NEWS

MHAC’s COVID-19 Updates and Resources: 8/20/20

Aug 20, 2020

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:

  • Baker Administration Awards Over $3 Million to Improve Food Security in Massachusetts

The Baker-Polito Administration announced $3.3 million in grants to address urgent food insecurity for Massachusetts residents as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and make the Commonwealth’s food system more resilient. This funding is being awarded as part of the second round of the new $36 million Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program, created following recommendations from the Administration’s COVID-19 Command Center’s Food Security Task Force, which promotes ongoing efforts to ensure that individuals and families throughout the Commonwealth have access to healthy, local food.

  • COVID-19 Pandemic Reveal Inequities in High-Speed Internet Access

A blog post from Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) summarizes the “digital divide” and inequity of internet access, but also some resources for low-income families.

POAH notes that they currently provide internet for residents and guests in theiir first-floor common areas and are looking to partner to do more for their 20,000+ residents across their portfolio.

See their blog post for more information.

  • Alliance for Aging Research Stresses the Importance for Older Adults of Staying Up-to-Date on Vaccines

With studies showing that vaccination rates are down as much as 83 percent when compared to last year, the Alliance for Aging Research is promoting a campaign by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) called Keep Up The Rates to encourage all individuals to receive recommended vaccines that may have been delayed during the pandemic.

The multi-media campaign engages national experts and leading public health organizations, including the Alliance for Aging Research, with the goal of reaching populations most at risk of delaying vaccinations or experiencing complications from vaccine-preventable diseases.

More information is available here.