Why we are social distancing

From The Guardian, background research already revealing how some of the COVID-19 hots spots became so. This set of stories helps to provide some of the simple events that happened before the social distance awareness was created to fight the COVID-19 virus.

"A hundred days after a Chinese government website announced the discovery of a “pneumonia of unknown cause”, it has become clearer that the dynamics behind the virus’s rapid expansion across the globe has relied heavily on such “cluster effects”.

Each of the countries most heavily hit by the pandemic has reported similar stories of social, cultural or religious gatherings where large numbers spent numerous hours in close company – holding hands, kissing, sharing drinks from the same glass – which then turbo-charged the spread of the pandemic.

“One pattern we are seeing across the globe is that wherever there was singing and dancing, the virus spread more rapidly,” said Prof Hendrik Streeck, a virologist at the University of Bonn whose team of researchers has spent the last week carrying out the first “Covid-19 case cluster study” in Heinsberg.

“Most infections didn’t take place in supermarkets or restaurants,” Streeck said of his preliminary findings. In Heinsberg, his team of coronavirus detectives could find scant evidence of the virus being transmitted via the surfaces of door handles, smart phones or other objects."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/09/the-cluster-effect-how-social-gatherings-were-rocket-fuel-for-coronavirus

For up to date info, please visit the Town of Franklin portal
https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/coronavirus-information-portal

and for school specific info
https://www.franklinps.net/district/pages/franklin-public-schools-covid-19-closure-information-portal

https://www.franklinps.net/district/pages/franklin-public-schools-covid-19-closure-information-portal

"to keep people alive and to keep our health care system from getting so overwhelmed"

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

"A trio of executive orders Gov. Charlie Baker signed Thursday aims to expand the health care system’s capacity and ensure access to COVID-19 treatment, including in field hospitals.

The actions come almost one month into a state of emergency as the latest step preparing for a surge in infections and hospitalizations that could arrive as soon as Friday. At his daily press conference, Baker also discussed new details about a South Boston field hospital and the state’s ongoing quest to obtain ventilators.

Baker said the state heard from the federal government last night that it will receive an additional 100 ventilators, and Boston Children’s hospital is making a “wonderful donation” of five ventilators. So far, Massachusetts has received 100 ventilators of the 1,700 it’s requested from the national stockpile.

“Obviously, we continue to be focused on the pursuit of ventilators through other means and other channels as well,” he said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200409/new-orders-aim-to-attract-staff-for-covid-19-surge


The full press release and link to the update as recorded live on Thursday can be found
https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-announces-field-medical-station-details-new-support-for-health

"to keep people alive and to keep our health care system from getting so overwhelmed"

“It’s something we all have to do until things get back to normal”

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

"Police officers are doing their best to socially distance themselves from others, but sometimes at emergency calls, that can be impossible.

This weekend, three Milford Police officers were exposed on the same call to someone with the coronavirus, and because of that, they are now quarantined, Chief Michael Pighetti said.

As a result, Pighetti said his department has added even more stringent procedures to make sure that officers and civilian employees practice social distancing during the workday.

“This is a fluid situation and it changes minute-by-minute,” said Pighetti. “We try to do our best practices and we’re doing our best to stay away from each other.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200407/in-wake-of-coronavirus-police-officers-make-changes-to-keep-distant-from-each-other

Coincidentally, I recorded a conversation with Franklin Police Sgt Brian Johnson recorded on Monday and this is one of the topics we talked about. Stay tuned, you should be able to listen to the recording in a day or so.

“It’s something we all have to do until things get back to normal”

Franklin Recreation Sports and Art Contest

The Franklin Recreation Department is hosting the following challenges and contests to ALL residents during this stay at home quarantine. 

PRIZES will be awarded to the top winners and all winning videos and/or photographs will be posted on our website and social media.

 **REMEMBER these contests are to be done following the guidelines of social distancing. They are not to be done with a group of friends.**

Prizes include:

1st Place- $100 Franklin Recreation Gift Certificate
2nd Place - $50 Franklin Recreation Gift Certificate
3rd Place - $25 Franklin Recreation Gift Certificate
Honorable Mention - Franklin Recreation T-Shirt

SPORTS AT HOME Contest:
The Franklin Recreation Department challenges you to send us a picture or video of how YOU play sports at home. Email your photos or videos to franklinrecreation@franklinma.gov. Categories include:

1) Most Creative
2) Best use of a small space
3) Best Obstacle Course
4) Best Goalie

RECREATE A WORK OF ART Contest:
The Franklin Recreation Department challenges you to recreate a work of art with objects (and people) in your home. Choose your favorite artwork from the choices provided below. Find things lying around your house and recreate the artwork with those items. Email your photos to franklinrecreation@franklinma.gov.

ART WORK:
1- Frida Kahlo- self portrait with Braid

2-Yayoi Kusama- Dreams in Technicolor

3-Keith Haring- untitled Family

4- Norman Rockwell- 4 Boys on a Sled

5- Salvador Dali-The Persistence of Memory 

Franklin Recreation Sports and Art Contest

If you want to work with individual images rather than this collection, the images can be found in one PowerPoint doc here
 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zMRx4WaBCmaC2RPAsUEINHOu1UpjyAp6/view?usp=sharing

The math behind social distancing

"As we wait for scientists and healthcare professionals to develop a vaccine for COVID-19, there is another, more readily available tool at our disposal.

Social distancing, defined as measures taken to reduce physical contact, is the first line of defense for containing an infectious disease like COVID-19. That’s because these infections spread when people cough, sneeze, or touch surfaces on which the virus resides.

To help us grasp the impact these measures can actually have, today’s infographic illustrates how a reduction in social exposure can theoretically contain the spread of infection."

Continue reading online
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/the-math-behind-social-distancing/

 The math behind social distancing

Franklin, MA: Coronavirus Update - Public Facilities Closure through May 4

To: Town of Franklin Residents, Businesses & Visitors
From: Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator
Re: Coronavirus Update - Public Facilities Closure through May 4th


Based on the information provided in Governor Baker’s press conference announcing the further closure of public schools, the Town of Franklin is announcing the continued closure of all municipal buildings to the public and employees through May 4th, 2020. These buildings include the Municipal Building at 355 East Central Street, Public Library, Senior Center, Recreation Building, DPW Administration Building, Facilities Administration Building, and Historical Museum. Public safety buildings will remain open for staff and first responders only. Playgrounds will remain closed until further notice.

While the Municipal Building and other departments are closed for direct, in-person service, staff are available for all regular business activities via phone, email and our online services center at www.franklinma.gov. Residents can contact any staff in any department, pay bills, and apply for permits and so forth. Check the Town Coronavirus Portal for a department by department listing of service updates and other resources.

For those without computer access, the Town is continuing checking the white drop box for town bill pay and Census forms at the Municipal Building at 355 East Central Street. It is important to fill out your census forms and send them in as soon as you can. Anyone may continue to use the good ol’ fashioned mail for any Town business or bill payments, as the Town continues to work with the Post Office to process our mail.

Employees are expected to continue to work remotely on their remote works plans that have been approved by each department.

We encourage every resident, business and visitor of Franklin to continue to check our online portal daily at www.franklinma.gov with the most up to date information in town updates, unemployment resources, staff contacts and directories, state announcements and more.

https://www.franklinma.gov/home/urgent-alerts/coronavirus-information-portal-updates-here

Franklin, MA: Coronavirus Update - Public Facilities Closure through May 4