In an effort to address issues around internet access and the digital divide, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) released a map of local libraries offering internet access via wi-fi signals outside of their buildings. Continue reading
Tag Archives: COVID-19
Interactive COVID-19 Data Dashboard Unveiled, Older Adults Reprioritized in Vaccine Plan
Based on this recommendation of the COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory group, the Baker Administration has updated prioritization so that individuals age 75+ are included in Phase 2, Group 1, along with individuals of all ages with 2+ comorbidities. Continue reading
MHAC: 2020 Year in Review
Creating an environment where a broad set of stakeholders can come together to address the needs of a community has never been more important and valuable than this past year. Continue reading
Facing a Pandemic: Grandfamilies Living Together During COVID-19 and Thriving Beyond
Nationwide, older adults are being cautioned to keep their distance from children because of the heightened risk of infection from COVID-19. But for some families—grandfamilies—that distance is impossible.
Facing a Pandemic: Families Living Together During COVID-19 and Thriving Beyond elevates the unique needs of grandfamilies amplified by the pandemic. These grandfamily caregivers are the first line of defense for children during the pandemic, having stepped in when parents cannot raise them for many reasons, including cases where children’s parents have died from the COVID-19 virus. Continue reading
Boston and New Bedford Featured in AARP’s Age-Friendly COVID-19 Response Highlights
Among the nation’s communities and local leaders on the frontlines of the global coronavirus pandemic are the more than 450 towns, cities, counties and states enrolled in the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities – 74 of which are in Massachusetts.
AARP highlighted COVID-19 response in age-friendly communities across the country and included examples from Boston and New Bedford. Continue reading
Baker Administration Announces Vaccination Plan, Older Adults in Phase Two
The Baker-Polito Administration and the Department of Public Health developed a vaccine distribution timeline after extensive consultation with the Massachusetts Vaccine Advisory Group, made up of leaders from health care, the faith community, community organizations, local government, and others.
The timeline reflects several priorities: protecting our most vulnerable, maintaining health care system capacity, and addressing inequities in health care access and COVID-19 burden. Continue reading
Nonprofits Receive $900,000 in Funding from Tufts Health Plan Foundation to Address COVID-19 Pandemic
Tufts Health Plan Foundation today announced 64 community organizations will share $900,000 to help in on-going COVID-19 response efforts. The nonprofit organizations focus on urgent needs in communities, especially those disproportionately affected by the virus. The grants are in addition to the $1 million in COVID-19-related funding awarded earlier this year. Continue reading
Baker Administration Announces New Measures to Contain COVID-19 and Updated Data Points on Age Groups
Along with a series of targeted measures to disrupt the increasing trend of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the Baker Administration added a new data point presented in the COVID-19 dashboard titled “Case Growth by Age Group,” which will help contextualize the impact of COVID on different age ranges over time. Continue reading
‘Winter Places’ Design Guide Provides Ideas for Outdoor Activity During Colder Months
A design competition called ‘Winter Places‘ has led to a design guide encouraging residents and visitors to visit and spend time on our main streets during colder winter weather while also encouraging shopping and dining at area small businesses. Continue reading
DPH Extends COVID-10 Community Impact Survey to 10/30
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced an extension to October 30th of the COVID-19 Community Impact Survey (CCIS) – an online survey aimed at collecting data to better understand and identify the social, economic, and health needs and inequities resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue reading