Town of Bedford Update on COVID-19 ~ Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Editor’s Note: The Town’s update for Wednesday, March 18, 2020, includes an up-to-date count of Active Cases; an update on the Temporary Food Bank at JGMS; local Senior Shopping Hours; Board of Health to meet remotely; Bedford Neighbor Brigade; Bedford Local Transit to suspend service on Thursday, March 19; Social Worker services are available for residents; general updates, health hints, and getting more information

The Bedford COVID-19 Task Force met Wednesday, March 18, 2020, to review the latest guidance from the Department of Public Health (DPH), the office of Governor Charlie Baker, and Town Legal Counsel.

The Governor has declared a State of Emergency in Massachusetts due to COVID-19.

The COVID-19 Task Force is comprised of the following Town officials: Sarah Stanton, Town Manager; Jon Sills, Superintendent of Schools; Heidi Porter, Director of Health and Human Services; Robert Bongiorno, Police Chief; David Grunes, Fire Chief and Taissir Alani, Facilities Director.

Active Cases

As of today, March 18, 2020, there are four (4) presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in the Town of Bedford, and three (3) People Under Investigation. The Board of Health continues to do the appropriate follow-up and outreach.

Anyone exhibiting flu-like symptoms should immediately self-quarantine, isolate from household members and contact their healthcare provider for further guidance on whether testing is warranted.

Town/School Update-Temporary Food Bank – March 18, 2020

To assist and support Bedford residents in need, the Town is establishing a limited temporary food bank at John Glenn Middle School (JGMS).

At this time, the Bedford Food Bank will serve the following population: school-aged children/families of the Bedford Public Schools in need of food support at this time (including, but not limited to, students currently on free or reduced breakfast and lunch), previously identified vulnerable seniors and veterans, and existing clients of the Bedford Food Pantry.

Families seeking support for school-aged children: bags will include five days’ worth of children’s breakfast and lunch fixings, and a few additional items to support the entire family and will be distributed by school administrators at the JGMS drive-thru Food
Vulnerable seniors and veterans, and existing clients of the Bedford Food Pantry: bags will contain goods for meal

To learn more about the food bank, and the ways to financially donate, please check out: https://www.bedfordma.gov/bedfordfoodbank

Town Update- March 18, 2020

Senior Shopping Hours in Bedford

To protect the most vulnerable members of our community, Chip-In Farm, Stop and Shop, and Whole Foods are now offering modified/set aside hours for only seniors to grocery shop.

Chip-In Farm: 9:30-10:00 AM
Stop and Shop: 6:00-7:30 AM
Whole Foods: 8:00-9:00 AM (ID Required)

Board of Health

On Friday, March 20, 2020, the Bedford Board of Health will meet remotely to declare a Public Health State of Emergency for the Town of Bedford. Under the State of Emergency, the Board of Health will be requiring the closure of all fitness facilities, sports complexes, and encouraging local day-care providers to close in alignment with the Bedford Public Schools. The Town will provide further details as part of the daily update on Friday, March 20, 2020.

Bedford Neighbor Brigade – Here to Help!

The Bedford Neighbor Brigade is a volunteer network of over 200 volunteers standing by to offer care and comfort to individuals and families in temporary crisis in our At this time, they are available to deliver meals, offer dog walks and run errands. For more information, please contact Bedford Chapter Leader Amy Mason at [email protected] or 781-526-5269. The Bedford Neighbor Brigade reports that volunteers who will be helping with this effort will have a valid background check, have completed a Food Handler Training and COVID-19 training. Although The Bedford Neighbor Brigade typically also offers rides to appointments, they have suspended this service during the current coronavirus outbreak.

Bedford Local Transit (BLT) to Suspend Service on Thursday, March 19

The Bedford Local Transit (BLT), the Town of Bedford’s public transportation option is suspending service as of Thursday, March 19, 2020. Residents in need who require rides to medical and mental health appointments are encouraged to contact the Town Social Workers for connection to services. Residents who are 60 or older should contact Danika Castle in the Council on Aging at 781-275-6825 and residents under the age of 60 should contact Christopher Bang in the Youth and Family Services Department at 781-918-4328. For other errands, please contact Amy Mason at the Bedford Neighbor Brigade at [email protected] or 781-526-5269.

Social Worker Services ~ Reach out for Help!

As a reminder, Social Work services remain available for all Town of Bedford residents. Social Workers can assist with:

Ensuring individuals have food security during this time. Residents who are struggling with having an adequate amount of food in their homes can reach out to the Social Workers for assistance getting connected to the Bedford Food Bank, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP / EBT ), and other community resources. The Social Workers will work with residents faced with a hardship and unable to travel outside their
Information accessing financial supports such as SNAP, unemployment, MassHealth, and utility
General support for coping with anxiety during this time. Residents are able to call and speak with a Social Worker who can provide strategies for managing
Outreach calls for residents who are experiencing isolation. Residents who are concerned about individuals who are experiencing isolation can contact the Social
Getting residents connected with Health and Mental Health providers. At this time counseling services at the Town Center through Eliot Community Human Services are temporarily shifting to a tele-health service and referrals are still being

If you are a resident who is 60 or older, please contact Danika Castle in the Council on Aging at 781-275-6825.

If you are a resident under the age of 60, please contact Christopher Bang in the Youth and Family Services Department at 781-918-4328.

General Updates – March 18, 2020

All local actions are being undertaken in accordance with the latest guidelines from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Town officials continue to urge residents to deploy social distancing and limit social gathering. Go for a socially distanced walk, order take-out, get your coffee-to-go, pick up a gift certificate, and support the local business communities from a distance.
Public health officials strongly discourage activities that promote the gathering of people, including playdates, sleepovers, parties, social visits, and other activities where closer contact is the norm. Additionally, health officials are strongly recommending that all childcare / day care facilities consider closing in alignment with the Town of Bedford Public Schools.
The Town has stated and continues to advise that those — including municipal employees, residents, or students — who are feeling sick with fever or flu symptoms should stay home, self-quarantine, not report to work or school, and contact their medical provider to determine if they should be tested for COVID-19.

For previous updates on COVID-19 please review the COVID-19 News and Announcements Page at on the town website (www.bedfordma.gov).

Staying Healthy

It’s important to remember that while the COVID-19 outbreak is evolving quickly, influenza is currently circulating in the area. Many of the things you do to help prevent colds and the flu can help protect you against other respiratory viruses:

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.
Employ social distancing if you are not otherwise required to be in quarantine and must go out.

Get More Information

All local actions are being undertaken in accordance with the latest guidelines from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

For previous updates on COVID-19 please review the COVID-19 News and Announcements Page on the town website (www.bedfordma.gov).