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 – Monday, October 31 – a fundraiser is underway for a fifth community fridge in Worcester, city health leaders urge residents to get flu and COVID-19 vaccines, MassHire is hosting two upcoming job fairs, Redemption Rock Brewing Co. is hosting a special Halloween pop-up market tonight and Big Brother Big Sister is picking up donations this week in Worcester.
Fundraiser Underway for Fifth Community Fridge in Worcester
The Church of Saint Matthew is organizing a community fridge at 695 Southbridge St. The parish is trying to raise $2,000 toward the cost of building materials, setting up electricity for the fridge outside, creating fridge art, and the first few deliveries of food for the fridge.
As of Sunday, Oct. 30, the church has raised nearly $900.
The community fridge is in partnership with Worcester Community Fridges and would be the fifth community fridge in the city.
To make a donation, click here.
City Health Leaders Urge Residents to Get Flu, COVID-19 Vaccine
As flu season begins, Worcester is also experiencing an uncharacteristic rise in cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Combined with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, health officials are urging residents to take precautions to stay safe, avoid surges, and prevent further strain on local and regional hospital systems.
RSV, which is contributing to a current spike in hospital visits—especially for children—and is correlated with school absences, is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. While most affected people recover in one to two weeks, infants, young children, older adults, and those with chronic health conditions and weakened immune systems are susceptible to serious illness, including bronchitis and pneumonia.
Considering the particular risk to children and potential for spread in schools and daycare facilities, health officials strongly recommend masking for children at least two years of age, as well as for family members, caretakers, and anyone else in close contact with infants and other high-risk individuals. Children with symptoms of respiratory illness, especially fever, should remain home until symptoms have cleared.
Health officials are reminiding residents that the best way to avoid serious complications related to flu and COVID-19 is by being up to date on vaccines, and it is safe to receive both a flu and COVID-19 vaccine dose at the same time. Parents and caretakers of students are also asked to make sure their children are up to date on all school-mandated vaccines to avoid potential increases in other diseases.
This season’s flu vaccine is now available at most local pharmacies, and locations can be found at vaccines.gov/flu.
COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are also available at pharmacies, as well as at the ongoing weekly free clinics open to the public across the City:
- Central Community Branch YMCA (766 Main St.)
Mondays, 11 AM – 7 PM
- UMass Memorial Health Mercantile Center Clinic (100 Front St.)
Mondays, 11 AM – 4 PM and Thursdays, 10 AM – 3 PM
Also offering PCR testing
- Worcester Public Library (3 Salem Sq.)
Wednesdays, 11 AM – 7 PM and Saturdays, 12 PM – 5 PM
- AIDS Project Worcester (165 Southbridge St.)
Fridays, 9 AM – 5 PM
Appointments encouraged
Now through Dec. 19, anyone who receives a dose at Monday’s YMCA clinic or Saturday’s Worcester Public Library clinic will receive a $75 dollar gift card courtesy of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, while supplies last.
A full schedule of vaccine and booster clinics around the City can be found at worcesterma.gov/coronavirus/vaccination.
MassHire Hosting Two Job Fairs in Coming Weeks
MassHire is hosting two job fairs next week – Nov. 8 in Southbridge and Nov. 9 in Worcester.
The Southbridge job fair is at the MassHire Southbridge Career Center at 5 Optical Dr.
The Worcester job fair is at the MassHire Central Career Center at 340 Main St. in downtown Worcester.
Both job fairs are from 10 AM to 12 PM. Veterans and Military Service members are welcome to arrive early at 9:30 AM.
To register for the fairs, click here.
Redemption Rock Brewing Co. Hosting Special Halloween Pop-up Market Tonight
Redemption Rock Brewing Co. on Shrewsbury Street is hosting the second annual Spooktacular Halloween Party & Pop-Up Market tonight from 5 PM to 9 PM.
Trick-or-treating will be indoors and costumes are highly encouraged.
Vendors at the market include:
– Tropical Bath Body
– Honestly Neccessary
– Knitted
– Woo Fridges
– NamasteWoo
– Buttered
Big Brother Big Sister Picking Up Donations in Worcester
The Big Brother Big Sister Foundation has a truck scheduled for pickups in the Worcester area on Friday, Nov. 4
Founded in 1904, Big Brother Big Sisters is the nation’s largest donor- and volunteer-supported mentoring network, Big Brother Big Sister makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), ages 5 through young adulthood in communities across the country.
Foundation pickups accept a range of items, including clothing, certain household items, books and other items. See the full list of acceptable items here.
Schedule a home pickup here.