Dear all,
I write to you this evening with relevant COVID-19 updates and resources.
As of today,1401 Cambridge residents have tested positive for COVID-19 and 100 residents have passed away, according to the state's database. Learn more here.There have been 130,461 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, and there are 708 newly reported confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state today. 2,252,361 patients have been tested, and 9,242 have passed away. Learn more here.
State Action Updates
About 3500 of Boston School Districts 50,000 students returned to the classroom today. They were prioritized for in person learning because of their high needs, including complex disabilities, homelessness, limited background in English, interrupted education, or involvement with child protective services.
Governor Baker Press Conference Updates:
Governor Baker did not hold a press conference today.
Cambridge Updates
In its ongoing efforts to identify ways to better serve the community, the City of Cambridge is currently conducting its biennial Resident Opinion Survey. The survey, which has been conducted since 2000, serves as an important evaluation tool that enables residents to rate city services and offer input on what the City of Cambridge does well and where it can make improvements. The online survey closes October 5, 2020.
The Cambridge Community Development Department, Housing Division is accepting applications for the City's Middle-Income Rental Program, which is designed for households that earn between 80% and 120% of Area Median Income. Those who apply will be added to a waiting pool to fill vacant units.
Where to Get Tested
Testing appointments through the City's free mobile-testing program are now available at the following locations:
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King Open School, 850 Cambridge Street, 10AM-12PM on Tuesday, October 6 and Thursday, October 8.
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Pisani Center, 131 Washington Street, 11AM-7PM, on October 3 and 10.
You can schedule an appointment online or by calling 617-665-3795.
The state's Stop the Spread initiative provides no-cost testing in communities across the state that have continued to see a higher number of residents testing positive for COVID-19. Stop the Spread testing sites are open to ALL Massachusetts residents and are not restricted to residents of the cities where sites are located. You do not need to have any symptoms to be tested. Find more information about locations and hours here. Current Stop the Spread communities are: Brockton, Chelsea, Everett, Fall River, Framingham, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lynn, Marlborough, Methuen, New Bedford, Randolph, Revere, Salem, Saugus, Springfield, Winthrop, and Worcester.
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 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:
I also encourage you to donate to the following organizations that are engaging in racial justice work:
As always, do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions or concerns at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov.
Sincerely,
Marjorie