Merrimack Valley Magazine

On Monday, May 17, the Baker-Polito administration announced that the commonwealth is on track to meet the goal of vaccinating 4.1 million residents by the first week of June and all remaining COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted effective May 29.

The commonwealth’s face covering order will also be rescinded on May 29. The Department of Public Health will issue a new face covering advisory consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s updated guidance. Face coverings will still be mandatory for all individuals on public and private transportation systems (including rideshares, livery, taxi, ferries, MBTA, Commuter Rail and transportation stations), in health care facilities and in other settings hosting vulnerable populations, such as congregate care settings and health and rehabilitative day services.

Massachusetts is on track to meet the goal set in December to fully vaccinate over 4 million individuals by the first week of June. The commonwealth leads the nation in vaccinating residents, with 75% of adults receiving at least one dose. To date, over 4 million residents have received a first dose, with 3.2 million fully vaccinated.

New cases have dropped by 89% since January 8. COVID hospitalizations are down 88% since January 1 and the positive test rate is down by 88% from peaking at 8.7% on January 1 to 1% today.

Effective May 29, all industries will be permitted to open. With the exception of remaining face-covering requirements for public and private transportation systems and facilities housing vulnerable populations, all industry restrictions will be lifted, and capacity will increase to 100% for all industries. The gathering limit will be rescinded.

In line with updated CDC face covering guidance, the administration will rescind the current face covering order and issue a new face covering advisory effective May 29.

Non-vaccinated individuals are advised to continue wearing face masks and to continue distancing in most settings. The advisory will also recommend fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear a face covering or social distance indoors or outdoors except for in certain situations.

Face coverings will also remain required indoors for staff and students of K-12 schools and early education providers. Visit here for more details on mask requirements.

Effective May 18, the youth and amateur sports guidance will be updated to no longer require face coverings for youth athletes 18-and-under while playing outdoor sports. Effective May 29, all youth and amateur sports restrictions will be lifted. Visit here for details.

Effective May 18, guidance from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Department of Early Education and Care will be updated to no longer require masks for outdoor activities like recess and to allow for the sharing of objects in classrooms, in both K-12 and childcare settings. This guidance will remain in effect beyond May 29.

Gov. Baker will end the State of Emergency June 15, and the administration will work with legislative and municipal partners during this period in order to manage an orderly transition from emergency measures adopted by executive order and special legislation during the period of the State of Emergency.

WELLNESS AROUND THE WEB

Routines and Movement

Whether you’re working from home or making a daily commute, homeschooling via Zoom or learning a new skill for pleasure, we are all experiencing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are many advice columns across the web offering helpful ways to navigate this new normal. Healthline offers advice on beginning and maintaining a healthy routine here. It highlights the importance of routines in boosting our sense of ownership and control over our lives, which can feel threatened in these trying times. Additionally, the article mentions the pomodoro method, which I am familiar with, as it was suggested to my classmates and me by one of our professors for increasing productivity.

Healthline also discusses ways to stay active during quarantine. While we may be stuck inside, there is no reason not to keep moving. If you need even more motivation, consider this: some of the positive effects of physical activity include reduced stress and anxiety and a healthier immune system (which we all need right about now). Healthline’s article offers advice about getting creative with resistance exercises, which is something I desperately needed during this time. As a regular gym-goer, I’ve been struggling to adjust to living room workouts — a lack of equipment seems to result in lack of motivation. But I’m learning that soup cans, broomsticks, milk jugs and many other household items can be used as makeshift weights. I’m beginning to think that maybe I should move my workouts to the kitchen.

What Is and Isn’t Effective

While it seems as if science, politics, the media and the general public are all scrabbling to find solid facts concerning the spread of COVID-19 , a new study by U.K. health officials has made an interesting conclusion: that paper towels are more effective than air dryers when reducing the spread of the virus. The study found that jet air dryers left about ten times more surface contamination on hands than paper towels did, however, this issue exists because of one big red flag: poorly washed hands. We can’t rely on a drying method to eliminate the virus. Come on people, water and soap for 20 seconds!

In other science news, the FDA released a statement about wiping down your groceries. Good news: there is no evidence that COVID-19 is transmitted via food products and packaging. Regardless, it is important to practice sanitary measures, so you should still take the extra precautions by wiping groceries down and washing produce. There’s just no need to panic about it.

If you’re looking into making a homemade mask, Healthline detailed some of the materials for making a quality mask for yourself and others. Some of the materials include 600 thread count pillowcases and flannel pajamas. If you have the extra material and time on your hands, you can make extra masks and donate them to first responders on the front lines of this pandemic. My father, fire chief of Billerica Fire Department, has been extremely grateful for all of the masks donated to his station by city residents.

Ways to Contribute

On the topic of giving back, Brie Dyas at Country Living offers five different ways to volunteer virtually during this time. You don’t need any experience or first responder training, and you can do it remotely from the comfort of your home. While many of us battle with the uncertainty of this frightening situation, volunteering is a great way to give back and boost your sense of purpose.

Another way to give back to both the planet and you on this Earth Day is adoption. No, not furry friends (although they’re wonderful), we mean plants. Lindsay Tigar at Yahoo explains why quarantine is the best time to start gardening. As with volunteering, caring for something can boost your sense of involvement and control over the world around you. Plus, if you’ve tried your hand at cooking during this quarantine, caring for some veggie plants can save you a trip to the grocery store and give your homemade dishes a homegrown touch.

Keeping up with this theme of new routines and giving back, we want to encourage you to celebrate Earth Day in the best, socially distant ways possible. Adam Schubak of Good Housekeeping offers 45 simple lifestyle changes you can make to help the planet. While we are all in a stressful limbo of waiting for good news, it’s a great time to utilize our free schedule to practice living an eco-friendly life.

Looking for ways to celebrate Earth Day? Join the Merrimack River Watershed Council for a virtual Earth Day Happy Hour via Facebook Live. The event takes place on the social media site on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22 at 5:30 p.m. Sign up for the event here.

One Last Thing: Health and Wellness is About You Feeling Good, and That’s Exactly What These Stories Will Make You Do

First, for all of you dog-lovers, Medical Detection Dogs, a charity in England who has already found success training dogs to detect malaria, is working with these furry friends to train them to detect the smell of COVID-19. If only I can train my two lab mutts to stop rolling in the mud during these April showers.

And for all the hopeless romantics out there, a story of two individuals (one being a first responder) who are keeping their romance alive despite quarantining separately during this pandemic. The article also explains why love is “particularly sweet in the time of coronavirus.” Maybe The Beatles were on to something.

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