Around Town

Area Hospitals Preparing for Peak of COVID-19 Outbreak in Massachusetts

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Dr. Kristin Cox wears a protective mask that has become a staple at Newton-Wellesley Hospital and other medical facilities during the COVID-19 outbreak. Cox is the Medical Director of Quality and Safety at Newton-Wellesley. Massachusetts has been in prevention mode to help curb the spread of COVID-19 for the past few weeks and the predicted peak of the virus is expected to hit in mid-April. Meanwhile, hospitals in the Bay State, including two that serve many Watertown residents, have been planning and adapting to the new virus to make sure they are prepared for the worst of the outbreak. Statewide, there have been 16,790 positive cases of COVID-19, 433 deaths and 1,583 people hospitalized, as of April 8.

Government

Find Out About Unemployment Benefits for Those Impacted by the Coronavirus Outbreak

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Gov. Charlie Baker, with Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. Gov. Charlie Baker discussed details of the unemployment benefits available through the Federal CARES Act, including for those who don’t traditionally qualify for such benefits. Those who qualify can get an additional $600 on top of the normal unemployment benefits, and payments will be retroactive to March 29, and will extend through the end of July. Unemployment benefits will also be available to self-employed, independent contractors, gig economy workers, and others who otherwise would not normally qualify. Find out more information and how to apply below.

Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation Using Resilience Funds to Help Food Pantry, Fund Coordinator

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Just weeks after creating the Resilience Fund to help Watertown weather the Coronavirus outbreak, the Watertown Community Foundation has awarded money to help make sure residents have food, and to fund a coordinator to help those in need of assistance. The fund started with $40,000 from the Foundation’s unrestricted fund and donations from board members and staff. That amount has increased to more than $60,000 thanks to donations from individuals, local businesses and foundations, said WCF Executive Director Jan Singer. The money is intended to help people who are struggling due to the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak. Some of the funds have already been distributed to help restart the operation of the Catholic Coalition Food Pantry in East Watertown, and to hire a part-time coordinator to help match people with the assistance they need.

Around Town

LETTER: U.S. Post Office Using Social Distancing to Protect Mail Carriers During COVID-19 Outbreak

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Dear Editor:

During these challenging times, postal employees are working hard to ensure residents stay connected with their world through the mail. Whether it’s medications, a package, a paycheck, benefits or pension check, a bill or letter from a family member, postal workers understand that every piece of mail is important. While service like this is nothing new to us, we need our communities’ help with social distancing. For everyone’s safety, our employees are following the social distancing precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health officials. We are asking people to not approach our carriers to accept delivery.

Around Town

Mass. Grocery Stores Ordered to Limit Capacity to Prevent Spread of COVID-19; Most New Cases & Deaths in 1 Day

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Grocery stores in Massachusetts will be limited to allowing less than half their capacity of shoppers after an order sent out by the Mass. Commissioner of Public Health. The move is aimed at limiting the spread of the Coronavirus. Stores will be allowed to have 40 percent of their capacity, according to the order issued on Tuesday, according to a report by WHDH Channel 7. The order from Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel reads, in part:

“Each Grocery store shall limit occupancy to 40 percent of its maximum permitted occupancy level as documented in its occupancy permit on record with the municipal building department or other municipal record-holders in order to provide for in-store social distancing while preserving sufficient access for the public to supplies of food and necessities.”

Around Town

Know of Someone Doing Something Awesome in Watertown, Nominate Them

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Kate and Allie are the first people featured in Watertown Wednesdays, which focuses on people and groups doing something awesome in Watertown during the Coronavirus outbreak. Looking for a way to celebrate the positive things during the time of COVID-19, a Watertown business has started a weekly feature focusing on a person, group or even a pet doing something great in town. Ballroom in Boston will post the weekly honoree on its Facebook page as part of what co-owner Lilia Weisfeldt has dubbed “Watertown Wednesdays.” “This idea occurred to me that I hear about lots of cool things people are doing around town, especially while we’re all stuck at home,” Weisfeldt said. “I thought we could all use some local positive info in our social media feeds and that this would be a great way to make that happen.”

Around Town

Information About COVID-19 Resources from Congresswoman Clark’s Office

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The following information was provided by Congresswoman Katherine Clark’s office:

Mental Health Resources

In addition to the physical risks associated with COVID-19, the stress of losing your job or income, being separated from your loved ones, or not having access to basic family support like child care can also be detrimental to your health. Many of our friends, family, and neighbors are struggling to cope with these new challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is important that all of us receive the love and support we need to get through these hardships. If you need to speak with a crisis counselor immediately, you can call the Massachusetts Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990. The CDC has issued guidelines for coping with a disaster or traumatic event, as well as guidelines for helping children cope with emergencies.For seniors and other at-risk populations who have had to dramatically limit their interactions with others to avoid the spread of COVID-19, the AARP has provided a list of suggestions on how to fight social isolation.For resources on how to proactively monitor your behavioral health and avoid being overwhelmed by stress or anxiety caused by COVID-19, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has provided a list of useful tips for you to follow. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline also provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, as well as prevention and crisis resources. If you or someone you know needs help, please call: 1-800-273-8255. Prevention Measures 

You’ve likely already heard about many of these preventative measures, but it is important that they be reiterated and regularly practiced as good hygiene and social distancing are the most effective ways of stopping the spread of this virus.

Around Town

Minuteman Students, Superintendent Making Masks to Help Local Hospitals During COVID-19

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The following information was provided by Minuteman High School:

Allison Sanzio, a Minuteman High School senior in culinary arts from Stow, and her mom have joined an effort in their community to make face masks at home during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Several members of the Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical High School community are doing their part to fight COVID-19 – from creating face masks to helping a local hospital expand its capacity to care for coronavirus patients. “All of us are making sacrifices right now, but no one is sacrificing more than the medical providers and first responders across the nation,” said Superintendent-Director Edward A. Bouquillon, who has sewn dozens of masks at home with his wife, Diane. “We want to help in any way we can. I’m so proud of the students and staff who are using their skills to pitch in.”

Three siblings from Arlington who all attend Minuteman – eleventh-grader Jacob Woolf (programming and web development major) and ninth-graders Leah and Mari Woolf (early education and design and visual communication majors, respectively) – are volunteering for MasksOn, an initiative launched in recent weeks to retrofit snorkel masks with medical-grade breathing equipment that can be used repeatedly by clinicians.