Spring turkey hunting season is April 27 to May 23. With more people seeking outdoor recreation in Massachusetts’ open spaces during the COVID-19 state of emergency, state officials want to remind hunters and other outdoor users to practice common-sense safety measures during the upcoming turkey hunting season.
Turkey hunters are reminded about the following precautions:
■Know when and where hunting is allowed.
■Always treat your firearm as if it is loaded.
■Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Keep the safety “on” and your finger off the trigger.
■Be sure of your target and what lies beyond it before you shoot.
■Be safe, be seen. Avoid wearing red, white, blue, or black clothing – these colors are associated with male turkeys.
■Be respectful and courteous to other outdoor users.
Other outdoor visitors are advised to take these outdoor safety precautions during turkey hunting season:
■Know when and where hunting is allowed.
■Be safe, be seen. A brightly colored orange vest or hat will help you stay visible.
■Keep pets leashed and visible.
■Stay on marked trails.
■Make your presence known. Talk or whistle to identify yourself as a person.
■Be respectful and courteous — hunter harassment is unlawful.
Getting out into nature is a great way to support your mental and physical health year-round. To enjoy the outdoors responsibly during the COVID-19 public health emergency, remember to stay close to home and keep visits short, avoid crowds, practice good hygiene, keep pets leashed, wear face masks, and stay 6 feet apart from other visitors at all times.
In addition to the varied offerings at DCR state forests and parks, all MassWildlife Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) remain open to the public to enjoy for fishing, hunting, walking, birding, and other nature-based activities. The public is encouraged to visit lesser-known properties. Choose a different location or time to visit if conditions seem crowded. To find WMAs or state forests and parks near you, please visit the MassWildlife Lands Viewer and DCR’s state parks guide.
Holyoke Community College will run a free online program starting May 5 for people who want to sharpen their digital literacy skills to become more effective remote workers and learners.
“How to Work & Learn Online,” offered through HCC’s Kittredge Center for Business and Workforce Development, is a four-part workshop series that will be conducted in a live, interactive, streaming forum on May 5, 7, 12 and 14 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Participants will learn how to navigate computer settings, create and organize files, and safely use the internet and digital communication tools such as Zoom. Sessions will cover best practices for being an effective online learner, including tips on study habits, expectations of online learning, and how to use Google Drive and other computer applications.
The course was developed and will be taught by Jose Pedraza, assistant coordinator of HCC’s Gill Community Technology Center, which promotes technology literacy for HCC’s education and workforce training programs.
Those enrolled will be sent a link to the class, which they can join using any device with an internet connection, such as a desktop computer, laptop, Chromebook or smartphone.
For more information or to register, please contact Valentyna Semyrog 413-552-2123 or vsemyrog@hcc.edu.
Attorney General Maura Healey announced new efforts this week to provide support and help secure the financial relief small businesses need in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with an online assistance page, including information on available grants and loans, guidance on insurance coverage, rent abatements, options to cut expenses, mortgage relief, and access to free legal assistance.
Small businesses are also encouraged to fill out an online form to share their experience navigating options during this crisis.
In an effort to help small businesses in Massachusetts with their financial situations, Healey also announced two new initiatives last week to provide financial relief and legal assistance to small businesses impacted by closures and losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The AG’s Small Business Relief Partnership Grant Program will provide funding to municipalities and regional planning agencies assisting small businesses in the communities they serve.
The AG’s office also joined a coalition of law firms, nonprofits, and government agencies — led by Ropes & Gray, Lawyers for Civil Rights, and Lawyers Clearinghouse — to launch the COVID Relief Coalition to provide vulnerable businesses and mission-driven organizations with pro bono legal support. The coalition offers quick, no-cost assistance and guidance from the local legal community to small businesses that complete an intake form.
Visit the AG’s COVID-19 resource page,mass.gov/guides/resources-during-covid-19, for information about how the AG’s Office can provide support during this crisis.
Veterans Administration Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System in Leeds is committed to providing high-quality mental health care while keeping veterans safe from exposure to the coronavirus.
To help reduce the risk of infection at the facility, the VA asks that veterans use online resources for routine or non-urgent mental health care and questions. This will help protect veterans from contracting COVID-19 while enabling providers to focus on care for those with the most acute needs.
The VA offers:
■Telephone or video appointments: Veterans should maintain their existing mental health appointments — and may receive care at home — using VA Video Connect on their computers, smartphones, or tablets. To set up telephone or video appointments, veterans can send their health care provider a secure message on My HealtheVet by visiting myhealth.va.gov. Veterans can learn more about VA Video Connect at mobile.va.gov/app/va-video-connect.
■Prescription refills and safety: Veterans should continue taking all medications as prescribed and talk to their mental health provider if they have any concerns. Veterans may request prescription refills and order shipments of medications to their homes using My HealtheVet or by contacting their provider through the Call Center. VA’s Safe Home Environment handout provides information on safely storing medications in the home.
■Mental health information and resources: VA provides information on ways for veterans and their families to maintain and enhance their mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 outbreak. Information about managing stress and anxiety, as well as mental health resources, are available at www.mentalhealth.va.gov/coronavirus/resources.
■Text message reminders: Veterans can use Annie’s Coronavirus Precautions protocol to send automated text messages with information about COVID-19. This application helps veterans monitor their symptoms and can assist those who need to contact their VA facility for care. Veterans may enroll in the app at mobile.va.gov/annie.
■Mental health month: This May, VA is observing mental health month by emphasizing that “Now Is the Time.” Even during the coronavirus outbreak, veterans can still prioritize their mental health. Veterans and their families can visit www.MakeTheConnection.net/MHM to learn more about mental health resources and hear stories of recovery from other veterans.
■COVID Coach Mobile App: The Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, National Center for PTSD and Mobile Mental Health team is pleased to announce the launch of the COVID Coach Mobile App.
COVID Coach is designed to help individuals, partners, and families build resilience, manage stress, and increase their well-being during this crisis. The app is free, secure, and helps connect users to important resources for coping and adapting during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Customized tools are available to help cope with stress, stay well, stay safe, stay healthy, stay connected, and navigate parenting, care-giving, and working from home while physically distancing, quarantined, or sheltered in place. Users can track their mood, visualize their progress, and find resources to seek additional help and support. The app is available on iOS and Android. No email account or password is required and user data is not collected.
■Connected care services: VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System remains open and continues to provide care to veterans during the pandemic. Veterans can receive face-to-face care for urgent mental health concerns at the main facility in Leeds, the Springfield Outpatient Clinic and the Worcester Outpatient Clinic at Lincoln Street. Also, clinicians at all sites are providing a range of mental health services using the virtual care options described above. If any veteran is seeking mental health care, they may contact the call center and let us know how we can help. Veterans may also call the veterans crisis line at 1-800-273-8255, Press 1.
■Call Center: The call center can: connect you with a triage RN for emergencies, injury, or illness; renew or check the status of your medications; schedule medical, mental health, and specialty appointments; check on the status of consults or non VA care consults; connect with enrollment, billing, medical records, HUD-vash, travel, and other needs; access mental health care and substance abuse treatment; report a hospitalization; access the patient experience coordinator.
You can contact the call center at 1-800-893-1522 or send a secure message thru MyHealtheVet. If you are having a medical emergency, please call 911. For mental health emergencies, please call the veterans crisis line at 1-800-273-8255, Press 1.
For more information on ways for veterans to maintain and enhance their mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 outbreak, visit www.mentalhealth.va.gov/coronavirus.
Mass2-1-1 and its Call2Talk emotional support and suicide prevention hotline reached over 50,000 calls regarding COVID-19. Mass2-1-1 is a program created and staffed by the United Ways of Massachusetts, and designated by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency as the official hotline for COVID-19.
“All of us at United Way and Mass2-1-1 are proud of our Mass2-1-1 and Call2Talk call takers for doing such an outstanding job over these last 50,000 COVID-19 related calls from the citizens of the commonwealth. As time goes on calls are becoming much more stressful and emotional, so stay strong team,” said Paul Mina, executive director of Mass2-1-1.
Any resident of Massachusetts with questions about COVID-19 or needs such as unemployment or food caused by the pandemic can call 2-1-1 at any time, from any phone in Massachusetts, in over 150 languages.
AT&T is supporting customers during the coronavirus pandemic. Through June 30, for residential or small business customers who notify AT&T that they are unable to pay their bills due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, they will:
■Not terminate any postpaid wireless, home phone or broadband residential or small business account.
■Waive any late payment fees for postpaid wireless, home phone or broadband residential or small business, U-verse TV or DIRECTV customer.
■Waive domestic postpaid wireless plan overage charges for data, voice or text for residential or small business wireless customers.
They are also keeping public Wi-Fi hotspots open for anyone who needs them.
AT&T has a website dedicated to COVID-19. Additional details about these commitments are available at about.att.com/pages/COVID-19.html.
Camp Holy Cross, Goshen, a private summer camp operated by the Diocese of Springfield, has announced plans to cancel its 2020 camping season due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Based on the timing and uncertainty of impending Massachusetts Department of Public Health social distancing rules and regulations, CHC has decided to err on the side of caution for the health and safety of its campers and employees, according to the Rev. Christopher Malatesta, pastor of St. Agnes Church and CHC co-director, and Justin Brown, co-director.
CHC camps and summer programs involve children and young adults living in close proximity in cabins and most programs involve interaction in large group activities.
Malatesta said the camp’s top priority has always been to put the health of its campers first. “We take great pride in providing safe camping experiences for many Diocesan youth and we will return to that mission when we reopen next season stronger than ever,” he said.