PITTSFIELD It’s Memorial Day weekend, and the city is celebrating with events held in the wake of the state lifting nearly all of its remaining COVID-19 restrictions.
EXTENDED P-EBT: Massachusetts has received federal approval to continue providing Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer, or P-EBT, benefits to families this summer, a decision the Department of Transitional Assistance estimates will
Beginning Tuesday, June 1, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Berkshire County will launch its free ride service, Wheels for Wellness, for all Berkshire County residents.
Wheels for Wellness is a free ride service for county residents of all ages who need transportation to wellness-related activities, including medical and social services appointments, fitness classes, therapy, as well as transport to vaccine sites.
The program is a partnership between RSVP and Berkshire Community Action Council, Berkshire Fallon Health Collaborative, Community Health Programs, Berkshire Interfaith Organizing, and Berkshire Health Systems.
The new service builds upon RSVPâs existing van service which specifically serves Pittsfield.
COVID-19 THIS WEEK IN BERKSHIRE COUNTY: On Saturday, almost all of Massachusettsâ COVID-19 restrictions become history. Cases, deaths and hospitalizations in Berkshire County and across the state are trending downward amid rising vaccination rates, although some new infections continue to occur. Massachusetts has seen seven-day averages of 339.3 daily cases and 6.9 daily deaths as of Thursday, down from peaks of more than 6,000 daily cases and 170 daily deaths, the nonprofit Covid Act Now said. Gov. Charlie Baker on Friday called the public health crisis that has endured since last March âpretty much overâ before adding that he âwould put an asterisk on anything that says itâs over.â
Wheels for Wellness is a free ride service for county residents of all ages who need transportation to wellness-related activities, including medical and social services appointments, fitness classes, therapy, as well as transport to vaccine sites. The program is a partnership between RSVP and the following organizations Berkshire Community Action Council, Berkshire Fallon Health Collaborative, Community Health Programs, Berkshire Interfaith Organizing, and Berkshire Health Systems. Having this expanded resource creates a wealth of much needed options for community members, said RSVP Director Jeff Roucoulet, who noted that RSVP’s van service will still continue within city limits. Over the years, we have learned that there is a countywide gap in transportation, not just for elders, but for others as well. In our Pittsfield program, at first we only brought seniors to medical appointments, but we now know that this is just a fraction of what’s need