By CHRIS COLLINS and JULIE CUNNINGHAM
Photos by Julie Cunningham
(Greenfield, MA) Fourth District Congressman and candidate for the United States Senate Jospeh Patrick Kennedy III visited Greenfield today to visit the Emergency Operations Center and toured the facility. On Kennedy’s mind were the more vulnerable populations, domestic violence victims, victims of child abuse, and the elderly.
”They know there is something different,” said Kennedy about children who are dealing with the fall out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kennedy was concerned about the ripple effect of the COVID-19 crisis, as enrichment programs are cut due to State and local budget cuts, children might suffer the loss of important state programs. Economic inequality was also a concern during Kennedy’s visit, and he pointed out that children often feel the impact of economic inequality at a far greater level.
”By far the hardest hit population are kids,” said Kennedy.
Kennedy, who is running against Sen. Edward Markey in the Democratic primary this fall, said another federal aid package is pending.
“We need more help for families with 40 million people unemployed,” Kennedy said. “Our health care system is in need of support, as are our cities and towns.”
“Unfortunately, when you hear about these issues, the coverage is often Boston-centric, but there are a lot of other communities, like this one, that need attention and that’s why I felt it was important to be here today,” Kennedy added.
