Senator Rausch: COVID-19 Update #15

CORONAVIRUS / COVID-19 UPDATE #15

Friday, April 24, 2020

Hi friends,

I hope everyone is hanging in, especially with this dreary weather. I write with something fun: the next episode of Low Budget Beacon Hill! We're in a pandemic period for the long haul, so I hope this brings a little entertainment. In Episode 3, Rep. Maria Robinson and I went extra-low budget (I'm actually sitting on the floor the whole time) to shed some light on legislating in the time of coronavirus. Watch to the end for the most amusing parts.

We've received plenty of questions from constituents about how the Massachusetts State Government has continued operating during the COVID-19 pandemic. We answer lots of important questions, including:

• How are decisions made during a state of emergency?
• How does the legislature vote and operate while practicing social distancing?
• How does the COVID-19 response differ between the state and federal government?
• Did you remember to clean out your child's lunchbox?

In addition, my team and I held our third virtual office hours today, with a packed schedule and detailed conversations with constituents from across the district. We've also been hard at work on the 2020 Vote By Mail Act… more on that below.

...

Remember, there’s plenty for each of us to do to keep ourselves and our neighbors safe, like wearing a face covering when you go out in public. I’ve also donated blood and we’re participating in take-out Tuesday to help our local restaurants stay afloat! I’d love to hear what you’ve been up to … please join the social media conversation.

As always, my team and I are here for you. Call us at 617-722-1555 or email me directly at becca.rausch@masenate.gov and one of us will get back to you as quickly as we can. Please follow me on Twitter and Facebook for real-time updates.

Wishing you and your families strength, health, and resilience.

Yours in service,

Senator Becca Rausch


YouTube Link "Low-Budget Beacon Hill Episode 3: Legislating in the Time of Coronavirus" =
https://youtu.be/Jf-VReAyoCs




The newsletter was shortened for publication here, To review the full set of contents   https://mailchi.mp/7a8ac519649e/covid19-update-12318730?e=0c2c9810fe

Panther TV News - Special edition - April 24, 2020

Panther TV (@fhspanthertv) tweeted at 8:40 AM on Fri, Apr 24, 2020:

"@dannyhar562 is still hopeful for the senior class. He shares the work being done behind the scenes toward graduation and other events, on this week's Panther News! "

https://youtu.be/lBIym5RrpIk




Shared from Twitter:
https://twitter.com/fhspanthertv/status/1253665100659122177?s=03

Stadium lights to honor the Class of 2020

"To the Class of 2020, we are all thinking of you and wishing you the best! The future is bright!"

To the Class of 2020, we are all thinking of you and wishing you the best! The future is bright! #BeTheLight #FHSseniors #Classof2020 @FranklinHS @FHS2020_ @FHSPantherbook @TOFranklinMA @FranklinRec pic.twitter.com/5HFRlHWfjl

— Franklin Public Schools, MA (@FranklinPSNews) April 24, 2020

Shared from Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1253773337140047873?s=09

Stadium lights to honor the Class of 2020

Franklin, MA: Board of Health - Agenda - April 27, 2020

FRANKLIN BOARD OF HEALTH AGENDA

Monday, April 27, 2020

5:00 PM

Due to the growing concerns regarding the COVID-19 virus, we will be conducting a remote/virtual Board of Health Meeting. In an effort to ensure citizen engagement and comply with open meeting law regulations, citizens will be able to dial into the meeting using the provided phone number (Cell phone or Landline Required) OR citizens can participate by clicking on the attached link (Phone, Computer, or Tablet required). The attached link and phone number will be active for the duration of the meeting for citizens to ask questions/voice concerns.

Link:https://zoom.us/j/96430631913?pwd=TThxaDBJbjZWY3g2YkJpSmlGQmptUT09

Call in number: 1-929-205-6099 and enter Meeting ID# 964 3063 1913 Password: 551053 … Then press #


1) NEW BUSINESS

• A. Discussion pertaining to individuals wearing a cloth covering the nose and mouth in essential businesses.
• B. Discussion of essential businesses and restaurants selling groceries during outbreak.

Chairman opens the floor for any other new business

2) CITIZENS COMMENTARY

3) ADJOURNMENT


Find the Agenda doc on the Board of Health page
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/agenda-4-27-2020_.pdf

Franklin, MA: Board of Health - Agenda - Arpil 27, 2020

Simplerecycling Curbside Clothing Program Resumes on Monday, April 27

Simplerecycling Curbside Clothing Program 

Starts on Monday, April 27

Good News, the Simplerecycling curbside clothing pink bag recycling starts again on Monday, April 27.

Review our website https://www.franklinma.gov/recycling-solid-waste for more information. Simplerecycling is also available at https://simplerecycling.com/

Please help us out by recycling more clothes than ever before which helps the Franklin Solid Waste program.

We need your support now more than ever.

Thank You

Simplerecycling Curbside Clothing Program Resumes on Monday, April 27

"9 Ways Schools Will Look Different When (And If) They Reopen"

While some folks are upset schools are closed for the remainder of this school year, let's think about what they should look like when they do re-open. Jessica Minahan shared this NPR article as "food for thought."


"9 Ways Schools Will Look Different When (And If) They Reopen"

"Three-quarters of U.S. states have now officially closed their schools for the rest of the academic year. While remote learning continues, summer is a question mark, and attention is already starting to turn to next fall.

Recently, governors including California's Gavin Newsom and New York's Andrew Cuomo have started to talk about what school reopening might look like. And a federal government plan for reopening, according to The Washington Post, says that getting kids back in classrooms or other group care is the first priority for getting back to normal.

But there are still many more unknowns than guarantees. Among the biggest, says Lily Eskelsen Garcia, president of the National Education Association, the nation's largest teachers union, is this: "Is it safe and healthy for my kids to pack them into that classroom?"

Here are nine key ideas — drawn from interviews with public health experts, education officials and educators around the country — for what reopening might look like."

Continue reading about the 9 ideas online
https://www.npr.org/2020/04/24/842528906/what-it-might-look-like-to-safely-reopen-schools

Shared from Jessica Minahan via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/jessica_minahan/status/1253702816583102464?s=03

"9 Ways Schools Will Look Different When (And If) They Reopen"

In the News: community volunteers making roughly 350 gowns daily; Stop & Stop won’t refuse service to those without masks

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

"The registered nurse who works at Milford Regional Medical Center was worried about the dwindling supply of personal protective equipment, especially gowns that help reduce the spread of infection to medical center employees who are treating COVID-19 patients.

So Nadeau had an idea. What if there was a way to incorporate the plastic sheets that greenhouses use to protect plants and turn them into medical gowns?

Three weeks ago in the middle of the night, she searched the internet, and found instructions that showed it could be done. She made a prototype out of a trash bag and showed it to Nicole Thyne, executive vice-president and chief operating officer at Milford Regional."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200424/this-is-life-saving-work-volunteers-crank-out-protective-gowns-for-milford-regional-medical-center

Stop & Shop won’t turn away customers who fail to cover their faces, a widely-suggested way to curb the spread of the coronavirus, according to a company spokesperson.

“Our associates will not deny entry to a customer who is not wearing a mask in an effort to prevent potential conflict and to help ensure the safety of our associates,” Stop & Shop External Communications and Community Relations Manager Maria Fruci told the Daily News in an email this week.

The policy applies even in communities where local health officials have issued orders requiring residents wear facial coverings, including as Bellingham, Milford, and Framingham.

“Stop & Shop associates are speaking directly with customers who are not wearing a face covering to remind them of the new mandate,” Fruci said. “Those who are not wearing a mask are asked to expedite their shopping trip and wear a mask next time.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200424/stop-amp-stop-wont-refuse-service-to-those-without-masks

Stop & Shop