COVID-19 Updates
Food Resources from the Food Bank of Western MA
During the COVID-19 crisis, some member agencies of The Food Bank of Western MA have adjusted their hours or have decided to close. Please refer to this schedule  to find free meals or a food pantry. This schedule is updated frequently, so please check back regularly.
Jesse Lederman town hall
Virtual Town Hall about COVID-19
Join City Counselor at-Large Jesse Lederman and other local leaders for a virtual town hall meeting this evening at 6PM as he discusses local COVID-19 responses and resources available to support the community.

Submit your questions for the panel at www.JesseForSpringfield.com/virtualtownhall.

Three Ways to Watch:
Live on Facebook at Facebook.com/JLLederman
Live on Comcast/Xfinity Government Channel 17
Ordering PPE for Your Organization
If your healthcare organization needs to order Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) please do so through this link to the 
Health and Medical Coordinating Committee (HMCC) for Region 1. 

The Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) is the sponsoring organization for the region 1 (Western MA) HMCC.

In an effort to support essential personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic, UMass Amherst has placed an initial order of 80,000 face shields to be distributed throughout the region. If your organization or facility needs face shields, you can make a request here .
  
If you need PPE but you are not a healthcare organization, please contact your local Government or Health Department.
Addressing Equity during COVID-19
The Public Health Institute of Western MA has written a  letter   to MA Public Health Commissioner Bharel asking for the Governor's Executive Order  requiring collection of demographic information on COVID-19 to be expanded to include data on socio-economic status, language, disability status, testing and life-saving treatment as well as weekly county/town surveillance reports. Learn more about  PHIWM's request  and the importance of tracking the disproportionate impacts of COVID-19.
COVID-19 Resources on 413Cares
413Cares and Aunt Bertha have added a new COVID-19 keyword that allows for quick search of all new COVID-19 services. As services are added to address the needs due to the coronavirus, this is a tremendous addition that can be helpful to your staff and residents of our Western MA communities.

Check out the COVID specific resource lists on 413Cares and sign up to add your updates.
Help Us Promote 413Cares on Your Organization's Website
Help us spread the news of 413Cares by adding the search widget to your organization's website. Click  here  for a copy of the HTML code.
Blink a light outside your home, or a light that can be seen by others outside for 1 minute. The campaign will run until Governor Baker reverses our state of emergency (as the days grow longer we'll be in touch to push back the time.) Thank you for spreading the light and hope. 
 
Other prevention strategies continue to be:
  • Personal Hygiene: washing your hands; cover your mouth when you cough
  • Physical Distancing: Please remain in your homes with your family as much as you can; only do essentials - food, fresh air for exercise; If you feel unsafe please call the YWCA Hotline 413-733-7100
  • Knowing the symptoms: fever, dry cough and fatigue - if so call your PCP and please and stay home.
  • Being kind: ​kindness is also contagious
  • Dispelling myths: be sure to forward messages with the correct information to friends and family
  • Taking action on advocacy and donating where resources are needed: this will help your morale and those most in need.