The COVID-19 pandemic is an ongoing medical emergency that has affected all of our lives since The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in January 2020 and a pandemic in March 2020.

As of early December 2020, the Boston Globe reported that the pandemic was reaching “alarming new levels” in Massachusetts as cases surged, breaking previous records and resulting in additional deaths. 

What is the status of COVID-19 in the Lexington area at the time of this First Friday Forum? What do we now know about how to prevent, identify symptoms, test, and treat the disease?  What has been the state and local government response?   What are the plans for vaccine distribution?

On Friday January 8, 2021, 9:30AM, the LWV Lexington will present a Lexington Area COVID-19 Virus Update to address these and other questions. Our speakers will include:

• Cindy Friedman, State Senator from the 4th Middlesex District (Lexington, Arlington, Burlington, Billerica, and Woburn).

• Casey Mellin, Health Agent, and David Neylon, RN, MPH, Public Health Nurse, Lexington Health Department.

• J. Matthias Walz, MD, FCCP, Professor and Chair, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, and Co-Chair, Critical Care Committee, UMass Memorial Health Care.