3 Things You can Do to Help, Right Now

Coronavirus Nurse
Coronavirus Nurse

Sign on to #ShutDownMASS and Join Neighborhood Aid Network 

First of all we want to make sure that you’re OK. The safety of our members and supporters is the most important thing for Massachusetts Peace Action. If you have any specific concerns or questions please contact us at 617-354-2169 or info@masspeaceaction.org. we’ll put you in touch with the appropriate person.

We also know that if you’re receiving this message, you’re most likely thinking about ways that you can help. We wanted to give you two opportunities to do so right away. 

1.) Interested in helping your neighbors with, Hi Neighboror need to request help with groceries, financial aid, transportation, or housing? Join Neighborhood Aid Network:

“We know social distancing works. But it needs to be accompanied by an equal effort toward creating local mutual aid networks. Social Distance Does Not Equal Social Isolation. Neighbors need to help neighbors right now, and this will be especially true for vulnerable populations like the elderly, or people who are quarantined. People may need help obtaining groceries or supplies. Most importantly, they will know they are not alone. 

The Neighborhood Aid Network has a simple goal: Provide a central place where neighborhood digital platforms can aggregate and standardize and where volunteers receive information and training. We hope this academic-community partnership will help to mobilize the Boston area’s rich communal and institutional resources to meet this serious new challenge.”

#ShutDownMASS2.) #ShutDownMASS to minimize the spread of coronavirus

In order to minimize the spread of coronavirus and make sure our hospitals are not overwhelmed, we are calling on Governor Baker to #ShutdownMASS today. This includes restaurants, bars, and non-essential businesses – it is clear that optional, individualized social distancing is not working and the time to act is slipping away. 

We call on Governor Baker to shut down all non-essential businesses in Massachusetts, as quickly as possible. We also call on Governor Baker to provide direct aide to those affected by this critically important shutdown, including a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures, sufficient paid leave for all workers, immediate support for small businesses, and ensuring that COVID-19 medical testing and treatment is available at no charge to MA residents.

#ShutDownMASS was initiated by Somerville City Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen.  It’s supported by State Rep. Mike Connolly and 37 other elected officials, who sent a letter in support this afternoon to Gov. Charlie Baker.

Tell Congress We Demand3) Demand Justice for Working People

It is critical that the burden of society’s response to coronavirus not fall on workers, unemployed, homeless, and undocumented people.  As a start, sign a petition to Halt Foreclosures and Evictions during the COVID-19 Emergency and call to Demand Paid Sick Leave for All Working People

It’s easy to feel powerless in a crisis. Doing constructive things, even if they’re small, can make you feel better. If you have other ideas on helpful things that people can do at this time we would love to hear them. Write us at info@masspeaceaction.org

To protect yourself and your neighbors please follow the guidelines at Massachusetts Public HealthCDC information, and White House Coronavirus Guidelines for America.

To read scientific information on Coronavirus from our Board cochair Jonathan King, MIT Professor of Molecular Biology, click here.