I’m not sure what to think when I read this light-on-specifics story in today’s Globe:
..A new study by Harvard researchers … found that during marathons, road closures can delay ambulances. And elderly people living near the route are more likely to die within a month if they suffer a heart attack or cardiac arrest on race day, compared with other days.
The researchers analyzed Medicare and ambulance data from the areas surrounding 11 major marathons, including the Boston Marathon, from 2002 through 2012. In the 11 cities combined, they estimated that hosting marathons led to three or four additional deaths each year.
The research was reportedly was short on any analysis directly related to Newton but Globe reporter Felice J. Freyer did talk to Cataldo Ambulance and Newton-Wellesley Hospital. .
In Newton, the city is split in half by the Marathon, but Quaranto of Cataldo Ambulance said that doesn’t change the ambulance routes. Marathon or not, patients on the north side go to Boston hospitals, and patients on the south side go to Newton-Wellesley Hospital. More than 20 ambulances — quadruple the normal contingent — are positioned around Newton and Wellesley on Marathon day, he said.
Newton-Wellesley Hospital is the only hospital directly on the Marathon route, its usual entrance blocked. Ambulances merely approach from a different road, said Charlotte Roy, emergency management coordinator.
“We have not had any issues with patients getting here,” she said.
Greg- so glad to hear Newton has this all sorted out. Marathon Monday is my favorite holiday. True Story.
News reports are noting that Newton-Wellesley Hospital has a second entrance that is not blocked by the Marathon route, but they’re not saying how to get there. In case anyone needs it, here it is: a gravel road off Dorset Road, which is off Beacon, behind the hospital. There’s a gate across it that I can only guess will be open during the Marathon. In an emergency, call 911 because the ambulance can get there more quickly! For non-emergency visits, this road leads into the back of the hospital parking lot.
I don’t know if the marathon is bad for Newton’s “health.” But unfortunately some of the rules for spectators are very bad for the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution, which protects us all from search and seizure without probable cause or warrant. Just because the authorities say they “reserve the right” to search bags, does not mean they actually have the right to search bags at an un-ticketed event taking place on public streets. While public safety is a compelling reason to take extraordinary precautions, it should not [and cannot] be used as an excuse to disregard Constitutional protections. This Patriots Day I hope people will remember that “Land of the Free and Home of the Brave” are not just words, but a fundamental philosophy that defines what America is all about.
Since the marathon rolls right by my front door, I can’t say that this hasn’t crossed my mind once or twice through the years. But seriously…if we all lived in fear of what MIGHT happen, we all might never venture out of bed each day. Marathon Monday, aka Patriots Day …lol…is a spectacular day in my neighborhood, daffodils and all, so bring it on!