COVID-19 Resources

“
Never lose hope. Storms make people stronger and never last forever.
”
— Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

COVID-19 Testing

Coming soon! Order your free COVID-19 Tests at the end of September 2024. U.S. households will be eligible to order 4 free COVID-19 tests at COVIDTests.gov. The COVID-19 Tests will detect current COVID-19 variants and can be used through the end of the year.

  • Older adults can call the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116 Monday-Friday or visit the website to chat live or browse resources.

  • People with disabilities can contact DIAL by calling 888-677-1199 or by emailing DIAL@usaginganddisability.org. The DIAL information specialists are trained to work with people of various communication abilities, including spending as much time as needed to understand callers. Deaf and hard-of-hearing people can reach DIAL using the 711/Video Relay Service (VRS). To use this free service, simply dial 711 to be connected via text with a communications assistant. (For people who do not communicate through speech, sign language, or VRS, email is the best option to communicate with DIAL.)

Emotional Support & Domestic Violence Assistance

Baycove for youth and adults in crisis- please call 1-800-981-4357 for crisis evaluation.  They are trying to keep people out of the emergency room if they can and assist.

The Women's Center  24 hour Hotline for Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence # 508-999-6636.

Samaritans Suicide and Emotional Support Hotline - free to anyone in need of a caring, compassionate confidential listener - 866-508-4357

Safe Place Support Group for Survivors of Suicide Loss - First and third Wednesdays of the month - done by Zoom with trained facilitators - please email samaritansfrnb@gmail.com

Violence Recovery Program - hotline from 9-5 (M-F), 617-927-6250, doing phone/video counseling and safety planning: https://fenwayhealth.org/care/behavioral-health/violence-recovery/

Contact Samaritans 24/7. Call or text our 24/7 helpline any time at 1-877-870-4673.

Contact Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741

Visit the new Massachusetts Network of Care website to locate behavioral health resources in your area.

Contact SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline. The Helpline provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

Contact the Massachusetts Emergency Services Program/Mobile Crisis Intervention (ESP/MCI) - 1-877-382-1609 (read more about this program)

SCAMS

ALERT: Malicious Website

It has come to the attention of the Department of Public Health there is a MALICIOUS WEBSITE named "Coronavirus COVID-19 cases by Johns Hopkins University". 

It is circulating on the internet waiting for unwitting internet users to visit the website. Visiting the website infects the computer with an information stealing program which can ex-filtrate a variety of sensitive data.  Furthermore, anyone searching the internet for a Coronavirus map could unwittingly navigate to this malicious website.

Defending Against COVID-19 Cyber Scams

FTC - Federal Trade Commission Avoid Coronavirus Scams

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General is alerting the public about fraud schemes related to COVID-19

Department of Justice Report & Information about COVID-19 Fraud

PPE

If you are a current SCIL consumer and require PPE please let your Case Worker know.

PPE Resources for PCA’s and Consumers who are part of the MassHealth PCA program:

1.   Obtaining PPE

a.   PCA Union (1199SEIU): mask and gloves for PCAs (note change in links).  Request online at:

·       www.bit.ly/ppe1199

·       www.bit.ly/ppe1199spanish

·       For PCA’s working as part of the MassHealth PCA Program

b.   LTSS Provider Support Line: for consumers with positive COVID test or presumptive diagnosis. 

·       Call 1-844-368-5184 (toll free)

·       TTY: use MassRelay at https://www.mass.gov/how-to/relay-using-tty

·       For Consumer’s who receive MassHealth  PCA Services

c.   DME( Durable Medical Equipment) Program: for consumers, with prescription from medical provider.  Consumers can:

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Everyone 6 months and older should get an updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine.
Nearly all MA residents can still get a COVID-19 vaccine for no or little cost. For more information please visit this link https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-vaccine-information

ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE:

If you are unable to schedule an appointment online or need assistance with the scheduling process please contact your SCIL worker or call us at 508-679-9210.

VACCINE SAFETY: The COVID-19 vaccines are safe. The available COVID-19 vaccines are approved and recommended by the FDA and the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices following standard testing and approval processes. Vaccines undergo rigorous testing and large clinical trials before they are approved for widespread use. Vaccination is the best protection for these individuals to reduce the risk of severe illness due to COVID-19. For more information on COVID-19 vaccine safety visit www.mass.gov/COVIDVaccineSafety.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Information on the COVID-19 vaccine will be updated regularly. Please use the following resources for more information:

• COVID-19 Vaccine Information in Massachusetts

• Massachusetts COVID-19 Vaccination Program (MCVP)

• Information for staff and residents of long term care facilities, ALRs and Rest Homes