ROBERTSON, GORDON & TARR: Wilmington’s Legislative Delegation Is Here For You During This Crisis

Below is a press release from State Rep. Dave Robertson’s office, in consultation with State Rep. Ken Gordon and State Senator Bruce Tarr:

WILMINGTON, MA — Representatives Robertson, Gordon, and Senator Tarr have issued guidance and updates on the ongoing challenges caused by the COVID-19 virus.

“Precautions surrounding this virus will impact our daily lives for the foreseeable future,” they said. “While the consequences will be impactful, for some more than others, your legislative delegation will continue to address these issues to help us get through this crisis in a safe and healthy manner, but we need everyone to be vigilant and help achieve that goal.”

As of March 17, 2020, some 20 percent of people who had been tested for the virus received positive results. This does not mean that 20 percent of the population is infected – it means 20 percent who experienced symptoms or were in contact with the virus tested positive. This is serious enough for the Governor, with the legislature’s support, to order that dining and drinking on premises at restaurants had to cease, temporarily. The Governor ordered the temporary closure of schools, gyms and other areas we congregate.

The delegation asks constituents to do their part. Please help combat the spread of this virus by limiting your contacts in public, and disinfecting before interacting with anyone who is medically compromised or older as they are most at risk. If you are young, remember that even if you can recover from the illness – and even recover without feeling especially sick – you will spread this virus to others, including the elderly and vulnerable. Please do your part and stay 6-feet from other people. Please do not congregate with more than 25 healthy people.

As of this writing, you should be aware of the following changes made by the Administration that may affect you:

• The MBTA Commuter Rail will be operating on a reduced schedule to incorporate extra time needed for decontamination, as are the various subway lines. The bus routes and subway lines will be operating on Saturday schedules. Route information for all forms of transit may be found at mbta.com/coronavirus;
• The Administration has reached out to laboratories and universities to increase access to test kits and the labs that can analyze those tests. We expect the number of tests available to our residents to increase quickly. While this will likely result in an increase in the number of positive tests, it is important we know what we are facing;
• Telehealth has been expanded and is NOT limited to COVID-19 related cases, nor is it limited to MassHealth or private insurance cases. It includes mental health as well as physical health appointments. Please consult your provider. This is extremely important. You may not have to travel to the doctor for certain appointments;
• The Governor and legislature have made emergency loans immediately available to small businesses (50 employees or less) to compensate for lost revenue and sales. This is not limited to restaurants and bars, and includes certain non-profits. Information is available at https://www.empoweringsmallbusiness.org/;
• Governor Baker has filed emergency legislation on unemployment currently going through the Senate. This will waive the week waiting requirement and expand payments to include infection, quarantine, and loss of work due to COVID-19 related reasons. We are working to ease certain other restrictions on benefits, so that people who otherwise may not have qualified may do so now. We will make these changes known once they occur;
• The Department of Children and Families have begun operating a 24/7 Care and Custody question line for those fostering or sheltering children. Families with questions about care hearings, health insurance, and more should contact their case worker to find out departmental changes;
• Those with expiring licenses or learners permits up until April 30^th are automatically approved for an extension. Vehicle registrations are not approved for extension however, and must be filed electronically;
• Those with family or friends in corrections, all visits have been suspended. Phone calls up to 30 minutes will be allowed by inmates to home. Visitation suspension does not apply to lawyers; and
• Anyone who has trouble securing necessary medical equipment, or encounters a shortage at a pharmacy when seeking equipment for a preexisting condition should call our offices and report such a shortage. The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency has infrastructure in place to help assist individuals and pharmacies facing shortages of needles and other medical equipment to those with preexisting conditions to ensure their health.

Finally, a word of caution. Our health care providers may be quickly overwhelmed by people suffering from this virus. If you think that you are infected you should not go to an emergency room unless you are in imminent, extreme danger – such as you cannot breathe. If this is the case, when you or someone calls emergency services please let them know that you have symptoms consistent with the virus. If you are developing symptoms but are not in absolute danger, the first call should be to your primary care physician. Your PCP will consult with the state experts and develop a treatment plan custom to you, while limiting contact you have with other folks and isolating you from other disease, which can compound the effects of COVID-19. Symptoms of the virus set in a period ranging from two to 14 days, and include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. In more critical cases confusion, bluish lips, and pain and pressure of the chest occur. These critical cases should be addressed immediately with a phone call to your PCP or other medical professional.

Our offices remain open via email and phone, and both branches have cooperated with the Governor in passing legislation to address both the health and economic well-being of you. Of course, this article will likely leave you with questions, so feel free to contact us at your convenience.

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