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NHAD updates for April, May, and June

Per President Mike Schock’s orders, all April, May, and June events are cancelled.  We will continue to have our board meeting the first week of May with using the Zoom software.  Events for the rest of the summer are on hold until we have a good feel of where the COVID-19 virus is going.  We hope to resume events by the next fall.

Per recommendations for COVID-19 from several sources:

  1.  Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds when you get home or interact with other people.  Save the sanitizer for when you are out of your home (i.e. if you are working, driving, picking up food, etc).
  2. If you have a cloth mask or a reusable mask, you can wash it in your kitchen or bathroom sink with soap and water (and a little bit of bleach, depending on the color).
  3. DO NOT MICROWAVE your mask to clean it!  It will get burned or the elastic bands will be ruined.  It’s best to wash it by hand (or in the washing machine if the materials is strong enough for that).
  4. If you are experiencing a fever, coughing, and shortness of breath, call your primary doctor.  Do not just show up at the doctor’s office or ER or urgent care center without prior discussion with your primary doctor.
  5. If you have medical appointments over the phone, using Zoom is the best way possible.  Your interpreter will appear on the Zoom screen.  If you don’t have a computer, don’t know how to use Zoom, or the doctor’s office absolutely cannot use it, you can use your videophone or TTY or CapTel.
  6. When you are outside your home, you may encounter a lot of people wearing masks or other face coverings.  This will be a challenge for your communication needs, but use alternative methods like gesturing, writing notes, etc.  If you are picking up food, write notes beforehand.  Bring your own paper and pen (or the docs app or notes app on your phone).

Mental Health Assistance Available from DHH Providers

If you are feeling stressed, anxious, upset, etc for whatever reason during the COVID-19 pandemic, you can reach out to Greater Nashua Mental Health Center-Deaf Services.  They have DHH mental health specialists available, and there is a couple phone numbers you can call.

Youtube video from GNMHC-DS

“Call 603-821-0073 (VP) during business hours. Outside of business ours, our agency’s phone support is available. The clinicians on-call are trained to support our community and connect you to Deaf Services for the next business day. 888-762-8191.” (from Holly)

April event cancelled

Some of you may be aware of an Easter event for NHAD in April, but it has been cancelled.  The May event is still on for now.