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Mask Mandate –The Latest “Coverage”

Per the order of Public Health Madison & Dane County, people five years of age and older must wear a face covering that covers their nose and mouth when in public, which includes in businesses, health care settings, waiting in line, and on public transportation.

Your mask protects me, my mask protects you.
Wearing a cloth face covering will help protect people around you, including those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and workers who frequently come into close contact with other people (e.g., in stores and restaurants).

Masks work best when we all wear them.
Masks are most likely to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when they are widely used by people in public settings. The spread of COVID-19 can be reduced when masks are used along with other preventive measures, including physical distancing, frequent handwashing, and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.

Exceptions to the mandate:
Exceptions are made for certain activities such as eating at a restaurant, but during those activities, 6 feet distancing is required at all times. Some people are also exempted if they have a physical, mental, or developmental condition that prevents them from wearing a mask. Federal law requires businesses provide reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. This may mean providing an alternate form of service (e.g., curbside pickup or delivery instead of in person shopping) to a person with a disability who cannot wear a mask.

Need a Mask?
Dane County Mask Makers is a large group of volunteers who sew and donate high-quality, cotton face masks to anyone in need in our community. Learn how you can get a mask or volunteer to help make them by visiting: danecountymaskmakers.com For more information on using and caring for your mask: publichealthmdc.com/coronavirus/masks

Whether you choose cloth or disposable, it's important to wear your masks safely.
Here's how to from 
World Health Organization (WHO)...

Time to Reauthorize the Older Americans Act

High-profile issues that make daily headlines currently are occupying much of Congress’s attention. Yet one important issue is receiving little to no attention: the Older Americans Act. If Congress does not act, this legislation, which was last reauthorized for three years, will expire on September 30.

See full article: https://blog.aarp.org/thinking-policy/time-to-reauthorize-the-older-americans-act

OAA: You can help

The OAA reauthorization is set to expire on Sept. 30.
With members of Congress now on break in their home districts, this is the best time to connect with your federal legislators. Give your voice on the matter, by calling U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (608) 264-5338 and Ron Johnson (608) 240-9629. 

Ask them to support moving bipartisan reauthorization of the Older Americans Act forward and to adopt House-approved funding increases for the Act and other aging service programs. Simple. It takes just two calls. Or, if  letters or emails are more your thing, check out their websites for that contact information. Senior Center staff can assist you with this.

Want to do more?
Most issues affecting us daily are being decided on by legislators at some level.  Some like OAA are at the federal level, how to direct those Older American Act funds or other federal funds (like affordable healthcare) are decided at the state level, and how an Area Agency on Aging distributes funds to senior centers is decided by the county so on to municipal decisions.

It can be overwhelming to 1) keep track of all the issues, and 2) feel like you have any control over decisions being made. Here are suggestions to make you feel like you are a part of positive change:

1). Educate yourself. Reading the paper is an obvious way to stay in the know. Though, keep in mind, the pages to even our favorite papers are limited. Unfortunately, aging topics don’t always “sell” to the broader populations. For topics specific to seniors consider checking out:

· AARP: their magazine, their website: aarp.org or blog: blog.aarp.org

· National Association of Area Agency on Aging (n4a): n4a.org/advocacy

· Wisconsin Aging Advocacy Network: gwaar.org/wisconsin-aging-advocacy-network

2).  Keep in mind, you do have control. Politicians work for us. It is every citizen’s responsibility to vote, and it’s also their responsibility to voice their opinions to their elected officials. Good politicians represent the citizens in their district. When they don’t, it is the people’s job to tell them and to vote differently at the next election. So, put your      legislators on your speed dial or bookmark their “contact me” webpages. You can find your legislators by typing in your zip code or address here:

· U.S.: www.govtrack.us/congress/members

· State: https://legis.wisconsin.gov/

· Dane County Executive: https://exec.countyofdane.com/contact.aspx,

· Dane County Board Supervisor: https://board.countyofdane.com/Supervisors

· Stoughton City Council: https://www.ci.stoughton.wi.us/council

 

 

Choosing an Elder Law or Estate Planning Attorney who is Familiar with Medicaid Laws

Elder law is a legal specialty area focused on the specific legal needs of older adults. Elder law attorneys have a wide variety of expertise with trust and estate planning, Medicare, Social Security, retirement, guardianships, health and long-term care planning, public benefits including Medicaid, and many other legal issues affecting older adults.