I feel very privileged to represent the people of Cambridge and lead policy changes that impact and strengthen all residents of the Commonwealth. I look forward to staying in touch and keeping you informed about the issues I have been leading on in addition to any issue that is important to you. If you are not on my email list please consider signing up.
Thursday, April 2nd: COVID-19 Update
Wednesday, April 1st: COVID-19 Update
Tuesday, March 31st COVID-19 Update
Monday, March 30th, COVID-19 Update
Saturday, March 28th: COVID-19 Update
Latest from Facebook
Dear all,
I write to you this evening with relevant COVID-19 updates and resources.
As of today, there are 149 cases of COVID-19 in City of Cambridge (Official). Learn more here: bit.ly/2J2BnQj. There are 12,500 cases of COVID-19 in the state, including 2,632 in Middlesex County. 71,937 patients have been tested for COVID-19, and 231 patients have passed away. Learn more here: bit.ly/2WxWkL1.
Save the date- I will be hosting a town hall this Thursday from 4-5PM on resources for seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please stay tuned for more information, and I hope that you will join and ask questions.
Cambridge Updates
The City of Cambridge has a list on its website of businesses in Cambridge with information on whether they are open or closed, and what types of services they are providing at this time. You can find it here: bit.ly/2UL8Ghu.
Multilingual resources are always available on the City of Cambridge's website. This includes translated information on city resources and about COVID-19. You can find them here: bit.ly/2wKXAzA.
State Action Updates
The COVID-19 testing facility for first responders including fire fighters, police officers, and other public safety personnel opened today at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. It will be able to perform up to 200 tests per day. The state is looking to set up similar facilities in the Merrimack Valley and western Massachusetts.
The state received 100 ventilators from the national stockpile out of the 1400 requested. These ventilators will be distributed within the next day.
500 people have volunteered to help UMass Memorial Health Care run the field hospital set up at the DCU Center in Worcester.
Public Health Updates
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh announced stricter social distancing measures for the City of Boston today. These include encouraging everyone to wear a face covering over their mouth and nose in public, issuing a Public Advisory asking everyone except essential workers to stay home between 9PM-6AM, and closing parks that have recreational sports areas. Learn more here: bit.ly/3bXXaEX
Giving blood is important in ensuring that our healthcare system does not become overwhelmed and there is a stable supply of blood throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. You can learn more about giving blood and find out where to donate here: rcblood.org/3amf3gt.
Unemployment Insurance Updates:
Today, the U.S. Department of Labor sent states guidance on how to implement the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program, which is the $600 weekly payment to eligible individuals who are receiving other unemployment benefits that was included in the CARES Act. You can view the full guidance here:https://bit.ly/2XcTGdW.
Where to donate:
If you are able to give to others during this time, I encourage you to look to the following places that are working to help those most impacted by COVID-19:
Mayor's Disaster Relief Fund: bit.ly/3bgTBJU
Cambridge Health Alliance: bit.ly/2vWegUB
Cambridge Community Foundation: bit.ly/33ImGeE
Food For Free: bit.ly/3afFuEE
The Greater Boston Food Bank: www.gbfb.org/
Cradles to Crayons Massachusetts Emergency Essentials Fund:https://bit.ly/2WHOD4V
Enroot Emergency Immigrant Cash Assistance Fund:https://bit.ly/2y7bBIe
HomeStart's Community Housing Assistance Fund:https://bit.ly/2JBtode
East End House's COVID-19 Emergency Fund: bit.ly/3bM8zHV
As always, do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions or concerns at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov.
Sincerely,
Marjorie ... See MoreSee Less
3 hours ago ·
Dear all,
I write to you this evening with relevant COVID-19 updates and resources.
As of today there are 140 cases of COVID-19 in City of Cambridge (Official). Learn more here: bit.ly/2J2BnQj. There are 11,736 cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts including 2,468 in Middlesex County. 68,800 patients have been tested, and 216 have passed away. Learn more here: bit.ly/3bS8J0q. Middlesex County, the state's most populous county, has been the hardest hit so far.
I'm putting together a volunteer team to make check-in calls to senior citizens in our community to ensure that all have the resources that they need to stay well during this challenging time. If you are interested in volunteering your time and making calls, please fill out this form: forms.gle/1P2QTagpC8by69HHA.
Cambridge Updates
Grocery stores are required to offer shopping hours for those over 60, and some in the Cambridge area are now offering shopping hours for those who are immunocompromised, have disabilities, or are otherwise at a high risk for contracting COVID-19. This includes Stop & Shop stores, Starmarket stores, and Trader Joes. You can learn more here: www.cambridgema.gov/covid19/food
Many city residents are currently participating in the Cambridge, MA area Bear Hunt. You can put a stuffed bear in your window for children and families in Cambridge to spot while on bear scavenger hunts. If you are interested in participating, or seeing a map of where bears can be spotted, go here: sites.google.com/view/bearhunt/home?authuser=0.
Multilingual resources are always available on the City of Cambridge's website. This includes translated information on city resources and about COVID-19. You can find them here: bit.ly/2wKXAzA.
State Action Updates:
Particular concern lies with our nursing home population whose percentage of positive cases continues to climb at high rates. This has resulted in the state suspending plans to move residents in a nursing home in Wilmington, where 51 of the 98 residents tested positive, to a new location to free beds for COVID-19 patients.
This weekend marks the first that restaurants in the state can sell beer and wine with food takeout and delivery services.
Federal Action Updates:
The CDC has recommended wearing a cloth mask in public settings where it is difficult to maintain social distancing (i.e. the grocery store or a pharmacy), as there are many COVID-19 carriers who are asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic who can spread the virus to others. You can learn more and watch a video on how to make your own face covering here: bit.ly/3aII2vh.
Where to donate:
If you are able to give to others during this time, I encourage you to look to the following places that are working to help those most impacted by COVID-19:
Mayor's Disaster Relief Fund: bit.ly/3bgTBJU
Cambridge Health Alliance: bit.ly/2vWegUB
Cambridge Community Foundation: bit.ly/33ImGeE
Food For Free: bit.ly/3afFuEE
The Greater Boston Food Bank: www.gbfb.org/
Cradles to Crayons Massachusetts Emergency Essentials Fund: bit.ly/2WHOD4V
Enroot Emergency Immigrant Cash Assistance Fund: bit.ly/2y7bBIe
HomeStart's Community Housing Assistance Fund: bit.ly/2JBtode
East End House's COVID-19 Emergency Fund: bit.ly/3bM8zHV
If you are interested in seeing previous COVID-19 updates, you can find them here: www.decker4rep.com/news/ As always, do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions or concerns at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov.
Sincerely,
Marjorie ... See MoreSee Less
1 day ago ·
Dear all,
I hope you are finding time to enjoy the weekend. I’m putting together a volunteer team to make check-in calls to senior citizens in our community to ensure that all have the resources that they need to stay well during this challenging time.
If you are interested in volunteering your time and making calls, please fill out this form: forms.gle/1P2QTagpC8by69HHA. If you have any questions, please reach out to me at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov. Stay well and safe.
Sincerely,
Marjorie ... See MoreSee Less
1 day ago ·
Dear friends,
I write to you this evening with relevant COVID-19 updates and resources.
As of today there are 130 cases of COVID-19 in City of Cambridge (Official). Learn more here: bit.ly/2J2BnQj. There are 10,402 cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, including 2202 in Middlesex County. 62,962 patients have been tested and 192 patients have passed away. Learn more here: bit.ly/2wh4m00.
You can now see the number of new COVID-19 cases in Cambridge by date on the City's website. Find it here: bit.ly/2J2BnQj.
Cambridge Updates
Today, the City announced an Emergency Temporary Eviction Enforcement Order. This prevents property owners and landlords from carrying out a forcible eviction for the duration of the public health emergency. Learn more here: bit.ly/2XeiEcy.
City Manager DePasquale and Dr. Assaad Sayah, Commissioner of Public Health, signed an Emergency Order that the War Memorial, Field House and Garage be used for temporary emergency shelter. You can see the order here: bit.ly/2JCQzDY.
The City has compiled information about the federal CARES Act on its website. You can find information about direct household relief, expansion of unemployment benefits, resources for small businesses, and more here: bit.ly/3e066f8.
Multilingual resources are always available on the City of Cambridge's website. This includes translated information on city resources and about COVID-19. You can find them here:https://bit.ly/2wKXAzA.
State Action Updates
Today, the Governor's administration announced the creation of the COVID-19 Community Tracing Collaborative (CTC), a partnership with Partners in Health which will focus on tracing the contacts of those with confirmed positive COVID-19 cases and supporting those in quarantine. You can learn more here: bit.ly/2yyrVSH.
Massachusetts is rapidly expanding its COVID testing capacity, and 5,000 tests were processed yesterday. There will be a new COVID testing facility for first responders opening at Gillette Stadium.
As a result of negotiations initiated out of concern for justice-involved individuals, the Supreme Judicial Court has agreed to expedite the process for considering release of individuals held on a pre-trial status and not deemed dangerous. The parole board is urged to expedite parole hearings and daily reports on the status of those held in carceral facilities are required.
Today the Governor signed legislation formally moving the state's income filing day from April 15 to July 15 and allowing restaurants to sell beer and wine through delivery or takeout services when ordered with a meal.
Public Health Update
Today, PAARI - Police Assisted Addiction & Recovery Initiative announced that it is partnering with 11 police departments and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to distribute fentanyl test strips as a way to engage with those who have opioid use disorder and to prevent overdose deaths. You can learn more about this program here: bit.ly/2JAV2ab.
MassDOT Updates
AAA Northeast will be closing all of its locations for at least two weeks starting Monday April 6th. Locations will be open tomorrow, April 4th for appointments only.
Education Updates
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has sent guidance to school districts stating that it is the district's decision whether to keep their planned April vacation week or use part or all of it for remote learning. Cambridge Schools will have the week off.
Where to donate:
If you are able to give to others during this time, I encourage you to look to the following places that are working to help those most impacted by COVID-19:
Mayor's Disaster Relief Fund: bit.ly/3bgTBJU
Cambridge Health Alliance: bit.ly/2vWegUB
Cambridge Community Foundation: bit.ly/33ImGeE
Food For Free: bit.ly/3afFuEE
The Greater Boston Food Bank: www.gbfb.org/
Cradles to Crayons Massachusetts Emergency Essentials Fund: bit.ly/2WHOD4V
Enroot Emergency Immigrant Cash Assistance Fund: bit.ly/2y7bBIe
HomeStart's Community Housing Assistance Fund: bit.ly/2JBtode
East End House's COVID-19 Emergency Fund: bit.ly/3bM8zHV
If you are interested in seeing previous COVID-19 updates, you can find them here:https://www.decker4rep.com/news/ As always, do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions or concerns at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov.
Sincerely,
Marjorie ... See MoreSee Less
2 days ago ·
What People Are Saying
"Marjorie has been a thoughtful and effective advocate for her constituents, working tirelessly on their behalf. I know she will bring that passion and dedication to Beacon Hill as a state representative. I have known Marjorie for years and I am happy to offer my support."
Michael Capuano
U.S. Congressman“What I treasure about Marjorie are her progressive values, passion, energy, street smarts and her persistence - -as our next State Representative, both our district and our state will be in good hands... and as we all know, there is no one who will work harder on our behalf – no matter what the issue!”
Alice Wolf
State Representative"You support my positions even better than I support them. The new Justice bill. Protecting our neighbors."