Joining the Mayor for the announcement were Health Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris, Executive Director of PBRM Patrick Sullivan, CDO Tim Sheehan, and Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood.
Under the plan, the city will establish three tents for individuals who are homeless to access across from the Friends of the Homeless Center on Worthington St to help address the medical needs of the homeless population that might be affected by the COVID-19 / Coronavirus. One tent is reserved for Testing, one for those with Symptoms to isolate, and the third for those in Quarantine.
This venture was made possible thanks to the coordinated efforts of the City of Springfield, Friends of the Homeless, Springfield Technical Community College, Baystate Health Center, Mercy Medical Center, and other city homeless provides.
Mayor Sarno stated, “Not only was this the right thing to do for our most at-risk population, but thanks in large part to our community stakeholders including our homeless providers and shelters, STCC, Baystate Health, Mercy Medical, and our committed and dedicated city team, we are able to provide these precautionary and proactive measures to help combat and stay a head of the spread of COVID-19.”