Parents Group Creates COVID-19 Fast Fact Sheet Listing High School Volunteers, Activities

Photo: Belmont High School.

In an attempt to keep their neighbors’ informed on the latest about the COVID-19 pandemic, the co-moderators of the Belmont Massachusetts Parents Facebook Group – Amy Kirsch, Fitzie Cowing, Shana Wang and Kristi Armstrong – are managing a Fast Fact webpage that includes updates and contact information.

It also has ways to contact nearly 80 volunteers who can run errands for food or prescriptions and do porch drop-offs.

FAST HELP: COVID-19 Resources Sheet for Belmont

To add resources please email them to amycoh@gmail.com

Local and state news:

All Massachusetts public and private schools closed until April 7. Public town buildings including the fire station are closed to visitors.
Police Station is still open, but call first – 617-484-1212 – some cases can be completed over the phone.
Gatherings of over 25 people are banned until April 5. Social distancing practices are important. Social distancing means maintaining at least six feet from others.
All bars and restaurants in Massachusetts will be shut down to on-premise consumption starting Tuesday through April 17. Take-out only.
Essential senior services are still available including food, social work, counseling and transportation. 617-992-2970

If you are experiencing a medical emergency dial 911, if you suspect you have Covid-19 (main symptoms are fever, cough, & shortness of breath), call the hotlines first. You will want to make sure there are tests available.

Latest Covid-19 & Coronavirus News in Massachusetts.

Free Covid-19 Hotlines & emails

Dial 211– Massachusetts State Covid-19 hotline. Nothing off-limits ask to get answers to all your questions
617-993-2222 – Belmont Covid19 hotline- open 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., or use this email address for questions.
617-724-7000 -Partners HealthCare Coronavirus Hotline. Open 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., 7 days/week – expert answers to your urgent questions.
617-983-6800 -Massachusetts Department of Public Health 24- hour Emergency Hotline.
Military Health System Nurse Hotline 1-800-874-2273 or connect via online chat here: https://www.mhsnurseadviceline.com/home
1-800-985-5990 – Disaster Relief Hotline – 24-hour national hotline for emotional distress crisis counseling including relating with Covid-19. This is toll-free, multilingual, and confidential.
1-800-985-5990 or by texting TalkWithUS 66746 – SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline. Get support regarding your anxiety or stress by speaking to a trained counselor.
Text “Home” to 741741 – Texting Hotline for Emotional Distress when you are feeling depressed, sad, or going through any kind of emotional crisis, a crisis worker will text you back immediately.

Help with Food, Errands, & Prescription deliveries

Belmont Massachusetts Parents Help: Sign up if you need help with food supplies & errands or want to volunteer. We have 100 helpers signed up to leave porch drop-offs.

Belmont High School Students Help – For anyone who needs food or supplies during this time, a group of Belmont High School students have volunteered to pick them up, and deliver them to your door. Contact hpierce20@belmontschools.net or text 617-818-3149 for more information. Please spread the word to others who may be interested!

Mutual Aid (various towns – Medford Somerville, Cambridge included) Volunteer or get help.

Project Bread FoodSource Hotline 1-800-645-8333. A toll-free hotline that is the only comprehensive statewide information and referral service in Massachusetts for people facing hunger—can connect you to food resources in your community. TTY: 1-800-377-1292

Belmont Helps During Covid-19 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/499445960671817/

CVS Delivery: CVS is now offering free delivery on prescriptions & other store essentials.

Belmont Schools Free or Reduced lunch for students that rely on this service – Breakfast and lunch, pick up at Belmont High School outdoor tent. Food services will have a roster ready where we’ll check off students each day.

Monday, 3/16: 10 a.m. to Noon
Tuesday, 3/17: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Wednesday, 3/18: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Belmont Connects– links to other popular Belmont groups online

General COVID-19 Facts and Prevention

CDC – most up to date Covid-19 info.

Printables: How to keep the workplace, school, home and commercial establishments safe.

Belmont Board of Health Covid-19 advisory.

Outbreak: Parent Guide From National Child Traumatic Stress Network.

The World Health Organization is a great resource for information and comes in many languages. Includes a myth busters section. To learn the facts about COVID-19 and help stop the spread of misinformation, visit CDC’s webpage: Share the Facts, Stop Fear.

Prevention and Treatment

Covid-19 daily check and report

American Heart Association Covid-19 Resources & Precautions – https://www.heart.org/en/about-us/coronavirus-covid-19-resources

Kids Resources: Gentle Reminder: Sharing equipment on the playground is not suggested

A Comic explaining Covid-19 to kids: https://tinyurl.com/vfs9yxa

Talking to kids about Corona: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/talking-with-children.html

Belmont Little Free Library Locations: https://littlefreelibrary.org/ourmap/

Giant List of Things to do with the Kids at Home – https://tinyurl.com/rl6q2sg

Free Educational Online Subscriptions for kids – https://tinyurl.com/ujmtsm8

Grade 3-6 Choice Board: https://tinyurl.com/wj4w4q9

Scholastic learn at home for 20 days: https://tinyurl.com/sozkskk

Caregiver Resources from Lesley University: https://tinyurl.com/srzd59q

150 Enrichment Activities for kids while parents are working remotely at home – https://tinyurl.com/rxj2hsy

Outschool Online Classes for pre-k-12 grades: Outschool.com

Free Sing-along for toddlers online Tuesday 10 a.m. www.singintoreading.com/pl/139824

Free Harvard edX online courses: https://www.edx.org/school/harvardx

Museum Tours: https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours

A huge compilation list of from your living room museum tours, kids resource links, online classes: https://www.facebook.com/joy.novackrosson/posts/10222568754591766