Pittsfield Announces Disability Awareness Walk

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield, in partnership with the Commission on Disabilities and a local community advocate, Brian Fitzpatrick, announces a community downtown walk to raise awareness of disabilities.
 
This downtown walk is scheduled for Thursday, July 10 at 3:00 p.m. starting at City Hall, located at 70 Allen Street in Pittsfield. The walk will travel from City Hall, through Dunham Mall and head towards St. Joseph's Church with a return to City Hall. This walk is expected to take one hour.
 
"I am thankful for opportunities to join members of the Commission on Disabilities, the Mayor and other community members to identify areas of that present challenges and areas that we want to replicate because they provide safe and secure passage for all modes of transportation," said Brian Fitzpatrick, assistant planner and coordinator of this awareness walk. 
 
"It is important for the city to understand the challenges of people with disabilities and find ways to make their travels within our downtown easier," said Catherine Carchedi, chair of the city's Commission on Disabilities.
 
This walk takes place following a proclamation issued by Mayor Peter Marchetti recognizing the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that was signed on July 26, 1990.
 
The proclamation will be presented at the Commission on Disaibilities meeting that is scheduled for July 10 at 2:00 p.m. at City Hall in Room 203.
 
"The ADA is a critical piece of legislation that has expanded opportunities for people with disabilities by reducing barriers, changing perceptions and increasing opportunities for full participation and inclusion in community life," said Mayor Peter Marchetti. "I look forward to being a part of this awareness walk and discovering ways Pittsfield may make improvements within our downtown to accommodate all needs."
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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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