Senator Rausch: COVID-19 Update #11

CORONAVIRUS / COVID-19 UPDATE #11

Friday, April 10, 2020

Hi friends,

I hope everyone is safe and healthy. I can't believe this is our 11th coronavirus update, especially since we are just now approaching the anticipated surge period. Things are going to keep getting worse before they get better. Over the next 2-3 weeks, it is absolutely critical that everyone stay at home as much as possible.

I want to take a moment to be present in this reality with all of you. This is hard. This is really hard. Each and every email or phone call I get from constituents, each conversation with medical professionals, confirms for me what people seem to already know: we weren't prepared for this, we are losing people to this, and we are behind the proverbial 8-ball in our response to this. A friend recently said something that really resonated with me: "we can do hard things." Yes, this is hard, maybe the hardest period some of us have ever experienced, but we will eventually find the downswing of infection and the end of the pandemic period. In the interim, do everything you can to take care of yourselves, both physically and mentally. Get outside every day (not near other people); one dad told me he and his kids went puddle-jumping in the rain last week and it was great. Drink more water than you think you need. Use technology to connect with others. Sleep at normal (or close-to-normal) hours. Do something that brings you joy and still maintains social distancing, and do that thing at least a few times a week. This is a marathon, not a sprint. And, importantly, reach out for help when you need it.

My team and I remain fervent in our work to mitigate the impacts of coronavirus and support the people and communities we serve. Some highlights:

• The Senate passed two really important bills yesterday: the first prevents evictions and mortgage foreclosures during the pandemic, and the second waives the MCAS exams for the current school year. As always, my efforts on these bills centered equity and fairness. Additional legislative work is ongoing, including figuring out how to support virtual Town Meetings.
• My team and I have been connecting with hospitals and medical staff in our district to get a comprehensive handle on capacity and conditions of care on the ground. Relatedly, I've been briefed on the impending surge and our preparations for it. I've received and elevated areas in which we must make significant improvements to protect people, and do so equitably.
• We held our second virtual office hours today, with continued success. (You don't need to have a coronavirus question or concern to chat with us during office hours! Today's appointments were split 50-50.) Sign ups are now open for our third virtual office hours, which will be on Friday, April 24, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
• I joined with colleagues to get the Administration to speed up licensure for foreign-certified medical professionals, and then it happened.
• Today I called on Governor Baker to get the CARES Act unemployment benefits into people's hands NOW. Under the plan he announced earlier this week, the updated unemployment system won't be functional until the end of the month. People can't wait until May for this money when they're hanging on by a thread today.
• I did my weekly coronavirus interview with Peter Gay of North TV (from a different room, for those who are following along).

Yours in service,

Senator Becca Rausch

This newsletter was shortened for publication here. To view the full content follow this link:
https://mailchi.mp/0518ba77272b/covid19-update-12309418?e=0c2c9810fe

Senator Rausch: COVID-19 Update #11

Helpful Tips - Preparation for Covid-19 Hospitalization

If a family member is sick at home, they might be at risk of being hospitalized. Please have an emergency "Go Bag" ready for the hospital. Remember, family members and visitors are not being allowed into hospitals so it's best to have it all at the ready.

These tips are worthwhile for all kinds of emergencies, so spending a few minutes now can help you for a long time to come!

Items for your "Go Bag":

• Written, UPDATED and accurate list of medications: Name, Dose, Frequency, Initials after the name of medication are important too, such as: XL, XR, LA, IR, ER, SR.
• Cell phone charger
• List of emergency contacts and phone numbers on paper. If the patient is unconscious and the cell phone is locked or the battery is dead, hospital staff will need this.
• Primary Care Doctor contact info: Full name, phone number, and office address and the patient's health insurance information, including the insurance company's name, address and phone number, policy ID or policy number.
• A book (or magazine, downloaded audible book, etc.) to read.
• Copies of: Health Care Proxy, Advance Medical Directive, Power of Attorney
• If the patient has a pacemaker or defibrillator: a copy of the pocket information card that states the brand, model number, and MRI compatibility.
• If the patient has asthma or COPD, bring the inhalers. Hospitals are running out.
• Extra batteries for hearing aid or other medical devices.
• Leave copies of important papers on the side of your fridge, with a magnet. EMTs are trained to look there for emergency information in the event you contact 911 but you can't speak when they arrive.

Shared from the Town of Franklin Page
https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/news/helpful-tips-preparation-covid-19-hospitalization

Helpful Tips - Preparation for Covid-19 Hospitalization

 
 

Senate Releases Bill to Lower Signature Threshold for Some Candidacies

The Massachusetts State Senate Committee on Rules has released a bill to address public health concerns surrounding the gathering of signatures for candidates for public office during the COVID-19 State of Emergency.

"This is an unprecedented time, and we must consider all of our actions with an eye towards protecting the health and safety of our residents," stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "The Senate is therefore taking steps to reduce the number of signatures for offices that require a large number during this public health crisis. With this legislation, we hope to find a way to ensure that those who decide to run for public office can demonstrate the necessary support they have in their communities without endangering their health or the health of others."

"We must prioritize the protection of public health during this pandemic," stated Senator Joan Lovely (D-Salem), Chair of the Senate Committee on Rules. "This bill appropriately halves the requirements for candidates who need one thousand or more signatures to get on the ballot, thereby protecting both civic-minded citizens and potential officeholders."

"We need to ensure that everyone who wants to participate in the political process can do so in a way that keeps themselves and their neighbors safe, which is why this legislation is so important," stated Senator Barry Finegold (D-Andover), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Election Laws.

The Senate plans to take up the bill on Monday, April 13, 2020.

The bill text is found here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1irUIqz_4AHaCK4vZuiSmHYV5D-ebJ2vp/view?usp=sharing

or viewed here

In the News: How do candidates collect signatures while social distancing?

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

"Franklin resident Matt Kelly has been driving around a lot lately, and using a lot of hand sanitizer. 

The Franklin town councilor is hoping to become a candidate on the November ballot for state senator, but social distancing guidelines have made collecting the necessary signatures a much more difficult task than in years past. 

The typical approaches – standing outside grocery stores or downtown, going door-to-door meeting people or holding events – are now public health risks. 

Instead, Kelly is spending his days asking people via social media if they’ll support his campaign, then donning one of the masks his young children made for him and driving to people’s homes with a nomination sheet. He tapes them to storm doors or puts them in mailboxes, then picks up the signed papers the next day."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200410/how-do-candidates-collect-signatures-while-social-distancing

Related post: The MA Senate has released the text of a bill for work next week to reduce the number of signatures required due to the circumstances of the pandemic. 
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/04/senate-releases-bill-to-lower-signature.html

In the News: Gov. Baker signs bill to suspend MCAS for this school year

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

"MCAS testing requirements for the school year are suspended. The bill the governor signed into law Friday also calls for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to modify or waive graduation requirements for students set to complete high school this summer, and for due dates for district improvement plans to be pushed back. 

School districts have been closed by executive order since March 15. The new law also postpones the MBTA’s budget timeline and makes housing assistance benefits easier to acquire remotely. 

“Cancelling MCAS testing for the remainder of this school year will enable our teachers and students to focus on learning and personal well-being as we continue to navigate the current public health emergency,” Sen. Jason Lewis, co-chair of the Legislature’s Education Committee, said in a statement after the branches agreed to the bill Thursday. “Legislators heard loud and clear from teachers, parents and superintendents that this was the right thing to do.”

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200410/gov-baker-signs-bill-to-suspend-mcas-for-this-school-year/1

Related post: The legislation press release was shared on Friday
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/04/ma-legislature-passes-bill-to-help.html

Great visual to reinforce social distancing

From the Ohio Dept of Health  https://youtu.be/o4PnSYAqQHU

Their COVID-19 page  https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/home

New Guidance about COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments

“The Treasury Department launched a new web tool allowing quick registration for Economic Impact Payments for eligible individuals who do not normally file a tax return, and also announced that it would begin making automatic payments.

However, for some people receiving benefits from the Social Security Administration — specifically those who have dependent children under the age of 17—it is to their advantage to go to this portal to ensure they also get the $500 per dependent Economic Impact Payment. I encourage them to do this as soon as possible, and want to provide the following details:

People who receive Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability insurance benefits and who did not file a tax return for 2018 or 2019 and who have qualifying children under age 17 should now go to the IRS’s webpage to enter their information instead of waiting for their automatic $1,200 Economic Impact Payment.

By taking proactive steps to enter information on the IRS website about them and their qualifying children, they will also receive the $500 per dependent child payment in addition to their $1,200 individual payment. If Social Security beneficiaries in this group do not provide their information to the IRS soon, they will have to wait to receive their $500 per qualifying child."

Continue reading the article for additional details
https://blog.ssa.gov/new-guidance-about-covid-19-economic-impact-payments/

New Guidance about COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments