Dear all,
I write to you this evening with relevant COVID-19 updates and resources.
As of today, 1548 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 151,741 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, and there are 1,243 newly reported confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state today. 2,702,953 patients have been tested, and 9,727 have passed away. Learn more here.
Five days and counting, here is a little inspiration for what is at stake on Tuesday. Warning this video brought me to tears, but quickly called me to action. Watch here.
State Action Updates
Mass. coronavirus cases top 1,000 for 5th day; 36 deaths reported
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Massachusetts climbed by 1,137 on Wednesday, the fifth day in a row the daily tally has exceeded 1,000, the state reported. The state appeared to wrestle the virus under control this summer, but case numbers rose gradually as summer wore on and fall arrived. The numbers spiked late last week. Governor Charlie Baker has urged people to stay vigilant and said the state is better prepared for cases now than it was during the devastating springtime surge. Read more here.
Input welcome as MBTA plots out service cuts
MBTA riders will have nearly a dozen opportunities over the next month-plus to voice feedback about impending service cuts, and to complete an online survey that officials will use to help guide the inevitably unpopular decisions. The cash-strapped T scheduled 11 virtual meetings in November and early December to solicit commuter input on MBTA train, bus and ferry services as it weighs tens or hundreds of millions of dollars in cuts to close a budget deficit fueled by declining ridership. The federal government has delivered relief funds but a state revenue package for the T has idled. All meetings will be held over Zoom, and schedules and access information are available online. Two of the events, each at 6 p.m. on Nov. 19 and Dec. 2, are intended to be system-wide discussions covering any MBTA service, while the other nine are aimed at different regions where some form of T service runs. Read more here.
What You Need To Know Before You Head To The Polls On Election Day
Maybe you're not among the hundreds of thousands of voters who've already cast their ballot in Massachusetts and instead, you're looking forward to voting in-person on Election Day. If so, we've got you covered. Polls in Massachusetts open for registered voters Tuesday at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Same-day registration is not permitted in Massachusetts. Be sure to check the location of your polling place before you leave to vote, and don't forget your face covering. Voters and election workers are being encouraged to mask up and observe social distancing guidelines for public safety. Read more here.
Governor Baker Press Conference Updates:
Governor Baker did not hold a press conference today.
Cambridge Updates
In-person early voting will run from Saturday, October 17th to Friday, October 30th, at 3 locations in Cambridge:
- Longfellow Community School - 359 Broadway, rear entrance
- Cambridge Water Department - 250 Fresh Pond Parkway
- Valente Library - 826 Cambridge Street, side entrance on Berkshire Street
Scheduled hours:
- Weekdays, Monday to Friday - 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 17th, Sunday, Oct. 18th, and Sunday, Oct. 25th - 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 24th - 1:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Cambridge flu clinics are now open. The Cambridge Public Health Department is ramping up its efforts to vaccinate more residents than in previous years, with the goal of administering 10,000 flu shots this season. The flu vaccine is being donated by Cambridge Health Alliance. Cambridge residents can get a free flu shot at the health department's public clinics. The first four clinics will be held indoors on Oct. 15, Oct. 21 (two clinics), and Oct. 22 at the King Open School, 850 Cambridge Street in the Wellington-Harrington neighborhood. Outdoor clinics will be held on Oct. 28-29 at Starlight Square (the parking lot at the corner of Norfolk St. and Bishop Allen Dr. in Central Square) and at Danehy Park/Fresh Pond Plaza on Nov. 14. Flu shot appointments are required this year. To schedule an appointment online, go to https://cphd-flu-2020.as.me. The City's Flu Clinic Call Center at 617-349-9788 will open next week for those who wish to make appointments by phone. You can learn more about the clinics here.
Contactless Holds Pickup Service hours at the O'Neill Branch, 70 Rindge Ave., Cambridge have been extended. The new schedule, which will go into effect on Wednesday, October 7, is as follows:
Wednesdays, 1:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Thursdays, 11:00 a.m.- 5:30 p.m.
Fridays, 11:00 a.m.- 5:30 p.m.
Where to Get Tested
Testing appointments through the City's free mobile-testing program are now available at the following locations:
- John the Evangelist Church, located at 2270 Massachusetts Avenue, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28.
- There is no testing on Saturday October 31 at the Pisani Center, located at 131 Washington Street. Testing will resume next Saturday. Please stay tuned for updates.
You can schedule an appointment online or by calling 617-665-3795.
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 3:30 PM 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