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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
It is with great pride that I share with you on National Nurses Day that I am a Registered Nurse. And it is with great awe and humility that I have witnessed my nurse colleagues bear such great responsibilities during the COVID19 worldwide pandemic. “To do what nobody else will do, in a way that nobody else can do, in spite of all they go through; is to be a nurse.” -Rawsi Williams
The Nurses of our Commonwealth have been heroic, but they are not heroes- they are human beings who have been extraordinary in the worst possible circumstances and they are calling to us for help. 503 Massachusetts Registered Nurses, (53% not in the Mass. Nurses Assoc.) responded in the Beacon Research survey that some of the major challenges they faced during Covid included delays in receiving proper protective equipment and training in infectious diseases, insufficient staff and increase in mandatory overtime. Nearly one fifth of the nurses stated they had contracted Covid and nearly 75% report they got it at work.
These same nurse colleagues and all their co-workers are witnessing a rise in workplace violence. Nearly six in ten report personally encountering at least one instance of workplace violence or abuse in the last two years. Ever present workplace violence has been exacerbated during Covid through the increase in societal anxiety, fear, tension and increases in mental health, substance use and behavioral health needs. I am the chief sponsor on a bill to develop and implement workplace violence prevention programs.
So today, when you think of nurses- ordinary human beings doing extraordinary work at great personal and professional cost, listen to their calls for help. Support the nurses on Day 60 of the St. Vincent Hospital strike calling for safe staffing- not a “Cadillac” plan but one just like the hospital down the street at UMass Memorial. Support legislation for the prevention of workplace violence.
And when you talk to the Nurse in your life, acknowledge their fears, their personal costs, their great striving to protect not only their patients but their profession, their suffering, pain and bone-deep fatigue and truly thank them for always helping us with ours.
Yours in Service,
Denise
Local Updates
  • In Needham, the Town is offering emergency rental assistance to those affected by income loss due to COVID-19. Qualified residents may receive assistance covering 50 percent of their rent for up to six months, if funds remain available. For more information, click here.
  • In Needham, the Select Board will be holding a public hearing on proposals from the MBTA Commuter Rail and Keolis on offering weekend services on the Needham line. The hearing will be on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 during the Select Board meeting. For more information, click here.
  • In Dover, the Town of Dover is hiring an Administrative Assistant to the Chief of Police. This is a part-time position to provide administrative and financial support services to the Chief of Police. For more information, click here.
  • In Medfield, 2021-2023 Transfer Station stickers are now available. You may apply for a permit online or you may print our the application and drop the documents in the mailbox behind town hall. For more information, click here.
Statewide Updates
  • On Monday, May 10 six of the mass vaccination sites will open for walk up vaccinations. These sites includes Hynes Convention Center, the Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury, the Double Tree in Danvers, the Eastfield Mall in Springfield, and the Natick Mall. For more information on these sites, click here.
  • This week, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund began accepting applications. This fund is to help restaurants and other eligible businesses continue to keep their doors open. Click here to visit the SBA’s website for information on applying.
  • Starting Monday, May 10, Massachusetts will be moving forward with reopening some outdoor Phase 4, Step 2 industries. On May 10, large venues will be permitted to increase capacity to 25% and amusement parks, theme parks, and outdoor water parks will be permitted to reopen at 50% capacity. Road races and other large, outdoor organized amateur events will be permitted to take place with staggering starts. For more information on reopening, click here.
Reopening Updates – Phase 4: New Normal
  • Massachusetts is currently in Phase 4, Step 1 of the Massachusetts reopening plan. To learn more, click here.
  • Massachusetts will be moving forward with reopening some outdoor Phase 4, Step 2 industries effective May 10 and has announced plans to further reopen on May 29 and August 1.
  • 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.
Resources
  • 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:
Please remember social distancing and wearing a mask is the most effective tool to contain the spread of COVID-19.
In addition to these updates, my office is still accessible so please continue to reach out and we will get back to you.
Phone: 617-722-2380
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