Connection - April 2021

SENIOR CONNECTION News & Updates

SPRING CLEANING OF HOME, SPIRIT, AND MIND

COVID UPDATES

Long Time Coming: MoCo gets its first mass vax clinic @ at Montgomery College-Germantown. It will open with County resources on Wednesday, March 31 and transition to a State-run mass vaccination site the week of April 5. To pre-register for vaccination at a mass vax site, go to https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/vaccine or call 1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829) COVID-19 Variants: Maryland now has all three variants of #COVID-19. It is essential that you continue prevention measures to protect yourself & others, such as wearing a mask, keeping 6 ft. of social distance, & washing your hands often. For information visit, http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COVID19 Vax Pre-Registration Group: As of 3/25/21, residents 60+ may now pre-register to receive the COVID-19 vaccine from vaccination at sites operated by the health department. • Vax Rides: If you need a ride to get vaccinated or know of a senior in need of a ride, please reach out to us. • Food Security: If you are food insecure or know of someone in need, please visit 'MoCos food resource page. There are several organizations providing free food, in addition to Manna. If you need assistance picking up food from any of these organizations, please call us. REMINDERS

HOME: According to several sources, including my grandmother, annual house cleaning had to take place because soot and grime would accumulate on every surface of the home during the winter. The dirt was a by-product of the oil, coal, kerosene, and/or wood used to light and heat homes during the colder, darker months. The most opportune time to undertake this cleaning was a dry, sunny, warm day in early Spring, hence, Spring Cleaning. SPIRIT: Spring cleaning also has ties to religious customs. The Jewish custom of Spring cleaning is linked to Passover. In the Christian faith, Catholics clean the church altar the day before Good Friday. Greek Orthodox custom is to clean house for a week leading up to Lent. In Iran, the holiday Nowruz (Persian New Year}, coincides with the first day of spring; during this 13-day celebration people "shake the house" (clean}, buy new clothes, and spend time with family and friends. MIND: For those of you who lean more toward a scientific explanation for the need to Spring clean, here you go. During the winter there are fewer hours of daylight. This triggers our brains to release more melatonin which in turn, makes us sluggish and sleepy. So, technically speaking, we do not have the energy to clean. Non-technically speaking, no one wants to leave the warmth and coziness of their couch nest to clean. However, as the days begin to get longer, melatonin production decreases. We are now energized by the sun, increased temperatures, and longer days to give our nests a thorough once over. For tips on Spring cleaning, please see last pages of the newsletter.

• Federal Taxes: The IRS has extended the

individual tax filing deadline back to May 17. NOTE: MD State taxes are now due by July 17.

41 APRIL 2021

*Experiment with non/low/vegan dairy substitutions to suit dietary restrictions or preferences. *