​Fact & Fiction
We know there is a lot of information floating around about the COVID-19 outbreak, and a lot of the seemingly credible sources are actually misinforming people.  We want you all to keep track of information from the most credible sources, like the World Health Organization and the CDC, rather than looking to notoriously untrustworthy news sites.  Here are some websites you SHOULD look at if you want the most accurate, up to date information on the Coronavirus:
World Health Organization
Centers for Disease Control
NH Department of Health and Human Services
 
Local information is also put together and posted on the Town of Lancaster Police Department’s Facebook Page, and the Town’s Emergency Management and Resident Notice website pages.  Find them here:
Lancaster PD Facebook
Lancaster Emergency Management
Lancaster Resident Notices
 
There are also many amazing people offering their services to create positive change during the COVID-19 outbreak, but many are using their skills maliciously and taking advantage of people’s vulnerabilities and anxieties during this time.  Please be extra vigilant when visiting sites that are offering coronavirus updates -- hackers can steal your information like login credentials.  Also be cautious when you receive emails from unknown individuals with links to click.  We recommend deleting any email you get from an unknown individual BEFORE opening it.  If you have any questions on whether an offer for help or information received is valid or not please contact the Lancaster Police Department at 603-788-4402 
 
Be safe out there everyone.  Stay healthy.  We will get through these trying times together!

Volunteer Post
It’s difficult to predict the longevity of this new “normal” we’ve had to assume, but we do predict that we’ll need all the help we can get from our valued North Country community members. We’re looking for volunteers and we have placed signs around the region to recruit them.​
We are not sure what we will need, where we will need it or when we will need it but we do know it will take the full support of the North Country to take care of each other.  If you would be willing to lend a hand in the upcoming days, weeks, or months please email covid.volunteer.lancaster@gmail.com and let us know who you are, what experiences you have and where you are able to provide help.  A more formal Volunteer Registration Form can be found at the link provided.  Any skill set is appreciated and resources will be directed to wherever is preferred by the volunteer or where the needs calls for. Thank you all! We will get through this together.
 
Self Prevention/Self Care
During this time it is very important to practice preventative care.  Life has to go on and by taking simple precautions you not only minimize the risk of contracting COVID19 but also the typical flu and common cold.  Practice appropriate social distancing - keeping your personal space not only creates a bubble of comfort but also a bubble of security, minimizing the spread of any germs.  Wash your hands periodically during the day and before meals and snacks - a main source of germs and illnesses is through contact when you touch an infected surface and then touch with your face.  These easy to follow directions may not guaranty you don’t get sick but the more people that do them the less chances illness is spread.
There are also measures a person can take to make their bodies as strong as possible and most able to fight viruses and infections.  Self-care, especially during stressful and uncertain times like this, is extremely important. You have to find ways to stay sane, relaxed, and positive during social distancing and, worst case, quarantine.
Here are a few self-care tips and tricks to try out:

• Find the good -- at the end of each day, try to find at least three things that made you happy, or that you’re grateful for.  Focus on the positives; maybe you ate a good meal, you found a great new album or podcast to listen to, or you’re just grateful to feel the sun on your face!  It’s the little things.  Share them on social media as well.  Help encourage your community to “Be The Good”.
• Do an at home workout!  This will boost your mood exponentially, and make you feel even more productive at the end of the day.  You can find plenty of workout videos on YouTube.  Even just stretching will help you feel more relaxed!
• Get outside!  Social distancing does not mean social isolation. You’re perfectly able to take a walk around town, or even just sit in your yard and play fetch with your pup! Vitamin D + Fresh air = LESS STRESS!
• Read a great book.  This will help get your mind off of all the craziness in the world.
• Just chill!  You know yourself best, so do whatever helps you chill the f*** out!  Whether that’s yoga, going for a run, taking a nap, baking, watching a movie --whatever.  Produce positive, relaxing energy by adopting or continuing with healthy habits that make you happy!

It’s great to take care of others, but remember to take some time to focus on yourself.  Spend a segment of time each day caring for yourself, and you’ll feel more capable and prepared to face this uncertainty head-on.  If you need some self-care inspiration, check out the resources below!
https://www.tonyrobbins.com/mental-health/self-care-tips/
https://bestlifeonline.com/self-care-tips/
https://www.success.com/12-self-care-tips-for-busy-people/

Support Local Businesses:
The uncertainty of these times is daunting, we know, but we will get through it.  Now more than ever, it’s important that we stand together to support each other, and to support our local businesses! How can you do that when restaurants are closed for eat-in service, and even simply going to a store is concerning?  Call and order ahead -- all you have to do is pick up the food or product you desire!
Many of our local restaurants are still open for takeout or delivery.  See the list below and click on each for phone numbers and specifics!

The Granite Grind
The Polish Princess
North Country Family Restaurant
Lancaster House of Pizza
Scorpio’s Pizzeria
The Inn at Whitefield
Sunny’s Pizza and Jillian’s Pub
Copper Pig
Grandma’s Kitchen
The Moody Mug Cafe
 
Some stores and other businesses are either closed or being creative on how they accommodate patrons during this challenging time.  Consider buying gift certificates now to be used as gifts or to celebrate the resumption of normal life.  Here are a few to consider.
 
Rialto Theater
Root Seller Marketplace
Dalton Country Store
 
And let’s not forget our grocery stores that are working tirelessly to ensure the shelves are stocked as soon as product is delivered to them.  They all are also dedicating certain days and times for our older population to shop, creating a much more comforting environment for them to purchase what they need.
 
North Country Shop and Save
Whitefield Market and Deli
Lancaster Shaws
 
So, please, support local businesses as best as you can.  Visit the Facebook pages for each provided as links to their names.  If there are others you feel should be added please let us know.  We need to come together -- even if it’s virtually! -- in times like this.  Stay healthy, stay safe, and stay local.

It has been overdue for the residents and visitors of the Town of Lancaster to get some information on the community’s response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.  First and foremost the Town’s Emergency Management Team has been constantly working to plan and prepare for the disruption this event has and will continue to cause.  It has been a main topic of discussion and activity for over 2 weeks and this is where we are at as a community:

• Lancaster is currently spearheading a regional command comprised of neighboring communities, Weeks Medical Center, the local nursing homes and school districts.
• Lancaster is currently assisting Weeks Medical Center in coordinating childcare for their critical staff so we can ensure we will have the professionals available during this medical emergency.
• The Lancaster Police Department, Fire Station and EMS building have been closed to non-essential people.  If you need to see anyone at either of those places there are provisions in place and directions are posted at the door.
• The Lancaster Town Office will be closed to the public, except for necessary business by appointment only, beginning Monday, 3/23.  The office will still be staffed to answer phone calls and assist any other way we can but car registrations, licensing of dogs, and payment of taxes and water/sewer bills can all be done online.
•  Colonel Town has closed and ceased all programming, including Safe Haven.
• Weeks Memorial Library will be closed to the public beginning Monday, 3/23.  Staff will be available Monday through Friday from 9AM to 4PM.  Patrons can phone the Library at 603-788-3352 or email at weekslib@myfairpoint.net to request signing out books and scheduling a pickup.  The Library’s collection is available online but you must call to check availability.  The address to access the collection is nhais.agshareit.com.  Limited entry to the building will be allowed by appointment and for limited times.
• Transfer Station, Highway Department and Water/Sewer Department will continue to run and special attention is being taken to ensure their continued operation without disruption during this event.

This will be the first of many updates informing everyone of the response and events caused by the pandemic.  The primary source for all information sharing will be the Lancaster PD’s Facebook Page:  Lancaster NH Police Department.  We will also be posting on the Town’s Emergency Management webpage and on our Resident Notices.  Subscribe to have any notice posted on this page delivered to you that evening.  See the signup section on the right of the page.
 
We want to assure you all that the Lancaster Board of Selectmen, Town Manager and all Town personnel take this issue and your safety very seriously.  We are all working tirelessly to ensure everything within our power is being done.  If you have any questions or concerns please contact Lancaster’s Emergency Management Director, Benjamin S. Gaetjens-Oleson at planning@lancasternh.org of Ted Joubert, Assistant Fire Chief/Health Officer at tedj@lancasternh.org.  If you have certain skills or experience and would like to put your name on a list to volunteer or know someone with particular health issues we should be aware of please visit the Town’s Emergency Management Page and complete the Volunteer Registration Form or Functional Needs Form.
 
Lastly, please take care of yourself, your family and your greater community.  Practice self-care by keeping proper social distance, wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds and do not go out if you are feeling ill.  Keep watch of your older neighbors and if you have to go to the store check with friends and see if they need anything.  Lastly, support the local economy anyway you can.  Buy takeout, order gift certificates, do what you can to keep us moving forward.  We will come out of this better, stronger and better prepared for future incidents.