State Rep. Joan Meschino, of Hull, and Sen. Patrick O’Connor, of Weymouth, said during a legislative update to their South Shore community that providing constituent services is a top priority amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are here for the residents of Hull and the town,” Meschino said, encouraging those who are having trouble navigating the unemployment or health insurance systems, or who could use help addressing other issues, to reach out to her or O’Connor’s office for assistance.
O’Connor reported that, while there has been an issue with the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine to local communities, statewide 50 percent of individuals age 75 or over were administered a dose within nine days.
While the vaccine rollout has been slow so far, O’Connor predicted that the situation will improve. “We’re on the right path,” he said. “The biggest hurdle is maintaining a continual and reliable supply.”
Meanwhile, local legislators are trying to get the word out that vaccines are often available from other sources, such as health care providers, the recently opened regional drive-through vaccination site at the Marshfield Fairgrounds for Plymouth County residents, and local CVS and other pharmacies. Vaccinations for individuals ages 65 to 74 could be available soon.
“The true challenge is the lack of supply,” Meschino said. “It takes time to manufacture the vaccine.”
She went on to praise the residents of Hull who successfully advocated for retaining commuter rail and ferry service in the face of potential cuts by the MBTA. “A number of communities worked together and made articulate and thoughtful remarks that really influenced the way the [transit authority] was thinking,” she said.
Meschino has been in contact with the MBTA general manager, looking toward the potential restoration of some of the hours that have been cut back for various MBTA modes of transportation.
“In some respects, this will be a fluid process, working around the vaccination rollout and how quickly people return to work,” she said.
Other topics discussed by the lawmakers included enhancing communication between the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and the town and the possibility of water taxi service between the Boston Harbor Islands Park and Hull, as suggested by Selectman John Reilly.
