Covid news acorns

Council on Aging newsletter is online

The Lincoln Council on Aging has published its monthly newsletter online rather than in print, with information on taking fitness classes online from the COA and Parks and Recreation, instructions for attending virtual public meetings, a summary of COA resources for dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, etc. Click here to read the newsletter.

Schools need help funding free lunches

The state has required schools to stay closed until May 4, but the Lincoln Public Schools are still providing free lunch each weekday to 55 students in 32 families at home in Lincoln, Boston, and at Hanscom Air Force Base at a cost of $850 a week despite getting no reimbursements for this expense. The district has appealed again for donations in any amount to help cover costs. Go to this UniPay site, scroll down to select Lincoln Public Schools, and click the Meal Assistance bar on the left.

Retail news

• Donelan’s now offers shopping for seniors only from 7–8 a.m. each day and is open until 7 p.m. daily.
• Twisted Tree has closed until April 19. “We are hoping that we will be able to open after two weeks but we will be monitoring this ever-changing situation,” the café wrote on its Instagram page.
• Something Special is taking phone orders (781-259-0544) and making free deliveries to Lincoln. They are posting pictures of merchandise on their Instagram page and will mail items as well.

Covid-19 scammers spread to social media

The Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic is creating new opportunities for scammers. In addition to being wary of emails and phone calls, also be cautious of messages on Facebook or other social media purporting to be from governmental agencies needing personal information in order to get you benefits or companies asking for money to help you obtain benefits. The government will not contact you by email, phone or social media, and you do not need an outside company to apply for any government benefit. Also, don’t fall for offers of vaccines, treatments, or hard-to-come-by household products from unsolicited phone calls, emails, or social media messages.

Tests for COVID-19 can only be ordered by a physician and obtained at a reputable site such as a hospital. Do not accept tests from anyone who comes to your door, approaches you in a store or other public place, or who calls or emails you or messages you on social media. Never give personal information including bank account, credit card, Social Security, or Medicare numbers to anyone you don’t know. If you think you’ve been the victim of a scam or you have a question about a communication you have received, call the Lincoln Police Department at 781-259-8113.

South Sudanese affected by Covid-19, seek donations

The Lincoln-based South Sudanese Enrichment Fund is appealing for help for members of its community who have been laid off or ineligible for unemployment. Many former refugees in the Boston area work in the gig economy, the hospitality sector, and convalescent homes affected by quarantines and closures of non-essential services. The SSEF offers grants of $500 from its Emergency Fund and loans of up to $1,500. The organization is also looking for volunteers to make masks for their community from provided African fabric, and to send care packages to each of the approximately 80 families in Massachusetts. Anyone who can help can get more information and donated online at www.ssefboston.org or email Executive Director Susan Winship at susanwinship@comcast.net.

Free access to Ancestry.com

Through the month of May, Ancestry Library has agreed to offer home access to their database for Lincoln Public Library users. You can access the database through the Lincoln Public Library website at www.lincolnpl.org or via the Minuteman Library Online Resources page at www.minlib.net.You will need a Lincoln Public Library card to log into Ancestry.com. The site offers access to census records, immigration records and other types of other vital information. Anyone with questions can email the library at lincoln@minlib.net.

Book talk to be held via Zoom

The Lincoln Public Library and the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust present a Zoom discussion of Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation that Starts in Your Yard by Douglas Tallamy on Thursday, April 16 at 7 p.m. Tallamy argues that collectively, we can save biodiversity by turning our yards into conservation corridors filled with native plants. Registration is required for this Zoom meeting to share ideas and plans; click here to register.