Senator Becca Rausch: "Continuing to stay safe during COVID-19"

October 16, 2020 

 

Dear friends, 

The White House Outbreak of COVID-19 is a stark reminder that even though we are all tired of pandemic-related restrictions, COVID-19 is still here, still very much our reality. In Massachusetts, in fact, case levels are rising. The most recent data report from the Department of Public Health indicates that 9 of the 12 municipalities in our district experienced notably increased levels of COVID-19 infection (reflected as green, yellow, or red on the map below). You can find more information in the weekly and daily reports available at the Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 dashboard. 

Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 dashboard

I strongly encourage everyone to wear a mask whenever you are in a public space, practice physical distancing, and limit your social engagements to small groups, held outdoors. We should all take advantage of the last few weeks of Fall in New England, before the freezing temperatures arrive.

While COVID-19 has exposed holes in our public health infrastructure and serious gaps in social equity, this pandemic has also shined a light on the people and businesses that do the work, every day, to protect our collective health. I recently had the pleasure of visiting two businesses in our district that are aiding in the fight against COVID-19. I nominated Cold Chain Technologies, located in Franklin, for the Massachusetts Manufacturing “Making it in Massachusetts” award and had the great privilege of taking a socially distant tour of the factory. Cold Chain is a leader in thermal packaging to make sure vitally needed biomaterials, like life saving medicines and organs for transplant surgeries, arrive safely at their destinations. In a global pandemic, this work is perhaps more critical than ever before and I applaud them not only for their products and innovation, but also for preserving and creating jobs in our district through domestic manufacturing and continuing to make their products and processes safer for our environment.

In Needham, I had the pleasure of visiting Rafi Nova, a company that demonstrates outstanding innovation and adaptation in the wake of economic downturn and a public health crisis. Run by my constituents Marissa and Adam Goldstein, the business shifted its operations in the early stages of the pandemic to accommodate the growing need for personal protective equipment. They're keeping us safe and stylish with their beautiful selection of masks. Two of my favorites: their mask encouraging folks to VOTE, and a transparent mask (called the “smile mask”) enabling lip reading for folks who are deaf or hard of hearing and easing nerves for students and teachers.

As always, if you or any of your loved ones in my district have fallen on hard times during this pandemic, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office. My office line is 617-722-1555 and my email is becca.rausch@masenate.gov. We are here to help. You can also find robust resources to help you navigate through COVID-19 on my website.
 
Wishing you and your families strength, health, and resilience.   
 

Yours in service, 

Senator Becca Rausch

 

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