As of today, there are 875 Cambridge residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 and 74 residents have passed away. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/2J2BnQj. There are 83,421 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, including 18,683 in Middlesex County. 435,679 tests have been performed, and 5,592 patients have passed away. Learn more here:https://bit.ly/3dQ8uUC.
Today, the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, of which I serve as House Chair, favorably reported out An Act relative to preventing overdose deaths and increasing access to treatment, which would authorize the Department of Public Health to establish at least two supervised consumption sites as part of a 10-year pilot program. This legislation addresses the public health issue of substance use disorder and sends the message to those faced with the disease of addiction that we see you, we value you, and we want you to live.
Cambridge Updates
Grant and loan applications are now available to small businesses through the Mayor's Disaster Relief Fund and the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority. Grants through the Mayor's Disaster Relief Fund will be for up to $10,000, and businesses that have been more severely affected by the impact of COVID-19 will be prioritized. Cambridge Redevelopment Authority loans will have 0% interest and will be awarded up to $15,000 to small businesses that have qualified to participate in the Mayor's Disaster Relief Fund. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/2Z4zAU1.
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
The executive order closing "non-essential" businesses that was set to expire at midnight on Sunday has been extended by 24 hours. The Reopening Advisory Board will release its report and recommendations for a phased reopening on Monday. No one should assume that additional businesses beyond the currently deemed essential business will be open on Monday. We have pressed the Governor for more details, and the best we understand is to be prepared for a report back on Monday for more details on the 4-phase re-opening.
The state has launched a website with a map of all of the COVID-19 testing sites in the state. You can find it here: https://bit.ly/2Z5C3NQ.
MassDOT Updates
The RMV has cancelled all scheduled passenger road tests through Monday, May 18th. No additional tests beyond that have been scheduled at this time. Road tests will resume when they can be performed safely in accordance with public health guidelines and priority will be given to those who had their tests cancelled. For updates on RMV services during COVID, you can visit this website: http://bit.ly/2x1ryzg.
Where to give
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 affected by COVID-19:
Mayor's Disaster Relief Fund: https://bit.ly/3bgTBJU
Cambridge Health Alliance: https://bit.ly/2vWegUB
Cambridge Community Foundation: https://bit.ly/33ImGeE
Food for Free: https://bit.ly/3afFuEE
Greater Boston Food Bank: https://www.gbfb.org/
Cradles to Crayons Emergency Essentials Fund: https://bit.ly/2WHOD4V
Enroot Emergency Immigrant Cash Assistance Fund: https://bit.ly/2y7bBIe
Mt. Auburn Hospital: https://bit.ly/3dxfEx4
The One Chelsea Fund: https://bit.ly/2W6dGO7
As always, do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions or concerns at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov.
Sincerely,
Marjorie