Category: Uncategorized

“Our ROLE IS TO STAY HOME.” Click here to read the OPEN LETTER: Stay Home Letter (1)

The letter below is from our local pediatricians, Town Managers, Town Administrators, and Town Health Inspectors, and Mt. Greylock Regional School District.

March 24, 2020

Dear Northern Berkshire County Families,

In partnership with our pediatricians, Town Managers, Town Administrators, and Town Health Inspectors, Mount Greylock Regional School District implores students, families and our wider community to combat the spread of the Coronavirus 2019 Disease (“COVID-19”) by practicing “social distancing” most effectively by STAYING HOME.

COVID-19 presents an unprecedented health crisis and public health emergency. The virus is easily transmitted, and it has the demonstrated ability to infect substantial sections of the community. While the elderly and people with compromised immune systems are at greatest risk, all people, young and old, can contract, carry and transmit this virus. By interacting and socializing with others, we put people at risk for infection. Regardless of whether we feel ill or well, we have the potential to spread the virus by interacting. There is a single response. STAY HOME.

Other countries already grappling with the spread of the virus have seen their health care systems overwhelmed by ill patients. Without the capacity to care for such large numbers, these health care systems have watched thousands of patients die. And now the rampant spread of this virus threatens to overwhelm our community’s health care system if we, as a community, do not act proactively and responsibly by distancing ourselves from each other and STAYING HOME.

The letter shared below from County Boards of Health, Berkshire Health Systems and the our largest Berkshire County cities articulates succinctly the threat COVID-19 presents to our community, its health services and health care workers fighting this virus and caring for the ill. This is our critical health problem, and it is our responsibility to act to eliminate it.

Sincerely,

Superintendent Kimberley Grady and The Mount Greylock Regional School District Administrative Team Town Managers Jason Hoch and Kelli Robbins

Stay Home Letter (1)

Click below for Massachusetts Dept. of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) list of resources that can support students and families while schools are closed. This list is not comprehensive, and the DESE does not endorse these products.

Supplemental Educational Resources 3.19.20 (2)

From owner  Karen Jolin:  “If you have the time & materials, there is a need for masks…I’ve been in contact with the Regional Emergency Management Team here in Berkshire County (representing 8 local communities) as well as a representative from BMC (Berkshire Medical Center)… Karen’s Quilting Corner, my store on rt. 7, is currently closed but there will be two plastic containers outside our front door for those who want to drop off any masks.  We will get them to where they need to go.”

Personal Use Masks:

Here are some patterns that people are using for masks.  These patterns are for “non-medical” or personal use and will be distributed to non-profit(food banks) and other agencies through the Regional Emergency Management Team.  This will help to prevent the spreading of germs but cotton does not keep the virus from spreading.

Suggestions on materials:

Please use a high quality 100% cotton.  Batiks have a tighter weave. Some people are suggesting flannel for the fabric close to the face.  You can also use a lightweight interfacing between the layers.  Please prewash fabric.

Local Drop Off points:

For local people, we are currently closed but will put a two plastic containers outside our front door for those who want to drop off any masks.  We will get them to where they need to go.

You might also google other patterns and youtube videos.    There are patterns for both adults and children:

https://www.sewcanshe.com/blog/5-free-diy-face-mask-tutorials-using-fabric

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2bZTaKtcQM&t=207s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMm0pXMd8Mg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kwFaRFHKhY

https://freesewing.org/blog/facemask-frenzy/?ck_subscriber_id=596902543

PDF (printable)

https://courierpressblogs.com/pdf/howtomakeafacemask.pdf

Medical Use Masks:

This is information from Berkshire Medical Center for masks that can be made to be used with the N95 filters (includes a tutorial)

https://mcusercontent.com/b568f465b0c00513a27a30a51/files/96ead3b7-b436-4a71-95e4-32d9832e96da/Medical_Masks.pdf

Two drop points for these masks are at BMC and Berkshire Outfitters.

Please stay safe and healthy!

Your friends at Karen’s Quilting

From the W’town Council on Aging:  If you’re driving over, use Mission Drive & circle around behind the church, stay in line, do not exit your car. Volunteers will ask for your list, completed packages will be left on the table for drive by pick up.

Walkers should go to the front of the line. At no time will anyone be allowed into the building!

The W’town Food Pantry is not able to accept any new volunteers at the moment. Thank you.

The MA Department of Public Health is also issuing a “stay-at-home” advisory, which will also be in effect until April 7, Baker said. “Everyone is advised to stay home and limit all unnecessary activities…The people of Massachusetts are meeting this challenge exactly the way we would expect — with determination, cool heads, and a selfless sense of community,” Baker said.

He said that while areas like public parks will remain open for exercise, there should be no touch football games or similar activities that involve close person-to-person contact.

Essential businesses include grocery stores, pharmacies,  medical facilities and gas stations. He said the order closing non-essential businesses would primarily be enforced “at the local level.”

Watch Baker’s 3.23.20 Announcement