Testing for asymptomatic people (people who are not currently sick):

• Greenfield  Stop The Spread site (free PCR tests): https://www.cic-health.com/stopthespread
  • Note that there are two steps to getting tested at a Stop The Spread site: 1. Scheduling an appointment at the link above. 2. Then creating a “LabPass” account where you order the test & receive your results.
  • As of September 29, 2021, the Greenfield Stop The Spread site is open during the following hours. If no appointments are available on the scheduling website, they do accept walk-ins.
    • Monday & Tuesday 8am-2pm. Wednesday & Thursday 12pm-6pm. Friday 8am-1pm. Saturday & Sunday 9am-2pm.
    • The Greenfield Stop The Spread site is located in the East Building at GCC. Follow the signs as you drive in.
  • To create a LabPass account, go here: https://labpass.com/en/login and click “Sign Up”. Fill in the required information. The access code is “CICHEALTH”.
    • Note that each family member being tested needs their own LabPass account, accessed with their own individual email account.
    • Once you have created a LabPass account and have logged in, click “Order” to start the process of ordering a test. Then click the consent button, then answer all health questions. Once you submit the form, you can go get your test at the Stop The Spread site.
• UMass Community COVID Testing: free for asymptomatic people, testing in the Campus Center, Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. – Noon  https://www.umass.edu/coronavirus/communitycovidtest 
• Baystate Franklin Medical Center: https://www.baystatehealth.org/covid19/testing  Daily testing in Greenfield at 33 Riddell St.  You must schedule an appointment to be tested by calling 413-795-TEST and you will need a physician referral.
• Walgreen’s at https://www.walgreens.com/findcare/category/covid-19 
• CVS at https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing/?icid=coronavirus-lp-nav-general-testing
• Community Health Center of Franklin County has suspended testing to focus on vaccination. There is currently no asymptomatic testing at CHCFC.

Testing for people with symptoms:

• Medical Providers with onsite testing for their patients include the Community Health Center of Franklin County, Baystate Medical Practices, and Valley Medical Group. If you are a patient at one of these practices and are experiencing symptoms, contact them directly.

At-home testing

• Most local pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart) carry a variety of at-home rapid tests, both in their stores and on their websites. However, NOTE: as of 9/29, most local pharmacies are sold out of at-home kits, and many pharmacies are “out of stock” online. 
• Click here for mail order PCR at-home testing for MA residents: https://www.pixel.labcorp.com/ma-testing?utm_source=stateofma&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=covid-19_ma-testing

Summer Health Information from the Cooperative Public Health Service Health District:  

Insect repellent helps reduce your exposure to tick and mosquito bites that may carry diseases, and allows you to continue to play, work, and enjoy the outdoors with a lower risk of disease. Use repellent when you go outdoors – especially if you go out from dusk to dawn when disease-carrying mosquitoes are most active, or if you are going into tall grass or wooded areas where ticks may climb aboard as you walk by.

Use EPA-registered insect repellents, such as those containing DEET. DEET has been available to the general public since 1957 and has a strong safety record. The American Academy of Pediatrics has approved the use of DEET on children over 2 months old. Use the EPA search tool to find the repellent that’s right for you and your family: https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/find-repellent-right-you When you buy a product, look for the EPA registration number at the bottom of the label to ensure it’s been approved for use by the EPA.

Tips for using repellent:

• Always follow the product label instructions.
• Choose a repellent that provides protection for the amount of time that you will be outdoors. A product with a higher percentage of active ingredient is a good choice if you will be outdoors for several hours while a product with a lower concentration can be used if time outdoors will be limited.
• Use the lowest concentration you have found to be personally effective, and apply just enough to cover exposed skin and/or clothing. If biting insects do not respond to a thin film of repellent, then apply a bit more.
• Apply only to exposed skin and clothing, not to skin under clothing.
• Do not apply near eyes and mouth. Apply sparingly around ears.
• Do not spray directly into face; spray on hands first and then apply to face.
• Never use repellents over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin.
• Do not spray in enclosed areas or near food, and avoid breathing a spray product.
• If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second.
• Do not allow young children to apply insect repellent to themselves; have an adult do it for them. Do not apply to children’s hands.
• After returning indoors, wash treated skin and clothes with soap and water.
• Store insect repellents safely out of the reach of children.
• If you are concerned about using insect repellents, consult your health care provider for advice.

For more information about insect repellents, go to the National Pesticide Information Center website at http://npic.orst.edu/ingred/ptype/repel.html

Documents:

• Talking with loved ones about in person visits during the pandemic 
  • 8.5 x 11 color
  • 8.5 x 11 b&w for easier copying
  • 11 x 17 color
• Holiday Meal Safety Tips Flyer
• Holiday Travel Tips Flyer

Web Links:

• CDC Thanksgiving Guidance
• CDC Domestic Travel Guidance
• Creating New Traditions for COVID and Beyond – 4Sc + The Partnership
• You’re not doomed to Zoom: How to have a safer Thanksgiving during the pandemic – The Boston Globe