5 Healthy Towns Foundation (5HF) and our partners invite you to visit OneBigConnection.org (OBC)! The new platform has local area resources, area health data, an events calendar, social media feed, and more!
Every day has the potential to be an adventure and these days we find ourselves in the middle of a true adventure. Every one of us has decisions to make. We need to weigh risk and benefit for all our activities – grocery shopping, family visits, lunch dates and more.
Some of us find ourselves in a position to make decisions for the benefit others. For instance, local hospital administrators must care for their patients, employees and visitors. We shouldn’t envy them their challenge. It is unlikely they will make everyone (perhaps even anyone) happy.
There is plenty of expert information. Sometimes experts forget that most of us aren’t microbiologists. Without their basic understanding regarding the behavior of germs (including viruses), their comments can be distressing. While virus behavior can’t always be predicted, we know the coronavirus (COVID-19) will succumb to most over the counter soaps and disinfectants. That’s good news. And, although the vast majority of the population has no established immunity (resistance) to COVID-19, most of us will be able to withstand the illness without consequence.
There are exceptions. People older than 70 or with existing illnesses like asthma or any other lung illness, heart disease, diabetes, etc., should be extremely careful. The same for people who smoke. The rest of us can think about how we can help them. Delivering groceries or picking up prescriptions is one offer we can make.
Here’s something important to consider. Our immune system, the part of us that prevents illness and makes it less serious if we become ill, is ‘pumped up’ when we are physically active. We should all find ways to keep moving. Going outside is perfectly safe.
Immune systems work best if we’re happy, too. And most of us are happy in the company of people we care about. If you shouldn’t go out or have guests, find other ways to connect. Use the phone, Zoom, Facetime or other electronic communication to stay in touch with friends and relatives. If video communication is a new idea, ask someone to help you figure it out. Once you do it a few times it will be easy. Personal interactions with people you care for and who care for you is essential when we are practicing ‘social distancing’. It will help us all resist infection if we demonstrate care and experience being cared for. You can also try laughing out loud – at something or nothing at all.
Of course, we’ll feel better if we limit exposure to sensationalizing television, as hard as it to look away, sometimes.
Lastly, wash your hands, everyone. Twenty seconds each time.
Take good care.
Your friends from 5 Healthy Towns Foundation
Our mission is to:
Cultivate Improvements in Personal and Community Wellness
The people in our 5 Healthy Towns Eat Better, Move More, Avoid Unhealthy Substances and Connect with Others in Healthy Ways.
Wellness Centers
Over 400,000 visits per year
50 programs open to the community
7000+ members
Wellness Coalitions
190 funded programs
90+ Coalition Members
9 years of Wellness Plans
Due to COVID-19 please check with event organizers to confirm times and dates.
Community Spotlight
Visit our communities below to learn about their wellness plans, meeting schedules, contact information and more!
Chelsea Wellness Coalition
Coaliton Documents
These files are related to the Chelsea Wellness Coalition. You'll find meeting agendas and minutes, the comprehensive wellness plan, articles and more.
Select category or search...
Dexter Wellness Coalition
Coalition Contact
Brett Pedersen
pedersenb@dexterschools.org
Coaliton Documents
These files are related to the Dexter Wellness Coalition. You'll find meeting agendas and minutes, the comprehensive wellness plan, articles and more.
Select category or search...
Grass Lake Wellness Coalition
Coalition Contact
Doug Moeckel
doug.moeckel@grasslakeschools.com
Coaliton Documents
These files are related to the Grass Lake Wellness Coalition. You'll find meeting agendas and minutes, the comprehensive wellness plan, articles and more.Manchester Wellness Coalition
Coalition Contact
Coaliton Documents
These files are related to the Manchester Wellness Coalition. You'll find meeting agendas and minutes, the comprehensive wellness plan, articles and more.Stockbridge Wellness Coalition
Coalition Contact
Matt Pegouskie
matt@5healthytowns.org
Coaliton Documents
These files are related to the Stockbridge Wellness Coalition. You'll find meeting agendas and minutes, the comprehensive wellness plan, articles and more.
Select category or search...
Collaboration between communities is one of the great benefits of the 5 Healthy Towns Project. People and organizations who haven’t interacted before are working together to provide wellness activities to their communities. By sharing ideas and resources, our 5 Healthy Towns are able to implement interventions that might be untenable otherwise.