Published: 4/22/2020 1:31:11 PM
GREENFIELD — As the weather improves, residents may find it more difficult to abide by social distancing advisories meant to stop the spread of COVID-19.
“We are particularly concerned as the weather gets nicer in New England that people understand what physical distancing looks like in an outdoor setting,” said Phoebe Walker, director of community services for the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG).
In light of those concerns, FRCOG distributed social distancing signs and personal protective equipment (PPE) to local boards of health on Tuesday.
Board of health officials drove up to the John W. Olver Transit Center one at a time between 10:30 a.m. and noon to receive their respective town’s package of signs and supplies. The council had about 150 signs to distribute; officials could take as many as they saw fit.
Walker said the signs, which will be placed at trails and parks throughout the 14 towns served by FRCOG’s Cooperative Public Health Service, are designed to help residents understand what proper outdoor etiquette looks like to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The PPE that was also distributed Tuesday is the council’s first shipment of supplies — which includes masks, gloves and gowns — from the Health and Medical Coordinating Coalitions, Walker said.
“Each town has done their own analysis of where it is needed in that town,” Walker said. “It could be particularly vulnerable residents or town employees who are not first responders but coming into contact with folks.”
She said LifePath, a nonprofit that provides services that allow elderly and disabled residents to continue living independently, will be prioritized as far as where leftover PPE will be offered after Tuesday’s distribution. Walker noted this is due to concern for personal care attendants — many of whom work for multiple members of the community — who may still be without proper protection.
The distribution of social distancing signs follows a meeting last week of the Mohawk Area Public Health Coalition — a federally funded public health preparedness coalition — during which the group identified the challenge of encouraging outdoor physical distancing as a primary concern as the weather gets warmer.
Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 263.