what you should do to protect yourself and your community

This is serious. It's literally a matter of life and death. What you do matters for your own health and for vulnerable people in the community.

Recommendations from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (as of March 16, 2020 - please check their website for updates):
* Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
* Clean things that are frequently touched (like doorknobs and countertops) with household cleaning spray or wipes.
* Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue or your inner elbow, not your hands.
* Stay home if you are sick and avoid close contact with others.

IN ADDITION, Doctor Asaf Bitton, a public health expert (MPH) and the executive director of Ariadne Labs, says that Comprehensive Social Distancing is necessary.

That means avoiding ALL unnecessary interactions with other people even if you are not sick. Work from home if possible. No playdates for kids, no visiting friends at their homes (even if it is a small group), etc. Please read his full article for details and follow the guidelines! (The article is also available on the WBUR website.)

why your actions matter and can save lives of vulnerable people

Your actions can help to slow the spread of the virus. And slowing the spread is critical. Otherwise, our health care systems will become overloaded and more vulnerable people will die due to treatment being unavailable.

Note: you can be infected by the virus and become contagious BEFORE you feel sick. In Italy, the virus spread quickly and there were not enough ventilators to help everyone who needed them. People who otherwise could have been saved were left to die. That could have been prevented if people (INCLUDING healthy/young/less-vulnerable people) had paid more attention to avoiding social contact. The image below illustrates this and a more detailed explanation is at www.flattenthecurve.com

paid sick days - your rights and what to do if you have problems

Thanks to a new law passed through grassroots pressure, MOST workers in Massachusetts have the RIGHT to sick time. Most employers with 11 or more employees MUST provide PAID sick time. You can use sick time to care for yourself or your child, parent, spouse, or spouse's parent. Details here.

If you have you have questions or problems (for example, your boss says you will not be paid), the Attorney General's Fair Labor Hotline is available to help you. Call them at 617-727-3465 (Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.) or file a complaint online.

public schools and availability of school lunches (even while schools are closed)

Public schools in Massachusetts are closed until April 6, 2020.

Updates here: https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus... and here http://www.lynnma.gov/departments/publichealth.shtml?gpm=1_2 and here https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tP-tTB37MZcp0l0foiC-RiHGb_E6yOAeOAHa...

Beginning Monday, March 16th, there will be a free grab-and-go lunch service for all LPS students at Classical, English, Lynn Vocational Technical Institute and Marshall Middle School, between the hours of 11am-1pm, Monday through Friday.

A partir del lunes 16 de marzo, habrá un servicio de almuerzo gratis para todos los estudiantes de Las Escuelas Públicas de Lynn (LPS) en Classical, English, Instituto Técnico Vocacional de Lynn y la Escuela Intermedia Marshall, entre las horas de 11am-1pm, de lunes a viernes.

where to get other help from local organizations and individuals (for things like shopping if you are unable to leave the house)

Check out this document if you need help from local organizations and volunteers -- for example with childcare, shopping, etc. If you have trouble accessing the document, contact us at 781-346-9199.

unemployment pay

Northeast Legal Aid and its subsidiary Northeast Justice Center are helping with applications for unemployment compensation. To apply for assistance please call us Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 978-458-1465 or use this link to apply for help with the process anytime.

Check this page from Mass Law Reform Institute for information on your rights to unemployment and when you may qualify. Note: if you have to leave work because your child's school or daycare closed, you may qualify for unemployment.

Additional info at https://www.mass.gov/guides/what-to-do-if-youve-become-unemployed-in-mas...
To apply for unemployment benefits go to https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-unemployment-assistance

Income / financial help - alternative sources

including people who do not qualify for unemployment, people who work in service or restaurant jobs, etc.

See this website for alternative income and financial help

Financial help for service workers (including restaurant workers, delivery drivers, uber/lyft drivers, etc): https://ofwemergencyfund.org/help
Help specifically for restaurant workers: https://rocunited.org/relief/
Behind You Inc help: https://www.behindyouinc.org/need-help
Boston Foundation COVID-19 fund: https://www.tbf.org/what-we-do/special-funds/covid-19-response-fund

help for small businesses

Small businesses impacted by COVID-19 may be able to access financial help here.