Letter From Executive Director Jessica Collins
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Reflections on Equity and Privilege as MA Reopens
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Dear Friends and Colleagues,
This week Massachusetts is slowly beginning to reopen through measured strategies. We are at this point because we have all been as diligent as we could at practicing the prevention strategies. We must continue: social distancing, staying home as much as possible, wearing masks when we can’t social distance, and continuing to reach out to neighbors and those that might need some help.
We have become even more aware over the past two months of the inequities that exist in our society and how some communities have been more at risk and have born the burden of deaths of family and friends from COVID 19. I, for example, have been privileged to be able to work from home, help school my children, exercise regularly, and use technology to purchase what I need and to stay in touch with my family and friends So many people don’t have these options, and that fact is something that we must work to change.
I ask that we all continue to be aware of our privileges and use them to help others; take the means and resources that we have to speak out and advocate for those who can’t.
In our region, we see a clear technology divide for so many – COVID 19 has forced us to put in place technology protocols and policies that will live on after (e.g. telehealth, remote working). The situation has shown a light on how important it is for each one of us to have access to 21st century technology – enough minutes to finish a phone conversation with your doctor, Wi-Fi to connect efficiently to your child’s “google classroom” and basic internet to be able to access basic needs and keep in touch with loved ones.
Folks who receive benefits to purchase healthy foods for themselves and their children should be able to purchase their food online like the rest of us and not be forced to go to the grocery store if they feel at risk or might be putting others at risk. We can advocate to change policies like this.
Let’s all stay dedicated to those actions we know keep people safe and healthy, and let’s remain committed to making sure others have what they need to do the same.
The Public Health Institute of Western MA will continue to 1) share best practices on preventing COVID19, 2) highlight where you can find resources, 3) share ways you can advocate for equity for all and 4) publicize the stories and statistics to ensure that we never pretend to “not know” and never forget who is suffering the greatest insult and injury from this horrible virus.
Onward,
Jessica
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Massachusetts has adopted a 4-phased approach to reopening the state—one that will be driven by public health data. Phase 1 itself will be incremental. Starting May 18th some limited industries were allowed to resume operations with severe restrictions, and others will reopen on May 25th. Memorial Day marks the reopening of some recreation and outdoor activities, including beaches, parks, drive-in theatres, and more. Although the “stay at home” advisory has been modified to a “safer at home” advisory, residents must continue to practice social (physical) distancing, wear face coverings in public, practice good hygiene, be vigilant for symptoms, and stay home if you feel sick. For more information about the reopening, visit
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/reopening-massachusetts
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The Public Health Institute of Western MA is joining the effort that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, along with Partners In Health, has created known as the COVID-19 Community Tracing Collaborative (CTC).
PHIWM will support the Care Resource Coordinator teams in our region to ensure that folks who have to self-isolate are connected to the resources that they need.
In order for our Commonwealth to fully reopen, we need contract tracing systems in a solid place. This program focuses on reaching out to the contacts of confirmed positive COVID-19 patients to help others who have been potentially exposed to the virus. CTC gets their information about positive COVID-19 patients from data that all hospitals are required to report to the state. However, one of the biggest obstacles that CTC has right now is getting people to respond to their calls. Here is where you can help.
Please share with your friends and families that if they get a call or text from “MA COVID team” or from an 833 or 857 area code, that they should answer their phone.
The information provided on these calls may help flatten and reduce the curve in Massachusetts.For more information about Massachusetts’ contact tracing initiative, see
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/learn-about-the-community-tracing-collaborative
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Community Assistance Needed
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Severe weather caused roofs to collapse in a Holyoke neighborhood on Friday, May 15th. Over 100 families with close to 50 Holyoke students lost their homes and had to be evacuated that night. We humbly ask you to partner with us to support these families affected by this tragedy. Please consider
donating
to this cause.
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Statewide COVID-19 Deaths on The Decline, But We Must Remain Diligent
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On May 18
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the Massachusetts COVID-19 Command Center began providing updates on six key public health indicators to monitor the situation before and during reopening of the state. These metrics can be found on the
MDPH Data Dashboard
.
Metrics include positive test rate, number of individuals who have died from COVID-19, number of patients with COVID-19 in hospitals, healthcare system readiness, testing capacity, and contract tracing capabilities.
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County-level data available on the MDPH website also suggest a decline in COVID-19 deaths in Western Massachusetts since April 21
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when examining 3-day average number of COIVD-19 deaths. While this seems promising, it is important to stay vigilant and to continue taking steps to prevent the spread the COVID-19.
Visit our COVID-19 Prevention webpage to learn more.
As the state begins to reopen, it will be important to monitor the data as there could be a resurgence in cases.
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Support Decarceration of Vulnerable Populations
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Two months ago the first person who was incarcerated in MA tested positive for COVID19, and now there are more than 500 cases. Additionally, almost 300 correctional staff have tested positive for COVID19.
In Western MA, each county jail has had an increase of COVID19 positive cases between April 5th and May 18
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. Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties had only 4 cases total (people incarcerated and staff) in the beginning of April, and as of May 18, there were 46 cases. The county jails have been releasing people to attempt to implement appropriate social distancing guidelines, however appropriate social distancing requires more be released.
We join advocates and legislators encouraging the continuation of public health protocols to Decarcerate as many people as possible who pose no immediate physical threat to the community
.
#DecarcerateNow advocates for using the Governor's powers of parole, commutation, furlough, and clemency.
Take action today: Call Governor Baker’s Office
(617-725-4005
) or email him with
this
link
with this message: The MA Department of Correction says that 72% of prisoners sleep within 6 feet of each other
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Update Your Organization's Resources on
413Cares
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Blink a light outside your home, or a light that can be seen by others outside for 1 minute. The campaign will run until Governor Baker reverses our state of emergency (as the days grow longer we'll be in touch to push back the time.) Thank you for spreading the light and hope.
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