Merrimack Valley Magazine

Home Health Foundation Seeks Masks, Gowns and Sanitizer

by

Karen Gomes, president and CEO of the Home Health Foundation, sent out the following letter on March 24. The foundation is in desperate need of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as N-95 masks, loop masks, protective gowns and hand sanitizer.

Gomes also made an appeal to restaurants and other interested businesses to provide free or discounted meals to their front-line staff.

Contact them at info@homehealthfoundation.org if you can help, and consider sharing this information to your network.

——-

To Our Community,

We are grateful and humbled by the outpouring of concern from our local community as our clinicians and other dedicated staff members respond to the escalating COVID-19 pandemic. We send our heartfelt thanks to the many businesses and individuals who have reached out to ask how they can demonstrate their support during this unprecedented time of crisis.

Like our other Wellforce Health System partners, our healthcare professionals are continuing to follow all safety guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Due to limited supplies nationwide, however, we are all reaching out to community partners that can possibly share their supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) as we plan for a potential surge of patients.

For example, do you know a contractor who can donate N-95 masks? What about veterinarian or dental offices that may have loop masks? Other supplies most needed include protective gowns and hand sanitizer.

While we are unable to receive outside meal and beverage deliveries at our locations due to visitor restrictions designed to decrease the spread of the virus, we encourage restaurants and other interested businesses to consider providing free or discounted purchases options for our front-line staff. Some are now offering free meals or coffee to staff members who show their company ID badge at the time of pick-up.

If you can support our healthcare professionals as they protect the community against COVID-19, please contact info@homehealthfoundation.org.

Thank you for your consideration. We cannot thank you enough for helping us weather this storm.

Sincerely,

Karen Gomes, RN, MS, CPHQ
President and CEO
Home Health Foundation

 

 

 

 

Wellness Wednesday – 3/25/20

by

WELLNESS TIP OF THE WEEK

Go Outside. Now What? A Look at Safe and Socially Distant Activities

USA Today published a nice summary of how to get outside and stay safe during the COVID-19 response. Anyone struggling with cabin fever and looking to take to the woods should read this. And if you’re wondering about pools, beaches and golf courses, the article provides some indispensable information.

 

 

WELLNESS AROUND THE WEB

©ittipol – stock.adobe.com

What Zen Monks Have to Teach Us About Dealing with a Crisis

Thich Nhat Hanh is a 93-year-old peace activist, writer and Zen monk. This article contains snippets of his advice about how to deal with difficult times. Some of his recommendations? Savor your coffee or tea and enjoy the small moments, even in routine task as making breakfast. Another of his prescriptions that sounds great to me? Take a nap after lunch. Sign me up. Read the article here. >>>

Looking for an Easy Bread Recipe?

One way to keep your family entertained and active, and fed, during the current stay-at-home advisory? Bake bread. Here’s a simple recipe based on Navajo flatbread that requires only a few ingredients and not a lot of technical expertise.

Try it out and send us your pics!

©tanchy25 – stock.adobe.com

In Praise of Hermits

Maybe those cranky hermits had it figured out long ago. Solitude, and isolation, can give us a chance to experience inner peace and to connect with a spiritual higher power. A website called Missouri Lawyers Media posted a nice overview of the lessons we can learn from hermits, and how we survive, and maybe even thrive, in these difficult times.

( Top photo by Deborah A. Venuti. )

If you’re looking for more information on COVID-19, please visit our Health Resource Directory. >>>

 

 

 

 

Sign Up for COVID-19 Text Alerts in Massachusetts

by

The Baker-Polito Administration today announced the launch of a new text-based notification system to deliver important information about the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 response to Massachusetts residents.

“Throughout this outbreak, we have consistently reminded our residents to get their information from trusted sources. Today we’re making that easier,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “With the addition of this new communication tool, we’re making it easier for everyone to stay informed about state actions and important announcements related to COVID-19.”

The new messaging tool called “AlertsMA” will allow residents to subscribe to real-time notifications by texting the keyword COVIDMA to 888-777. After signing up, state and public health officials can send short messages and links to information directly to a resident’s cell phone or other mobile device.

“Being well-informed during this public health emergency, and following health officials’ advice, can help us to slow and eventually stop the spread of COVID-19 in our communities,” said Secretary Marylou Sudders, the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 Command Center Director. “Staying connected with our residents is a central part of our response.”

You can also call the information and referral hotline at 211.

For additional information, including up-to-date date on cases, the state of emergency and the status of in-person state locations for Executive Branch agencies, visit https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19

 

Trahan Hosts Second Tele-Town Hall This Thursday

by

Last Friday, U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan hosted her first tele-town hall on the pandemic [ click here for a summary ], and has decided to host another this Thursday, March 26, at 4:00 p.m.

Trahan will be available to update callers on the work they are doing in Washington and in the Third Congressional District to mitigate the spread of the virus and help those impacted by it. She will be joined by Massachusetts health care professionals and a representative from the Small Business Administration.

If you are interested in joining this event, please RSVP at this link and you will receive an automated call at the start of our telephone town hall.

Coronavirus Update from The Trustees

by

[On March 23, Barbara Erickson, president and CEO of the Trustees, issued the following statement. It has been lightly edited to comply with AP style guidelines.]

These are unprecedented times. During these times, we must be both brave and prudent. Over the last three weeks, we have seen that our 118 special places have become sanctuaries for those seeking safe spaces to get out of their homes, to occupy their children and families, to get exercise away from gyms, to spend time with animals, to practice social distancing with acreage to spare. We are grateful to provide these opportunities, for the chance to serve in both times of leisure and in times of stress.

Thus, with today’s announcement from Governor Charlie Baker to suspend all non-essential businesses, we are saddened to announce that we will comply with this advisory by closing all Trustees properties beginning tomorrow, March 24 until April 7. All staff who are not involved in the care and maintenance of agricultural production and necessary operational care will be at home. All gates and parking lots will be closed and we ask the public to respect these barriers. The Trustees will continue to operate our agricultural operations in compliance with the guidelines issued for the care and feeding of animals, and the production and distribution of food. Our farm properties will only be available for the pick-up of food products.

We recognize that many Trustees properties are without gates or barriers and are within safe walking distance from neighbors and others and could be safely visited within the parameters of the governor’s directive. We ask that those who choose to visit those properties at this time be respectful, follow guidelines about litter, safety and dog behavior. We understand that these changes will feel dire to many who have come to rely on the daily use and enjoyment of our properties. We ask that everyone comply with the governor’s orders, that you respect the closures of our properties, and that you keep your families and others safe during this unknown and unpredictable time.

Despite our closures, we will continue to pay all staff. Our colleagues are available to answer emails and questions, can process memberships and gifts made online on our website, and we are working on creating virtual resources that you can enjoy at home. Please watch out for these resources.

Thank you for understanding how difficult this decision was. Once this crisis passes and we receive word from officials that it is again safe to gather, we look forward to welcoming all back to our special places.

Best regards,
Barbara J. Erickson
President & CEO

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who We Are

mvm is the region’s premier source of information about regional arts, culture and entertainment; food, dining and drink; community happenings, history and the people who live, work, play and make our area great.

© Copyright 2021 Merrimack Valley Media Group Inc. All rights reserved.