Baker-Polito Administration Extends Non-Essential Business Closures to May 18th, Announces Reopening Advisory Board

Today (Apr 28, 2020), the Baker-Polito Administration extended the essential services emergency order to May 18th and launched a Reopening Advisory Board that will produce a plan to the Governor by May 18th. The Administration also announced that the Department of Public Health’s Stay At Home Advisory remains in effect and gatherings of 10 or more people remain prohibited until May 18th.

Essential Services Order: Governor Charlie Baker’s emergency order requiring that all businesses and organizations that do not provide “COVID-19 Essential Services” close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers and the public will be extended until May 18th. Businesses and organizations not on the list of essential services are encouraged to continue operations through remote means that do not require workers, customers, or the public to enter or appear at the brick-and-mortar premises closed by the order. This order also extends the existing ban on gatherings of more than 10 people until May 18th.

Stay at Home Advisory: Governor Charlie Baker announced that the Department of Public Health’s stay-at-home advisory will remain in effect. Residents are strongly urged to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel and other unnecessary person to person contact during this time period. Residents who are considered at high risk when exposed to COVID-19 should limit social interactions with other people as much as possible. 

Executive Branch Employee Guidance: The Baker-Polito Administration today also extended the guidance issued to Executive Branch employees on protocol during the COVID-19 outbreak to ensure state government can continue to provide key services while protecting the health and safety of the public and the Executive Branch workforce. Under the guidance, all employees performing non-core functions who are able to work remotely should continue to do so until May 18th.

Reopening Advisory Board: Today, Governor Baker announced the formation of the Reopening Advisory Board, which will be Co-Chaired by Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy. The Board brings public health officials together with leaders from the business community and municipal government from across the Commonwealth. This group is charged with advising the administration on strategies to reopen the economy in phases based on health and safety metrics. It will meet with key stakeholders and solicit input from a variety of constituencies over the next three weeks to develop a report by May 18th that will include DPH approved workplace safety standards, industry frameworks and customer protocols and guidelines, including enforcement mechanisms and coordination with municipal leaders. This report is due on the 18th, but the administration has made clear that public health data and guidance from health care experts will dictate the timeline of the re-opening process.

The 17-member Advisory Board is composed of three public health officials, including Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Monica Bharel, three municipal officials, and eleven leaders from the business community, including MassDOT Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. Members of the Advisory Board bring a range of perspectives to the table, such as an understanding of workplaces and workforces and insights into key areas like financial markets, education, manufacturing and transportation.

Reopening Advisory Board Members:

• Aron Ain, CEO, Kronos Inc & Ultimate Software
• Carlo Zaffanella, Vice President and General Manager, Maritime & Strategic Systems, General Dynamics Mission Systems
• Corey Thomas, CEO, Rapid 7
• Daniel Rivera, Mayor, City of Lawrence
• Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH, Massachusetts General Hospital
• Girish Navani, CEO and Co-Founder, eClinicalWorks
• Joe Bahena, Senior Vice President, Joseph Abboud Manufacturing
• Kathryn Burton, Chief of Staff, City of Boston
• Laurie Leshin, Ph.D., President, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
• Linda Markham, President, Cape Air
• Mark Keroack, President & CEO, Baystate Health
• Dr. Monica Bharel, M.D., Commissioner, Department of Public Health
• Nicole LaChapelle, Mayor, City of Easthampton
• Pamela Everhart, Head of Regional Public Affairs and Community Relations, Fidelity Investments
• Stephanie Pollack, Transportation Secretary and CEO
• Steve DiFillippo, CEO, Davios Restaurants
• Wendy Hudson, Owner, Nantucket Book Partners

Shared from the MA.gov page
https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-extends-non-essential-business-closures-to-may-18th-announces

screengrab of broadcast on announcement

Voices of Franklin: Get Back To Where We Were?

This spring we have been witness to people in leadership positions emphasizing the need for our economy and society to return to “normal” as soon as possible. But getting back to where we were is complicated, and begs the question: Was where we were, where we want to be?

When there are disruptions in our lives, we don’t believe it is prudent to rush back to the way things were. Instead, such disturbances afford us the opportunity to carefully reflect on the situation by asking: Where were we? What does the shakeup reveal? What of the past do we carry forward with us? How do we move forward in a way that allows us to cope and make our lives better?

As we reflect on the COVID-19 crisis this spring and all that we and others have to do to survive, we can’t help but think of our sustenance. Some of us feel vulnerable and confused by what roles we should play for our individual and families’ sustainability, and for what personal responsibilities we can own during this crisis.

This spring’s interruption of our “normal” existence is an opportunity to not only be socially conscious, but to empower ourselves. This is the year to GROW a GARDEN. It is the time to think about digging up part of that lawn. It is about helping out in the community gardens and installing planters or raised beds. NOW is the time for a movement towards gardening so that we can learn to enjoy the intrinsic value that lies in the preparation, sowing, cultivation, and reaping.

Gardening, in all its forms, will give you back more than the labor it takes. It provides opportunities to connect with the earth, and extends to you moments of teaching and learning. If you are patient you will see that gardening is about social responsibility, confidence, and empowerment.

Gardening grants time for community and family cultivation and, on top of it all, gives you those delicious fruits and vegetables of which you can say with pride, “I grew that!”


‘Tis the season,
Vincent Fanuele and Jessi Fanuele 
VFJ Renovations, Inc.

VFJ Renovations, Inc.

Find VFJ on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/336675640619192/photos/a.550464219240332/550462509240503/?type=3&theater

Senator Rausch: COVID-19 Update #16

View this email in your browser CORONAVIRUS / COVID-19 UPDATE #16 Tuesday, April 28, 2020 Dear friends, A few quick updates for you about your government's response to the COVID-19 outbreak: Stay-at-Home Advisory Extension: Today, Governor Baker extended the state's stay-at-home advisory and non-essential business closure from May 4 to May 18. By way of reminder, last week all schools were closed for the duration of the school year and early education and child care centers were closed through the end of June.   Watch Out for Scammers: There have been reports of COVID-19 scams related to the state's contact tracing program. Scammers are identifying themselves as part of the Community Tracing Collaborative and asking individuals for their social security number and health insurance information, which the actual Community Tracing Collaborative will NEVER ask from you. If you receive a call like this, please reach out to your local board of public health. To learn more about what the COVID Community Team does or how a phone call works from them, please consult this resource.   COVID by the Numbers: Every day, the Department of Public Health issues a comprehensive dashboard of data, including a breakdown of coronavirus cases by county and other demographic distinctions. Town and city level data is updated weekly.   Face Mask Orders: Several municipalities throughout the Commonwealth, including some in our district, are considering or issuing local orders to wear face masks in public. Check out your local coronavirus response via links on our public health resources page.   Eating Locally During COVID-19: I know many of us are trying to limit our exposure while supporting local businesses. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources collected lists of where you can shop local, by region. Check it out along with our other food-related resources here.   In Case You Missed It: Check out Episode 3 of Low Budget Beacon Hill: Legislating in the Time of Coronavirus! We've been hearing plenty of questions from constituents about how the Massachusetts State Government has continued operating during the COVID-19 pandemic, so in this episode, Rep. Maria Robinson and I take a deep dive into the legislative response to Coronavirus. Watch here:                    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. Be well and stay safe. Yours in service, Senator Becca Rausch My next Virtual Office Hours will be next Friday, May 8th from 10 am - 12 pm. Sign up for a 15-minute appointment here. Residents from any part of the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District are welcome to share their questions and opinions on state issues with me and my team over Google Hangouts, Skype, and phone calls. Office hours are available to discuss any matter and are not limited to discussions about COVID-19.

Senator Rausch · State House, Room 218 · 24 Beacon Street · Boston, MA 02133-1099 · USA

Veterans Virtual Coffee Social - May 6

We look forward to having our monthly Veterans Coffee Social on Wednesday, May 6 at 11:00 AM.

Details for the meeting are below. You may join via the internet or call in from any phone.

Link to Join Meeting -https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84657160506

Call-in Phone Number:
Call 1-312-626-6799 and enter the Meeting ID: 846 5716 0506 then press # 

Veterans Virtual Coffee Social - May 6

FHS "Keep Music Alive" 4/28/20 - #5

This week the FHS music department will feature the following musicians:

Christopher Broyles
Christopher is a sophomore at Franklin High School and plays the viola. Chris has participated in Central Districts, All State, and is a member of the RI Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. Chris also studies privately with Mr. Don Krishnaswami.  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xqr03jg5BFbqLwOsGaaJU8r9bMMcgOZo/view






The Middle School Band Directors from Remington, Horace Mann and Annie Sullivan
Mickey Ireland - Clarinet, Sean Donnelly - Clarinet, Nicole Wright - Baritone and BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND - Ms. Pamela Butz - previous ASMS Band Dir.!


"Girl from Inpanema"  https://youtu.be/DlqEqLxaaiY

JF Kennedy School video

"Hi Ladybugs! Check out this awesome video from your teachers and staff members at JFK! We miss you so much! We are proud of the great work you are doing to keep learning alive at Kennedy!"

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1icmlmGaqWvw7wEGKDzNK3yTvVe8oIxqO/view




Shared via Twitter
https://twitter.com/jfkladybugs/status/1255189379699572738?s=09

New England Journal of Medicine: "Infection-control strategies focused solely on symptomatic residents were not sufficient"

Recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reached the following "Conclusions"

"Rapid and widespread transmission of SARS-CoV-2 was demonstrated in this skilled nursing facility. More than half of residents with positive test results were asymptomatic at the time of testing and most likely contributed to transmission.

Infection-control strategies focused solely on symptomatic residents were not sufficient to prevent transmission after SARS-CoV-2 introduction into this facility."

This helps to explain the science behind the social distancing and stay-at-home order. Treating only those with symptoms is not sufficient. The nature of this disease is devious. We all need to treat everyone as possibly carrying the virus, hence the social distancing facial covering, washing hands, etc.


The full study can be found online  https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2008457

New England Journal of Medicine: "Infection-control strategies focused solely on symptomatic residents were not sufficient"