Dear all,
I write to you this evening with relevant COVID-19 updates and resources.
As of today, there are 1087 Cambridge residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 and 97 residents have passed away. Learn more here. There are 107,837 cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, including 23,741 in Middlesex County. 800,541 patients have been tested, and 7,963 have passed away.Learn more here.
Town Hall
Thanks to CCTV, you can view recordings of the town halls I have held on COVID-19 related issues, including yesterday’s town hall on children’s behavioral health.
Cambridge Updates
There will be a Household Hazardous Waste collection day at 50 Mooney Street this Saturday June 27th between 9AM-1PM.
Where to get tested:
The final day of COVID-19 testing at the CHA East Cambridge Center is tomorrow, Friday 6/26. Cambridge residents age 8 or older can get tested at the CHA East Cambridge Center free of charge regardless of insurance or immigration status. To schedule an appointment, call 617-665-2928.
Starting next week and running through the month of July, the Cambridge Public Health Department will offer mobile testing in North Cambridge, The Port and East Cambridge one day each week during designated hours.
Translation Resources Available:
Multilingual city resources and information on COVID-19 are available on the City’s multilingual help page.
State Action Updates
Today, the Office of Attorney General Maura Healey circulated an advisory to small businesses which answers questions about the Paycheck Protection Program and provides information on how to apply for it.
Governor Baker Press Conference Updates:
Today, Governor Baker announced that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has released initial guidance for reopening schools this fall. Districts will be required to submit plans for in-school learning, hybrid learning, and all remote learning. If returning in person, teachers and students second grade and older will be required to wear face coverings and desks will need to be spaced at least 3 feet apart and face forward. The Administration is making approximately $200M from the state's federal Coronavirus Relief Fund available to schools.
I find the recommendations deeply concerning and am asking for explanation regarding the fact that the 3 ft recommendation is contradictory to public safety protocols for a minimum of 6 ft. We needed to be committed to getting kids back to school safely, not skirting the public protocols. I will keep you updated.
Where to Give
Tomorrow, Cambridge CoHousing will again be collecting food to go to Chelsea on Saturday. Drop off is between 10AM and 4:30PM 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".
WHAT IS MOST NEEDED:
- bags of rice
- Pasta
- dried beans
- cereal (none sweetened)
- Tuna
- canned soups
- canned tomatoes and tomato sauce
- diapers and wipes
- pet food
Please no fresh foods -- those are supplied by a generous food producer
Also, no desserts, high sugar foods, or chips. THANK YOU!
Here is the LINK to the Chelsea Food Collaborative which this effort is supporting. Another option is to make a financial donation, via link at top of page.
Please email Anne Tonachel (annert@gmail.com) or Polly Attwood (polly.attwood@gmail.com) if you have any questions.
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
Enroot Emergency Immigrant Cash Assistance 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
As always, do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions or concerns at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov.
Sincerely,
Marjorie