and the list includes Quincy.

The state plans to assist municipalities assigned a “red” or a “yellow” label testing, contact tracing, gathering-size enforcement and public awareness campaigns.

At the same time, parks, playgrounds and some businesses could be restricted or shut down if they have been shown to have contributed to a municipality’s higher infection rates.

What do you expect from a junior college dropout?
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“People need to step up and be aware of the level of spread in each community, and especially in your own area, and to be vigilant,” Baker said at a news conference Tuesday.

“The virus doesn’t care about boundaries and it certainly takes every opening any of us give it.”

Baker added communities that have demonstrated control over the virus should be confident in moving ahead with their reopening strategies, including a return to school in the fall.

Big Buddy, can you yet again get me out of a jam?
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“If you’re in a green or a white community, I can’t imagine a good reason not to go back, whether it’s full time or some sort of a hybrid, because for all intents and purposes you meet all the benchmarks that are being used across the country and across New England to make decisions about whether it’s safe to go back to school,” Baker said.

At the same time, school districts were given an extension until Friday to submit plans for remote, in-person and a hybrid model for learning this fall, including the district’s choice for how to return in September.

A wise leader picks and chooses her or his fights
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The new maps, which will be updated weekly on Wednesdays, are part of an effort to revamp how the state reports public health data on the COVID-19 pandemic to keep residents better informed about the status of the communities where they live, work and shop.

The Baker Administration’s stepped-up vigilance comes after both COVID-19 case totals as well as the state’s positive testing rate had rebounded during recent weeks.

Shooting hoops and barbecuing at a Quincy park
A Quincy Quarry News file photo

Additionally, new rules went into effect Tuesday capping outdoor gatherings on both public and private property at 50 people, half the amount previously allowed. 

Additionally, face coverings are mandatory if more than 10 people from different households will be in the same place.  The limit on indoor gatherings remains 25 people.

Further, police can now also enforce COVID-19 restrictions, picking up a task that previously had been under the purview of local boards of health.

Source: Quincy, Hull and Randolph considered moderate-risk COVID-19 communities

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