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American Sign Language - about covid-19
MA State: Call 211 for COVID-19 info
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced that Massachusetts 2-1-1 will now provide real-time COVID-19 information, resources, and referrals in multiple languages. This expansion is the result of an increased investment in resources directed towards this 24-hour state-supported telephone hotline.
Massachusetts small business development Center Guidance
PREPARE FOR RECOVERY
By Cliff Robbins, MSBDC Senior Business Advisor
"NOW what do I do?" This is the question on every small business persons' mind. Well, this is the time to prepare yourself for a post-coronavirus world: Especially because you have probably been forced to shutter or otherwise change your business approach.
1) CFIMITYM - Cash Flow Is More Important Than Your Mother.
Conserve your cash. Act like you're in a turnaround crisis because you probably are [too]. If you haven't done so already, project your cash needs out for the next twelve months. (We can help with that.) Go to MSBDC.org/SEMass and contact an advisor.
2) COMMUNICATE
Talk to your customers; communicate with your bank; invest in your social media; let them know that you're still around; keep them engaged. Try selling gift certificates. This is a great time to try that for future business. Send them emails to let them know you're still here and OKAY!
3) CREATE
Most small business people don't continually create content because they say they just don't have the time. Well, now your schedule is a little more open today, so create some content. Create educational content about your products and services; create instructional videos; create stories that you can share in the near future to tell the world how great your business has been and still is!
4) ADVERTISE YOUR LOCAL SERVICES
If you work at people's homes, particularly for services like landscaping, or other home improvement services that are low-touch, get the word out that you're available. If people aren't ready today, the nicer weather will catch up with them quickly once this all starts to sort itself out.
5) PREPARE AND INVEST - Now's the time to get a leg up on the competition:
• Get that new website started, it's going to take a little time to get going, and this downtime will help you modernize.
• Optimize your business for local search, it takes a few weeks for optimizations to happen, so get the leg up once people are ready to leave the house again.
• Sort out the back-end of your business: Your CRM, your customer databases, your online store. Make sure these are all up and running so that you are prepared for the future.
"This too shall pass."
Look at this period as an opportunity to get ahead, and stay focused on growth.
The region sure needs it!
By Cliff Robbins, MSBDC Senior Business Advisor
"NOW what do I do?" This is the question on every small business persons' mind. Well, this is the time to prepare yourself for a post-coronavirus world: Especially because you have probably been forced to shutter or otherwise change your business approach.
1) CFIMITYM - Cash Flow Is More Important Than Your Mother.
Conserve your cash. Act like you're in a turnaround crisis because you probably are [too]. If you haven't done so already, project your cash needs out for the next twelve months. (We can help with that.) Go to MSBDC.org/SEMass and contact an advisor.
2) COMMUNICATE
Talk to your customers; communicate with your bank; invest in your social media; let them know that you're still around; keep them engaged. Try selling gift certificates. This is a great time to try that for future business. Send them emails to let them know you're still here and OKAY!
3) CREATE
Most small business people don't continually create content because they say they just don't have the time. Well, now your schedule is a little more open today, so create some content. Create educational content about your products and services; create instructional videos; create stories that you can share in the near future to tell the world how great your business has been and still is!
4) ADVERTISE YOUR LOCAL SERVICES
If you work at people's homes, particularly for services like landscaping, or other home improvement services that are low-touch, get the word out that you're available. If people aren't ready today, the nicer weather will catch up with them quickly once this all starts to sort itself out.
5) PREPARE AND INVEST - Now's the time to get a leg up on the competition:
• Get that new website started, it's going to take a little time to get going, and this downtime will help you modernize.
• Optimize your business for local search, it takes a few weeks for optimizations to happen, so get the leg up once people are ready to leave the house again.
• Sort out the back-end of your business: Your CRM, your customer databases, your online store. Make sure these are all up and running so that you are prepared for the future.
"This too shall pass."
Look at this period as an opportunity to get ahead, and stay focused on growth.
The region sure needs it!
Be Aware of Scammers
Scammers follow the headlines and often take advantage of events such as these. Be vigilant if you receive something that seems out of the ordinary. Here is a link to the Federal Trade Commission’s site with specific coronavirus-related scam information.
Falmouth Public Schools
Will provide grab and go meals during school closure through March 27th, then will evaluate for possible changes. Pickups Mon-Wed-Fri, 11am-12pm, from school vans parked in front of schools. If you have children in multiple schools, can pick up all meals from school closest to you. Drive through pick up will be available at East Falmouth, Teaticket, Mullen Hall and Falmouth High Schools. No identification necessary. For planning purposes, please provide information on how many meals you will need and which school you will use: info@falmouth.k12.ma.us.
Detailed information about continuing education while at home can be found here: Continuity of Learning
Detailed information about continuing education while at home can be found here: Continuity of Learning
Free Breakfast and Lunch for school-Age children
Starting Monday, March 16, Barnstable Public Schools will provide breakfast and
lunch for any child under the age of 18 free of charge. (No ID is required). All children are welcome regardless of town of residence or school attended. All meals will be offered in compliance with USDA standards and will be a “Grab and Go” option. We will be providing both breakfast and lunch at the same time. Students are encouraged to take one breakfast and one lunch.
Meals may be picked up Monday - Friday, 10am-1pm, at the main entrance area in the following locations:
Barnstable Intermediate School, 895 Falmouth Road, Hyannis
Barnstable United Elementary School, 730 Osterville-W. Barnstable Rd, Marston Mills
Hyannis West Elementary School, 549 West Main Street, Hyannis
Hyannis Youth and Community Center, 141 Bassett Ln, Hyannis
lunch for any child under the age of 18 free of charge. (No ID is required). All children are welcome regardless of town of residence or school attended. All meals will be offered in compliance with USDA standards and will be a “Grab and Go” option. We will be providing both breakfast and lunch at the same time. Students are encouraged to take one breakfast and one lunch.
Meals may be picked up Monday - Friday, 10am-1pm, at the main entrance area in the following locations:
Barnstable Intermediate School, 895 Falmouth Road, Hyannis
Barnstable United Elementary School, 730 Osterville-W. Barnstable Rd, Marston Mills
Hyannis West Elementary School, 549 West Main Street, Hyannis
Hyannis Youth and Community Center, 141 Bassett Ln, Hyannis
Extended Payment Arrangements for Small Business Customers in Massachusetts
• The COVID-19 pandemic is a challenging time for us all — and especially for many of our customers and small businesses.
• Eversource is implementing flexible measures to lessen the financial hardship for all our customers during the COVID-19 crisis.
For all customers:
• We are suspending service disconnections for non-payment and assisting customers with financial programs to help pay their bill.
• We are eliminating late payment charges.
• We are offering a $0 down payment and an eight-month payment arrangement, with the first payment not due until June 1.
For Massachusetts small business customers:
• We are also offering small business customers — the backbone of our communities — extended payment arrangements.
• We are offering small business customers $0 down payment and a one-year payment arrangement, with the first payment not due until June 1.
In normal operations, small business customers receive up to three months for bill payment arrangements.
• Eversource is proud to be part of the Massachusetts communities where we live and serve.
• We are committed to being there for our customers during this difficult and uncertain time.
• The COVID-19 pandemic is a challenging time for us all — and especially for many of our customers and small businesses.
• Eversource is implementing flexible measures to lessen the financial hardship for all our customers during the COVID-19 crisis.
For all customers:
• We are suspending service disconnections for non-payment and assisting customers with financial programs to help pay their bill.
• We are eliminating late payment charges.
• We are offering a $0 down payment and an eight-month payment arrangement, with the first payment not due until June 1.
For Massachusetts small business customers:
• We are also offering small business customers — the backbone of our communities — extended payment arrangements.
• We are offering small business customers $0 down payment and a one-year payment arrangement, with the first payment not due until June 1.
In normal operations, small business customers receive up to three months for bill payment arrangements.
• Eversource is proud to be part of the Massachusetts communities where we live and serve.
• We are committed to being there for our customers during this difficult and uncertain time.
