03.21.2020 COVID-19 DAILY UPDATE
Daily Situation Report-COVID-19-2020 Saturyday, March 21, 2020 |
Emergency Management:
Governor Baker urged residents to “NOT believe rumors about a shelter in place order being put in effect as this is not the case. essential stores will remain open in his live press conference today. The Governor still asks that you follow CDC and State and Local Public Health Guidance for social distancing and good hygiene, etc. See Public Health/Local Board of Health below
Massachusetts 2-1-1 -Massachusetts residents are urged to use 2-1-1 for information, resources, and referrals regarding COVID-19. Operators are staffing this hotline 24/7 and translators are available in multiple languages. Residents with questions can dial from any land line or cell phone or use the live chat option on the Mass2-1-1website.·2-1-1 answered 1,498 calls on 3/18, bringing the total number of calls to 8,413since activation (as of 9PM on 3/18). As of 9AM, on 3/19, the total calls increased to 8,811(398 calls received from 9PM to 9AM). The 2-1-1 website COVID-19 page has had nearly 14,000 hits since going live a week ago.
Federal Actions Announced: Department of State -Change in Passport Service Center Operations: Due to public health measures to limit the spread of COVID-19, effective March 20, 2020, we are only able to offer service for customers with a qualified life-or-death emergency and who need a passport for immediate international travel within 72 hours. Life-or-death emergencies are serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family (e.g. parent, sibling, aunt, uncle, etc.) that require you to travel outside the United States within 72 hours (3 days). You must provide:·A passport application with supporting documents·Proof of the life-or-death emergency such as a death certificate, a statement from a mortuary, or a signed letter from a hospital or medical professional. Documents should be translated or in English.·Proof of international travel (e.g. reservation, ticket, itinerary).Massachusetts Emergency Management released the following recovery information
Small Business Recovery Loan Fund: Governor Baker has announced a $10 million Small Business Recovery Loan Fund, administered by Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC), to provide emergency capital up to $75,000 to Massachusetts-based businesses impacted by COVID-19 with under 50 full- and part-time employees, including nonprofits. Click here for more information. FEMA Public Assistance · FEMA has declared a national emergency authorizing states to request Direct Federal Assistance (DFA) in the form of resources or expertise. · FEMA will also reimburse eligible state, local, and private non-profit COVID-19 response costs up to $5 million statewide that are not covered by HHS, CDC, etc. · FEMA may request the $5 Million cap be increased and are waiting on further guidance; however, the focus now is on providing Direct Federal Assistance. · MEMA has begun creating a virtual applicant briefing and will issue updated guidance once FEMA has provided additional information.
Hadley Emergency Management continues to monitor the current situation and will be meeting daily via conference call with the Unified Command Team which includes Public Safety, Board of Health, Schools and Town Administration. The meeting will be to review current reports and status on the COVID 19 Virus and to continue with preparedness and response planning in the event it requires implementation. The Emergency Management Director continues to update the Town’s Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP).
Please go to https://www.mass.gov for information pertaining to the COVID 19 outbreak. |
Public Safety (Police, Fire, EMS and Communications)
Message from Police and Fire/EMS Chiefs:
NEW Message from the Chiefs Hadley Police, Fire and EMS are requesting that if any Hadley Residents or Businesses have N95 Masks, Gloves or Tyvek suits that they are willing to donate for use by your local first responders and EMS providers we would greatly appreciate your help. With the current shortage nationwide we are trying to supplement our stock in the event we do not receive the stock of supplies in time. We will be collecting the items at the public safety complex at 15 East Street. Starting Monday March 23rd, we will have a box set up in front of the fire station between 9am and 5pm for drop offs only in an effort to maintain social distancing. If you would like to provide contact info with your donation so that we can recognize you for your support that would be great but not required. We thank all of you for your support during this challenging time! If you have questions feel free to email the Fire Chief at spanknebelm@hadleyma.org or Deputy Chief at briante@hadleyma.org.
The Fire and Police Chief request that if you are experiencing flu symptoms that requires you to call 911 for assistance we are asking that you notify the 911 dispatcher of your symptoms in an effort that we can prepare our EMS and First Responders prior to coming in contact with you or family members
As of Wednesday, 3/18/2020 the Fire Prevention Office will be postponing all inspections of properties for any permit under MGL Chapter 148 section 10A as well as final Certificate of Occupancy inspections unless it is determined to be a priority by both Fire and Building Departments. Please email Chief Spanknebel at spanknebelm@hadleyma.org if you have questions or concerns.
In an effort to reduce contact between responders and citizens, walk-in business at the Public Safety Complex as well non-emergency calls for service will be reviewed and handled by phone or email when possible until further notice.
Public safety continues to work together to plan and prepare as well as ensure that we have the most up to date information from our Federal and State Response partners. We currently have had no reported cases in the Town of Hadley come through our Action EMS/Hadley Fire System. Our Public Safety Departments are working individually and jointly on response protocols for our first responders and EMS partners to ensure potential exposures are minimized and mitigated. |
Public Health/Local Board of Health
The Hadley Board of Health (BOH) continues to work tirelessly and around the clock to assure that our community has the most recent and accurate information and resources to provide our public health. The BOH has submitted for funding supports through state funds to which Governor Baker has stated will be done. The health needs of our community need to be met at this time more than ever.
There are daily needs that local boards of health are required to perform to assure our public health for this current situation including: Active communication and collaboration with regional, state, and national public health partners Resource management and allocation Increased staffing and assuring our workload is being able to be successfully executed Daily monitoring and case management with COVID-19 cases within Hadley (there currently remains no active cases within Hadley)
Many Towns and City BOH have ordered the closure of personal service establishments (the Hadley BOH is not ordering closure of these establishments at this time) At this time the Hadley BOH discourages community members with receiving any service in which the public cannot be provided at a distance of at least six feet. (such as at: hair salons, barbershops, nail salons, massage parlors, body art/body work centers, and fitness centers.) Additional lab processing capability has been continuously coming on-line within the Commonwealth. The anticipated sudden increase in results does not mean we have a sudden increase in active cases.
The Hadley Board of Health request that all residents and business comply with the Governor’s Office most up to date information and mandates. Please go to https://www.mass.gov/orgs/office-of-the-governor/news News and Announcements | Mass.gov Updated protocols will expedite testing for patients with a range of symptoms and conditions as well as health care workers and emergency responders; MassHealth issues guidance to providers to ensure access to treatment including telehealth for the most up to date releases. Also, if you have questions or concerns you can call Mass 211 for information and if it is a local Board of Health question or request you can call the department’s cell at 413-727-6067 |
Town Administration
NEW today from Town Administration
From the Council on Aging Director: FOOD DELIVERY RESOURCES The following is a list of food delivery resources for Hadley Residents. Please note many are overloaded and wait times may be longer than usual. Link: https://www.hadleyma.org/council-aging/pages/food-delivery-resources
The Goodwin Memorial Library Announced yesterday that they will be closed until further notice and are unable to continue with providing books for pick-up or delivery to the public. Please go to https://www.hadleyma.org/library for updated info.
Town Officials currently are not requiring small business in Hadley other than those mandated by the Governor’s Office to close. We are asking that you follow all CDC, State and Local Health Department guidelines for social distancing, washing of hands frequently, staying home if you are sick and coughing and sneezing into a tissue or the corner of your arm.
There are many closures town wide, here is a short list with links to find more information: Schools will be closed until April 7th: https://www.hadleyschools.org Council on Aging / Senior Center, no programing however staff is on hand to provide remote services as well as van ride services: https://www.hadleyma.org/council-aging |
Hadley Public Schools
New Today from Superintendent McKenzie
I invite you to listen to my video message from the Superintendent: video message from the Superintendent.
Superintendent McKenzie of the Hadley Public Schools requests that you go to the Hadley Public Schools website for information pertaining to the school district. Please go to https://www.hadleyschools.org/ The schools continue to work on a number of specific requirements including distance learning as well as providing student meals at home. |