In addition to an evolving COVID-19 resource page, MHAC is continuing to collect and share updates on COVID-19 from state government, federal agencies like the Centers for Disease Control, and other key stakeholders.

These updates are to help and inform a wide range of individuals and partners, including communities working to become more age- and dementia friendly.

Please see the latest updates below:

• State Releases Weekly COVID-19 Dashboard 

The new weekly data report from the Department of Public Health includes town-by-town case and testing information, cases and deaths in Long Term Care Facilities,  and updates on nursing facility audit results. The data also includes breakdowns on distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE).

• AARP Highlights Guide on Equitable Public Engagement During COVID-19 and Beyond

Created by transportation planners at Nelson/Nygaard, the “Principles for Equitable Public Outreach During COVID-19 and Beyond” document was created to improve engagement of communities that use public transit.

As the guide explains, “transit dependent populations—predominantly people of color and people with low incomes—are often unable to work from home as they continue to provide the essential, front-line services that we all rely on.” The guide outlines a set of principles intended to provide transportation sector practitioners and partners with a framework for inclusive engagement, including baseline equity criteria to consider when selecting an engagement strategy and accompanying tools.

Thanks to the AARP Livable Communities team for highlighting this resource.

• Brookings: Race Gaps in COVID-19 Deaths are Even Bigger than they Appear

A Brookings report on recently released data from the CDC shows massive disparity in COVID-19 deaths across all age brackets.

For example, “death rates among Black people between 55-64 years are higher than for white people aged 65-74, and death rates are higher for Blacks aged 65-74 than for whites aged 75-84, and so on. In every age category, Black people are dying from COVID at roughly the same rate as white people more than a decade older.”

Among those aged 45-54, for example, Black and Hispanic/Latino death rates are at least six times higher than for whites.

See the article in Brookings here.

• ‘Pride in Place’ Resources for LGBTQ+ Older Adults During Pandemic

Virtual events for Pride Month are being promoted by SAGE (Advocacy and Services for LGBT Elders) and carrying the social media hashtag #PrideinPlace.

The organization has several resources available here for diverse communities celebrating “Pride in Place,” including a social media toolkit, guide on hosting a virtual event, and custom Pride backgrounds for Zoom.