We hear a lot about front line workers these days, and rightfully so. These are the people who are fighting to save lives and lessen the misery inflicted by the COVID-19 epidemic. They are the world’s heroes.

But it goes beyond the medical profession. When we think of all those who are putting themselves on the line to aid and protect us we need to also consider our dedicated first responders. Police, fire, EMTs, and members of the military. They come to our aid when we are in need and help to keep order in the midst of this strange and trying time.

Easter Sunday is a day a lot of families and friends spend together, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, people are listening to officials and not holding family gatherings. Some still found creative ways to see their family and friends last Sunday. On Easter morning, Sal Ferro put a ladder to his parents’ house to get to second floor window and say “Hi” to Claudia and Sal Ferro. Their daughter and some of her grandchildren also stopped by with a blanket and wrapped her and her husband in a blanket so they could give them a hug.

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Review by Off the Shelf Correspondent Dennis Daly

Poignant to the point of defining poignancy, Eileen Cleary’s first book of poems, Child Ward of the Commonwealth, shakes the soul with her truth-telling narratives of childhood trauma and dysfunction. Cleary somehow melds a mature poetic sensibility with a child’s wide-eyed ability to see the world’s wreckage with wonder and awe. Her persona relates adventures of fairy-tale-like brutality, not unlike fables from the Brothers Grimm. However, Cleary’s anecdotes are not mythologized; they are direct and very personal.

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Lynne Viti is a lecturer emerita in the Writing Program at Wellesley College. She is the author of two previous poetry collections, Baltimore Girls and The Glamorganshire Bible, and the recently published Going Too Fast: Stories. Her website is at lynneviti.wordpress.com.

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers.)

Dear Editor,

We all know that smoking is harmful to one’s lungs. As our lives are disrupted by the coronavirus, this fact raises concerns about the damaging impact the coronavirus (COVID-19) may have on those who smoke or vape. Dr. Nora Volkow [1], director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, says, “Because it attacks the lungs, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 could be an especially serious threat to those who smoke tobacco or marijuana or who vape.” While the long-term impact of vaping is not clear, there is evidence coming out that vaping, like smoking, harms the ability of the lungs to fight infection.

During regular business hours, the City’s 311 information service has expanded to include health, mental/emotional support and economic issue specialists in order to put residents in touch with needed help during the COVID-19 crisis.

Order stamps and supplies, print postage, arrange pick-up

You don’t have to go to the Post Office to use many postal products and services. In fact, most simple tasks can be done from the convenience and safety of your home with or without a computer.

Like purchasing stamps. Using your computer, you can go to the Postal Store on usps.com and select different stamp denominations. USPS will deliver them right to your home.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Somerville Chief of Police David Fallon have confirmed an investigation into a fatal stabbing that occurred yesterday at Clarendon Hill Apartments in Somerville.