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 – Wednesday, October 7 – the Worcester Fire Department launches a community survey, there’s an upcoming public health legislative affairs forum, the state launches a second round of nursing home reforms, a Shrewsbury artist is featured at the Worcester Art Museum and there are free COVID-19 testing and resources fairs this week in Worcester.
Take the Worcester Fire Department Survey
The Worcester Fire Department has contracted Emergency Services Consulting International to provide an in-depth internal assessment and strategic plan.
The survey is designed to help ensure that the Strategic Plan meets the expectations of our community & residents.
Pubic Health Legislative Affairs Forum
The Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission is holding a legislative affairs forum on a public health policy initiative focused on accelerating the equity and effectiveness of the local and regional public health system in Massachusetts.
The event will be held virtually on Friday, November 6, at 10 AM.
There will be a discussion regarding the SAPHE 2.0 Act, the Statewide Accelerated Public Health for Every Community Act.
The SAPHE 2.0 Act seeks to establish minimum public health standards for every community, increase capacity and effectiveness, create a uniform data collection and reporting system, and will dedicate sustainable state funding
Speakers will include:
- Representative Hannah Kane of the 11th Worcester District
- Kristina Kimani, Assistant Policy Director at the Massachusetts Public Health Association
- Karyn E. Clark, Director of Public Health for the City of Worcester
Governor’s Office Announces Launches Second Round of Nursing Home Reforms
Governor Baker’s office announced on Tuesday, October 6, that the second round of comprehensive nursing home reforms have begin.
The reforms are intended to keep older adults safe, improve the standards of care and infection control, and respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The first phase includes $82 million in restructured Medicaid rates and immediate steps to eliminate 3 and 4 bed rooms in nursing homes.
The state also released updated surveillance testing guidance for nursing homes and rest homes and announced new funding for assisted living residences [ALRs] to support surveillance testing.
Shrewsbury Artist Featured in New Worcester Art Museum Exhibition
Works by Shrewsbury artist Susan Swinand, winner of the Sally R. Bishop Prize for Best in Show at the 2019 ArtsWorcester Biennial, are the focus of a new exhibition at the Worcester Art Museum opening on October 7.
Nature Imagined by Susan Swinand features 31 paintings and drawings by the artist, representing a variety of mediums and including 14 new works created for this exhibition.
Organized in collaboration with ArtsWorcester, the exhibition will remain on view through February 7, 2021.
A virtual talk with the artist will take place on Tuesday, November 10 at 6pm.
Links to the free Zoom event can be found on the Museum’s website, worcesterart.org.
Free COVID-19 Testing This Week
There are two free COVID-19 resource fairs in Worcester this week, as part of the “Stop the Spread” campaign in Massachusetts.
Wednesday, October 7,
19 Tacoma St.
2 PM -6 PM
Free testing and a resource fair. Flu shots available with insurance.
No appointment necessary.
Thursday, October 8
72 Jacques Ave.
Noon – 4 PM
Free testing and a resource fair.
No appointment necessary.
Image Credit: Kenneth C. Zirkel, Worcester Art Museum (Massachusetts), CC BY-SA 4.0
