A sign of the times. Social distancing is the new norm. ~Photo by Doug Holder

Earlier today Governor Baker issued a statewide stay-at-home advisory and ordered all non-essential businesses to close effective tomorrow, Tuesday, March 24, at noon. This was the right thing to do. If we don’t take social distancing seriously and stay at home as much as is possible, COVID-19 will overwhelm our healthcare system, creating a crisis for anybody needing medical care.

We want to hear from everyone who may have stories they want to share about life in Somerville during the current health crisis:

• What it’s like to be staying at home
• Your personal challenges and triumphs
• Tips on parenting and home schooling
• Local heroes and the good deeds they do
• Coping with challenging financial issues
• How you keep up your morale

— Photo © monkeybusinessimages / iStock via Getty Images Plus

Screen time is a hot topic for parents and researchers alike. While digital devices are the norm, and children can certainly use them to their benefit, parents can also help children learn healthy digital habits.

Research is still working out the long-term impact of devices on kids. Here’s what’s known so far, and what you as a parent can do about it.

In response to the rising number of Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in our community, Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) is announcing measures to reduce risk for the older adults, caregivers, and people with disabilities that we serve.

— Photo © Mizina / iStock via Getty Images Plus

Is math making the kids grumpy? Here are some great ways your family can make the subject fun and exciting:

• Visit a math museum: Take the kids to a hands-on math museum featuring fun interactive exhibits, events, puzzles, games and more that bring math to life.
• Bake a ‘pi’: Bake a pi-themed pi. Whether you love cherry, chocolate or lemon meringue, you can celebrate math by baking a pie and carving the symbol for pi into your creation. This is also a great opportunity to calculate fractions, angles, percentages and areas!

Seeing beauty in brokenness
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Somerville Fire and Police Departments responded to the corner of Vinal Ave. and Summer St. on Friday after high tension wires broke loose.

Eversource was also on the scene to restore power to homes affected. No injuries were reported.

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Personal Service and Retail Business Suspensions; Construction Requirements Issued; Call for New England Coordination Issued 

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the Somerville Board of Health today announce additional orders intended to slow the spread of novel coronavirus. The following includes orders regarding the personal service and retail sectors as well as interim requirements for construction. Previous orders have closed schools, limited events, closed playgrounds, suspended team sports, and closed restaurants and bars except for pickup and delivery.

Upfront work is projected to shorten duration of full-time bridge closure by up to two months

As a result of low traffic volumes observed due to the current Somerville High School closure and COVID-19 social distancing measures, the Green Line Extension (GLX) project will adjust its scheduled closures at the School Street bridge in an effort to maximize efficiency and minimize disruption for the community. The series of weekend closures planned throughout March and April will now be consolidated into two weeklong closures.