  Dear Friends and Colleagues, Here on Cape Cod we’ve been faring quite well during the recent upswing in COVID-19 infections across the Commonwealth and the rest of the country. In order to keep our infection rate in check, it is imperative that we continue to practice safety measures in the weeks and months to come. Social distancing, wearing a mask, handwashing and staying home when possible is still important! Last week, Gov. Baker announced new, state-wide orders in response to a surge in cases of COVID-19 here in Massachusetts. The number of new cases, hospitalizations, including ICU hospitalizations, have risen dramatically in the last 9 weeks. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reports that 80 percent of new COVID-19 cases are mainly adults under the age of 35 and traced to household exposures and small indoor gatherings. Here are the latest statewide orders that went into effect on Friday, November 6th: 1. Updated mask order. All persons are now required to wear face-coverings in all public places, even where they are able to maintain 6 feet of distance from others. The order makes an exception for residents who cannot wear a face-covering due to a medical or disabling condition, but allows employers to require employees to provide proof of such a condition. 2. Indoor gatherings. Gathering sizes in private residences (homes, apartments, etc.) will be reduced from 25 to 10, and outdoor events will be reduced from 50 to 25. The limit on gatherings held in public spaces and at event venues remains the same. Requires that all gatherings (regardless of size or location) must end and disperse by 9:30 PM. 3. Statewide stay-at-home advisory has been issued between the hours of 10 pm and 5 am. Exclusions including leaving home to go to work or school, or for essential needs such as emergency medical care, grocery store or pharmacy, picking up take-out food, or receiving deliveries. The advisory includes avoiding gatherings in the home with anybody outside of your household. 4. Restaurants will be required to cease in-person dining by 9:30 p.m., although takeout or delivery of food can continue. 5. Liquor vendors will be required to cease alcohol sales at 9:30 p.m. 6. Indoor entertainment venues will also be required to close at 9:30 pm. 7. The Massachusetts Travel Order is still in effect and includes a 14-day quarantine requirement for travelers arriving in MA from MOST states. To read about the travel order, and states included, visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order 8. The MA Dept. of Public Health will use automated calls and text messages to reach residents with updated information about COVID-19 and the new statewide advisories. For more information, visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-state-of-emergency or visit https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-order-54/download We thank Elaine Abrams, MPH, RN, for pulling this information together for us. For you late night party animals, best be in before curfew. Please continue to be safe out there! PS- we made an error in last night’s email. The correct date for Cooking With the Danielson’s is Friday, November 20, 2-3 pm. Molly Perdue, Melanie Braverman, Elaine Abrams, and the AFSC team If you or anyone you know is in need of the services we provide,please call us at (508) 896-5170. |
Brewster 