The Guardian: "COVID-19 discoveries: what we know now that we didn’t know before"

"How COVID spreads

When COVID first hit the UK, so too did sales of hand sanitiser. On 28 February, Boris Johnson said: “The best thing people can do to prevent the spread of coronavirus is wash your hands.”

The emphasis was, in part, because it was thought one of the key routes by which COVID was spread was by people touching contaminated surfaces and then touching their own face – so called “fomite transmission”. Websites even appeared designed to alert you should you reach for your features, while many people became concerned about whether to disinfect groceries and parcels.

But experts now argue that the role of tiny virus-containing particles called aerosols, emitted along with larger droplets when infected people breathe, speak or cough, were overlooked – and that ventilation in indoor settings is crucial to reduce the spread of COVID."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/06/four-areas-where-what-is-known-about-the-covid-virus-has-evolved

The Guardian: "COVID-19 discoveries: what we know now that we didn’t know before"

Reinvention Boot Camp - Thursday, Aug 26

REINVENTION BOOT CAMP:  TALK TO THE PROS  

You've set a course to reinvent yourself and made some progress.  Maybe as a freelancer, a consultant, or a business startup.  

But you could use some advice, ideas, connections or encouragement. 

That's what the Reinvention Bootcamp is all about.  

Join our panel of highly experienced Business Advisors for guidance & insight.  Then break into small groups with fellow "ReInventors" and one of our Advisors  to get specific and practical input tailored to your questions.  

You'll leave this workshop inspired and ready to jumpstart the next  phase of your reinvention journey!  

Thursday, August 26, 10-11:30 am 

REGISTER: https://bit.ly/3i0btxq 

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Presented by the 50+ Job Seekers Networking Program and The Encore Boston Network

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Reinvention Boot Camp - Thursday, Aug 26

Statement from Senate President Karen E. Spilka on Masks in Schools

Statement from Senate President Karen E. Spilka on Masks in Schools 

 

Next month, almost a million children will return to Massachusetts K-12 public schools. Of these kids, nearly half will be under 12 years old and therefore ineligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine before returning to the classroom. 

 

Throughout the spring and summer, I joined parents and teachers in the hope that our children could return to school with a sense of normalcy. With the rise of the highly contagious Delta variant, however, the situation is clear: COVID-19 case counts are rising. The number of deaths is once again rising, including among those who have been vaccinated. This means that we are not quite ready to return to our pre-pandemic 'normal.' 

 

Public health experts and the American Academy of Pediatrics agree that universal masking in schools is an effective way to keep our vulnerable children and residents safe as we continue to fight this global pandemic. Parents, school staff and students seek clear, consistent direction as the school year starts, and they deserve to get it from the state. That's why I am calling on the Baker Administration to require masks in school this fall. 

 

No one wants to go back to the dark early days of this public health crisis, and so we must do everything possible to keep people safe and our economy stable. Wearing a mask around vulnerable populations, including unvaccinated children and others, is a small and simple action we can take to do this.  

 

Our children deserve to learn, grow and thrive in a safe and healthy environment, free from the disruption, anxiety and fear of a COVID-19 outbreak in their school. Massachusetts residents have shown such amazing compassion, caring and resilience throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We need to keep going until our youngest and most vulnerable can be vaccinated.  

wfpr.fm: More Perfect Union - 020 - Climate Change

"In this episode, Frank and the group discuss the current climate crisis, projections, and what efforts the U.S. and the rest of the world need to make to keep things under control."

Direct link -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/86371bcf-3816-42af-8a72-b1baf3fa8c25

wfpr.fm: More Perfect Union - 020 - Climate Change

 

Cake Bar update - closing Aug 14 to re-open (TBD) with new owners

"Hi everyone! It is with sadness we inform you that The Cake Bar is closing its doors. We want to thank the town of Franklin, surrounding towns, and all our customers for your loyalty and friendship throughout the years. Our last day will be Saturday, August 14th, so come in to get your treats and smoothie bowls while they last.

We know you need your smoothie fix, so look for upcoming news about Sippin’ Smoothies and bowls on Facebook or Instagram! @sippinsmoothies   

(https://www.instagram.com/sippinsmoothies/)

The new owners will continue to provide you with beautiful, delicious custom cakes and cupcakes, and will also turn it into a wonderful place for breakfast and lunch. They will be shutting down for renovations but make sure to look for the grand opening in the fall! We’ll see you there and we can all give them a big welcome!

Thank you all so much - The Cake Bar"

Shared from Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CSMlzSILutP/?utm_medium=copy_link

Cake Bar update - closing Aug 14 to re-open (TBD) with new owners

Franklin's Event Outlook: Aug 6 - Aug 12, 2021

Another busy day at the Town Common with the Farmers Market; music, kids crafts, "Touch a Tractor", and then Concerts on the Common with two music sets and a movie!

Friday, August 6
2:00pm - Farmers Market
3:30pm - Kids craft activity by Library Youth Services
5:00pm - Concerts on the Common: "David Penza"
6:00pm - Concerts on the Common: "Backyard Swagger"
8:00pm - Movie Night: Frozen II

Saturday, August 7
10:00am - Historical Museum (always free)

Sunday, August 8
1:00pm - Historical Museum (always free)

Find the full calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

The School district meeting calendar is found   https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26

 

Community Calendar

Franklin Election 2021: What does the Board of Health do?

From the Annual Report of 2020 is this brief section on the Board of Health:

"The three-member elected Board of Health is the policy making arm for the Health Department. The board members assist in the drafting of public health bylaws and regulations. The board also presides over administrative hearings concerning health department licensed and permitted activities. The board members are utilized for consultation on issues relative to public health as well."

One position is up for election on November 2 for a 4 year term. The other positions will be up for election in 2 years. This staggers the membership to maintain institutional knowledge. The Board of Health Chair, Bridget Sweet current holds the seat up for election this year.

What does the Health Department do?

"The Franklin Health Department is charged with protecting the public health and well-being of the community, in accordance with federal, state and local public health laws and regulations. 

The Franklin Health Department's responsibilities include inspecting and permitting new and repaired/upgraded individual septic systems, witnessing percolation testing, biannual inspections of all food service and retail food establishments, investigating complaints of public health nuisances, enforcement of the state sanitary code relative to housing, licensing of children's recreational camps, inspection of semi-public swimming pools and spas, tanning salon and manicure/pedicure establishment inspections. The Health Department also issues permits for individual private drinking water and irrigation wells."

State Required Duties of the Board of Health can be found here 
http://www.franklinma.gov/health-department/pages/state-required-duties-board-health

The Board of Health can be found on the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department


Find more information on the Franklin Election Nov 2, 2021 in the "election collection"  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/07/franklin-election-collection-2021.html

Franklin Election 2021: What does the Board of Health do?