Franklin Matters

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

WHO Sets 6 Conditions For Ending A Coronavirus Lockdown

Via NPR from the World Health Organization

"One of the main things we’ve learned is that the faster all cases are found, tested and isolated, the harder we make it for this virus to spread. This principle will save lives and mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic."

Read the full doc here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CJCBEbSSej4Va2Yh_0n4RElSBNq10eEI/view?usp=sharing

The strategy documents from the CDC and the White House were released last week and can be found here:

CDC "Work for America" plan https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KFiHXRQvTXCScL9J450JIfkdqbEYXGwg/view?usp=sharing
White House "Opening Up America Again" Plan https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jt_nLvQAfmMVh2_X0mU5ASQYn40iWcLG/view?usp=sharing

Article at NPR: https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/04/15/834021103/who-sets-6-conditions-for-ending-a-coronavirus-lockdown

WHO Sets 6 Conditions For Ending A Coronavirus Lockdown

United Chamber: Up-to-Date Information and Resources

Good Afternoon All,

During these crazy times we know most of you are working remotely and/or working from home. Your Chamber team is in the office every day and we want to be able to be an information resource for you and your business.

We want to be provide all of our members the most up-to-date information and resources available. At this time we do not have the staff or the talent to update our website as often as the information is being sent to us so we have been posting all of the information, links, etc. to our Facebook page.

Please like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UnitedRegional/ to keep up-to-date with the information we receive from the local, State and Federal resources.

Thank you and we hope everyone stays self and healthy.

Jack

Jack Lank, IOM
President and CEO
The United Regional Chamber of Commerce
310 South Street
Plainville, MA 02762
Phone: 508-316-0861

www.unitedregionalchamber.org "People Do Business With People They Know"

United Chamber: Up-to-Date Information and Resources

Intermission Cafe presents Virtual Coffee Houses

During this time of social distancing, Intermission Cafe is collaborating with the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) to offer virtual entertainment and community. Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 4:00 PM on Intermission’s Facebook page, Intermission will host a “Virtual Coffee House” featuring live music by the talented students and alumni of the Franklin School for the Performing Arts.

Intermission has previously hosted FSPA students and alumni to present pop, rock, folk, and contemporary musical theater songs in a coffee house format at the cafe itself. Intermission is opening its doors virtually to entertain customers in an interactive and engaging format of popular songs. Performers will converse with their audience sharing interesting facts and stories about the music and original artists they have chosen to perform.

To view the live and past Virtual Coffee House performances, follow Intermission on Facebook. Patrons can also follow Intermission on Instagram (@intermissioncafe). The cafe is located at 36 Main Street (rear) in downtown Franklin.

FSPA alum Griffin Wilkins and current FSPA student Caroline Wilkins

50+ Job Seekers Session - Networking while Virtual - Friday - April 24

The topic for this Friday's session will be Networking.

I'll review the general theories of networking and we will discuss how to network while most people are stuck at home.

We will use the Zoom breakout rooms to allow networking in "tables."

If you are interested in attending and have not yet registered for the 50+ Jobseekers program, please register at https://50plusjobseekers.org/outreach/registration/

Once you register, my co-facilitator and I will be notified, and we will add you to our mailing list for invitations to specific virtual sessions.

Ed Lawrence

50+ Group Leader for Franklin and Hopkinton

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R3PvptBpd269fGVIz39lj9O7uknYeODQ/view?usp=sharing

50+ Job Seekers Session - Friday - April 24

Act Now – Go to IRS.gov – A Message from Social Security Commissioner Andrew Saul

Act Now – Go to IRS.gov

A Message from Social Security Commissioner

Andrew Saul

Social Security beneficiaries and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients who don’t file tax returns will start receiving their automatic Economic Impact Payments directly from the Treasury Department soon.

People receiving benefits who did not file 2018 or 2019 taxes, and have qualifying children under age 17, however, should not wait for their automatic $1,200 individual payment. They should immediately go to the IRS’s webpage and visit the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here section to provide their information.

Social Security retirement, survivors, and disability insurance beneficiaries with dependent children and who did not file 2018 or 2019 taxes need to act by Wednesday, April 22, in order to receive additional payments for their eligible children quickly.

SSI recipients need to take this action by later this month; a specific date will be available soon.

Continue reading →
https://blog.ssa.gov/act-now-go-to-irs-gov-a-message-from-social-security-commissioner-andrew-saul/

Act Now – Go to IRS.gov – A Message from Social Security Commissioner Andrew Saul

Monday, April 20, 2020

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) beginning at 8:30 AM today (4/20/20)

Good morning:

We are happy to announce that claimants will be able to file for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) beginning at 8:30 AM today.

They can do so by applying at: www.mass.gov/pua

PUA is a program open to the following individuals:

Self-employed individuals, including gig workers, freelancers, and independent contractors
Those seeking part-time employment
Claimants that have an insufficient work history to qualify for benefits
And claimants that have been laid off from churches and religious institutions and are not eligible for benefits under state law

As PUA is a separate program from regular unemployment insurance, we ask that you send constituent inquiries to Jennifer Lavin at PUAconstituentservices@detma.org

The DUA constituent service team (like Mavis Smith, for example) does not have access to the PUA platform, so they will not be able to help you with these claims. If you have policy questions please do not hesitate to reach out to Jessica.muradian@mass.gov.

Thank you,

Jessica Muradian
Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development
Deputy Chief of Staff & Director of Legislative Affairs and Policy
Office: (617) 626-7123
Jessica.Muradian@State.ma.us

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) beginning at 8:30 AM today (4/20/20)

Please Respond Today to the 2020 Census

We have reached 65.5% Franklin, there is still time to go beyond 80% (actually did 79.9% in the 2010 Census)

"The 2020 Census is underway and more households across America are responding every day. Over 70 million households have responded to date, representing 48.1% of all households in America. Make sure that you and your friends and family are included in this once-a-decade count.

Help us spread the word: Everyone can respond to the 2020 Census online in one of 13 languages, with assistance available in many more.

Please note: About 64 million households across the nation will receive a paper questionnaire in the coming days. If you receive mail after you have responded, you should disregard it. It was sent before we received your response."