As of today, there are 884 Cambridge residents who have tested positive for COVID-19, and 74 residents have passed away. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/2J2BnQj. There are 84,933 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts, including 18,883 in Middlesex County. 448,089 tests have been performed, and 5,705 patients have passed away. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/2TaGLX5.
Save the Date
I will be hosting a town hall on the reopening of our economy this Wednesday 5/20 at 4PM. You can register for the Zoom here: https://bit.ly/2Kelp6l or join in by watching CCTV Channel 9 or Facebook Live. Please submit questions you have ahead of time to Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov, or submit them in the Q&A chat during the town hall. I hope to see you there.
Cambridge Updates
Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui and City Manager Louis DePasquale filmed another episode of "Ask the Mayor and City Manager." It will air on 22-Cityview at 6PM on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. You can also watch it online here: https://bit.ly/3dV6Lh8.
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
Governor Baker did not hold a press conference today.
Crisis and Emergency Risk Communications Principles
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, I have regularly utilized the Six Principles of Crisis and Emergency Risk Communications, developed by Barbara Reynolds, Ph.D., when communicating, whether it be when responding to emails or through my daily COVID newsletters. These principles may be of use to you when communicating with others about the pandemic as well.
- Be first: If the information is yours to provide by organizational authority-do so as soon as possible. If you can't then either explain why you can't (e.g., it's classified) or explain the process you are using to get needed information to those involved.
- Be Right: Give facts in increments. Tell people what you know when you know it, tell them what you don't know, and tell them if you will know relevant information later.
- Be Credible: Tell the truth. Do not withhold to avoid embarrassment or the possible "panic" that seldom happens. Uncertainty is worse than not knowing-rumors are more damaging than hard truths.
- Express Empathy: Acknowledge in words what people are feeling-it builds trust. "We understand this is worrisome"
- Promote Action: Give people things to do. It calms anxiety and helps restore order.
- Show Respect: Treat people the way you want to be treated-the way you want your loved ones treated- always-even when hard decisions must be communicated.
You can learn more about CERC Principles here: https://bit.ly/2LBENKV.
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:
While the Mayor's Disaster Relief Fund has paused on accepting applications from residents for personal aid, the City is still fundraising to assist residents in need and reopen applications soon. You can donate here: https://bit.ly/2X0hmR2.
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