Dear all,
I write to you this evening with relevant COVID-19 updates and resources.
As of today, 1320 Cambridge residents have tested positive for COVID-19 and 99 residents have passed away, according to the state’s database. Learn more here. There have been 122,202 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, and there are 443 newly reported confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state today. 1,925,618 patients have been tested, and 8,971 have passed away. Learn more here.
Today, we remember those who lost their lives on 9/11, honor the first responders who bravely risked their lives, and think of the survivors and those who lost loved ones to this tragedy.
State Action Updates
Today, the state updated its list of lower-risk states. Starting tomorrow, 9/12 Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia will no longer be classified as lower-risk states. New Mexico has been added to the list of states classified as lower-risk states. Travelers from lower-risk states are not required to fill out the Massachusetts Travel Form and do not need to quarantine.
The Health Connecter is hosting a live Zoom webinar on September 17th from 10-11AM for those who have recently lost employer-sponsored health insurance to learn about health coverage options through the Health Connector. If you are not available to attend the webinar at this time, the Health Connector has a video library with recent presentations that you can view.
MassDOT will hold a virtual public information meeting for its Statewide Exit Renumbering Project on Thursday 9/24 from 6:30-7:30PM.
Governor Baker Press Conference Updates:
Governor Baker did not hold a press conference today.
Cambridge Updates
There will be a Virtual Volpe Block Party sponsored by MIT tomorrow, 9/12 from 12:30-3PM with a pre-recorded live concert featuring Jeremy Lyons (for kids), Nephrok! AllStars and Phaedra. You can watch on CCTV, Facebook or YouTube.
NAMI Cambridge/Middlesex is holding Family Support Group online meetings on the 1st & 3rd Mondays of each month from 7-8:30PM & on the 2nd & 4th Mondays of the month from 4-5:30PM. They are free & open to those with a loved one with a mental health condition. Registration is required.
As a reminder, Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui, Superintendent Kenneth Salim, and the Cambridge Public Schools Community are hosting a preschool to 1st grade family resource fair this Saturday 9/12 from 10AM-12PM at Magazine Beach. Back to school information, computer help, safety information, and free books, backpacks, and snacks will be available.
The Cambridge Consumers’ Council will hold a free document shredding event Saturday, 9/26, from 9:30AM– 1:30PM, at Cambridge City Hall 795 Massachusetts Avenue for residents who wish to safely dispose of unwanted records.
Where to Get Tested
The City’s COVID-19 free mobile testing will resume on September 9th and will be available at the following locations:
- The Pisani Center (131 Washington St) will offer testing on Saturday, September 19 from 11AM - 7PM
You can make an appointment to be tested 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.
Where to Give
On Wednesday 9/16, three male identified Y2Y guests will be moving out of the shelter and into their own apartments and will need support to make their new living spaces their homes. First Parish in Cambridge will be accepting item donations at the church the mornings of Monday 9/14 and Tuesday 9/15. If you are interested and able to donate, you can find a list of what’s needed and sign up to contribute items on this google doc. To arrange drop off, contact clewis@firstparishcambridge.org. They are also looking for individuals with an SUV, minivan or truck to help move items from the church to the new apartments on Wednesday 9/16.
Cambridge Community Foundation President Geeta Pradhan and Michael Monestime, Executive Director of the Central Square Business Improvement District co-wrote an op-ed that describes the struggles of creative and arts and cultural institutions and the vitality of the arts and culture sector to the Cambridge economy. If you are interested in donating to address the immediate needs of the arts and culture sector and pave the way for an even stronger arts ecosystem, post-COVID-19 you can do so here.
On Fridays, Cambridge CoHousing will be collecting food for the Chelsea Food Collaborative. Drop off is between 9 AM to 3:30PM at 175 Richdale Ave, the entrance to CoHousing, either in a paper bag or small box. If you don't see someone at the moment you come, please leave it just inside the gate where we will have boxes marked “For Chelsea.”
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
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
Union of Minority Neighborhoods
As always, do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions or concerns at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov.
Sincerely,
Marjorie