In today’s daily 5 Things You Need to Know feature, ThisWeekinWorcester.com explores five important items and stories that Worcester and Central Massachusetts residents should keep a close eye on.
These five things can cover a whole range of subjects and issues that we feel are pertinent to understanding what’s going on in the city and the cities and towns surrounding Worcester.
In today’s edition – Friday, July 24 – the state’s DPH issues order to protect uninsured individuals from COVID-19 test costs, the Worcester teachers’ union is hosting a rally today, Old Sturbridge Village is hosting an after-hours event tonight, Grafton has canceled its annual Night Out event, and see where Worcester ranks among the most and least-educated cities in America.
DPH Order Protects Uninsured from COVID-19 Test Costs
Public Health Commissioner Dr. Monica Bharel issued a public health order this week that prevents uninsured individuals from costs because of a COVID-19 test.
The federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act [FFCRA] mandates that testing providers must provide COVID-19 testing to individuals without out-of-pocket expenses.
Provides can submit reimbursement claims to the federal government when a patient is uninsured.
Massachusetts health officials report they have received reports that some providers have chosen not to bill the federal program. Some individuals have instead received large bills for COVID-19 testing.
Dr. Bharel’s order requires that providers submit the bill to the federal government or provide the test at no cost.
Worcester Teachers’ Union Hosting Rally Today
The Educational Association of Worcester demonstration for safe working conditions will begin at 8:45 AM on Friday, July 24, at the Worcester Public Schools Transportation Center, 60 Fremont St., Worcester, and proceed to a stand-out at the intersection of Fremont and Webster streets.
Members of the EAW are calling for greater educator participation in planning for school reopenings amid the coronavirus pandemic.
After-Hours Event at Old Sturbridge Village Tonight
Old Sturbridge Village is holding an “Evening at the Village” on Friday, July 24, from 4 PM to 7 PM.
This after-hours event will include music performed by two of the Village’s historians.
Guests are welcome to bring a blanket or chair and relax on the Village Common for this casual event.
Limited snacks will be available for purchase along with wine and beer for those over 21-years-old with an ID. Guests are also welcome to pack a picnic and bring their own food.
The cost for adults is $8 for members and $10 for non-members. Up to three kids age 17 and under are free when accompanies by a paying adult. The cost for kids is otherwise $5. Pre-registration is required.
Grafton Annual Block Party Canceled
The town of Grafton has canceled its National Night Out Block Party, typically held annually on the first Tuesday of August.
Chief of Grafton Police Normand Crepeau, Jr., said that “…restrictions placed on crowd sizes, social distancing, food distribution, sanitizing frequently touched items, etc.” prevented holding the event.
The event was first held in Grafton in 2005.
National Night Out is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and co-sponsored locally by the Grafton Police Department. The annual event is held in over 15,000 communities from all 50 states and U.S. territories.
Worcester Ranks 59th Most Educated City in America
The financial experts at WalletHub.com have released a study that shows Worcester as the 59th most educated city in America.
In making the determination, WalletHub used a range of data including share of adults aged 25 and older with a bachelor’s degree or higher to the quality of the public-school system to the gender education gap.
Worcester finished just ahead of Reno, NV and one slot behind Buffalo, NY.
The most educated city in America, according to the study, is Ann Arbor, MI. It was followed by San Jose, CA and the Washington DC area. Boston came in seventh.
Of the 150 cities that made the list, McAllen, TX, Brownsville, TC and Visalia-Porterville, CA were the least educated.
See the full study by WalletHub.com here.
