The Garlick Press – Thursday, April 22, 2021

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This week I met with students from the Clark University chapter of MASSPIRG including, Annie from Needham. In this meeting we discussed An Act creating a next-generation roadmap for Massachusetts climate policy and the student’s support for renewable energy. I join them in their work and commend them for their passion towards building a greener Commonwealth.

Yours in Service,

Denise

• In Needham, the Needham Public Health Division, Needham Police Department, and the Substance Prevention Alliance of Needham will be collecting unused and expired prescription medications for Drug Take-Back Day. Drop-offs will be collected on Saturday, April 24 between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM at Needham Town Common, drive through drop-off is on Garrity Way. For more information, click here.
• In Dover, the Furniture Donation Trailer will be at the Dover Transfer Station on Saturday, April 24th. The Dover Recycling Committee in partnership with New Life Furniture Bank of Walpole, will be on-site on the 2nd and 4th Saturday’s of April and May to accept furniture and household goods for families transitioning out of homelessness. For more information, click here.
• In Medfield, Medfield Cares About Prevention (MCAP) will be collecting unused prescription drugs as part of National Take Back Day. Drop-offs are encourages between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM in the lobby of the Public Safety Building. To lean more, click here.

• In Massachusetts, everyone age 16 and older who live, work, or study in Massachusetts are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Eligible individuals can pre-register for an appointment at a Mass Vaccination Site by clicking here. You can also find available appointments at heath care locations and retail pharmacies by clicking here. For more information, click here.
• The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has updated their protocols for responding to COVID-19 scenarios in school, on the bus, or in community settings. Under the new version, individuals do not have to quarantine when exposed to a COVID-positive individual unless they were within three feet of that individual for a total of 15 minutes. For more information, click here.
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture has extended school meal waivers through the end of the 2021-2022 school year, allowing the continuation of universal free school meals at any school district throughout the state for the rest of this school year, through the summer, and through next school year. More information is available online here.

• Massachusetts is currently in Phase 4, Step 1 of the Massachusetts reopening plan. Indoor and outdoor stadiums, areas, and ballparks will be permitted to operate at a 12% capacity limit. Additionally, gathering limits for event venues and public settings will increase to 100 people indoors and 150 people outdoors. Outdoor and indoor gatherings at private residences will remain at the same limit. Dance floors will be permitted at weddings and other event and overnight summer camps will be allowed to operate this coming summer. To learn more, click here.
• If you have questions, input, or comments regarding the Reopening Massachusetts plan, you can submit comments online. These comments can be used by the Administration to support efforts to methodically reopen the economy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here for the form.

• If you are in need of resources, information, or support, please visit my website for a list of resources. Additionally, our local boards of health, the Department of Public Health, and the Centers for Disease Control are continuing to maintain websites with the most updated information regarding COVID-19 that you can access here:

• Needham Health Department Updates
• Medfield Updates
• Dover Updates
• Department of Public Health: Click here or Call 2-1-1.
• Reopening Massachusetts
• COVID-19 Travel Order
• Centers for Disease Control