Things You Should Know This Week – March 16th

Oh boy!  Where to begin….

Do you need help?

Local residents are looking to volunteer to help with errands, grocery shopping, etc. for elderly/senior citizens, and/or people with chronic health conditions.   If you’d like to volunteer, or if you are someone who needs help, you can email us here at Caught in Southie via [email protected] Here are some other ways to lead a helping hand.  

Unwind with some knitting

Sh*t that I Knit is offering virtual knitting classes and knitting starter kits.  Perfect way to practice social distancing.

School is out

Governor Baker ordered all public and private schools in the state to close until April 6th.  BPS announced that all schools March 17th through April 27th. For those BPS families that need food, the City of Boston will have neighborhood locations for food pick up citywide to ensure that no child goes hungry. Here’s a map of meal locations. 

No large groups

Governor Baker also announced gatherings of 25 or more are prohibited.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now advising against gatherings of 50 people or more for the next eight weeks.You can read the guidance announcement here. 

Takeout/Delivery/Gift Cards

Support our local restaurants by ordering takeout/delivery or buying a gift card to use at a later date. Governor Baker issued an emergency order limiting gatherings to 25 individuals and prohibiting on-premises consumption of food or drink at bars and restaurants, beginning on March 17 and effective through April 5. The Governor’s order will be in effect in Boston beginning March 17. On Monday, March 16, restaurants in the City will be permitted to stay open until 11 p.m. All restaurants, bars, and night clubs in the City will be required to reduce overall capacity by 50 percent, among other restrictions.  You can learn more here. 

A new fund for those hit hardest by COVID-19

The City of Boston will be launching a coronavirus fund for families hit hardest by crisis.  Boston Foundation and United Way response funds also will serve nonprofits and workers affected by the pandemic.  You can read more about it here. 

Practice social distancing

As of March 15, 2020, there are 29 confirmed and presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in Boston residents. This situation is evolving rapidly and changes day to day. The CDC is currently testing to confirm the presumptive positive cases. BPHC will be providing additional information on those cases as it is received from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.  Please practice social distancing!  The goal is to flatten the curve. Here’s a helpful article in the Atlantic that answers any questions you may have on social distancing. While you’re practicing social distancing maybe watch some television.  Here’s a guide of what to watch! 

Questions about COVID-19 – the city has helpful information here. 

Stay safe, Southie!  If you have any tips, advice, ideas for stories you’d like us to cover, send us an email at [email protected]