The Lincoln Squirrel

News, features and photos from Lincoln, Mass.

Resident at The Commons found to have Covid-19

Here is the latest Lincoln news pertaining to the Covid-19 epidemic.

The Commons in Lincoln informed families on March 21 that one of their residents has tested positive for Covid-19 and is now receiving treatment. The person has been quarantined and will remain out of community until health authorities give clearance to return, according to the email from Bob Moran, senior vice president of operations for Benchmark Senior Living, which owns The Commons.

Administrators contacted public health authorities and enacted their response plan, which includes evaluating which residents and associates had high exposure to this individual. Residents who had high exposure are being quarantined and associates who had high exposure are being told to stay home. 

As part of these protective measures for residents and associates of The Commons, visitors are restricted to healthcare providers or family members providing direct care or visiting loved ones receiving end-of-life care, and The Commons has suspended all new resident move-ins. The facility is following these guidelines from state and federal health authorities:

  • Staff who are providing resident care to quarantined residents will wear personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Enhanced cleaning consistent with CDC guidelines
  • Screening all staff for symptoms
  • Taking temperatures daily of all community members

More information can be found on Benchmark Senior Living’s Covid-19 resource page. “As for families and loved ones who are outside our community, we will do all we can to help you remain connected to the resident who is so important to you, as our visitor policies evolve,” Moran said in the email, adding that questions may be directed to healthquestions@benchmarkquality.com.

L-S Mutual Aid Network

Lincoln resident Sydney Kanzer and other Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School graduates have created an L-S Mutual Aid Network to arrange housing, food, transportation, childcare resources for their neighbors during this uncertain time. Learn more on their Facebook page or click here to request help.

Last week, a group of residents including First Parish in Lincoln parishioners issued a similar survey both for those who want to help others and those who need help with food, social services, financial support, elder services, etc. Click here to view the resource list they assembled.

Public invited to another Zoom meeting

Lincoln resident Andy Payne has set up another online meeting for any interested Lincolnites and others to learn more about using the popular free meeting app Zoom and chat about whatever is on their minds on Monday, March 23 at 1 p.m. Just go to  https://zoom.us/j/756351112 to join the meeting and enter meeting code 756 351 112. Anyone needing help in getting Zoom set up before the meeting can email Payne at andy@payne.org.

Once you’ve got the app installed on your phone, tablet, or computer, click on the above link at the scheduled time and it should launch you into the conference. Payne will give some basic lessons and offer a chance for those that aren’t familiar with video conferencing to learn, explore, and fiddle with the settings and features in a low-stakes environment. If you need help getting the app set up, email Payne at andy@payne.org.

Outdoor adventure for kids on Facebook Live

Every Monday at 11 a.m., join Farrington Nature Linc for an outdoor adventure on Facebook Live. On Monday, March 23, our program director Sarah will share Animal Yoga. After the Facebook Live events, they’ll keep the videos on Facebook and will also post them to a new YouTube page (in process) so they’ll be there for you even if you can’t make the live event.

Real restaurant adjusts takeout times

To order from Real’s takeout menu, place your order before 3 p.m. or schedule ahead for later in the week. The menu will update with 1-2 days’ notice. Pickup times are available from 5–7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. At your chosen pick-up time, park in the back of the restaurant and call the restaurant at 781-259-9464. Ruth-Anne or Tom will bring your order out to your car.

Verrill Farm offers takeout sandwiches

Verrill Farm (11 Wheeler Rd. in Concord) has adjusted its hours; it’s now open every day from 8 a.m.–6 p.m. The farm store reports that shelves are fully stocked and they’re receiving deliveries to restock with each day, and have not seen any abnormal product shortages. Its offerings include fresh produce and fruit, dairy products, meats, delicious prepared entrees, soups, and baked goods from the farm kitchen. Click here to order sandwiches online. Click here to learn about their safety procedures.

Library increases Hoopla download limit, offers e-cards

The Lincoln Public Library has increased the number of Hoopla downloads you can get from six per month to 10. Hoopla allows immediate access to movies, music e-books, and audio books for adults & children. For information on joining Hoopla, please visit www.lincolnpl.org. All of the library’s electronic services can be found on this page.

If you’re new to the library and have never gotten a permanent library card, you can get a temporary e-card. During the Covid-19 emergency, the Minuteman Library Network has enabled e-card users to access the Lincoln Library’s online services. To apply for an e-card, click here.

The library’s engage service will be offering open access to some of its resources to support online learning for students of all ages (PreK to undergraduate). The library will post links on its home page with directions for logging in. Anyone with questions may email lincoln@minlib.net

Clark Gallery

The Clark Gallery in the Lincoln mall is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m.–6 p.m. and any time by appointment. “To provide a calm oasis for reflection, a call to the gallery would be most appreciated prior to your visit,” they wrote. The phone number is 617-386-6115.