Melrose Mom Sets Record Straight After Son's Positive Test

MELROSE, MA — The mother of the high school student who recently tested positive for COVID-19 didn't much care for the not-so-subtle whispers circulating after the city announced her son's positive test.

The rumors of the positive test being a player on the football team were true. But those of the infection being a result of football activities or any recklessness were not, Christine Hickey said.

Hickey said her son contracted the virus from another family member who also tested positive. He had been taking COVID-19 seriously prior the infection, wearing masks, washing hands and following guidelines.

Her family contacted the families of four of her son's close friends, letting them know about the positive test. While those four students also play football, Hickey said it had nothing to do with organized sports activities.

"It had zero to do with football," Hickey told Patch. "I want to make it very clear that it was not football-related, because I think it's unfair to the program. They've done a great job at making sure the kids are safe."

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Hickey wasn't thrilled with the city announcing her son's case in messages from Mayor Paul Brodeur and Superintendent Julie Kukenberger. While the message didn't identify the student or say he played football, it was the only recent positive test singled out. Hickey thought the message invited the kind of unsubstantiated community chatter that followed, particularly on Facebook.

"I found [the online behavior] distasteful," Hickey said. "The mayor's post almost led to opening up that kind of divisiveness over a topic that it shouldn't."

In a Facebook post to one of the community groups, Hickey said the announcement "led to unnecessary speculation, judgement, shaming and arguing where there should have been none. "

Hickey later told Patch she had a "nice conversation" with Brodeur, who explained his reasoning to her.

Brodeur had Health Director Ruth Clay respond to Patch's inquiry. Clay said she does not share any information, including the age or sex of a person, with anyone in the city beyond the nurses doing contact tracing and case management — and that includes keeping it from the mayor and superintendent.

"I understand that people are putting names out on social media," Clay told Patch in an email. "I will not confirm or deny if those are accurate as again — we will not say or do anything to identify people. If a person who is positive wants to tell other people that is up to them."

Whatever the reason for the announcement, Hickey did not see the value in it.

"Thirteen people were positive in Melrose [recently] for the virus and I found it a little bit sensational that the headline was about one citizen of Melrose," she said. "Granted he's a high school student, but he's not [currently] in school."

Hickey said her family is doing well. Her son's symptoms are mild, as are those of another family member.

The ordeal serves as a reminder that even young, healthy people can get COVID-19. It comes at a time when city, school and health officials are trying figure out how to bring students back to class in the fall, when many experts expect a second surge of cases.