Dear all,
I write to you this evening with relevant COVID-19 updates and resources.
As of today, there are 1133 Cambridge residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 and 98 residents have passed away. Learn more here. There are 106,487 cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, including 24,738 in Middlesex County. 1,008,195 patients have been tested, and 8,184 have passed away. Learn more here.
Cambridge Updates
Tomorrow, 7/18, there will be another protest outside of the Whole Foods Alewife store from 5-6PM. Those organizing are hoping to draw a larger crowd for this protest. Those protesting are asked to wear black, carry a sign, and tell Whole Foods that we want them to listen to their employees. Whole Foods workers are still not allowed to wear face coverings that say “Black Lives Matter.” A constituent recently shared that a team leader at the Fresh Pond store asked protesters to leave the parking lot for violating a “no soliciting” policy while local police officers looked on, an action against peaceful protestors and a demonstration of bad faith which shows that corporate leadership does not support Black Lives Matter. I have written a letter that I will be sending to leadership at Whole Foods, and will post this letter on social media to read.
Where to get tested:
During the month of July, the Cambridge Public Health Department is offering free mobile testing for all Cambridge residents in North Cambridge, The Port, East Cambridge, and Harvard Square one day each week during designated hours. Currently, all appointments for the month of July at these sites have been booked.
Testing will be available at the Pisani Center on Saturdays 7/18, 7/25, and 8/1 from 11AM-7PM to help meet the demand of the waitlist. You can schedule an appointment online or by calling 617-665-3795.
If you are feeling symptomatic and feel the need to get tested sooner, you can call your primary care provider to make an appointment to be tested.
Translation Resources Available:
Multilingual city resources and information on COVID-19 are available on the City’s multilingual help page.
State Action Updates
In June, the Massachusetts unemployment rate increased to 17.4%, which is the highest in the country. The May unemployment rate in Massachusetts was 16.6%, and the national unemployment rate is currently 11.1%.
Visitation has resumed at four Department of Correction (DOC) facilities: Northeastern Correctional Center (NECC) in West Concord, Pondville Correctional Center in Norfolk, South Middlesex Correctional Center in Framingham, and Boston Pre-Release Center in Roslindale. All facilities are minimum-security or pre-release facilities.
As a reminder, all travelers arriving in Massachusetts, including Massachusetts residents returning home, are instructed to self-quarantine for 14 days, unless they are travelling from Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, New York, and New Jersey. All persons are instructed not to travel to Massachusetts if they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
Governor Baker Press Conference Updates:
Today, Governor Baker held a press conference in southeastern Massachusetts to discuss efforts to reduce flooding in the region. He reminded people to respect the COVID-19 virus as the state continues to fight the pandemic.
Nonprofit Highlight
Today, I would like to highlight Project Restore Us, a coalition of volunteer leaders working to aid working immigrant families with significant barriers to food access by teaming up with restaurants. You can donate to Project Restore Us or volunteer with them to help deliver groceries.
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