The WELLesley Employee                                                           

^{A Monthly Safety and Wellness Newsletter brought to you by The Town of Wellesley Employee Safety Committee}

October is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month

Increased stress can lead to increases in alcohol and substance use. If you or someone you care about is starting to use alcohol or other substances, or is increasing their use during the COVID-19 pandemic, here are a few suggestions that may help:
•Contact your healthcare provider.
•Locate virtual treatment and recovery programs.
•Medication-assisted treatment for alcohol or opioid use disorders may be an option.
•Take medicine as prescribed and continue your therapy, treatment, or support appointments (in person or through telehealth services) when possible.
•Call the National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Referral Routing Service (1-800-662-HELP) to speak with someone about an alcohol or substance use problem.

Latest COVID Travel Guidelines

The list of low-risk states is changing weekly. Please check here for the current list:

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order#lower-risk-states-

Employee COVID Info

Important information for you is located here: https://wellesleyma.gov/1546/COVID-19-Employee-Info

What is a "close contact"?

This is a term you may have heard throughout this pandemic regarding those who were in close physical proximity to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

The CDC had previously defined a “close contact” as someone who spent at least 15 consecutive minutes within six feet of a confirmed coronavirus case. The updated guidance, which health departments rely on to conduct contact tracing, now defines a close contact as someone who was within six feet of an infected individual for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. Wearing a mask does not change this definition.

Anyone who is determined to be a "close contact" must quarantine for 14 days, regardless of test result.

Latest Testing Info

COVID-19 testing for symptomatic individuals and close contacts is usually covered by insurance and available at no cost https://www.mass.gov/info-details/about-covid-19-testing

Free testing is currently available through the end of October at the Stop the Spread sites for MA residents: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/stop-the-spread

Out of state residents should check with their home state about any free testing programs.
For example, RI: https://health.ri.gov/covid/testing/asymptomatic/  and NH: https://www.nh.gov/covid19/resources-guidance/testing-guidance.htm

Upcoming Trainings

Click to see MIIA Training Calendar                           

 Do you have an event or training that you would like to make available to all employees? Please contact Jen Glover jglover@wellesleyma.gov