Author: Camryn Langille

LYNN– The Lynn Community Health Center (LCHC), Lynn Department of Public Health (DPH), and Nahant Department of Public Health have partnered to open a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Lynn Vocational Technical Institute Field House at 80 Neptune Blvd. beginning Monday, February 1^st. People who live or work in Lynn and Nahant, or are patients of Lynn Community Health Center, and are eligible based on the State’s Vaccination Plan, can access free vaccines at this location by appointment only at this time.

Appointments at the Lynn Tech Fieldhouse site can be scheduled online at https://www.lchcnet.org/covid-19-vaccine-scheduling. Due to high demand and constrained vaccine supply, COVID-19 vaccination appointments are limited at this time. Appointments will be added on a rolling basis based on supply from the Federal Government. The City and LCHC are currently working to establish a call-in center where residents can also make appointments by phone for the Lynn Tech site.

If there are no appointments available at the Lynn Tech site, residents may also try to schedule appointments at the State’s regional mega vaccination site in Danvers located at the Double Tree Hilton or other listed local pharmacies distributing vaccines in the area. These locations and access to online appointment platforms can be found on the State’s interactive map of COVID-19 vaccination sites.

“As we move through the stages of the state vaccination plan, the Lynn Department of Public Health and my office will work to do everything we can to make information related to the COVID-19 vaccine as available as possible,” said Mayor Thomas McGee. “Our team is working to enact a plan which includes a robust public information campaign to notify eligible populations so that they may be vaccinated as quickly as possible. There will be a major focus on ensuring an equitable distribution to our diverse and vulnerable populations. Launching the site at Lynn Tech with the incredible partnership of LCHC and Nahant, along with our City’s DPH performing on site vaccinations at the senior housing buildings is a major step forward for our community’s access. I want to thank everyone in advance for their patience and collaboration in following the public health guidance to stop the spread of COVID-19.”

“Throughout the pandemic LCHC has worked closely with the City of Lynn on how to lessen the impact of COVID-19 in our community. Vaccination is the vital, long awaited next step toward a brighter future,” remarked Dr. Geoff Pechinsky, Chief Medical Officer at Lynn Community Health Center. “Providing clear, evidence-based information about the vaccine, and ensuring equitable vaccine distribution throughout our community, are of the utmost importance as we move forward. The vaccine sites currently open in the State are hard to reach for many people, and by opening a site in downtown Lynn we hope to make early vaccine access available to those who may not have had it. Vaccine supply is not yet clearly established, so please be patient as we begin. As a community, with the City and LCHC leading our vaccination efforts, we will get through this together.”

“We are so thankful to Nahant and Lynn’s health officials for working together to bring this opportunity to our residents and staff. As a small community with about one third of our residents age 65 and higher, this partnership with the City of Lynn and the timing of this effort, is invaluable” said Town Administrator Antonio Barletta.

“I urge everyone who is eligible, to get the COVID-19 vaccine,” said Lynn Public Health Director Michele Desmarais. “After the long year we have had, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Continuing to stay cautious even after receiving your vaccine including wearing your mask, social distancing and washing your hands, as well as being patient is important. This rollout process continues to evolve with many challenges including vaccination supply constraints, but our partnership’s commitment is to do our part to vaccinate our community to the best of our ability within those constraints.”

In an effort to make vaccinations as accessible as possible to our most vulnerable members of our elderly population, the Lynn DPH is also working with the Lynn Housing Authority to establish on-site vaccinations at all Lynn low-income and affordable senior housing buildings within the city in the coming weeks. This has the ability to reach over 3,000 seniors in our community.

Regardless of where your vaccine appointment is, individuals are asked to bring the following information to their appointment:

• A signed copy of the Commonwealth’s Self Attestation form in a hard copy or electronically to demonstrate that you are included in one of the state designated eligible groups/phases. If you do not have one upon arrival, copies will be available on site.
• A government-issued identification or license, employer-issued ID card that includes your name and title, or recent paystub or utility bill to prove that you live or work in Lynn or Nahant (or the state if you are a LCHC patient or make an appointment other than the Lynn Tech site).
• Health Insurance card

The lack of a driver’s license, social security number, or insurance is not a barrier to receiving the vaccine. As two shots are necessary for the COVID-19 vaccine currently, individuals will schedule their appointment for the second dose before they leave the appointment for their first dose.

Public Health experts advise that people who are vaccinated still follow the public health protocols such as wearing a mask, washing your hands, and staying 6 feet away from others. Please visit the City of Lynn COVID-19 Resources Page which now includes a Vaccine FAQ tab that will be updated as information evolves.

MGCC grants have now reached 4,119 businesses; grant awards total approximately $195 million out of $668 million fund set up to support small businesses.

Note: The following is a press release from Gov. Charlie Baker’s office:

BOSTON — Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced $78.5 million in awards to 1,595 additional small businesses in the third round of grants through the COVID-19 Small Business Grant Program administered by the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation.

To date, the Baker-Polito Administration has awarded close to $195 million in direct financial support to 4,119 small businesses out of a $668 million fund set up to support small businesses across the Commonwealth.

Additional grants will be announced in the coming weeks for thousands of additional businesses.

“Our administration set up a $668 million grant program to support small businesses statewide that are struggling from COVID-19 impacts,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Today, we are awarding our third round of grants, for a total of $195 million in direct financial support for over 4,000 small businesses, with more yet to come. Supporting small businesses is vital to our economic recovery, and we’ll continue to expedite this grant process to send out funds to provide some much needed financial relief.”

“Understanding how significant the need for financial assistance is, we’ve taken important steps to ensure these resources are directed toward the businesses that have historically been at a disadvantage even before the pandemic, or are located in communities, especially Gateway Cities, that have suffered disproportionately because of this virus,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “I’m grateful for the partnership with MGCC to provide this important assistance, and I look forward to the coming weeks when we can award even more support for the economic sectors that are most in need.”

“Through each of the three grant rounds, small businesses are receiving essential support at a critical time in our fight against COVID-19,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy. “I want to acknowledge the team at Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation for their efforts to stand up this impactful program. It is important that we as a Commonwealth continue our dual paths of combating the virus and supporting economic recovery.”

“At our core, MGCC has the responsibility to create economic opportunities and provide support for small businesses, and the pandemic has given our mission an enhanced importance,” said MGCC President and CEO Larry Andrews. “As we transition from targeting small businesses to specific economic sectors affected by COVID-19, I want to express my gratitude to all of the partner organizations who helped raise awareness among the businesses with the greatest need and those serving communities that have traditionally been at a disadvantage.”

Representing key industries that have been especially impacted during the pandemic, restaurants and bars, personal care, retail, and health care businesses received the highest number of individual grants this round. These industries have been particularly hard hit during the pandemic. Other grant recipients include women owned businesses, businesses in Gateway Cities, businesses in underserved markets and businesses that have previously received no other forms of financial assistance.

New Grant Program Application Deadline: Friday Night, Jan. 15

In addition to administering the small business grant program, MGCC also oversees the Sector-Specific Small Business Relief Grant Program, which was launched as a component of the $668 million relief package announced in late-December 2020.

Prospective applicants to the Sector-Specific Small Business Relief Grant Program are reminded that the deadline to submit an application is 11:59 PM on Friday, January 15. Awards are expected to be announced in February.

The Sector-Specific Small Business Relief Grant Program, which targets industries experiencing the most significant economic hardship and a loss of revenue, will offer grants up to $75,000, but not more than three months’ operating expenses, to be used for payroll and employee benefit costs, mortgage interest, rent, utilities and interest on other debt obligations.

The Sector-Specific Program will give preference to the following:

• Restaurants, bars, caterers and food trucks;
• Indoor recreation and entertainment establishments;
• Gyms and fitness centers;
• Event-support companies (photographers, videographers, etc.);
• Personal services (nail salons, barbershops, independent pharmacies, etc.);
• Independent retailers.

Program details, application instructions, eligibility and documentation requirements, and more are available at www.empoweringsmallbusiness.org.

Capacity Limits for Most Industries, Gathering Limits Extended Until at Least Jan. 24

Note: The following is a press release from Gov. Charlie Baker’s office:

BOSTON — Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced the extension of further restrictions and new hospital guidance to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth.

Industry restrictions for capacity limits and reduced gathering limits went into effect on Saturday, Dec. 26, and will now be extended for at least two more weeks to Jan. 24.

Read a summary of the restrictions here.

Read the emergency order here.

INDUSTRY RESTRICTIONS & GATHERING LIMITS

Capacity Limits: Under the current restrictions that are being extended today, most industries in Massachusetts remain subject to a 25% capacity limit:

• Restaurants (based on permitted seating capacity)
• Close Contact Personal Services
• Theaters and Performance Venues
• Casinos
• Office Spaces
• Places of Worship
• Retail Businesses
• Driving and Flight Schools
• Golf Facilities (for indoor spaces)
• Libraries
• Lodging (for common areas)
• Arcades and Indoor Recreation Businesses
• Fitness Centers and Health Clubs
• Museums, Cultural Facilities and Guided Tours
• Workers and staff will not count towards the occupancy count for restaurants, places of worship, close contact personal services, and retail businesses.

All other rules and restrictions in each sector-specific guidance will continue to remain in effect.

Gatherings Limit: The current gathering limits in place since Dec. 26 are also being extended. Indoor gatherings will remain limited to 10 people. Outdoor gatherings will remain limited to 25 people outside.The gatherings limit applies to private homes, event venues and public spaces.

NEW HOSPITAL GUIDANCE:

Hospital Tier Escalation: The Department of Public Health’s hospital guidance, issued in early November, establishes a regional tiering system for hospitals to support continued collaboration among hospitals and sustain capacity. Since early December, all regions across the Commonwealth have been in Tier 3 status, which established a framework for greater coordination to balance patient load and ensure capacity.

Today, in response to the continued rise in hospitalizations, all regions across the state will be escalated to Tier 4 status. In Tier 4, the hospitals in each region will meet at least daily, and will continue to collaborate across regions where necessary, to address growing capacity constraints and continue to load balance as needed.

ICU Nurse Staffing Ratios: To support the health care system’s continued response to the surge in cases and hospitalizations, the Commonwealth is allowing the deployment of acute nursing staffing under certain circumstances. Starting today, hospitals with severe capacity constraints may request a temporary exemption from the mandated nurse-to-patient ratios in the ICU. This option will only be available to hospitals with capacity of less than 20% who first attest to DPH that they have suspended all nonessential elective invasive procedures, including those conducted in an outpatient setting under the hospital’s license. Additionally, hospitals must take every reasonable step to expand capacity prior to requesting a temporary exemption. If a hospital’s bed capacity increases, or if the hospital re-starts nonessential elective invasive procedures, the hospital must resume compliance with the ICU staffing requirements.

COVID testing in Nahant is currently suspended starting today Jan. 5, 2021. While the recently passed COVID relief legislation by the Federal Government extended the CARES Act deadline, it did not include additional funding to municipalities for COVID-related costs such as testing. Many communities are experiencing exhaustion of these funds as well and are having to suspend free local testing. However the town is actively seeking ways to get testing back into Nahant.

Free COVID testing is still offered in surrounding communities for Nahant residents in Lynn, Revere, and Saugus to name a few. Please log on to mass.gov for a list of testing locations and hours. We apologize for any inconvenience and will keep you updated with more information. If you have any questions please call Nahant’s COVID hotline at 781-771-2121 or call Town Hall at 781-581-0088.

Note: The following is a press release from Gov. Charlie Baker’s office.

BOSTON – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced $67.4 million in awards to 1,366 additional small businesses in a second round of grants through the COVID-19 Small Business Grant Program administered by the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC). Additionally, the new Sector-Specific Small Business Relief Grant Program, also administered by MGCC, is now accepting applications from businesses from sectors most impacted by the COIVD-19. Both grant programs are part of a new $668 million relief package announced last week.

The businesses being notified today of their successful grant application include many that are owned by minorities (50%) and women (48%). Restaurants and bars, beauty and personal services, health care and retail are among the top sectors receiving relief in this second round of awards. The first round of grants announced last week totaled nearly $49 million in support of 1,158 Massachusetts small businesses.

MGCC is continuing to review existing applications and will make awards over the coming weeks to companies that meet demographic and industry preferences. Businesses that have already applied to MGCC’s Small Business Grant Program do not need to reapply to the new program.

New Grant Program Accepting Applications

In addition to providing grants to businesses within the existing pool of applications for the Small Business Grant Program, applications are now being accepted for a new Sector-Specific Small Business Relief Grant Program that targets industries experiencing the most significant economic hardship and a loss of revenue. Industries given preference in this new program include:

• Restaurants, bars, caterers, and food trucks
• Indoor recreation and entertainment establishments
• Gyms and fitness centers
• Event-support companies (photographers, videographers, etc.)
• Personal services (nail salons, barbershops, independent pharmacies, etc.)
• Independent retailers

This new business relief program will offer grants up to $75,000, but not more than three months’ operating expenses, to be used for payroll and employee benefit costs, mortgage interest, rent, utilities and interest on other debt obligations.

The online application portal for the new program opened today, and will close on Friday, January 15. Awards are expected to be announced in February.

Program details, application instructions, eligibility and documentation requirements, and more are available at www.empoweringsmallbusiness.org.