Peabody Vaccination Help For Homebound Residents: Patch PM

PEABODY, MA — It's Wednesday, March 10. Here's what you should know this afternoon:

• Peabody residents unable to get to vaccination sites are encouraged to register for home-delivered shots.
• The two "Stop the Spread" coronavirus testing sites in Salem have been extended through at least June 30.
• On the one-year anniversary of Gov. Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency in Massachusetts, the state is loosening some of its coronavirus-related travel restrictions.
• It's been a year since Ann Langenfeld of Newton first felt the symptoms of the coronavirus, and she is finally able to walk again.
• Gunshot sensors in select parts of Worcester will be a main data source for a new crime forecast tool, underscoring fears about imbalance.

Today's Top Story In Town

The Peabody Board of Health is reaching out to homebound residents of the city, and their caregivers, to compile a list of those who need coronavirus vaccinations delivered through a state program.

The Massachusetts State In-Home Vaccination Program will begin the in-home vaccinations for those who are medically homebound or cannot travel to a vaccination site by the end of the month.

Read about the program here.

Wednesday's Top Statewide Story

Massachusetts is adjusting some of its coronavirus travel protocols as more and more people across the country get vaccinated.

Fully vaccinated people who do not show symptoms of the virus no longer have to quarantine or show a negative test upon arriving in Massachusetts. A fully vaccinated person is one who has gotten their second shot of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine or their Johnson & Johnson vaccine more than 14 days ago and shows no COVID-19 symptoms. Those people may be expected to show proof of their vaccinations.

People who are not fully vaccinated and travel or return to Massachusetts from most states must produce a recent negative test or quarantine for 10 days. Violations could mean $500 fines each day.

Hawaii, Missouri, Oregon and Washington are the only states exempt from the travel order.

Other Top Stories

Stop the Spread Sites Extended 3 Months — Salem's coronavirus testing sites at the high school and Old Town Hall will be open at least another three months after Gov. Charlie Baker's office said on all "Stop the Spread" testing sites across the state had been extended until at least June 30. The program was set to end on March 31.

Detecting some inequity — Sentient gunshot sensors in select Worcester neighborhoods will provide key data for a new crime forecasting tool called ShotSpotter Connect, which was approved for use by the City Council on Tuesday. The gunshot detectors highlight a concern by groups opposed to adopting ShotSpotter Connect: the software will concentrate police in neighborhoods where more people of color live. The gunshot detectors, which are made by the ShotSpotter company, only cover about 8 of Worcester's 38 square miles, creating a potential data gap between neighborhoods without sensors.

They had a thing for bling — A man and woman are accused of committing an afternoon crime spree that stretched from Cambridge to Pawtucket. Although police said the two suspects have been identified, their names and any charges have not been publicly announced. The string of thefts happened at jewelry stores in three cities across the two states late last month.

They Said It

"I'm also grateful to be able to eat food and drink water — I couldn't have water or food for six weeks."

— Newton resident Ann Langenfeld, who a year after first feeling COVID-19 symptoms is finally able to shower again without any help from others.

Around Town

• Peabody Public Schools Pushes Back Full-Day Return 2 Weeks
• Tewksbury Man Arrested, Charged With 5th Drunken Driving Offense
• Melrose Lays Out Free Cash Plan, Some Councilors Eye New Focus