Monday 8/17 COVID-19 Updates
As of today, there are 1,258 Cambridge residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 and 99 residents have passed away. Learn more here. There are 114,611 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts. 1,456,112 patients have been tested, and 8,611 have passed away. Learn more here.
Cambridge Updates
The Cambridge Election Commission announced the relocation of 14 polling sites in response to COVID-19. If a voter's polling site has been relocated, the new polling location will be in the same ward and precinct or near their regular polling place. There will be signs posted at the regular polling sites directing voters to the temporary polling sites as well. You can find a polling place map and a polling place PDF on the City's website.
As a reminder, people in Lebanon are still recovering from the devastating explosions in Beirut .I would like to thank everyone who has reached out to ask about our family in Lebanon. We have family and friends who were impacted by the explosions. We continue to think and worry about the security, peace and health of the people of Lebanon. We know over 300,000 people were immediately displaced and that 200 people (and counting) who have lost their lives with many more grieving and suffering this loss of loved ones. We know the suffering will continue to grow to the destruction that impacted hospitals and clinics. For those who have emailed me or texted our family asking for suggestions of where to donate in support of this recovery I am offering two places to consider making a donation. . If you are able to give, please consider donating to the Lebanese Red Cross and The Order of Malta Lebanon
As a reminder, the Cambridge Public Schools meals application for free and reduced price meals for students is open. New applications are required every year. Even if your child will be attending school at home, you can apply.
The City of Cambridge is continuing to offer free 90-day Bluebikes passes to essential workers employed at grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, and local retail shops. Those with passes can take as many trips as they would like during the 90-day period. Register here.
- Field House at Russell Field (Rindge Ave) will offer testing Wednesday 8/19 and Wednesday 8/26 from 10AM - 8PM
- The Pisani Center (131 Washington St) will offer testing on Saturday, 8/22 and Saturday, 8/29 from 11AM - 7PM
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.
Multilingual city resources and information on COVID-19 are available on the City's multilingual help page.
State Action Updates
On Wednesday 8/19 from 4-5PM the Health Connector will host a live webinar to help residents who have lost their employer-sponsored health insurance learn about health coverage options through the Health Connector. You can learn more and register for the webinar here.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance has been extended an additional 7 weeks for all claimants, and the maximum duration is now 46 weeks instead of 39 weeks. Traditional UI claimants may be eligible for extended benefits of up to up to 13 weeks. Regular unemployment insurance claimants who are eligible to apply for extended benefits will receive notification. PUA claimants do not need to do anything to receive the additional 7 weeks and will receive a notice through the PUA system that their benefits have been extended.
Hawaii has been added to the list of states covered by the state's COVID-19 travel order. Anyone traveling from Hawaii to Massachusetts must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival or provide results of a negative COVID-19 test taken at most 72 hours before arriving in Massachusetts.
Governor Baker did not hold a press conference today.
Union of Minority Neighborhoods
As always, do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions or concerns at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov