"recent uptick can be attributed to individuals “'letting down their guard'”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"A backyard barbecue in picturesque Chatham has led to more than a dozen new coronavirus infections.

About an hour away, in the coastal community of Falmouth, an in-person high school graduation ceremony was scrubbed after school officials say some seniors were exposed to the virus.

And on the western side of the state, Baystate Medical Center in Springfield is dealing with an outbreak of at least 40 cases traced to a hospital staffer who recently returned from an out-of-state vacation.

Less than a month after Massachusetts allowed gyms, movie theaters, museums and other public venues to reopen, there’s an increasing sense of dread that the hard-hit state’s summertime respite from the pandemic is waning just as families are looking ahead to the start of school."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200731/hard-hit-mass-worries-covid-19-respite-is-fleeting?rssfeed=true

Gov Baker's press conference on Friday July 31 = https://youtu.be/oOSiqvC_cTw

“We’re not prepared for a resurgence"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"There were nearly 500 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Massachusetts over the weekend and the percentage of tests that come back positive for the coronavirus is rising. 

The Department of Public Health confirmed 210 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday and 273 more cases on Sunday, along with the announcement of 31 recent COVID-19 deaths between the two days. The number of daily new cases, which had generally settled at fewer than 200 a day earlier in the month, has been above 200 each of the last four days. 

“Last four days in #Massachusetts had #COVID19 new positive tests over 200. Last time that happened? Mid-June - on the way down,” Dr. David Rosman, president of the Massachusetts Medical Society, tweeted Sunday night. “The data is early, but it looks like we are on the way back up. We should consider backing down a phase. #wearamask.” 

Sunday’s report from DPH also showed that the seven-day average of the positive test rate as of July 25 had climbed to 1.9% from 1.8% after holding steady at 1.7% for more than a week. One month ago, the positive test rate was 2.0%."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200727/massachusetts-covid-19-case-counts-on-rise-again-after-flattening-pandemics-curve-early-in-summer?rssfeed=true

Gov Baker's press conference on Monday = https://youtu.be/FJd1JVSdaIo

Leave it to Bill Nye

Leave it to Bill Nye, The Science Guy, to make a simple and effective explanation on why to wear a facial covering (mask).

bill nye be spittin fax pic.twitter.com/5SNVd6Htct

— ErickHBMC #RIPFckYouTubersBro (@ErickHBMC) July 9, 2020

From the Franklin radar via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/ReignOfApril/status/1281206861442801664?s=09

For more about Bill Nye visit his web page  https://billnye.com/

https://twitter.com/ErickHBMC/status/1281129712320839680

COVID mask exemption cards are not from the government

COVID mask exemption cards are not from the government by Colleen Tressler, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC  To help limit the spread of the Coronavirus, many states are requiring people to wear face coverings in places open to the public. But there are cards circulating online and on social media that say the holder has a disability that prevents them from wearing a mask, and that it's illegal for any business to ask them to disclose their condition.  Variations of the card include the seal of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), one of the federal agencies responsible for enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The fact is, these cards aren't issued or endorsed by DOJ, or any other federal agency. Read more  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/06/covid-mask-exemption-cards-are-not-government This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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Effectiveness of masks demonstrated

It's amazing how much good one little mask can do! Check out how a normal, everyday mask keeps respiratory droplets from spreading outside your body, potentially sharing viruses. pic.twitter.com/zeXyemJwO8

— Providence Eastern WA (@providence_phc) June 26, 2020

https://twitter.com/richdavisphd/status/1276629366789697536/photo/1

Franklin radar picked up via Twitter
https://twitter.com/richdavisphd/status/1276629369675370496?s=09

FM #264 Board of Health Meeting 5/06/20 (audio)

FM #264 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 264 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin, MA Board of Health regular monthly meeting as scheduled for Wednesday, May 6, 2020. The meeting was conducted via virtual conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Each speaker is identified before they speak so you can follow along. The show notes provide links to the agenda and my notes taken via Twitter during the meeting.

The recording runs about 30 minutes, so let’s listen to the Board of Health Meeting held May 6.   Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HN7SKgS7



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My notes via Twitter  https://twitter.com/hashtag/boh0506?src=hashtag_click

• Real time reporting underway for the Board of Health meeting today #boh0506
• First item on agenda, actually a moot point given the Executive Order made by Gov Baker last Friday. Chief Lynch providing update on enforcement role. Education first, volunteer compliance looked for. #boh0506
• Businesses can refuse service if a customer doesn't have a mask and is not compliant. Thanks to the FPD for their effort expressed by members of the BoH #boh0506
• Essential services being reviewed and FAQ on town portal was updated accordingly. Curbside and remote delivery allowed where permitted. Dog grooming currently not essential per MA DPH #boh0506
• Golf courses are not considered essential at this time. There was discussion with Franklin Country Club around groundskeeper activity which is permitted, golfing is not #boh0506
• Some Boards of Health have differed on golf interpretation, this was addressed at DPH level meeting recently to correct as the deviants were creating a problem for others. Golfer agreed to disagree. #boh0506
• Questions on non-compliance with folks who are claiming medical reasons but really don't have, due to HIPPA regulations. Not a good answer but it is what it is #boh0506
• Forgot to close out that meeting has adjourned via roll call vote. Next meeting currently scheduled for 1st Weds in June. Stay tuned for updates in case things change. Audio recording of this to be made available for your listening pleasure soon #boh0506

Board of Health agenda
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/franklin-ma-board-of-health-agenda-may-6.html

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!
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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

FM #264 Board of Health Meeting 5/06/20 (audio)

Gov Baker's executive order has extended Franklin's BoH facial covering mandate

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Gov. Charlie Baker signed an executive order on Friday requiring members of the public to wear a face covering while in public when people cannot physical distance from others.

The order goes into place on Wednesday, May 6 and does not apply to children under the age of 2.

The requirement applies to all workers and customers of businesses and other organizations that are open to the public.

Gov. Baker said face coverings are an easy, critically important and essential step to stop or slow the spread of the coronavirus.

“The public is required to wear a face covering at all times in grocery stores, retail stores or on public transportation,” Baker said."

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200501/baker-signs-order-requiring-face-coverings-while-in-public

If you were watching the live update on Friday, you'll recall that the feed was lost during the broadcast.  There apparently is no video replay available at this time. The archive of prior updates for replay can be found 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfzuvKpMoFEDd597ZSHxMmvkzR3XCgVSg


The Press Release
https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-orders-use-of-mask-or-face-covering-in-public-announces-increased

The Tweet
https://twitter.com/MassGovernor/status/1256291755865104384

The Executive Order
https://www.mass.gov/doc/may-1-2020-masks-and-face-coverings/download

Today we are requiring all residents to wear a mask in public places when it is not possible to maintain proper social distance.

This applies to workers and customers of essential businesses like groceries and pharmacies.#COVID19MA

🔗Full Details: https://t.co/MHAD2lF5PV pic.twitter.com/bhW27HG0mx

— Charlie Baker (@MassGovernor) May 1, 2020

https://twitter.com/MassGovernor/status/1256291755865104384/photo/1