From the Desk of Anne Levine
At Dana-Farber, the health and safety of our patients, their families and caregivers, along with the health and safety of our workforce, are our top priorities. To stay up to date and learn more about the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and how we are taking all necessary precautions to help protect our patients, their families and caregivers, and our staff, please click here.
In addition, please see below for additional helpful COVID-19 resources in Massachusetts and beyond. Members of the Legislative Action Network (LAN) should feel free to share this newsletter and resources with anyone who would benefit. Finally, in this newsletter, we have included an important update on the 2020 Census and a call to action for advocacy to support residents in need across the Commonwealth during these challenging times.
Cancer Specific COVID-19 Resources
Massachusetts Resources
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Dial 211 to get connected to resources such as food assistance, housing and financial assistance.
- City of Boston
Health Care
Food Access
- Project Bread Food Source Hotline 1-800-645-8333
Immigrant & Refugee Families
Affordable Housing
Internet Access
Support for other health related social needs
Notes from Kate Audette
Right now, the next ten days or even the next ten minutes can feel uncertain and filled with confusion and anxiety, so it can be hard to think about the next ten years - but we must. Because even during this global health crisis, the Census (the constitutionally mandated count of every person living in the United States) goes on.
Accurate Census data is critically important to Dana-Farber’s mission. It determines how much federal funding is allocated to hospitals like Dana-Farber, community health centers and programs our patients and families rely on, including Medicaid, Medicare, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These programs that are needed now, more than ever. Census data is also utilized in public health research like that conducted at Dana-Farber. Finally, the Census is used to allocate state representation in the United States House of Representatives.
By now nearly everyone in the United States should have received one if not several 2020 Census official communications in the mail. Whether you have received information about the Census or not, it is important that everyone go to www.my2020Census.gov and complete the Census online before April 1st, which is National Census Day. Please be sure that your entire household is counted, including young children. If you have young adults in your home who were previously residing in a college or university dorm, no need to worry about them. Their college or university will count them.
Completing the Census matters more than ever; it will help to ensure that communities are allocated the federal funds that will be so desperately needed in the recovery phase of this unprecedented pandemic. If you have questions about completing the 2020 Census, please contact advocacy@dfci.harvard.edu.
COVID-19 Advocacy Call to Action
During this difficult time, members of the Dana-Farber Legislative Action Network (LAN) have asked what they can do to help. How can they leverage the power of their voice to advocate for those in our community who need support at this time? Here is one example of what you can do to help.
The Massachusetts Public Health Association (MPHA) recently convened an Emergency Task Force on Coronavirus and Equity. The Task Force called on Massachusetts policy makers to immediately act on four policy priorities to support those most impacted by the outbreak and its economic repercussions: 1) Pass Emergency Paid Sick Time, 2) Ensure Everyone Has Access to Safe Quarantine, 3) Enact a Moratorium on Evictions, Foreclosures & Termination of Public Benefits, and 4) Ensure Immigrants Have Safe Access to Testing & Treatment. While some of these issues have been addressed, both on the federal and state levels, the solutions have not gone far enough.
More than 120 organizations and counting have endorsed these four recommendations, including the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association of which Dana-Farber is a member. For more detailed information you can download the Task Force fact sheet, and watch the Task Force press conference. Most importantly, If you are looking to act on these recommendations click here now for information on how you can help turn these recommendations into results for those who are most in need.
The Massachusetts Public Health Association (MPHA) recently convened an Emergency Task Force on Coronavirus and Equity. The Task Force called on Massachusetts policy makers to immediately act on four policy priorities to support those most impacted by the outbreak and its economic repercussions: 1) Pass Emergency Paid Sick Time, 2) Ensure Everyone Has Access to Safe Quarantine, 3) Enact a Moratorium on Evictions, Foreclosures & Termination of Public Benefits, and 4) Ensure Immigrants Have Safe Access to Testing & Treatment. While some of these issues have been addressed, both on the federal and state levels, the solutions have not gone far enough.
More than 120 organizations and counting have endorsed these four recommendations, including the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association of which Dana-Farber is a member. For more detailed information you can download the Task Force fact sheet, and watch the Task Force press conference. Most importantly, If you are looking to act on these recommendations click here now for information on how you can help turn these recommendations into results for those who are most in need.
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