Dear Bolts Nation:

We hope you are continuing to take precautions and stay safe. Our fundraising partner, Mass General Hospital has shared some information we hope you find interesting including fact sheets, FAQs about Coronavirus, VIDEOS - 'How to talk to your Kids about Coronavirus' and much more.

Social distancing is necessary at this time, but can be difficult. We are all in this together. Please share your ideas for keeping kids active and busy.

Here's an activity we thought might be fun. As a Players First Club , Bolts continue to emphasize the development of individuals to his or her full potential. The P1 TopYa! @Home Skills Challenge launches TODAY AT 3PM and continues through April 15th. Download the TopYa! App onto your phone and keep busy (and win prizes) with the daily challenges. Players of any age can participate, though this is designed for players age U8 and up.
Join BOLTS's free Virtual Soccer Contest
As we all work to keep our soccer communities safe during this uncertain time, Boston Bolts are participating in the P1-TopYa! @home skills contest, an opportunity for players to work on ball skills on their own at home. While teams may not be able to train together these coming weeks, we encourage all our players to touch the ball at home and work on skills.
As a Players First licensed club, and in light of current events, we have a valuable opportunity to participate in a FREE, exclusive @home Virtual Skills Contest powered by TopYa!. This program enables us to keep both player health & safety AND player development as the top priorities they are, even in these challenging times.

Here’s how it works:
Players watch exclusive P1 soccer skill videos in the TopYa! Soccer app, then they practice the skills and upload videos of them completing each skill.
Each player receives personalized feedback on every video they submit from TopYa!’s expert team of Virtual Coaches.
Players will get points for each approved skill video to climb the contest leaderboard for weekly prizes!
Step 1: Get the App
  1. Go to https://app.topya.com/contests/p1-topya-spring-2020-skills-contest
  2. Select the button labeled “Join the Contest,” and select our club
  3. On the next screen, enter your phone number to receive a text message containing a link to download or open the TopYa! Soccer app (iOS or Android)
Step 2: Set Up Your Account
If you already have the TopYa! Soccer app and a Player account:
Following the text link will open the TopYa! Soccer app where you can log into your account
From the Invite Code screen, select the blue “Save” button at the bottom, then select your club then Go to the Skills Academy and get started!

If you do not have the TopYa! Soccer app and a Player account:
Following the link in the text message will direct you to download the app (App Store or Google Play)
Once you have the app, create a Player account*
Head to the Skills Academy and get started!

*NOTE: Any player under the age of 13 is required to be associated with a TopYa! Parent account, for COPPA compliance (safety and privacy). When a U13 or younger player downloads the app and creates an account, the parent will also be prompted to make an account. Once the Parent and Player accounts have been created, your child can participate in the contest! 
Step 3: Develop Your Skills
Once you’re in the Skills Academy, you’ll find exclusive P1 skills and other soccer skill videos. We’re excited to be able to offer this program, and to see each of you have fun spending time with the ball!

The fine print and important info :
The contest runs March 16 through April 15
While this is a free contest, there are in-app purchase options where players can purchase additional skills content to work on. Again, this is by no means required and most players will not even see the purchasable content options.
Any player under the age of 13 is required to have an associated parent account in the TopYa! Soccer app. This is for safety and privacy compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act

Prizes: Weekly boy/girl winner = US Club drawstring bags and TopYa! Pods (to hold phone for filming)

Participating P1 Clubs
Arizona Arsenal
Birmingham United
Blaine SC
Boston Bolts
Chattanooga Red Wolves
Davis Legacy
Diablo FC
East Meadow SC
Florida Kraze Krush
Florida Rush Soccer
Fusion SC
ISC Gunners
Match Fit Academy
Mustang
NASA Tophat
NCFC Youth
NE Legacy Soccer
OC Youth Soccer
Ohio Premier
Parsippany SC
San Juan SC
Schwaben Athletic Club
SCS United
Sting SC - Dallas
Titans SC – North TX
Triangle United
United Futbol Academy
VIDEO Throwback to beginning of March at the Jefferson Cup in Richmond, VA. Boston Bolts 05 ECNL v. Cedar Stars. Watch Kyle Martell score a fantastic goal! Bolts won 4-1
We know so many of our patients and community members are affected by the far-reaching impact of COVID-19. Here at Mass General, we are focused on the fast-moving situation and we wanted to share with you the many initiatives we have in place and to provide helpful resources for you and your family.
Here is what Mass General is doing both internally and externally to address the COVID-19 pandemic:
  • As one of only 10 Regional Ebola and other Special Pathogens Centers in the country, Mass General has developed teams of clinical staff who are trained to provide safe care to patients in exactly this kind of outbreak. Hospital doctors, nurses, infection control specialists, emergency preparedness specialists and administrators have been closely monitoring the coronavirus outbreak. They have developed a hospital wide plan that will be put in place if patients with coronavirus come to the hospital or a health center.
  • Many researchers and physicians from Mass General are members of a newly-formed Greater Boston Consortium for Pathogen Readiness, that is 100% focused on developing research efforts to quickly and effectively respond to COVID-19.
  • Our Virtual Care team has been working to develop new virtual and telehealth options to increase patient access and help protect our workforce during this time.
  • We are providing frequent updates and resources to our community, from how to speak to children about this pandemic, to how to wash your hands without compromising skin health, and more.
Please find the latest news and information, including FAQs, helpful CDC resources and more  here .
COVID-19 RESEARCH
As a valued member of the Mass General community, we invite you to  view this video  from a virtual Medical Grand Rounds that took place yesterday. It featured experts from the Greater Boston biomedical community who came together to develop research efforts to quickly and effectively respond to COVID-19. They discussed how research will help us better understand everything from the epidemiology to diagnostics to treatment of COVID-19. 
Mass General in the Media
Washington Post reporter Emma Brown spent several days with Mass General leaders who are working tirelessly in response to the COVID-19 situation. She takes a deep dive into what that level of preparation entails and chronicles the efforts of our caregivers on the front lines.
Read more »
IMPORTANT RESOURCES
How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus
The growing spread of COVID-19 has created a lot of anxiety and uncertainty for many people, including children and teens. As parents and caregivers, it can be difficult to talk with your kids about this global pandemic and address their concerns.  In this video , Gene Beresin, MD, executive director of the MGH Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds, offers helpful tips about how to engage with children of all ages to support and maintain emotional stability during this evolving situation.
Helpful Preventative Measures
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This is especially important after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if they are visibly dirty.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.


" Mass General has a long history of robust planning for all kinds of threats, including emerging infections. As one of 10 Regional Ebola and other Special Pathogens Centers in the country, we fortunately have developed teams of clinical staff who are trained to provide safe care to patients in exactly this kind of outbreak. "

Paul Biddinger, MD. Chief, Mass General Division of Emergency Preparedness
VIDEO: How to Talk to your Kids about Coronavirus
Gene Beresin, MD, executive director of the MGH Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds
Looking for some educational Netflix options?

Check out this list while kids are home from school.
Are you a member of the LinkedIn Community? We have launched a Bolts LinkedIn page and invite you to follow us