As of today there are 140 cases of COVID-19 in Cambridge. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/2J2BnQj. There are 11,736 cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts including 2,468 in Middlesex County. 68,800 patients have been tested, and 216 have passed away. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3bS8J0q. Middlesex County, the state's most populous county, has been the hardest hit so far.
I'm putting together a volunteer team to make check-in calls to senior citizens in our community to ensure that all have the resources that they need to stay well during this challenging time. If you are interested in volunteering your time and making calls, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/1P2QTagpC8by69HHA.
Cambridge Updates
Grocery stores are required to offer shopping hours for those over 60, and some in the Cambridge area are now offering shopping hours for those who are immunocompromised, have disabilities, or are otherwise at a high risk for contracting COVID-19. This includes Stop & Shop stores, Starmarket stores, and Trader Joes. You can learn more here: https://www.cambridgema.gov/covid19/food
Many city residents are currently participating in the Cambridge, MA area Bear Hunt. You can put a stuffed bear in your window for children and families in Cambridge to spot while on bear scavenger hunts. If you are interested in participating, or seeing a map of where bears can be spotted, go here: https://sites.google.com/view/bearhunt/home?authuser=0.
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:
Particular concern lies with our nursing home population whose percentage of positive cases continues to climb at high rates. This has resulted in the state suspending plans to move residents in a nursing home in Wilmington, where 51 of the 98 residents tested positive, to a new location to free beds for COVID-19 patients.
This weekend marks the first that restaurants in the state can sell beer and wine with food takeout and delivery services.
Federal Action Updates:
The CDC has recommended wearing a cloth mask in public settings where it is difficult to maintain social distancing (i.e. the grocery store or a pharmacy), as there are many COVID-19 carriers who are asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic who can spread the virus to others. You can learn more and watch a video on how to make your own face covering here: https://bit.ly/3aII2vh.
Where to donate:
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 impacted by COVID-19:
Mayor's Disaster Relief Fund: https://bit.ly/3bgTBJU
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
Homestart's Community Housing Assistance Fund: https://bit.ly/2JBtode
East End House's COVID-19 Emergency Fund: https://bit.ly/3bM8zHV
If you are interested in seeing previous COVID-19 updates, you can find them here: https://www.decker4rep.com/news/ As always, do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions or concerns at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov.
Sincerely,
Marjorie