Letter To The Editor: Westwood Community Support Amidst Virus

The following was submitted as a letter to the editor by Select Board candidate William “Bill” McLaughlin. If you would like to submit a letter to the editor, email samantha.mercado@patch.com.

William “Bill” McLaughlin, a candidate for the Westwood Select Board election on April 28, today shared ideas for Westwood residents to support each other during the COVID-19 crisis.

“The recent mitigations around the COVID-19 virus have caused significant disruptions in the lives of our Westwood residents, with the closure of work, schools and many public facilities. COVID-19 presents a public health risk, especially among people age 70 and above. The COVID-19 crisis will also impact many Westwood families financially.”

“I’d like to recognize the tremendous efforts already underway in our town, led by Superintendent Parks and Town Administrator Chris Coleman,” McLaughlin stated. “I would like to thank our first responders in the Fire and Police Departments for remaining on the job to keep Westwood residents safe and healthy.”

Bill also suggested measures to ensure our Seniors are safe:

“We have 1,600 seniors aged 70 and over who live in Westwood. I’d like to encourage Westwood residents to call their neighbors to check in on them” McLaughlin stated. “I’d encourage residents to help ensure our seniors are safe and see if they need any medications or supplies. If they do need a delivery, use the utmost caution by washing your hands according to CDC guidelines and leave deliveries outside their homes to limit their exposure. Also, I’d encourage you to plan to check in on them regularly”

McLaughlin also outlined two other ways that residents can help fellow residents:

• The Westwood Food Pantry is currently providing residents with supermarket gift cards to combat food insecurity. While they are not currently accepting food donations, they are looking for financial donations. You can donate online at: http://www.westwoodfoodpantry.org/
• The Westwood Community Chest (WCC) is dedicated to helping Westwood residents in need through temporary financial assistance. WCC distributes the funds it receives to help families in need through a confidential application process. You can donate online at https://westwoodcommunitychest.org/donate/

Please email Bill at mclaughlin4ww@gmail.com if you have further suggestions on how we as a Westwood Community can help our neighbors out during these challenging times.

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Friends,

To follow up on my previous post, I know people are rightly concerned about COVID-19 - especially its impact on seniors.

We have over 1,600 seniors aged 70 and above who live in private residences in Westwood. I’d like to make Sunday March 15 “Senior Sunday”: each Westwood resident will call one neighbor in town to check in on them. I’d encourage residents to call a senior to ensure they are safe, see if they need any medications or supplies, and just generally check in with them. If they do need a delivery, use the utmost caution by washing your hands according to CDC guidelines and leaving the delivery outside to limit their exposure.

Each time someone makes a phone call, I’d like to see a comment below. We have 440 people following this page, together we could make a huge impact on ensuring our Westwood seniors are safe and looked after.

I know we will all get through this challenge together. We are One Westwood.
Be well and look out for one another,

Bill