Pandemic Poetry: The Devil Rides on Bacilli by Faith Flaherty

Pernicious evil growing
from dark pathogens
unearthed in a Wuhan lab
or the open market.

Eaten by an ant.
Swallowed by a bat.
Lapped by a pangolin.
Relished by a man.

No reason to make ado.
Some always look to blame.
Others always find conspiracy.
Then there's just bad Karma.

The fact that it survives
washing hands,
wearing gloves,
donning face masks,

is a testimony to the stubbornness
of an enemy beyond our eyes,
waiting to pounce and ride
round the world with abandonment.

What weapon will kill it?
Soap and vaccine will slow
but never have victory over
a bloodless, fleshless germ.

Wait till summer, some say.
The heat will kill the virus.
Then throw this bane back
to hell where it was conceived.

Remington Middle School: Fun, wacky art slideshow

"Check out this link for a slide show of FUN and wacky famous Art reproductions created by staff and students at Remington MS! ENJOY!"

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1oymdFhxWcH5acQRdjdj5oQNteaRHGQhcvDa-N9dwUeE/edit?usp=sharing

famous Art reproductions created by staff and students at Remington MS

Shared via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FranklinPSart/status/1261641304401993730?s=09

In the News: "together we are developing the framework and phases"

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

"For more than five years, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito has been a near constant at the side of Gov. Charlie Baker, a partner always there for every big moment, even if she was just off center stage. 

From budget rollouts to bill-signing ceremonies and even a presidential endorsement, Polito has been there to back up whatever the administration was doing, and maybe add a few supportive words herself. 

She has famously visited all 351 cities and towns, some more than once, and is the administration’s chief liaison to municipal leaders, which has allowed her to quietly build relationships that could pay dividends in a future campaign. 

But now, with the outbreak of COVID-19 consuming the administration and Baker’s political future uncertain, Polito is getting a chance to step into the spotlight in her own right."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200516/reopening-role-puts-lt-gov-karyn-polito-on-center-stage

The Reopening Advisory Board page can be found
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/reopening-advisory-board

Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito spoke at FHS 4/29/2019 about sexting legislation

From the archives on Lt Gov Polito's visit to Franklin in April 2019
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/05/polito-roy-tout-team-effort-to-provide.html

Reopening: Mandatory Safety Standards for Workplaces

From the Reopening Advisory Board page at MA.gov:

Overview

The Department of Public Health (DPH) and the COVID-19 Command Center developed new Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards in consultation with the Reopening Advisory Board. These new standards will apply universally to all workplaces that are open in Phase 1, and are designed to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission to employees and customers during the first phase of reopening, and are applicable to all sectors and industries.

The Administration is releasing these Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards early, in advance of the start of Phase 1, to give workplaces time to plan and prepare for reopening.

These safety standards will be supplemented by sector-specific safety protocols and recommended best practices, which will provide further details and limited exceptions.

Social Distancing

• All persons, including employees, customers, and vendors should remain at least six feet apart to the greatest extent possible, both inside and outside workplaces
• Establish protocols to ensure that employees can practice adequate social distancing
• Provide signage for safe social distancing
• Require face coverings or masks for all employees

Hygiene Protocols

• Provide hand washing capabilities throughout the workplace
• Ensure frequent hand washing by employees and adequate supplies to do so
• Provide regular sanitization of high touch areas, such as workstations, equipment, screens, doorknobs, restrooms throughout work site

Staffing and Operations

• Provide training for employees regarding the social distancing and hygiene protocols
• Employees who are displaying COVID19-like symptoms do not report to work
• Establish a plan for employees getting ill from Covid-19 at work, and a return-to-work plan

Cleaning and Disinfecting

• Establish and maintain cleaning protocols specific to the business
• When an active employee is diagnosed with COVID19, cleaning and disinfecting must be performed
• Disinfection of all common surfaces must take place at intervals appropriate to said workplace

Sector Specific Safety Protocols

• ​​​​​​The Reopening Advisory Board is developing Sector Specific Safety Standards and Best Practices that will detail how particular industries should operate upon reopening, as well as provide for limited exceptions to the mandatory standards. These sector specific standards are forthcoming.

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/reopening-mandatory-safety-standards-for-workplaces

Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards

South Station Air Rights Project - Construction Anticipated to Restart on May 18

• South Station Air Rights Project

Work on the South Station Air Rights Project is planned to resume on May 18. Once the schedule impacts of the COVID-19 delays can be determined, a new construction timeline will be established.

Please note that Suffolk Construction, the contractor for the South Station Air Rights Project, and its subcontractors will be maintaining full compliance with the City of Boston’s COVID-19 Safety Policies to ensure the safety of not only work crews but members of the traveling public.

• New Construction Zone to be Established

Beginning on May 18, Suffolk Construction will begin establishing a construction zone adjacent to Track 13. The contractor recently installed a new sidewalk for pedestrians to access the train platforms directly from Dorchester Avenue, providing a more direct connection for those rail passengers looking to access the Fort Point Channel area.

If you are a passenger who will be using the sidewalk from Dorchester Avenue to the rail platform, you will need to use the newly painted crosswalk to enter the station (near the end of Tracks 11 and 12). Beginning Monday, May 25, passengers will no longer have direct access to Track 13 from the alley between South Station and the Post Office, as this will be part of the construction zone.


The newsletter was shortened for publication here. To view the ful contents
https://mailchi.mp/89560e626169/south-station-air-rights-project-open-house-on-january-6442724?e=3a8a5c15a9 

South Station Air Rights Project - Construction Anticipated to Restart on May 18

Sunday, May 17 is HMEA's Virtual incredABLE 5K

5K Virtual Race

The winners of last year's incredABLE 5K will complete the race course this year in a LIVE BROADCAST EVENT!

Everyone is invited to tune in and cheer on the runners as they do something incredABLE!

Watch the LIVE BROADCAST at https://www.hmea.org/incredable-5k/

or   https://www.facebook.com/HMEAInc/  

RSVP on Facebook,  Invite family and friends to join you in the day's virtual events!


Sunday, May 17 at 11:00 AM

• Opening Ceremonies
• Announcement of Contest Winners
• Live Raffle Drawings
• Special Thanks
• Note: You may need to refresh your browser to see us go LIVE!

Watch the LIVE BROADCAST at  https://www.hmea.org/incredable-5k/
or   https://www.facebook.com/HMEAInc/

Sunday, May 17 is HMEA's Virtual incredABLE 5K

Seniors: Virtual Coffee Hour next Thursday, May 21

Attention Seniors! Please join us for a Coffee Hour next Thursday, May 21st at 8:30 AM! The Zoom links are found below. 

A great opportunity to connect with local and state officials!

Join the Zoom Meeting here  https://t.co/a02nsyERY8 Meeting ID: 818 3989 8549 or call the # below! https://t.co/4Anb3sYZRz

State Rep Jeff Roy, Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and members of the Town Council

Shared from   https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1261364428944969728?s=03

Seniors: Virtual Coffee Hour next Thursday, May 21

Online New Student/Kindergarten Registration and Change of Address Form

Franklin Public Schools is happy to announce the launch of our online New Student Registration/Change of Address Form. Parents/Guardians will be able to utilize this form to enroll a new student in Franklin Public Schools or change a current student’s address within Franklin. 

Once completed, parents/guardians will receive a personal confirmation email from their child’s school with further enrollment information. We are excited about this new endeavor and are hopeful it will make our registration process more efficient.

If you are interested in enrolling at the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC), please contact Laura Flanagan, school secretary, at flanaganla@franklinps.net to learn about availability and enrollment procedures. Once your child has been accepted and enrolled at ECDC, we will guide you through the Registration Process.

FIND THE NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION/CHANGE OF ADDRESS FORM HERE: https://bit.ly/3fSCAbZ

*Please note that if your student is a current 5th or 8th grader attending school in Franklin, their records will be automatically transferred to the appropriate Franklin middle or high school and no action is required

 

Online New Student/Kindergarten Registration and Change of Address Form

IN the News: "must be deliberate and careful to balance economic and public health needs"

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

"Two key strategies to maintaining progress in the fight against COVID-19 as the state begins a gradual process of reviving public activity will be use of masks and, wherever possible, employees working remotely, Gov. Charlie Baker said Friday.

During his daily coronavirus press conference -- potentially his last State House appearance before Monday, when a panel plans to file a report outlining a roadmap toward phased reopening -- Baker touted both practices and stressed that the public health threat will require an ongoing vigilant response.

About half of the employees in state government’s executive branch have been working remotely since late March, and Baker said his administration this week extended that policy “for the foreseeable future.”

He praised large employers such as Blue Cross Blue Shield and Raytheon who have collectively permitted about 150,000 workers to fulfill their duties from home, suggesting other fields where remote work is possible should follow their example."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200515/baker-work-from-home-if-you-can-wear-mask-when-out

https://youtu.be/gzT_iKou3zY

Contollo Mass Manufacturing begins operations

From the news:




https://twitter.com/boston25/status/1261415066328395776

Notice of Aerial Spraying - Norfolk County Mosquito Control District

To: Pesticide Board & Boards of Health 
From: David A. Lawson, Director
Date: May 13, 2020
Re: Notification of Late Evening Aerosol Applications (Ultra Low Volume – ULV)

Please be advised that the Norfolk County Mosquito Control District will begin the 2020 late evening ULV aerosol applications on or about May 26, weather permitting.

May 26 through October 23, 2020 - Adulticide aerosol (ULV) applications. (Conducted between sunset and midnight, Monday through Thursday)

If any resident wishes to know what day of the week spraying may be conducted in their town, they should go to the Districts website at http://www.norfolkcountymosquito.org/service-request/. After the ULV program begins, if an individual would like to see a map of areas to be treated on the day of application, they can go to that same link, and then enter their address in the address line of the interactive map.
Please note that the ULV map will be posted on or about 3:30 p.m. the day of the scheduled application.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

• If you are not requesting spraying, but wish to simply be notified of spraying near your home, we have an automated notification system that will send you an e-mail if you are within 300 feet of a scheduled spray route on that evening.
• In order for you to be notified, you need to provide us with your name, address, and an email address. [Note: We do not sell or distribute e-mail addresses to any outside entity.] It will be your responsibility to check your emails on the day of spraying to see if a notification is sent to you.
• Please call the office to get yourself registered for this service. (781) 762-3681. You will need to re-register for this service each year.

The purpose of the adulticide application is to control nuisance and/or virus carrying adult mosquitoes. The control product being used is Zenivex (EPA Reg. No. 2724-807) applied in ultra-low volume (ULV) sprayers at a rate of approximately one ounce per acre of finished spray.

Process to Exclude Property From Public Area Wide Pesticide Applications - State Regulation 333 CMR:13:03 provides a method for homeowners to exclude their property from public area-wide pesticide applications. For more information, please click on the following links: http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/agr/pesticides/exclusion-of-wide-area-application-of-pesticides.html

Notice of Aerial Spraying - Norfolk County Mosquito Control District

Shared from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/notice-aerial-spraying-norfolk-county-mosquito-control-district

In the News: "Mass. hydro project caught up in Maine ballot fight"

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

"The project that would provide New England with its largest source of renewable energy and Massachusetts with about a fifth of its electricity demand is at the center of a simmering political and legal fight taking shape in Maine.

New England Clean Energy Connect, a 145-mile transmission project of Central Maine Power Company, is expected to link the electrical grids in Quebec and New England to provide cleaner and more reliable hydropower directly to a converter station in Lewiston, Maine, and into the regional power grid.

This week, CMP’s parent company filed a lawsuit against the state of Maine claiming a ballot question that project opponents got on the November ballot to overturn a key permit approval is unconstitutional. That suit came days after the Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled in a separate case that contested signatures turned in by project opponents were valid.

Bay State utilities and Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration chose the project to help Massachusetts meet its statutory requirements to increase renewable energy supplies after their first choice -- the Northern Pass project through the White Mountains of New Hampshire -- was stymied by regulators there."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200515/mass-hydro-project-caught-up-in-maine-ballot-fight

For additional info, the ballotpedia entry is here
https://ballotpedia.org/Maine_NECEC_Transmission_Project_Certificate_Initiative_(2020)

COVID Connectors: Connect Sick Patients with their Loved Ones with a repurposed device

Elizabeth Pehota (@pehota) tweeted at 1:09 PM on Fri, May 15, 2020:

"Have an old phone? Here's an idea 💡

Due to visitor restrictions, hospital patients feel isolated & many are looking for a way to connect with their loved ones.

That's where our #NERevs  Hometown Hero Kaya Suner comes in with COVID Connectors ⬇️"

https://www.revolutionsoccer.net/post/2020/05/15/hometown-heroes-19-year-old-kaya-suner-connects-hospital-patients-loved-ones

https://twitter.com/pehota/status/1261342880867770369?s=03

Go direct to covidconnectors.org 
 
Note: "Due to hospital policies we are only able to accept Apple iOS devices at this time"

COVID Connectors: Connect Sick Patients with their Loved Ones with a repurposed device

Tri-County Regional Student Receives 34th Annual the Outstanding Vocational Student Award

Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School senior, Hannah Davis, has been selected as the recipient of the 34th annual Outstanding Vocational Student Award.

The Outstanding Vocational Student Award is presented each year by the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA) and the Massachusetts Vocational Association (MVA) to one student from each vocational technical high school in Massachusetts. The award recognizes students who have made significant contributions to their local school district and to the statewide vocational education system. Recipients must have excellent attendance, a minimum of a 3.5 GPA and vocational-related work experience. The students must demonstrate leadership qualities, technical competence, involvement in the community and extracurricular activities.

Hannah Davis, daughter of Jason and Tracy Davis of Franklin, is an outstanding student in the Engineering Technology Program at Tri-County. She is Valedictorian for the class of 2020 carrying a weighted grade point average of 4.49.

Tri-County superintendent-director Stephen Dockray and Hannah Davis

During her time at Tri-County, Hannah has participated in a rigorous course of study that included both Honors and Advanced Placement Courses. She is the Vice President of the National Honor Society, and was awarded the Cougar Culture Award for her exemplary achievement in the areas of scholarship, leadership, character and service. She is Scout Leader for the FIRST Robotics Team and is one of Tri-County’s Student Ambassadors. She was also selected as the DAR Good Citizen for demonstrating dependability, service, leadership and patriotism.

As part of the co-operative education program, Hannah has worked at TE Connectivity in Norwood as an Engineer. She was a member of Smith College’s Summer Science and Engineering Program and has already completed two courses at Bristol Community College. Hannah was accepted at many competitive colleges and is leaning towards attending UMass Amherst Commonwealth Honors College.

A competitor in Skills USA, Hannah took a Gold Medal in Leadership District and State Competition: Additive Manufacturing and a Bronze Medal in: Exploratory Demonstration. Hannah also participated in a NASA sponsored project called HUNCH where she worked as a project manager.

In addition to her academic achievement, Hannah is an accomplished athlete. She serves as the Captain of the Varsity Cross Country Team, Varsity Basketball, Track and Field and Volleyball teams.

New Resources to Help Massachusetts Residents Cope During COVID-19

Senate President Karen Spilka and Massachusetts Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders today announced the launch of an awareness effort to help people cope with social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic and May’s Mental Health Awareness month.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, nearly 1 in 2 Americans say they are now dealing with anxiety and depression, double the normal rate from a year ago, according to Kantar’s National Health & Wellness study.

Massachusetts’ new awareness campaign centers around “What If?,” a new video promoting the power of reaching out and connecting with those who might be struggling to cope, and includes practical tips and resources on the enhanced mass.gov/covid19 site.

“May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, and it is particularly important this year to address one of the common, but less talked about, challenges brought on by the pandemic – the feeling of being alone during uncertain times,” said Senate President Karen Spilka. “One of the most fundamental things anyone can do to help those struggling to cope is simple: reach out to your friends or loved ones to see how they are doing. This campaign also seeks to connect those who may need additional resources to the supports we have available as a state. I’m proud to partner with Secretary Sudders and her team on this timely and necessary effort.”

“We know that COVID-19 is impacting people’s mental health in very different, but very profound ways,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders. “Social distancing and staying at home, while necessary and effective during this public health crisis, can create challenges for everyone, and especially for those with behavioral health conditions. In partnership with Senate President Spilka, the effort launched today will raise awareness that there are many ways to cope.”

The 30 second video, which will be promoted across social and digital media channels over the coming weeks, was produced in coordination with the Massachusetts State Senate, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health using funding provided by the Behavioral Health Outreach, Access and Support Trust Fund created in the Fiscal Year 2020 state budget.

The video asks people to take four simple steps: Ask, Listen, Encourage, and Check-in. It also directs viewers to online resources at mass.gov/CopingDuringCovid that offer information and suggestions on how to stay connected to loved ones and creative ways to cope, as well as the importance of using the free and confidential 2-1-1 system to talk to someone.

The “What if?” video is the first part of a larger public information campaign on mental health stigma, sponsored by Senate President Spilka and Secretary Sudders, scheduled to launch later this summer.

More information on how you can get help is available by visiting Mass.gov/CopingDuringCovid or calling 2-1-1 to speak to someone anonymously

https://youtu.be/_-yigNjsnQY