COVID-19 Updates & Resources
Health Insurance
All MassHealth Connector Walk-in Centers are closed until further notice due to the coronavirus. For enrollment assistance or to make a payment, please visit the following site for more information: https://www.mahealthconnector.org/health-connector-walk-in-centers-closed-due-to-coronavirus-concerns.
Food Insecurity & Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP)
If you or someone you know is in need of food, visit the Greater Boston Food Bank's partner hunger-relief agencies. Find your local food pantries, community meal programs and other food assistance providers here: https://www.gbfb.org/need-food/.
Unemployment Insurance Benefits (Filing a claim, reporting fraud, etc.)
Are you unemployed, or worried about becoming unemployed? Visit about the state's webpage on all things unemployment and coronavirus (COVID-19): https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-unemployment-and-coronavirus-covid-19
Consumer Protection (Travel refunds, price gouging, etc.)
Milton & Randolph Updates (Closures, COVID-19 Testing, etc.)
For the most up to date information, please refer to each town's website.
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MPS: www.miltonps.org -
RPS: www.randolph.k12.ma.us
State Updates & Resources (Emergency Orders, Contact Tracing, Reopening MA)
For the most up to date information on the Commonwealth's response, please visit mass.gov/covid19.
COVIDMA Text Messages
Receive the latest COVID-19 updates straight to your mobile device by texting COVIDMA to 888-777. Read more about the program HERE.
211
Text courtesy of South Shore Stars
How 211 Works
211 works a bit like 911. Calls to 211 are routed by the local telephone company to a local or regional calling center. The 211 center’s referral specialists receive requests from callers, access databases of resources available from private and public health and human service agencies, match the callers’ needs to available resources, and link or refer them directly to an agency or organization that can help.
COVID-19 Community Tracing Collaborative (CTC)
In April, the Baker Administration lauched the Community Tracing Collaborative in effort to identify and support those who have tested positive for COVID-19 and those who may have been exposed to the virus. To learn more about the MA COVID Team and the Community Tracing Collaborative, visit www.mass.gov/MATracingTeam.

Nursing Home Family Resource Line - (617) 660-5399
Text courtesy of the Office of the Governor
SafeLink - A service for all survivors
Text courtesy of the Office of the Governor
Federal Updates & Resources
For federal resources and the most up to date information on the Federal response, please refer to https://www.coronavirus.gov/.
Public Transportation (MBTA)
The MBTA is still operating, but all services are now running on a reduced schedule in effort to support physical distancing, in addition to increasing cleaning and sanitation at stations.
Legal Aid Services
Courtesy of Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC)
Interfaith Social Services
Courtesy of Interfatith Social Services, 105 Adams St., Quincy, MA 02169
- Identification for each member of the household
- Proof of residency (ex. A utility bill, rental agreement, etc.). Our food pantry only serves residents of Braintree, Cohasset, Hingham, Holbrook, Hull, Milton, Quincy, Randolph, Scituate and Weymouth.
Check Your Symptoms Online (Buoy Health Care Tool)
Massachusetts residents who suspect they might have COVID-19 can now use this Buoy Health COVID-19 Web App, which will help to screen them based on a series of questions and connect them to a health care provider via telehealth. Visit Buoy.com/mass to learn more and use the tool.
COVID-19 Vaccine Roll Out
Please refer to mass.gov/vaccine for the most up to date information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine roll out in Massachusetts.
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When can you get the vaccine? https://www.mass.gov/info-details/when-can-i-get-the-covid-19-vaccine -
Where can you get the vaccine? https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-vaccination-locations-for-individuals-in-eligible-groups-and-phases -
Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-vaccine-frequently-asked-questions
Massachusetts Caregiver/Companion COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility
Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services Massachusetts Caregiver/Companion COVID19 Vaccine Eligibility
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The mass vaccination sites (Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Fenway Park in Boston, Eastfield Mall in Springfield, and the Doubletree Hotel in Danvers) have the most capacity and availability for appointments. 53,000 appointments will be opened at these sites on Thursday (2/11). -
Getting vaccinated at one of the mass vaccination sites is safe, easy and agefriendly. These sites: -
o Strive to provide an experience without long lines or long wait times -
Allow one person to accompany you to the appointment, if you need assistance -
Are fully wheelchair accessible, do not require people to use stairs and have some wheelchairs available on-site o Have accessible drop-off and pick-up areas -
Gillette Stadium, the DoubleTree Hotel in Danvers, and the Eastfield Mall Springfield, have accessible parking available o Have accessible restroom and seating areas -
Require every person who enters to wear a mask and support social distancing throughout the site -
Offer vaccinations for staff who are administering the vaccines and give staff access to regular COVID-19 testing to ensure safety -
Have friendly staff on hand to help guide the individual through the process
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Question: How does the caregiver/companion book an appointment? -
You must book a separate appointment, one for individual who is age 75 and older and one for the caregiver/companion. Go to mass.gov/covidvaccine and schedule two separate appointments at either the same time or adjacent. -
For the caregiver appointment, select the option ‘Individual accompanying someone who is age 75+ to their vaccination appointment (both must be present at the same time, both must have same day appointments).’ You may also be asked to orally attest onsite that you are accompanying an individual age 75 or older who otherwise would not be able to get to and through the mass vaccination site. -
If both the caregiver and older person are unable to use or have difficultly accessing the internet, they may call 2-1-1 for assistance booking both appointments.
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Question: Does this only apply to the four mass vaccination sites? -
Yes. Mass vaccination sites have the capacity to accommodate companion appointments. -
Additionally, we recognize that it is challenging for some to get to a mass vaccination site and individuals may be reluctant to go without assistance. -
In the future, some other sites may have limited capacity to accommodate companion appointments.
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Question: I am scheduled to get my second dose, can my caregiver/companion receive their first dose? -
Yes, if the caregiver/companion is able to schedule a same day appointment for the same time or adjacent to the older person’s second dose appointment, the caregiver/companion is able to receive their first dose. -
The caregiver/companion will need to schedule their second dose appointment either at the site or the website by acknowledging they have received a first dose and need a second dose.
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Question: How is caregiver/companion defined? -
For the purposes of the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility, the individual age 75 or older needs a caregiver/companion to get to or participate in the vaccination appointment. This may be due to transportation or accessibility challenges, including visual or hearing impairments or health factors, such as dementia that require the caregiver to be with the person for the appointment. The caregiver/companion may or may not be a family member.
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Question: Will this continue for the 65+ and 2+ co-morbidities group? -
Supply levels and impact of this initiative will be evaluated in the coming weeks prior to making a determination of the continuation.
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Question: Will 2-1-1 be able to assist making these appointments? -
Yes, for people who are unable to use or have difficultly accessing the internet, 2-1-1 can assist in making the appointments for both the individual over the age of 75 and the caregiver/companion accompanying them to the appointment.
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Question: We heard there were long lines and wait times outside at the Eastfield Mall in Springfield? -
The Eastfield Mall site in Springfield has worked to reduce lines by increasing staffing and reducing the number of appointments per hour. -
Adjustments have been made to the queuing system to reduce outdoor wait times.
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