Washington Post: "We’re losing ground against diseases we’ve already defeated"

"As we race to build global immunity against covid-19, we’re losing ground against diseases we’ve already defeated. There are two reasons for this: growing vaccine hesitancy as a result of the politicization of coronavirus vaccines, and the disruption of routine childhood inoculation.

We cannot let this persist. Health officials — and the public at large — must shore up our defenses against all diseases and keep routine childhood vaccination requirements from becoming enmeshed in our growing ideological divide.

All vaccines work in two ways: First, they build immune memory to help protect against infectious diseases and reduce our ability to transmit them. Second, they reduce the chance we come across anyone else with the disease through the same mechanism (particularly important for vulnerable people, such as the elderly or immunocompromised). That means vaccines work best when they have high rates of population uptake."

Continue reading the article online. (Subscription maybe required)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/11/07/were-losing-ground-against-diseases-weve-already-defeated/

A measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is seen t a pediatrics clinic in Greenbrae, Calif., in February 2015. (Eric Risberg/AP)

Franklin, MA: Town Council Meeting - Agenda - November 10, 2021

Franklin Town Council

Agenda & Meeting Packet

November 10, 2021 - 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building

2nd floor, Council Chambers 355 East Central Street 

1. SWEARING IN OF TOWN CLERK AND TOWN COUNCIL

2. ELECTION OF OFFICERS – Town Council Chair, Vice-Chair & Clerk

3.     ADOPTION OF TOWN COUNCIL PROCEDURE MANUAL: Resolution 21-67       https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/3._21-67_adoption_of_council_procedures.pdf

4. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.
b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.

5. CITIZEN COMMENTS

a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. October 6, 2021

7. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - None Scheduled

8. APPOINTMENTS

a. Franklin Cultural Council: Venus Senjam

b. Franklin Cultural Council: Patrick Kinner

c. Franklin Cultural Council: Shelley Green

d. Franklin Cultural Council: Jacob Juncker

9. HEARINGS - 7:10pm - None Scheduled

10. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

a. Residence Inn Boston Franklin, License Modification, Change of Manager, Officers/Directors/ LLC Managers & Change of ownership Interest, 4 Forge Parkway, Franklin, MA 02038

b. Shaw's Supermarkets, Inc. d/b/a Shaw's, License Modification, Change of Officers/Directors/LLC Managers, 255 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038

c. 99 Restaurants of Boston, LLC d/b/a The Ninety-Nine, License Modification, Change of Officers/Directors/LLC Managers, 847 West Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038

11. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
a. Presentation: Open Meeting Law, Public Records, Ethics and Conducting a Public Meeting - Mark Cerel, Town Attorney

• Memo - > https://drive.google.com/file/d/15Ft8UZqacUKK2AT_rieHgQl4NFNR0-Xu/view?usp=sharing
• Presentation Doc - >   https://drive.google.com/file/d/15KP9W1fQTC5rOiiO_OBi6HFZv_PHtG0t/view?usp=sharing

12. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee

b. Budget Subcommittee

c. Economic Development Subcommittee

13. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 21-65: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44, §53F3/4 - $18,500.22 (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-65 - Majority Vote)

b. Resolution 21-66: Gift Acceptance: Veterans Service Department ($3,295.00) and Fire Department ($965.00) (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-66- Majority Vote)

14. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

15. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

16. COUNCIL COMMENTS

17. EXECUTIVE SESSION

a. Considering the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property, because an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the Board.
i. Schmidt’s Farm, Prospect Street

18. ADJOURN

Note:

Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes

Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting 

122 page PDF agenda and docs released for this meeting ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_packet_nov_10_2021_0.pdf

Franklin MA: Town Council - Agenda - Nov 10, 2021

Endemic? Srsly? The end is nigh – umm, or not. (Wait! What?)

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director, Franklin●TV & wfpr●fm 11/07/2021

There’s a new word in town. Endemic. What does that mean? The not so great news is that science – and the more astute among us – are coming to grips with the notion that COVID-19 is the guest that just won’t leave. We now know how this ends. Truth? It doesn’t. It lingers. It simmers. We won’t get to achieve (and celebrate) true herd immunity after all. The virus – and its variants yet to be – will be perniciously permanent.

However, with vaccines and follow–up treatments available, not every COVID-19 case is created equal. Breakthrough cases are much milder; 10,000 vaccinated cases cause a tiny fraction of hospitalizations and deaths vs 10,000 unvaccinated cases. With endemicity—when nearly everyone has baseline immunity from either infection or vaccination—the U.S. could still be facing tens of millions of infections from COVID-19 every year, thanks to waning immunity and viral evolution.

For context, the endemic flu sickens 10 to 40 million a year, and through science we mitigate its impact. The 1918 flu killed 800,000 in 2 years among 100 million Americans. COVID-19 will likely claim a similar number among 360 million of us. The 1918 flu was almost 4 times more deadly. The infected turned purple from oxygen starvation; dying within a day. Yet, then as now, masks were an issue of heated debate.

So, what’s the callous money play here? Bet on science. That’s what the stock market is doing. It’s telling us that the virus is here to stay, and mitigation will become a matter of ongoing personal vigilance. Our annual flu shot might include COVID-19. Conversely, COVID-19 treatments in capsule form might also be developed for the flu.  The war on vaccines is a false flag. Please vaccinate. It’s science. It’s safe. It’s the smart play.

And –  as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. 
And, thank you for watching. 

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf  or for archive purposes  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QqxTIq1lsCl0jTUL13dJ5vTU3nbS-gno/view?usp=sharing

Check out the endemic entry on wikipedia and find link to the other related terms. Let's hope we don't get to a state of "syndemic"  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endemic_(epidemiology)

Endemic? Srsly?  The end is nigh – umm, or not.  (Wait! What?)

Winter Farmers Market is around the corner

Bummed already that the summer Farmers Market is no longer available. Yup, that happens this time of year. However, there is hope.

Shared from Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FranklinFarmersMarketMA/posts/4737941736265773

Winter Farmers Market is around the corner

FHS boys soccer drop match, girls soccer win in OT to advance on Saturday

Via @HockomockSports and Twitter, we share the results of the FHS fall sports playoff action on Saturday, Nov 6, 2021   

Boys Soccer - Division 1 = #26 Franklin, 1 @ #7 Framingham, 2 – Final

• Heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Framingham to end our season. Goal by Sean (from Aidan). Thank you to our seniors: Jacob, Nelson, Kevin, Tim, Jack, Aidan, Terry, and Tyler. You will all be missed. Good luck to the underclassmen next year, and thank you for a great season.  https://twitter.com/_FranklinSoccer/status/1457141937312501760
• We simply loved watching you play. To the underclassmen: carry the torch. To the seniors: what a class act  https://twitter.com/FHSBoysSocBSTRs/status/1457193019195731971

Girls Soccer - Division 1 = #29 Reading, 0 @ #2 Franklin, 1 – Final (OT) 

– Freshman Kelly O’Connor popped up with a clutch header in the first overtime period to lift the Panthers to a win in their playoff opener. After a scoreless game that saw Franklin pick up its intensity in the second half and OT, Stella Regan played a ball into the box and O’Connor was there to head in the winner in her playoff debut. Franklin advances to host No. 13 Brookline on Tuesday.

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-11-06-21/

FHS boys soccer drop match, girls soccer win in OT to advance on Saturday

MSTCA Frank Mooney Cross Country Meet results - 11/06/21

Coach Bailey (@FranklinHSXC) tweeted Sat, Nov 06, 2021:

Live results from the Mooney Meet  ->  https://t.co/ngguAW2y59

Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/FranklinHSXC/status/1457019602123333646

The Mooney meet is a series of cross country races run by school class year (frosh girls,  boys; soph girls, boys; etc.) Assuming the team enters at least five runners, a team score is calculated. 

https://mstca.org/meet/mstca-frank-mooney-coaches

pack of runners in the Hock Championships boys varsity race

Join the Downtown Partnership in "Light Up Downtown Franklin and Beyond!"

 

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is inviting everyone to participate in “Light Up Downtown Franklin and Beyond” with lights and winter decorations in businesses from Nov. 20 to Jan. 31 from 4:30 PM to 9 PM.

 "Light Up Downtown Franklin and Beyond!"

Shared from the Franklin Downtown Partnership page

https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2021/11/light-up-downtown-franklin-and-beyond.html

In Person Pet First Aid & CPR class - Nov 27 & Nov 28

Join us for a 100% In Person Pet First Aid & CPR class on Saturday, November 27, 2021 and Sunday, November 28, 2021 at Destination Dog from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM both days.

Register online -> www.fourfootedfamily.com/classes

Cost = $80

There are multiple sessions available with options for hybrid or in person. Check out the full schedule -> www.fourfootedfamily.com/classes

During the course you will learn the following:

• What is Pet First Aid?
• Pet Parenting 101 - Your Pet's Baselines
• Good Tips for Problem Prevention
• Vitals and Head to Tail Checks
• Proper Handling, Restraint and Transport of an injured animal
• Creating a Disaster Preparedness Plan
• Choking Management
• CPR vs. CPCR
• Which style of CPR is appropriate for your pets
• First Aid: Illnesses & Injuries including:
• Heat Stroke and Frostbite
• Dehydration
• Severe Bleeding
• Bandaging various body parts
• Mouth & Lip Injuries/Illnesses
• Injected & Ingested Poisoning
• Drowning
• Snake Bites
• Intestinal Distress
• Allergic Reactions and Bites/Stings
• Shock & Seizures
• Bloat

Class materials and a practice pack, including $20 in take home materials will be given to you during the in person class.

At the conclusion of class you will receive a Certification of Completion wall certificate and wallet card good for 2 years. We look forward to teaching you these very valuable skills and helping you truly be your pet's best friend.

For more about Destination Dog -> https://www.destinationdogfranklin.com/

In Person Pet First Aid & CPR class - Nov 27 & Nov 28

Joint Statement from MSAA and M.A.S.S.

MSAA (@MSAA_33) tweeted  Fri, Nov 05, 2021:  @massupt and @MSAA_33 Release Joint Statement

"We stand ready to work collectively to make our schools a place where respect and civility are the norm."

For full statement -> https://t.co/tVOTZwBCQu

Shared from -> https://www.massupt.org/2021/11/05/msaamassjointstatement/
(https://twitter.com/MSAA_33/status/1456655826396094468?t=tKw_mDAvfoxSyDpfI5K6xA&s=03)

November 5, 2021 –

A Joint Statement from the Massachusetts Schools Administrators’ Association (MSAA) and the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.):

"Superintendents and principals understood that the pandemic would not just impact our students’ academic growth but more importantly, interfere with their social and emotional development.

The adult behavior toward a LGBTQ student in Franklin and the student attack on a principal in Boston only highlight what we see in the number of dis regulated students and adults in our school community right now. These behaviors are unacceptable. 

Personal threats, verbal outbursts, and physical assaults have been escalating, creating threatening situations. It is not hyperbole to say that our school and district leaders are navigating through dangerously uncharted waters fueled by these emotions. Equally, we all need to realize that many of our young people are dealing with their own trauma and it requires an entire community to help them deal with this disruptive time in their lives.

We all need to reduce the vitriol in our communication and realize that our students are watching how we adults behave. We stand ready to work collectively to make our schools a place where respect and civility are the norm."

Joint Statement from MSAA and M.A.S.S.

 

Charter School Applications Available

Applications for the 2022-2023 school year at the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School are now available -> http://bfccps.org/about/enrollment/enrollment-application/?doing_wp_cron=1636153600.6683359146118164062500

You can learn more about this regional public charter school for students in Kindergarten through Grade Eight by visiting www.bfccps.org/info

Charter School Applications Available

Shared from Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1551606135109407/permalink/3026248764311796/