Two MA vaccine scheduling alternatives to the State option

 

"THANKS TO THE  ingenuity of a software developer on maternity leave, the state may be improving its public website for scheduling COVID-19 vaccines.

Olivia Adams, 28, developed her own website, which assembles vaccine appointment slots from multiple sources into a single, one-click spot where people 75 and over can sign up to get the shot.

“My mother-in-law was having trouble booking an appointment for her vaccine, and then had the same trouble when she was trying to get her father vaccinated,” wrote Adams on her website. “I kept hearing the same frustrations over and over – from family, from friends, and on the news. The sign-up process was too confusing, too disjointed.”

As an Athenahealth software developer on leave, she had the skills to try to resolve the issue, so she launched a free, user-friendly site on February 5."

Continue reading the article online 

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health-care/website-developer-helps-people-find-vaccination-appointments/ 

Boston Globe coverage of the website

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/02/05/business/this-software-developer-is-building-better-website-find-vaccination-slots-than-state/

1 - Go directly to the website to schedule an appointment if you are in the phase of qualifications  https://www.macovidvaccines.com/

An alternative to make an appointment has also come up from another set of developers  https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/another-coder-has-built-a-covid-vaccine-appointment-website-for-mass-residents/ar-BB1dvQ9L

2 - Go directly to this site =>  https://vaccinatema.com/

Two MA vaccine scheduling alternatives to the State option

MBTA Community Engagement - Update on Forging Ahead

The MBTA Community Engagement team is reaching out to provide an update on the Forging Ahead initiative. 

More information about the Forging Ahead process can be found at https://t.co/6aCrIUpXQS. @MBTA_CR https://t.co/BmYqqNtDef

 

Shared via Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1359211228179144716

MBTA Community Engagement - Update on Forging Ahead

"success is a reason to make mail-in voting permanent"

 

"CITING THE SUCCESS of mail-in voting during the pandemic, Secretary of the Commonwealth Bill Galvin on Tuesday released a bill that would make voting by mail a permanent feature of Massachusetts elections.

Galvin said vote-by-mail led to record turnout in the state primary and the presidential election, with prompt, reliable results. “Voters were very enthusiastic about it and used it,” Galvin said. “From an administrative point of view, we know now we can do it.”

Continue reading the article online 

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/politics/galvin-backs-permanent-mail-in-voting/

There are 20 bills filled on 'vote by mail' for this session (as of 2/10/21 AM)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/Search?searchTerms=vote%20by%20mail

Senator Becca Rausch filed two bills on this topic: 

• one titled making election day a state holiday  https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/SD967
• and the other "modernizing access and improving laws in voting"  https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/SD39

A Franklin Treasure - Elizabeth's Bagels (audio)

FM #457 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 457 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Jen Garcia of Elizabeth’s Bagels. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about: 

• A quick background on Elizabeth’s Bagels
• Adjustments made and being made during this COVID-19 pandemic
• As a small businesses some issues with 3rd party delivery companies

Links to Elizabeth's Bagels webpage are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 18 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jen.

Audio file = https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/72225fc3-d171-4ad9-a9c0-8f2f77f1b236/fm-457-elizabethsbagels-20210125.mp3

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Find Elizabeth’s Bagels at 456 West Central Street, Franklin

• webpage = https://elizabethsbagels.com/ 
• Facebook page = https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elizabeths-Bagels/84301856675 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
 
How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
 
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

A Franklin Treasure - Elizabeth's Bagels (audio)

Franklin Public Schools: Half Day - February 9, 2021

February, 9, 2021

Dear Franklin community,

The weather forecast is calling for light snow to begin this morning with heavier snow showers developing in the afternoon making dismissal difficult.

Therefore, we will hold school (both in-person/hybrid and remote) today, Tuesday, February 9, on a half day schedule. Schools will be dismissed as follows:

• ECDC: 12:15 PM
• Elementary Schools: 11:45 AM
• Middle Schools:10:45 AM (10:50 AM at HMMS)
• High Schools: 10:55 AM

Snow day decisions never please everyone. The rationale for a half day involves preserving in person learning wherever possible, as we know that this face to face time is of great value to our students. Throughout this winter season, we are keeping track of the impact of these decisions on our different cohorts and we will make adjustments, if we are able.

As always on snowy days, parents/guardians may exercise their discretion to keep their child home if they feel it is unsafe.

Stay safe and warm.

Kind regards,
Sara Ahern

Franklin Public Schools: Half Day  - February 9, 2021

 

Let’s Laugh Today is Free EVERY Wednesday at 7:30 PM on ZOOM!

Let’s Laugh Today is free on ZOOM! There is nothing like a good belly laugh to help release stress and anxiety. 

These laughter exercises and gentle deep breathing help to bring more fresh oxygen into the body and brain helping you feel more energetic and healthy. It's a great way to connect with other people through eye contact while remaining socially distant and it is thoroughly up-lifting and immunity-boosting! 

See www.letslaughtoday.com for link to the free 45 minute ZOOM Meeting EVERY Wednesday at 7:30 PM. All ages are welcome. 

You can sit or stand the entire time. It’s a good time to try something new and take care of your mental health! 

Led by local Certified Laughter Yoga Master Trainers and Laughter Ambassadors, Bill and Linda Hamaker. They are the HA Makers! Also see www.letslaughtoday.com for more opportunities to laugh!

Bill and Linda Hamaker, they are the HA Makers!

"they came in day one understanding the value of each and every day"

In the Boston Globe "Girls Basketball Notebook" we find this to share:

"A year after finishing the season with a 24-0 record, Franklin followed that up with a perfect 10-0 mark this season.

“We were all clear on the goal of an undefeated season, and every practice and every game we went into it with the intention of achieving that goal,” junior catalyst Olivia Quinn said.

Coach John Leighton said he’s thoroughly impressed with the way the Panthers have kept it rolling despite losing lots of talent from last year’s squad.

“In many ways, having our run to the state championship last year cut short by COVID benefitted this team because they came in day one understanding the value of each and every day,” Leighton said. “They wasted no time and worked as if each day may be their last.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/02/09/sports/following-an-extended-offseason-thanks-pandemic-fenway-girls-picked-right-up-with-their-winning-way/

 

"they came in day one understanding the value of each and every day"