Woburn Coronavirus: School Breakfast And Lunch Available

WOBURN, MA — Woburn Public Schools are providing grab-and-go breakfast and lunch during the three-week closure, Superintendent Matthew Crowley announced Tuesday. Meals are available at Woburn Memorial High School and Altavesta Elementary School from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Families can pick up both meals in a single stop.

"Support those in need," asked Crowley in a tweet. He asked that residents donate to the Woburn Council of Social Concern food pantry, at 2 Merrimac Street.

Crowley is also working with area superintendents on learning resources for students during the shutdown, he said Monday.

The city also provided updated information on coronavirus measures, Tuesday. For paying bills, residents can go online at woburnma.gov/pay/, mail to P.O. Box 227, Woburn MA 01801, by phone at 844-813-4733 except for water/sewer bills or use the temporary tax payment drop box at the rear of City Hall.

"Do not drop cash payments or overdue bills in the drop box. These payments will be returned with applicable fees accrued until properly received," the announcement notes. "Please call the Treasurer/Collector’s office at 781-897-5870 for the most updated amount for any overdue bills which can then be accepted in the form of check payment via mail or drop box."

Municipal lien certificates can be mailed to Treasurer/Collectors, 10 Common St, Woburn MA 01801.

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The city also announced Monday that organized sport on city fields will be banned until April 6.

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Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that include the common cold as well as much more serious diseases. The strain that emerged in China in late 2019, now called COVID-19, is related to others that have caused serious outbreaks in recent years, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was on Jan. 21.

The disease, which apparently originated in animals, is now transferring from person to person, although the mechanism is not yet fully understood. Its symptoms include fever, coughing and shortness of breath, and many patients develop pneumonia. There is as yet no vaccine against COVID-19 it and no antiviral treatment.

According to the CDC, the best way of preventing the disease is to avoid close contact with people who are sick, to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, to wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and to use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.

To avoid spreading any respiratory illness, the CDC recommends staying at home when you are sick, covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue and throwing the tissue in the trash, cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.