COVID-19

Rockport Public Schools: COVID-19 Protocols 22-23

RPS COVID-19 Protocols 22-23

MA DESE/DPH Protocols for Responding to COVID-19 Scenarios — School Year 2022-23

NEW!! Updated 8-15-22: Quarantine and Isolation guidance for individuals in educational settings can be found on the COVID-19 Guidance/On the Desktop section of the DESE website.

MA DPH COVID-19 Isolation and Quarantine Guidance for the General Public:

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-isolation-and-quarantine-guidance-for-the-general-public

MA.gov: COVID-19 Mask Requirements

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-mask-requirements

CDC Guidance for K-12 Schools:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-childcare-guidance.html

MA.gov: Information on the Outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Details about the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts:

https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19

General COVID-19 Vaccine Information

CDC: COVID-19 Vaccines for Children & Teens:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/adolescents.html

CDC: COVID-19 Vaccine Overview:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html

CDC: Understanding How COVID-19 Vaccines Work:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/how-they-work.html

CDC: Ensuring the Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines in the United States:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety.html

FDA.gov: COVID-19 Vaccines:

https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/covid-19-vaccines

Johns Hopkins Medicine: Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Safe? :

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/is-the-covid19-vaccine-safe

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health:

"I'm a Vaccine"- How a Hypothetical COVID-19 Vaccine Came to Be (School House Rock Style):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITIF-i40dto

Massachusetts Specific COVID-19 Vaccine Information

COVID-19 Vaccinations for Children ages 5-11:

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-vaccinations-for-children-ages-5-11

When Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/when-can-i-get-the-covid-19-vaccine

Where Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-vaccination-locations-for-individuals-in-eligible-groups-and-phases

View the latest updates about COVID-19 vaccine in Massachusetts:

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-vaccination-program

COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions:

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-vaccine-frequently-asked-questions#who-is-authorized-to-administer-vaccinations

MA.gov: COVID-19 Testing Information

What you need to know about testing for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Massachusetts.

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/about-covid-19-testing

Where Can I Get Tested for COVID-19?

Testing for COVID-19 is widely available in MA. Find a site near you:

https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-testing

Stop the Spread:

The Stop the Spread program is intended to provide low barrier, free, and easy to access testing to all Massachusetts residents.

Open to all Massachusetts residents
Testing is not restricted to residents of the cities where sites are located
You don’t need to have any symptom(s)
No cost to you
Out-of-state residents are not eligible for free testing under the Stop the Spread program

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/stop-the-spread

MA.gov: Fact vs Fiction: What you should know about a negative COVID-19 test result

Fiction:

If I get a negative result, I can see friends and family again and not worry about spreading the virus
If I am exposed to someone with COVID-19 today I will test positive for the virus tomorrow

Fact:

A person can be asymptomatic and test negative and still have the virus; unknowingly passing it on to others
It can take 3-5 days after exposure before a test result will show up as positive

Regardless of your COVID-19 test result, you must quarantine for length of time advised by your public health authority

https://www.mass.gov/lists/covid-19-fact-vs-fiction-flyer

Fact vs Fiction

MA COVID-19 Travel Guidance

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order

How to Tell the Difference Between Reliable COVID-19 Information and Misinformation

World Health Organization: Let's Flatten the Infodemic Curve:

We are all being exposed to a huge amount of COVID-19 information on a daily basis, and not all of it is reliable. Here are some tips for telling the difference and stopping the spread of misinformation.

https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/let-s-flatten-the-infodemic-curve

MA.gov: Quarantine Guidelines from MA-DPH

Quarantine Guidelines from MA-DPH

https://www.mass.gov/guidance/information-and-guidance-for-persons-in-quarantine-due-to-covid-19

MA.gov: Tips to Make COVID-19 Isolation and Quarantine easier

How to prepare for isolation or quarantine, to make sure you are comfortable and have the support you need to get through the next few weeks.

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/tips-to-make-covid-19-isolation-and-quarantine-easier

Boston Children's Hospital: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in Children & Teens

BCH: COVID-19 in Children & Teens:

https://www.childrenshospital.org/coronavirus

General Information about the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic:

CDC:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2Findex.html

World Health Organization:

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

CDC: How to Protect Yourself & Others from COVID-19

CDC: How to Protect Yourself & Others from COVID-19:

*Know How It Spreads *Wash Your Hands Often *Avoid Close Contact

*Cover Nose & Mouth with a Mask *Cover Coughs & Sneezes *Clean & Disinfect *Monitor Health Daily

Visit for more details:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html

CDC: Coronavirus Self-Checker:

The Coronavirus Self-Checker is an interactive clinical assessment tool that will assist individuals ages 13 and older, and parents and caregivers of children ages 2 to 12 on deciding when to seek testing or medical care if they suspect they or someone they know has contracted COVID-19 or has come into close contact with someone who has COVID-19. The online, mobile-friendly tool asks a series of questions, and based on the user’s responses, provides recommended actions and resources.

CDC: Hand-washing: Clean Hands Save Lives

Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. During the Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, keeping hands clean is especially important to help prevent the virus from spreading. Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running water. CDC recommends cleaning hands in a specific way to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. The guidance for effective hand-washing and use of hand sanitizer was developed based on data from a number of studies.

Hand-washing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick. Learn when and how you should wash your hands to stay healthy.

https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html

CDC: Use of Masks to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19

Your mask may protect them. Their mask may protect you. This link reviews:
*How to Select Masks
*How to Wear Masks
*Considerations for Masks
*Making Masks
*Washing Masks
*Mask Up

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

Wear a Mask To Protect Yourself & Others: Risk of Spread Infographic

wear-a-mask

BCH: Helping Your Child to Wear a Mask

Helping your child to wear a mask

CDC: Social Distancing- Keep a Safe Distance to Slow the Spread.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html#

Frequently asked questions about COVID-19

Common questions related to the Outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/frequently-asked-questions-about-covid-19

What to Do if You or Someone in Your Household is Sick

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html

COVID-19: Myth vs Fact

World Health Organization: Myth Busters:

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters

Johns Hopkins: Coronavirus Disease 2019: Myth vs. Fact:

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/2019-novel-coronavirus-myth-versus-fact

CDC: Asthma & COVID-19

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/asthma.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fspecific-groups%2Fasthma.html

Chronic Diseases & COVID-19: Staying Healthy

MADPH Chronic Conditions and COVID

Resources for Families: Food Assistance & Unemployment

MA.gov: Find Food Assistance:

During this crisis, many individuals and families find themselves suddenly needing help getting food. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and find out what programs might be available to you. If you need food right away, please call the CONFIDENTIAL and ANONYMOUS Project Bread Food Source Hotline at 800-645-8333 for information on how to find food near you.

https://www.mass.gov/decision-tree/find-food-assistance

COVID-19 & Unemployment: What you Need to know:

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had a significant impact on Massachusetts workers and businesses. If you are here, it’s likely that you or someone you know has already been affected by COVID-19-related health concerns, layoffs, or feel that your position is currently in jeopardy. The Department of Unemployment Assistance is here for you. We’re hard at work during this unprecedented crisis to make sure that everyone has access to the benefits they need, when they need them. Our primary goal is to make the process of collecting Unemployment Assistance as easy as possible. To report fraud or get help with your claim, call Unemployment Customer Assistance at (877) 626-6800.

https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-and-unemployment-what-you-need-to-know

Playing Sports & COVID-19

CDC: COVID-19 & Playing Sports: What You Need to Know:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/playing-sports.html

HandHoldMa.org: Resources for Your Child’s Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being

COVID-19 is putting incredible pressure on families. You might be noticing your child is struggling in new ways, or that old problems are getting worse. Should you worry about your child’s behavioral health? We’re here to help you figure that out.

https://handholdma.org/

Coping with Stress during COVID-19

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a new disease and what could happen can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Public health actions, such as social distancing, can make people feel isolated and lonely and can increase stress and anxiety. However, these actions are necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Coping with stress in a healthy way will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fprepare%2Fmanaging-stress-anxiety.html

Helping Children Cope During COVID-19

Children and teens react, in part, on what they see from the adults around them. When parents and caregivers deal with the COVID-19 calmly and confidently, they can provide the best support for their children. Parents can be more reassuring to others around them, especially children, if they are better prepared.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/for-parents.html

Support For Teens and Young Adults During COVID-19

Some of the questions you might be asking are, “Should I be freaking out about COVID-19?” and “Why can’t I hang out with my friends in person?”. You may be feeling worried, bored, or frustrated. COVID-19 is frightening, and you are not the only one feeling stressed. Click on the link for more information.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/stress-coping/young-adults.html

For Parents: Putting on the Oxygen Mask - How to Take Care of Yourself so You Can Take Care of Your Child

In this webinar, Dr. Busman, Senior Director of the Child Mind Institute discusses parenting in the time of the coronavirus. She talks about how to incorporate self-care and balance into the day-to-day routine while also giving tips for how to provide support to children and teens at home during this time. Gain some practical tips that will be applicable for the parent with a child of any age.

https://adaa.org/webinar/consumer/putting-oxygen-mask-how-take-care-yourself-so-you-can-take-care-your-child

Tips for Self-Care during COVID-19

https://emmresourcecenter.org/system/files/2020-03/Covid-19%20-%20Self%20Care%20Card%20English.E-version.pdf

BCH: ADHD Behavioral Tips for Families during COVID-19