Diapers in demand in Natick
The Sons & Daughters of Italy in Natick has put out the word that A Place to Turn’s food pantry is in desperate need of size 6 diapers, though all sizes are needed.
The Sons & Daughters of Italy Lodge is organizing a pop-up diaper drive for Saturday, Jan. 22, from 9am-1pm at the lodge, 37 Washington Ave.
Volunteers (masks and vaccinations required) wanted 9-11am, 11am-1pm on Saturday at the lodge.
Reach out to @Darlene Rideout if interested.
Natick mask mandate goes into effect Jan. 17
Natick’s Health Department has put a mask mandate into effect come Monday, Jan. 17 through Feb. 28.
You’ll be required to wear a face covering or mask if you’re two or older in all indoor public spaces or private spaces open to the public. There is an exception for those unable to wear a face covering due to a medical condition or disability.
The mandate applies to facilities such as restaurants, retail establishments, houses of worship, gyms and indoor fitness centers, performance spaces and theaters, lodging, and personal services establishments. You can take off your mask while eating in a restaurant. The mandate doesn’t apply to private businesses that aren’t public-facing, and they can put in place their own policies.
“We have seen public health metrics trending in the wrong direction over the past several weeks. This, coupled with the CDC’s recommendation for indoor masking in Middlesex County, informs the decision to institute this mandate,” according to the town.
The list of communities across the state imposing similar rules is on the rise.
A civil fine of up to $300 can be issued in Natick to anyone not complying after verbal and written warnings.
Nearby, Wellesley has resisted a mask mandate to this point, with Board of Health members concerned about the mixed messages masks can send depending upon the type of masks people wear and how they wear them.
Natick workshop on addressing family stress and depression
Natick 180 and First Church Natick will present a workshop on Wed., Jan. 19, at 7pm to address family stress and depression. The program will facilitated by Families for Depression Awareness and delivered by a licensed mental health professional. During the training, participants will learn how to identify symptoms of stress in themselves and family members, manage stress as a family, respond when symptoms become “more than stress,” and get help for themselves or a family member.
Natick resident finds way to connect community with COVID resources
Natick resident Abby Brown, like many parents, has been facing down a certain level of anxiety over sending her 4- and 7-year olds to school as the Omicron variant of COVID-19 surges. As a way of funneling that anxiety toward something useful, Brown, an economist, started Natick COVID Mutual Aid, a Facebook group for Natick residents that she hopes will serve as a way to “help people be intentional about sharing resources.”
As administrator of the page, Brown crafted the following description: “At home COVID tests are a key way to prevent transmission chains, but they are in short supply. Members of this group are committed to helping Natick reduce the spread of COVID through sharing resources, particularly at-home COVID tests, high-quality masks, and information about testing and vaccine sites.”
Brown got the idea for the group while scrolling through her own feeds. “I was noticing on social media groups a lot of people were looking for tests and sharing information how to buy them.” She thought that by creating a space where the Natick community could be intentional about sharing resources, a community connection could be fostered and serve as one more tool to help people live and work more safely during the pandemic.
If one person in town has 100 tests, because hey, they’re great planners, and another person in town has no tests because, hey, they’re super busy/couldn’t afford them/got caught unaware, Brown figured there must be a way to encourage a mutual aid society of sorts.
“Let’s reduce our sense of scarcity,” she says. “If people can’t get tests, they’ll just go ahead and do what they’re going to do.” But if they can get tests, transmission of the Omicron variant can be slowed because people who know they have COVID don’t want to infect others, she says, and will be more likely to isolate for the five days recommended by the CDC.
The COVID FB page has over 400 members (update Jan. 17, 2022…membership up over 850). A quick look reflects that the sense of comradeship Brown hoped would come about has, indeed, developed. Members are not a grabby group. One poster mentioned having multiples of a hard-to-find item. Responders asked if she could spare one or two. Another poster supplied time-saving information about reputable supply sources, and those that allow you to fill your shopping cart but don’t mention until point-of-sale that the items are not in stock. And yes, even requests for the ever-elusive rapid PCR tests have been honored.
“It seems like people are getting in the spirit,” Brown says. “But I have no idea what to expect. Will [the page] become overrun by trolls? Will the government send 30 tests to everyone in America for free, so then the FB page is no longer needed?”
In a way, Brown is approaching this as not only an exercise in civics, but as an intellectual pursuit. “I have long-term curiosity about mutual aid,” she says. Also, she notes, “I’m trying to deal with my own anxiety” by helping connect others.
Natick COVID Mutual Aid is a private group that is accepting members. Brown says Natick residents should request to join if they want to if they want to help others, or if they need help themselves.
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