COMMUNITY UPDATES INVOLVING COVID 19

This notice contains information about COVID-19 Vaccine clinics that are being set up at Mohawk Trail Regional School, as well as other vaccination opportunities in our region. Additionally it contains links to phone info, helplines, and internet resources.

Updated information appears in RED

Clinic appointments at Mohawk Trail School are currently full.

**Please do not call the school with questions about this clinic or vaccine availability. Information about this clinic is posted on FRCOG.org or call their hotline 413-774-3167 extension 153.**

Additional clinics are being set up for the week of March 1 in Bernardston at Kringle Candle, and the week of March 8 in Montague at Franklin County Technical School.

Times, dates, locations, and availability of appointments, and registration links for the upcoming weeks schedule, are posted each Friday evening and can be found by checking this website or FRCOG's vaccination page

*** Please note - vaccine rollout is an evolving and fluid situation! *** 

The information contained in this notice is the best we have right now.

It will be updated as new information becomes available or when and if there are changes.

Please check back often, have patience, and continue to persevere - there will be bumps in this very long road, but we're all on it together.

Who is eligible? On February 17, Governor Baker announced the move into the next step of Phase 2. Therefore, as of February 18, people 65 and and older, and individuals with two or more of these specific medical conditions, and residents and staff of public and private low income and affordable senior housing are eligible to receive this vaccine. Check your eligibility here: Phases and eligibility 

At the time of this notice (Feb 15, 2021) we are in the first part of Phase 2 of Massachusett's vaccine rollout, meaning people 75 years and older, and anyone in any of the Phase 1 groups, are eligible to receive vaccine.

       MOHAWK TRAIL CLINIC:

****LINKS HAVE CHANGED**** USE THE FOLLOWING LINKS TO MAKE VACCINE APPOINTMENTS:

PRIVATE Weds 2/24 from noon – 2pm for 90  https://www.maimmunizations.org/reg/5596010200

PRIVATE Sat 2/27 from noon – 5:30 pm for 240  https://www.maimmunizations.org/reg/5392006501

Vaccination Clinics will be held at Mohawk Trail Regional School, indoors in the small gym.

Dates: Pending vaccine availability, clinics will be held on both Wednesday, Feb 24th and Saturday, Feb 27th

Time: noon to 5:30pm each day.

Vaccinations are by appointment only, and appointments will be made via online registration.

Appointment spots should become available on Friday Feb 19, in the afternoon after 4pm. Information and links to the registration website will be posted here and elsewhere as soon as they are set up.

Vaccine appointment registration will be online at:  SEE NEW LINKS ABOVE ***Please note: these appointment spots will become available sometime in the late afternoon of Friday, February 19th - please bookmark the sign-up location and check back frequently***

The Mohawk Trail clinic will offer vaccination to caregivers assisting/accompanying an individual 75 years and over, but you must have an appointment - use the same registration site to schedule.

Resources are available for sign-up help those without internet access, see below.

OTHER VACCINE LOCATIONS, regionally:

Big Y, Greenfield: start at their website here: Big Y sign-up

CVS, Greenfield: sign-up starts at this page: CVS sign-up

John Zon Senior Center, Greenfield: at this page, scroll to find sign-up for appointments by date: John Zon sign-up

Those able to travel are encouraged to schedule appointments at the Large Throughput Vaccination Sites at UMass Amherst and the Eastfield Mall in Springfield

These and other vaccine locations can be accessed by visiting the state’s website at www.mass.gov/COVID. Scroll down on this map page to use their map locator, or search by zip code at the state's VaxFinder site.

Local healthcare providers such as Baystate Health, Valley Medical Group, and Community Health Center will be contacting their eligible patients as vaccine becomes available. They specifically request that people NOT contact them directly – they will call you if you are a patient and eligible to receive vaccine.

Helpful sites, resources, and phone numbers:

FROCOG’s COVID-19 vaccine info page has lots of useful information and links.

There is also a FRCOG telephone information hotline at (413) 774-3167 ext. 153, it is updated regularly.

Contact LifePath at (413) 829-9285 or at their COVID-19 Vaccine Info page if you need help registering for an appointment, getting transportation, or if you are homebound. Plans are being made now for a process to get vaccine to people who cannot travel – we will update this page as information becomes available.

You can also dial 2-1-1 for assistance with finding a clinic and scheduling an appointment.

The Shelburne Senior Center will assist with rides to vaccination sites. There is a $4.50 roundtrip fee for a wheel chair accessible van. For information or questions, call (413) 625-2505 or visit the Vaccine Registration page on their website

Veterans are eligible for vaccination by age group at the VA in Leeds. To register call (413) 584-4040, or visit the VA's Vaccine Info page

Contact the BOH with questions: you can email the BOH at bucklandhealth@town.buckland.ma.us or call and leave a message at (413) 625-6330, ext 7. Both options monitored at least daily.

Resources for Buckland Residents Regarding COVID-19

Produced by the Buckland COVID-19 Task Force

Do you have questions about the Covid-19 Vaccine? When you will be eligible? Who is in Phase 1? We have compiled some helpful links for you here.

General vaccination info:

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-covid-19-vaccine-informa...

Once you are on the above page, this button (“When can I get…) will tell you who falls into which phase of the roll out:

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/when-can-i-get-the-covid-19-vaccine

Then check out the ever popular FAQs:

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-vaccine-frequently-asked-questions

These pages will be updated frequently, with more nuance about who is in what group, when, where, how, etc as these details are developed.

In other words the vaccine is coming. Keep Calm and check back frequently!

As the state continues to surge the Governor's Office announced new metrics that brought Buckland back to the grey (lowest risk) on the state's community tracking map.

We have never been so happy to feel grey. 

Please click here to read the message from the Board of Health 

OLDER Updates and News continue to appear on this page for historical reference. 

Buckland Appears As Red on State's COVID-19 Community Case Tracking Map for Week Ending 10-17-20

Today the State’s COVID-19 Task Force released an updated Community Data map. Our Town shows up for the first time as a red community. This designation represents that Buckland has been designated a community with a high daily positive case rate per population.

While it is certainly startling to see this development, it is important to understand the data behind the color.

So how did we get Red and how do we get back to Gray?

• Today’s map covers a two-week period, weeks ending 10/10 and 10/17. We will call them Weeks A & B. Buckland had zero cases in week A and positive cases reported in Week B.  
• Next week’s map, released 10/29, will cover Weeks B & C or weeks ending 10/17 and 10/24. We will carry the previous cases from Week B and we will add any cases reported this week, Week C.  It is safe to assume we will be a red community on next week’s map also.
• The week after next will cover Weeks C & D. This is where we hope to see change. Hopefully we only have a limited number of cases to report for week C and we go back to the color gray or green.  If we continue to see positive cases and have three consecutive weeks of red there will likely be community restrictions implemented by the state.

Now what?

Well we know we don’t want to go backwards. We don’t want the state to tell us we need to roll back to an earlier phase of the reopening plan. We need our businesses and our restaurants to be able to stay open. We need our Public Safety and essential service workers to be able to work in our community safely. We need to be able to enjoy our Town and socially distant visit with our neighbors. But to keep these privileges we need to all do our part. Maintain Social Distancing, Wear our face coverings. Wash our hands. Sanitize what we touch.   Know your risks and make choices that keep you safe.

Please know that your local Board of Health and Cooperative Public Health Service from Franklin Regional Council of Governments staff are working so hard to keep our community safe. The CPHS staff has been in contact with any person that has tested positive for COVID-19 as well as all their Close Contacts.  Through this contact tracing we know that all the involved people are fully complying with isolation and quarantine as needed.    While contact tracing does not include determination of the source of infection, in these cases, it is clear that tourism in the area played no role in these illnesses.

Resources and information for “Red” communities can be found here:  https://www.mass.gov/info-details/resources-for-high-risk-covid-19-commu...

If you have questions or concerns about anything you hear on the news or read in the paper our Regional Health Agent Randy Crochier is a phone call or email away. Remember he can’t tell you any information that impacts the privacy of individuals.

COVID 19 - INFOMATION FOR BUSINESS OWNERS

Info about Micro Business Grants for Buckland Businesses Available Here

Additional Economic Resources Available Here: 

Info about the Commonwealth's Business Reopening Schedule & Documentation Requirements available Here 

COVID 19 - RESIDENT INFOMATION

Use these links for the very latest and best information about the Coronavirus across the state and beyond. 

Mass Department of Public Health - COVID19

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention - COVID19 

** Residents should assume that COVID-19 is in Buckland and Shelburne. We want to share som important information and FAQs.

·         Automated Town-wide Calls: The best way to get important notices from the Town regarding Covid-19 is to sign up for our automated “reverse 911” call system. You can opt out of these calls at any time, but the Buckland Covid-19 Task Force respectfully requests that you sign up for the duration of the pandemic. Please call the Town Clerk at 413-625-6330 ext. 4 and leave a message that clearly states your name and the phone number where you can be reached.

• Town website: http://town.buckland.ma.us.                                   
• Town Facebook page 

·         Volunteer: Sign up to help your Task Force help your community. Fill out the volunteer form and CORI application or call Town Hall at 413-625-6330 ext. 1.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a hotline I can call for health advice or with other questions?     

·         Regional Public Health Nurse at Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) 413-665-1400 x114

·         Buckland Board of Health, 625-6330 ext. 7 (leave your number)

·         Dial 2-1-1 for free and confidential advice about programs and services for assistance with basic needs, such as food, shelter, transportation, financial assistance, and household goods. (https://mass211.org/)

What kind of services is the Senior Center providing for older citizens who may be more vulnerable to COVID-19?

·         The Senior Center is offering wellness-check phone calls to vulnerable elders age 60 and older. The Senior Center is also helping to facilitate sign-up for Meals on Wheels and engaging new volunteers to help deliver meals. If you have any questions, please contact the Senior Center at 413-625-2502.

If I become ill and need to be in quarantine or isolation, how can I get food and other necessities?

●   See the business list included in this mailing to find local restaurants, stores, and markets that offer deliveries. Call them for any changes in hours or availability.

●   “Meals on Wheels” are provided to homebound elders age 60 and older and those who are disabled. LifePath has broadened the definition of “disabled” during the pandemic. There is no fee for Meals on Wheels, but voluntary donations are accepted. Meals on Wheels can be reached directly at 800-732-4636, 413-773-5555, 978-544-2259, or TDD 413-772-6566, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

●   Volunteers: The Buckland COVID-19 Task Force has a network of volunteers willing to deliver items to your doorstep. Contact us at 413-625-6330 ext. 1. Let us know what you need and a number where we can reach you. We will call you back.

Is the Task Force accepting new volunteers?

●   Yes! Call Town Hall at 413-625-6330 ext.1 and leave us a message or go to our website: town.buckland.ma.us and link to the Volunteer Application. The Senior Center is also seeking volunteers to deliver meals: 413-625-2502.

How do I learn what special services are being offered by Shelburne Falls businesses during the pandemic?

●   We have included a list of local businesses that are providing deliveries and curbside pick-up or other special items that they don't normally offer. Call ahead to verify hours of operation.

Is there anything I can do to help our businesses survive the pandemic?

●   Take advantage of the services our businesses are able to provide during this crisis. They are trying hard to accommodate the needs of their customers.

●   Consider purchasing gift certificates to be used once businesses reopen.

●   Consider paying the amount you would normally pay for recurring services, even if the business cannot provide the service (for example: hairdressers, cleaning services, personal trainers, etc.)     

If you are a local business looking for more infomation about the Paycheck Protection Program and other state grant opportunities please click here.

Are there meals available for my school-aged child?

●   For a full list of schools and meal pick-up sites, check these Resource Lists.

●   Mohawk Trail Regional School District is offering grab-and-go meals to any school-aged child who resides in the District. Meals can be picked up at the Shelburne Falls Fire Department, 121 State St., Buckland, MWF, 10:30am to noon. Contact Debbie at dplante@mtrsd.org.

●   Franklin Technical School: Updates. Busses drop off lunches at numerous locations. Contact Liz Bouchard for any questions or requests for specific allergies at 413-863-9561 ext. 289, ebouchard@fcts.us.

I understand facemasks are going to be required. Is there a way I can get a home-made mask?

Yes, A number of individuals and groups are making masks. If you are in need of a mask please call Sarah Dougherty at 413-625-1097 or sarahgdougherty@hotmail.com.  If you would like to make masks, Laurie Benoit 413-625-8668 or lmbenoit@outlook.com is coordinating the gathering and distribution of masks to organizations such as LifePath and she is always looking for new sewers. The demand is great

The Buckland COVID-19 Task Force is here to help. We are all in this together.

Practice social-distancing.

Love your neighbors.

WASH YOUR HANDS!