| Dear all,
I write to you this evening with relevant COVID-19 updates and resources. As of today, there are 1074 Cambridge residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 and 97 residents have passed away. Learn more here. There are 106,650 cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, including 23,464 in Middlesex County. 746,162 patients have been tested, and 7,800 have passed away. Learn more here. I appreciate the recognition Juneteenth is receiving today. Some businesses and organizations have chosen to close in honor of this historic day. There have been reflections, observances and activities around the state. In reflection of the historic context it is the reminder that well over two years after emancipation, African Americans were still enslaved until this day in Texas in 1865. I commit to actions, budget proposals, laws and policies that measure my real appreciation for a day that represents the human rights violations of kidnapped and enslaved people whose roots were severed from their families and homelands. African Americans continue to suffer the crippling effects of white supremacy and are systemically disadvantaged in every field, from healthcare outcomes to educational opportunities, economic security and police brutality. Today, Juneteenth is a solemn reminder of the shameful roots of the birth of our nation and a call to redress and dismantle racial oppression. Town Hall Next Wednesday at 4PM I will be holding a town hall on children's behavioral health. Many parents are attempting to deal with screen time, boredom, and anxiety through the pandemic. Please send any questions you have on this topic to me via email at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov or submit them in the Q&A chat during the town hall. You can sign up for the Zoom here or join by watching CCTV channel 9 or Facebook Live. Thanks to CCTV, you can find recordings of the weekly town halls I have been holding on COVID-19 related issues here. Cambridge Updates There will be a March for Black Lives demonstration tomorrow at 4PM on Cambridge Common. There will be speakers followed by a march through Harvard Square to Central Square, where speeches will be given in front of City Hall. The march will then continue to the Cambridge Police Station. The Cambridge Summer Food Program begins this Monday, June 22nd. Free bagged breakfast and lunch will be available to youth age 18 and younger on weekdays from 12-1PM at eight locations across the City. The City has added data on COVID-19 deaths among Cambridge residents by race and ethnicity to its COVID-19 dashboard. The 13th annual Make Music Harvard Square is happening virtually this weekend. Performances will be shown live online from 8PM Friday, June 19th until 10PM Sunday, June 21st. Where to get tested: Cambridge residents age 8 or older can get tested at the following location free of charge regardless of insurance or immigration status: CHA East Cambridge Care Center
Translation Resources Available: Multilingual city resources and information on COVID-19 are available on the City's multilingual help page. State Action Updates Today, Governor Baker filed a $5.25 billion interim spending bill that approves funding expenses to cover the month of July at the same funding level that was approved for FY2020. Governor Baker Press Conference Updates: Governor Baker announced that step two of phase two of the Commonwealth's four-phase reopening plan will begin this Monday 6/22. Indoor table service at restaurants, close-contact personal services (with restrictions), retail dressing rooms (by appointment), and offices at 50% capacity will be allowed to reopen. 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: Cambridge Community Foundation Cradles to Crayons Emergency Essentials Fund Enroot Emergency Immigrant Cash Assistance Fund I also encourage you to donate to the following organizations that are engaging in racial justice work: Louis D. Brown Peace Institute Families for Justice as Healing As always, do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions or concerns at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov. Sincerely, Marjorie |