LYNN NEWS ROUND-UP
AUGUST 10, 2020

See our other COVID-19 related posts by clicking here.

COVID-19 testing in Lynn this week, “Stop The Spread” initiative extended

Last week it was reported that Lynn is experiencing a 14-day positivity rate of over 6%, which the highest in the state and well above the 1.82% state average. This means it is very important to wear a mask, distance when out in public, & get tested for COVID-19 (which is free and easy to do).

The initiative’s testing period has now been extended until September 12th. The following locations offer free testing for MA residents regardless of their insurance status, immigration status, or if they have any symptoms:

• Lynn Community Health Center in the Element Care parking lot at 9 Buffum Street, 7 days a week.
• Lynn Community Health Center at 29 Market Square, Monday-Thursday.
• This week Health Innovations has a van to administer tests in the parking Lot at Lynn English High School. Due to the extreme heat forecast, this COVID-19 test site will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, August 11. The testing site will re-open on Wednesday August 12 at 10 AM. 

Please call the Lynn Community Health Center at 781-581-3900 to make an appointment or Health Innovations to schedule a test at the mobile van location at 774-264-0604. Walk-ins are also welcome.

We are currently working on gathering information and videos for the MA State Elections that impact Lynn. Basic information about voting has been added on our Election section, found by clicking here, and we will update that section with more information.

Statement from U.S. Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham: Delivering a Complete and Accurate 2020 Census Count

The U.S. Census Bureau continues to evaluate its operational plans to collect and process 2020 Census data. We are announcing updates to our plan that will include enumerator awards and the hiring of more employees to accelerate the completion of data collection and apportionment counts by our statutory deadline of December 31, 2020, as required by law and directed by the Secretary of Commerce. The Census Bureau’s new plan reflects our continued commitment to conduct a complete count, provide accurate apportionment data, and protect the health and safety of the public and our workforce. Learn more by clicking here.

Complete Count

A robust field data collection operation will ensure we receive responses from households that have not yet self-responded to the 2020 Census.

• We will improve the speed of our count without sacrificing completeness. As part of our revised plan, we will conduct additional training sessions and provide awards to enumerators in recognition of those who maximize hours worked. We will also keep phone and tablet computer devices for enumeration in use for the maximum time possible.
• We will end field data collection by September 30, 2020. Self-response options will also close on that date to permit the commencement of data processing. Under this plan, the Census Bureau intends to meet a similar level of household responses as collected in prior censuses, including outreach to hard-to-count communities.

Accurate Data and Efficient Processing

Once we have the data from self-response and field data collection in our secure systems, we plan to review it for completeness and accuracy, streamline its processing, and prioritize apportionment counts to meet the statutory deadline. In addition, we plan to increase our staff to ensure operations are running at full capacity.

Flexible Design

Our operation remains adaptable and additional resources will help speed our work. The Census Bureau will continue to analyze data and key metrics from its field work to ensure that our operations are agile and on target for meeting our statutory delivery dates. Of course, we recognize that events can still occur that no one can control, such as additional complications from severe weather or other natural disasters.

Health and Safety

We will continue to prioritize the health and safety of our workforce and the public. Our staff will continue to follow Federal, state, and local guidance, including providing appropriate safety trainings and personal protective equipment to field staff.

The Census Bureau continues its work on meeting the requirements of Executive Order 13880 issued July 11, 2019 and the Presidential Memorandum issued July 21, 2020.. A team of experts are examining methodologies and options to be employed for this purpose. The collection and use of pertinent administrative data continues.

We are committed to a complete and accurate 2020 Census. To date, 93 million households, nearly 63 percent of all households in the Nation, have responded to the 2020 Census. Building on our successful and innovative internet response option, the dedicated women and men of the Census Bureau, including our temporary workforce deploying in communities across the country in upcoming weeks, will work diligently to achieve an accurate count.

We appreciate the support of our hundreds of thousands of community-based, business, state, local and tribal partners contributing to these efforts across our Nation. The 2020 Census belongs to us all. If you know someone who has not yet responded, please encourage them to do so today online at 2020census.gov, over the phone, or by mail.

Please note that Lynn’s response rate is hasn’t yet reached 60%. Find out how this could negatively impact the City of Lynn by clicking here.

August updates from the Lynn Family Forward Resource Center

I hope this email finds everyone well. Attached please find our August newsletter as well as some flyers for our current offerings. We are ready to support families that are anxious about the return to school in the fall, whatever their decision may be.

We are remaining closed for the next several weeks for walk-in services and our team continues to offer all of our services remotely. In the near future, we will be opening our reception and conference area for one on one appointments that have been scheduled in advance. Agencies and families can reach us best by calling 339-883-2401. The main line is answered Mon – Thursday 9AM – 5PM and Fridays 9AM – 1PM. If families call during off-hours, their call will be returned the next business day. Our family support workers, family partner, clinician and school liaisons are available and ready to help families in need of support, services or referrals.

Our daily clinical phone support remains available from 11AM – 1PM and 4PM – 6PM. Interested individuals can call 339-883-2401 and ask for Pam for English or Roxy for Spanish. No insurance required.

Our next session of Parenting Journey is scheduled to begin on September 24th – PLEASE be advised this session is ALREADY full and we are currently adding families to a waitlist. Parents can call now to register and complete an intake with Yari. The request for parenting education remains in high demand. We are looking to add a virtual session of Active Parenting of kids 0-5, which is also an evidence based parenting program. If this is something you feel your families would benefit from, please email Rebecca.

Reminder that we are still processing over the phone SNAP application.

We have added TWO NEW support groups this month. The first is a Moms Support Group with Amanda on Wednesdays at 8PM on Zoom. The other is a Support Group for Parents/Caregivers of Children with Special Needs on Wednesdays from 3:30 – 4:30PM. Interested participants can email Amanda at adiciero@centerboard.org and will receive a private personalized zoom link.

  
Click images above for full-resolution fliers

We still have VIRTUAL TUTORING available on Tuesdays and Thursday afternoons. Interested families can email Roxy at rchavez@centerboard.org for more information.

We are currently collecting back to school items! We know how hard it is both for families and organizations this year so any donations are graciously accepted. To schedule a no-contact pick up/drop off, give us a call!

    
Click images above for full-resolution fliers

Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the most up to date information!

Take care,

Rebecca Laaser

Program Director, Lynn Family Forward Resource Center

Lynn Public Schools part of
TRIO Talent Search

TRIO Talent Search is a federally-funded college access program for high school and middle school students who would be the first in their family to attend college. TRIO advisors provide FREE college and career advising and assistance with completing financial aid applications. The program also provides tutoring in English, Math, and Science, SAT test prep, and assistance with college and scholarship essays. Students in the TRIO Talent Search program participate in monthly field trips to college campuses across Massachusetts and beyond.

    
Click images above for full-resolution fliers

From Mayor McGee’s office: The Lynn Public Health Department has confirmed that as of today, the number of active, confirmed positive COVID-19 cases is 663 with 17 new cases today. 3,442 Lynn residents have recovered and 111 have died. The total number of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in Lynn since March 21, 2020, including those who have died and recovered, is 4,216. Please visit the new City of Lynn COVID-19 Data Dashboard which is updated daily.

Governor Baker has updated the Gatherings Order which goes into effect tomorrow, Tuesday August 11th. The updated order does the following:
•Reduces the limit on outdoor gatherings from 100 to 50 people.
•The indoor gathering limit remains at 25 people.
•Requires face coverings to be worn when more than 10 people from different households are together.
Please visit https://www.mass.gov/doc/revised-gatherings-order-august-7-2020/download to read the updated order.

STOP THE SPREAD Initiative

Governor Baker announced the extension of the Stop the Spread Initiative until September 12th.
Please visit http://www.ci.lynn.ma.us/covid19/resources.shtml#p7GPc1_2 for more information on how you can get a free COVID-19 test in the City of Lynn.

We will continue to provide regular updates on COVID-19 through the City website (www.lynnma.gov), social media, and the Smart 911 emergency notification system (sign up at www.smart911.com).