What you need to know about COVID-19: Springfield

March 17, 2020 | G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com

SPRINGFIELD – Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno announced on March 16 that City Hall would be closed starting March 17 through April 5.

“These are extraordinary times that means decisive actions have to be taken,” he said.

During this period no city employees would be laid off, Sarno said. Sarno made the comments during the first of three planned weekly status update meetings.

The 311 Call Center would be in operation as well as services provided by the Department of Public Works, the mayor added.

William Baker, Sarno’s communications director,  said people who need to pay a city bill but can not do so by either mail or through the city’s website, should call 311 to make the necessary arrangements.

Business as usual for the police and fire departments will be in place with the exception the public would have very limited access to the building. Fire Commissioner B.J. Calvi said if a resident needs assistance in person at a fire station, they need to ring the bell and a member of the department would come out to offer assistance.

Police Commissioner Cheryl Claprood said the Pearl Street headquarters would also have limited access. She said she is splitting the department up into five locations and the buildings and cruisers would be regularly sanitized to prevent infection.    

School Superintendent Daniel Warwick said currently the School Department is working out distance learning for the students during the time the schools will be closed. they are slated to re-open on April 7.

Warwick explained any person 18 or under is eligible for grab and go meals and no identification, registration or address is required. The meal service from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday-Friday until school resumes. Grab-n-Go meals will be served at Bowles, Chestnut Middle School, Commerce, Dorman, Glickman, Indian Orchard, Kensington, Liberty, Lincoln, Rebecca Johnson, South End, Talmage, Warner and Washington.

The last day of school will be June 19. School closures will not disrupt the high school seniors from earning their diplomas.

Springfield Education Association President Maureen Colgan Posner told teachers in a letter that they would receive regular pay and sick time would not be affected. She also indicated no vacations would be canceled.

At the same press conference, Mark A. Keroack, M.D., president & CEO of Baystate Health, explained that 80 percent of the people who contract COVID-19 will have mild symptons, but the “elderly and the frail” are at risk.

As of March 16 there was one positive case in Springfield. One hundred tests have been made at Baystate, and 40 have come back negative.

Keroack said that he hopes within a week there will ben an increased speed of testing.         

Keroack said the medical center has a 12-bed isolation unit for COVID-19 cases and has cancelled all elective surgery in order to make more hospital beds available, if needed.

“This is not business as usual,” Keroack said. “We all have  a job to do.”

Dr. Robert Roose, the chief medical officer for Mercy Medical center said of the pandemic, “This is an evolving issue that requires us to constantly change,” he added, “I would encourage everyone to take the guidance seriously.”

Helen Caulton-Harris, the commissioner of the city’s Department of Health and Human Services, expressed concern about a “social recession” and urged people to look out for elders who may be isolated.”

She added children may be facing anxiety as well and said parents and family members should ask “open-ended” questions about the situation.

Caulton-Harris also advised, “Don’t stay wedded to the television. That will tamp down anxiety.”
 
Other closings and changes

The Springfield Public Libraries announced on March 13 that all programs would be cancelled starting March 14 at 9 a.m. until April 11 at 5 p.m. Community rooms will be closed to outside use during that time as well.

• Sarno in consultation with Caulton-Harris and Director of Springfield Public Libraries and Director of Elder Affairs Sandy Federico announced March 13 that “due to the current state of emergency and in the abundance of caution the City of Springfield’s senior centers and libraries will be temporarily closed until March 27.”

• Jill Keough, executive director for Greater Springfield Senior Services (GSSS), said the organization’s Meals on Wheels deliveries will continue regardless of any alterations to public schedules or closures. “We have emergency plans in place, we have to get meals out to people,” Keough said. She also stressed the organization’s Information and Referral line at GSSS will remain open even in the face or any potential work-from-home mandates in the future. “They are a wealth of knowledge. If folks have any questions about services [for elders] they will remain open, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., whether it is done here or remotely,” Keough said. “At this time we plan to welcome people in our doors and help people as much as possible. I would encourage people to give us a call and ask for a referral if they don’t know where to turn.”  Greater Springfield Senior Services is located at 66 Industrial Ave., #9, Springfield. Call 781-8800 and ask for the Referral Department for help with services.

• Due to the growing health and public safety concerns about COVID-19, also known as coronavirus, all Springfield Housing Authority offices will be closed to the public until further notice, effective March 17.

In adherence to the emergency actions announced by Gov. Charlie Baker regarding the potential spread of coronavirus, public housing residents are encouraged to contact their district offices regarding any housing emergencies.

Residents have been notified of our operating and staffing procedures during this national and state emergency. Until further notice, our maintenance staff will only respond to emergencies.

On behalf of the SHA, Executive Director Denise R. Jordan said, “Residents should follow all necessary safety precautions that have been posted on our website and outside all district offices. Our maintenance staff is increasing the frequency of daily cleaning, with a special focus on high-traffic and high-touch areas. These include but are not limited to building entrances, doors, common areas, elevator controls, mailboxes, and trash bin doors.”

Additional information has been published on our website at www.shamass.org and on social media.

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