BOSTON — When police officers are getting dispatched to a 911 call, oftentimes, they don’t know what they are dealing with. They’re essential workers who say they don’t have a choice but to be out there.
“The general rule is that everybody potentially has this virus. Now, the mask is worn all the time, gloves are worn the same,” said Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes.
The brave men and women of the force don’t know if they’re dealing with a person who has the virus or not.
“If they walk into a house with multiple people sick, they are going to wear the Tyvek suit. Chances are, you’re walking into say, a house with 10, 12 to 15 people inside. It’s densely populated,” said Kyes.
The heartbreaking pictures from last week say it all. More than 700 Chelsea residents waited in line for hours to get food. Chelsea has been hit especially hard by COVID-19. Officials say it’s a hotbed for the virus with a population of 41,000 people. For every 10,000 people, at least 220 residents have been infected.
And, for every 10,000 residents, 12 have died, which brings the death toll to nearly more than 50.
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Chief Kyes said his 111 officers on the force could easily bring the virus to their families.
“They have kids at home, most of them are coming into work with plain clothes. They are getting changed into the uniform at work,” said Kyes. “At the end of their shift, they take their uniform off, they put it in a trash bag.”
A much different picture in the suburbs of Wrentham.
The sally port is now where rollcall for officers is held. A washer and dryer has been installed for officers, so they don’t bring the virus home on their uniforms.
“They get rid of their uniforms at the end of their shifts, wash and wear clean clothes home” said Wrentham’s Police Chief Bill McGrath.
Like many first responders, they’ve set up a routine at home.
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“Some of them are going in through the garage, and others are staying away from their kids”, said Chief McGrath.
In Chelsea, many aren’t privileged to social distance. If you want to donate, to The One Chelsea Fund through United Way, click here.
Any and all funds raised will go directly to Chelsea families impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Money raised will go to the organization and no Fees will be incurred. ALL Chelsea families will be eligible for a $250 gift card/cash benefit directly from the funds raised through The One Chelsea Fund.
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