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Hi Everyone!

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Here are some important announcements to share with all of you.

Governor Baker signed a bill that recognizes Juneteenth as an annual state holiday. Juneteenth, which is celebrated each year on June 19, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and serves as an opportunity to reflect on the need to continue working toward racial justice. The holiday will now be an official holiday in the state beginning in 2021.

Last Friday Governor Baker announced that starting August 1, high-risk travelers who come into Massachusetts are required to complete the Massachusetts Travel Form prior to arrival and will need to quarantine for 14 days or produce a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72-hours prior to your arrival in Massachusetts. The order also applies to Massachusetts residents who are returning to the state. This order does not apply if travelers are coming from low-risk states including New York, Connecticut, Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Hawaii. All visitors entering Massachusetts, including returning residents from the 42 other high-risk states, including California, Florida, and Texas must follow the order. People should visit www.mass.gov/MAtraveler to fill out the “Massachusetts Travel Form”. Failure to comply may result in a $500 fine per day.

DEAF, Inc. will have two events this week.

Zoom Workshop: “Learn How to Send Pictures or Letters Through Email” on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, 2-3pm. RSVP to Front Desk at frontdesk@deafinconline.org or 617-505-4823 to receive Zoom ID. We suggest using a separate laptop, computer or tablet during this workshop.

ASL Zoom Social on Friday, July 31st at 6pm. Our last Zoom social was a success, join us for this one! ASL students of all levels, community members, Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Late-Deafened, DeafBlind, and Hearing are welcome! RSVP to ASL@deafinconline.org by Thursday, July 30, 3pm EST to receive Zoom ID.

Stay safe and healthy!

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Here are some important weekly updates.

Recalled hand sanitizers: https://whdh.com/news/fda-adds-to-list-of-hand-sanitizers-that-contain-potentially-fatal-ingredient/

RSL Vlog: https://www.facebook.com/DEAFIncMA/videos/2923637627758086

Transcript:

Hello Everyone!

Here are some new important updates to share with you.

Boston Mayor Walsh declared a citywide heat emergency for last Sunday through Tuesday due to a brutally hot weekend across the Bay State. Please protect yourself from COVID-19 and from the heat and humidity. If your mask causes you to overheat, find a shaded area where you can maintain 6 feet of distance from others, and then remove the face covering so that you can breathe easily and cool down.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced last week that the eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus has been detected in Boston, Franklin and Plymouth Counties for the first time this year. Infections can lead to fever and flu-like symptoms and people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe disease. Officials said residents should use mosquito repellent and wear long-sleeved clothes if they are outside at dawn and dusk, and prevent mosquitoes from breeding by emptying pools of standing water.

The United States Food and Drug Administration is now warning the public to avoid using 26 different hand sanitizers that contain an ingredient called methanol that can cause diarrhea, coma and death. The link above has the list of the 26 hand sanitizers that are recalled.

DEAF, Inc. is in phase 2 and is open to the public twice a week. If you need in-person services, please contact DEAF, Inc. to make an appointment first.

We will post the Fall ASL class schedule and registration this week. If you have not seen the vlog about the Russian Sign Language (RSL) class, you can watch it [at the link above]. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Stay safe and healthy.

Hello Everyone!

Exciting news! Last week the DEAF, Inc. office in Salem has finally moved to a new spacious suite. It’s in the same building on the same 2nd floor. The new suite number is 2220. If you need in-person service, please contact DEAF, Inc. to make an appointment.

We want to announce a part-time job opening in New Bedford as an Independent Living Specialist. Job duties involve advocacy, peer support, providing information, referrals to other agencies, skills training, outreach and working exhibits at events and hosting workshops or presentations on a variety of topics. If you are interested, you can find more info on our website. Apply today! https://www.deafinconline.org/jobs-positions/new-bedford-part-time-independent-living-specialist.

Here are some new COVID-19 updates:

There are COVID-19 testing sites open from July 10 through August 14 in Chelsea, Everett, Fall River, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Marlborough and New Bedford. Those communities were selected because they currently have a higher positive test rate. This testing is available for anyone who has had no symptoms and is a residents of Massachusetts. See the link above for testing locations. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/stop-the-spread#where-.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, a new law will give all registered Massachusetts voters the option to cast their vote for president, senate and other offices by mail this fall. Under the existing vote-by-mail application, requests for ballots for the November 3 general election must be received by October 28. The vote by mail application link is: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/2020-Vote-by-Mail-Application.pdf. State election ballots for the November 3 election need to be postmarked no later than that day and must be received at a local election office no later than November 6.

Did you move and need to update your address? Need to update your name? Change your political party? Check your registration status? Haven’t you registered to vote yet? Register to vote! It’s easy and quick. Do it now online. https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/.

There is more to share next week. Stay with us!

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Hi Everyone!

DEAF, Inc. Southeast welcomes new staff Margarida Medeiros to the New Bedford and Cape Cod offices. Margarida is Hard of Hearing, speaks English, Portuguese, and signs basic ASL. Join one of our Southeast virtual events to meet Margarida, who looks forward to meeting you!

Please come join us for a webinar about: Everyday Scams and Identity Theft presented by Tim Depin – Office of the Attorney General, on Friday, July 10, 2020 1:30pm – 3:30pm on Zoom. CART and voice interpreter will be provided. See the flyer on the DEAF, Inc. website for reservation and zoom info.

Come learn:

How to avoid being a victim of scams.

What the Attorney General does.

What is the difference between scams and identity theft?

Types of scams.

How to report a scam.

DeafBlind Awareness Week was last week. Like Deafness, DeafBlindness is a spectrum. Some people who are DeafBlind have some vision but are Deaf; some people have some hearing but are Blind; and some are both profoundly Deaf and Blind.

Some tips when communicating with someone who is DeafBlind:

Be flexible

Communicate using the method that person prefers (ASL, Tactile ASL (TASL), ProTactile ASL (PTASL), text, spoken English, etc.)

Wear solid colors that contrast your skin tone for better visibility.

Use lighting that suits the DeafBlind person (some prefer bright light, some prefer natural light, some may have no light preferences at all)

Be patient and, most importantly, be friendly.

You all stay safe and healthy.

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The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles is encouraging all eligible customers to renew their standard driver’s license or ID card online this summer in order to qualify for a free upgrade to a REAL ID credential in 2021. At this time, people will not need a federally-compliant REAL ID for the purposes of boarding domestic flights prior to October 1, 2021, because the government delayed the compliance effective date by one year.

Governor Baker has announced that the annual sales tax-free weekend will take place on August 29 and 30. Retail items of up to $2,500, purchased in Massachusetts for personal use on these two days, will be exempt from sales tax.

Governor Baker has urged MA residents again to continue to wear face coverings, practice social distancing, maintain proper hygiene, and stay home when sick to avoid a spike in cases that many other states are currently seeing because the coronavirus will not take a “summer vacation.”

DEAF, Inc. has recently released the vlog with our own reopening plan. In-person services will be provided by appointment made in advance. It is important that you are aware of our safety rules before you visit DEAF, Inc. If you have not seen the vlog, check the DEAF, Inc. website (www.deafinconline.org) for more info. Please contact DEAF, Inc. if you have any questions. Next week we will share more info about our Salem and Southeast office relocations.

Registration for online summer ASL classes is still open at https://www.deafinconline.org/asl-program/course-schedule-and-registration

One class is full already, get your spot before it's too late!

You all stay safe and healthy.

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Hello everyone!

Here is some important information to share with you.

Mayor Marty Walsh said that Boston residents who have recently participated in large protests that called for an end to racial inequality are strongly encouraged to get tested to limit the further spread of COVID-19.

A new coronavirus pop-up testing site is available this week in Boston. Boston is offering COVID-19 testing in more than 20 locations across the city. Click here for a map: http://boston.gov/covid19-testing-map.

More information: https://www.boston.gov/departments/public-health-commission/map-covid-19-testing-sites

Also, Massachusetts is warning residents that people are using stolen personal information from previous data breaches to file for fraudulent unemployment claims as part of a national scam.

State officials are urging that if you believe you may have had a false unemployment claim filed using your identity, you should use the Department of Unemployment Assistance fraud contact form [https://www.mass.gov/forms/unemployment-fraud-reporting-form] or call the DUA customer service department at 877-626-6800.

More information: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/report-unemployment-benefits-fraud

We would like to share an update on how DBCAN (the DeafBlind program) has been doing. Providers continue assisting DeafBlind consumers with ordering food online, picking up RX refills and reading materials. As Phase 2 has started, more DeafBlind consumers go outside their homes and grocery shopping with providers. DBCAN has implemented a new online social support group for staff, consumers and providers to socialize and share resources every week.

DBCAN is looking for more providers in the Boston, Western Mass, Northeast and Southeast areas. If you are interested in applying for this position, please contact Human Resources or check the DEAF, Inc. website for more info.

Please look out for a vlog from the Executive Director with DEAF, Inc.’s reopening plan next week. You all stay healthy and safe.

Hi Everyone!

We want to share some news with all of you.

When the stay-at-home order started, the ASL Program at DEAF, Inc. cancelled the in-person ASL classes, but offered 7 online ASL classes this spring for the first time. The classes were already full within 3 weeks of registration, wow. It has been a wonderful, positive experience. We had the online ASL Social event last Friday for the first time too. This social event is once a month, and future dates will be announced.

Online summer ASL classes will start July 20. Go to the DEAF, Inc. website to find registration information. Sign up early as spaces fill up quickly.

One more thing. The ASL Immersion event was supposed to take place in March, but due to the stay-at home order, it was to be rescheduled. But we now announce that the event is officially cancelled this year. It is a decision that is the best interest of public health and safety.

Here are some COVID-19 updates. COVID-19 positive cases in MA are decreasing. State health officials said roughly 2% of all coronavirus patients are currently hospitalized. Good news, it is trending down. We are in Phase 1 of reopening now.

Gov. Charlie Baker announced restaurants will be allowed to reopen with restrictions in Phase 2 starting June 8. Outdoor table service “as much as possible”. The new rules for restaurants across the state: parties are limited to six people, tables must be spaced 6 feet apart and everyone must wear a mask with the exception of sitting at the table.

The MBTA has been disinfecting and cleaning its fleet of buses, trolleys and trains on a daily basis. High-contact surfaces at T stations are wiped down every four hours. As the reopening starts, the T is planning to limit the number of people on buses to 20 – that’s compared to 56 at peak times pre-pandemic. Trains also will see only 40-50 percent capacity.

Continue to wear a mask. Wash hands often. Be careful.

Look out for a vlog from us with more updates next week.

Starting today DEAF, Inc. aims to provide vlogs in ASL with updates once a week.

First of all, DEAF, Inc. wants to wholeheartedly thank our donors and community members for monetary donations as well as many donations of masks for the DBCAN (DeafBlind) consumers and providers during this difficult time.

DEAF, Inc. services remain available remotely while our offices are closed.

As you are already aware, Massachusetts State is currently into phase 1 of reopening. Limited places are open. Wearing a mask in public areas, like in stores and parks, and maintaining 6 feet social distancing are still required, it’s the law. Continue to wash hands often for 20 seconds with warm water and soap.

DEAF, Inc. is currently working on our reopening plan. As soon as it is complete, we will let you know.

Exciting news, DEAF, Inc. will host our first online workshop on Zoom, on June 3rd. It is called 3 Digit Numbers. For more info, check out the workshop flyer posted on both DEAF, Inc. Facebook and website.

Look out for a vlog next week with more updates.

You all stay healthy and safe.

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