Special senior hours, precautions for grocery stores
Gov. Baker issued an executive order on March 25 that requires all Massachusetts grocery stores to offer at least one hour in the early morning when they are open only to adults 60 and older to limit their potential exposure to the Covid-19 virus. Until further notice, the order also requires:
- Procedures to ensure that both employees and customers remain at least six feet apart at all times, including a marked “social distancing line” that begins six feet away from all checkouts.
- Closure of any salad bar or other self-serve prepared or other open food, and no open free samples or tastings.
- No usage of reusable grocery bags, and no charge for recyclable paper bags, compostable plastic bags, or single-use plastic bags.
Property taxes can be paid two months late with no penalty
For those who are experiencing financial hardship due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Town of Lincoln will waive interest and penalties for property tax payments payment that are received after the due date but before June 30, 2020.
Tax bills are being mailed this week and are due on May 1, and the town is asking those who are able to pay on time continue to do so. Gov. Charlie Baker recently filed emergency legislation that would allow the partial amnesty for late payments. Click here to pay online, or make payments by mail or drop them in the black box at the front of Town Hall (facing Lincoln Road). Treasurer/Tax Collector Krystal Elder (elderk@lincolntown.org or 781-259-2605) is available to answer any questions and will work with any taxpayer experiencing financial difficulties as flexibly as possible.
Mental health resources available for coping with pandemic
The following mental health resources to help during the Covid-19 emergency were assembed by Claire Gerstein, a retired social worker and Lincoln resident and approved by Council on Aging Director Carolyn Bottum.
- Manage Anxiety and Stress — U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Safety, Predictability and Control in the Midst of Covid-19 — Riverside Trauma
- Center
- Talking with your Children About Highly Stressful Events — Riverside Trauma
- Center (see page 2)
- How to Keep Coronavirus Fears from Affecting Your Mental Health — CNN
- Taking Care of Ourselves During Infectious Disease Outbreaks — American Psychiatric Association
Don’t return library books
There is no one at the Lincoln Public Library on a regular basis to check in returned items, so please do not return them for now. The Minuteman Library Network, which includes Lincoln, has waived overdue fines and extended all due dates.