Great Barrington Urges Masks and Social Distancing

08:09AM / Monday, December 27, 2021Print Story | Email Story

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Great Barrington Board of Health has amended its Public Health Advisory to urge residents, visitors, employers and employees to wear a mask and maintain proper social distance in indoor public settings, regardless of vaccine status.

The BOH also advises wearing masks while outdoors where social distancing cannot be maintained

"While vaccination is vitally important to protecting against severe disease, vaccination is not the sole protection against COVID-19 and serious illness," said Rebecca Jurczyk, health agent for the town.

The BOH also recommends:

Increase ventilation in indoor spaces when two or more people are meeting.
Wear medical grade N95 mask when in indoor public settings and/ or around immune-compromised individuals.
Social distance and wash hands frequently.
Limit travel and gatherings, but if not possible, limit the size of the gathering.
Get tested prior to travel or gathering, and plan accordingly to receive results prior to travel.

At-home antigen tests are available over the counter and PCR tests are available with an appointment at local testing sites. If you test positive with a home test, contact the local Health Department for more information.

In addition, take measures to improve personal health and well-being, by taking care of mental health, getting exercise, managing sleep and contacting your medical provider with any health concerns.

Event planners or organizations hosting events are encouraged to consult with the Health Department to ensure appropriate precautionary measures are implemented.

Signage referencing this advisory can be requested through the Great Barrington Health Department.

Any questions or concerns can be directed to the Board of Health during business hours or at an upcoming Board of Health meeting.

Any questions may be directed to the Board of Health, (413) 528-0680.

Tags: COVID-19,

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Free Pet Food Drive-Thru in Becket

10:43AM / Friday, February 06, 2026

BECKET, Mass. — Berkshire Humane Society will give out bags of cat and dog food to pet owners in need during a drive-thru event this Saturday, Feb. 7 from 9:00 – 11:00 am, at the Becket Washington School Parking Lot, 12 Maple Street in Becket.

The drive-thru is in conjunction with the Becket Food Pantry.

Cat and dog owners can drive up to the distribution point and remain in their vehicle while someone takes their order and loads it into their vehicle. Cat owners will get a 6-pound bag of food and dog owners will get a 20-pound bag, no questions asked. The event is open to all, regardless of enrollment in Berkshire Humane Society's Pet Food Bank or participation in the Becket Food Pantry and is made possible by donations from Wendy and James Martin of the Martin Family Donor Advised Fund, the Eichenbaum/Archer Family Foundation and an anonymous private foundation.

"We gave out nearly 7,200 pounds of pet food in our holiday drive-thrus in Great Barrington, North Adams and Pittsfield," said John Perreault, Berkshire Humane Society's Executive Director. "People not only drove, but walked up to those events. I can't tell you how many of them told us how thankful they were for help feeding their cats or dogs," he said. "With the cold weather lately, we don't want people choosing between staying warm and feeding themselves or their cats their pets. With this event, we're hoping to reach more folks in the hilltowns. Thanks to our generous donors, we have more than 7,500 pounds of pet food to do just that! Thank you to the Becket Food Pantry for making the event possible."

Berkshire Humane Society's Food Pantry events are part of the nonprofit's efforts to keep families together and prevent people from feeling they must surrender their pet to the shelter. Other programs include the shelter's monthly Pet Food Bank, to which drive-thru recipients may enroll; low-cost spay and neuter and other veterinary services at the Society's Wellness Clinic; and dog obedience classes at Family Dog School.

Berkshire Humane Society also accepts donations to provide pet food for more families in need. Monetary donations are preferred because the shelter has agreements with pet food companies to buy nutritious food at a bulk rate, feeding more animals per donor dollar. For more information about the drive-thru event or making a donation, call 413-447-7878, extension 127.

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