Dear all,
I write to you this evening with relevant COVID-19 updates and resources. As of writing this email, the House continues its second day of deliberations on the police reform bill.
As of today, there are 1161 Cambridge residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 and 99 residents have passed away. Learn more here. As of today, there are 107,683 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, including 25,123 in Middlesex County. 1,079,288 patients had been tested, and 8,265 have passed away. Learn more here.
Cambridge Updates
Today, City Manager Louis DePasquale and Commissioner of Public Health Assaad J. Sayah, MD announced that starting this Saturday 7/25, customers will be permitted to bring reusable bags to retail establishments for use at checkout. Retail establishments are prohibited from charging the 10 cent fee for paper bags or compostable bags at checkout until August 10th.
City Manager Louis DePasquale and Commissioner of Public Health Assaad J. Sayah, MD also announced amendments to the city's emergency order establishing a moratorium on eviction enforcement and issued new requirements for real estate showings of occupied units. This order will continue to prohibit forcible eviction within the City until further notice and applies to commercial and residential evictions.
The Cambridge Women’s Center will reopen on Monday August 3rd to provide outdoor programming, offering laptops & wifi, resource referrals, and a safe community space in their backyard as well as walk up services providing food & material assistance. Those going to the Women’s Center must wear a mask at all times, and masks can be provided.
The Cambridge Public Library will be eliminating overdue fines for the late return or renewal of materials and eliminating lost or damaged item fees for children’s and young adult materials.
Where to get tested:
During the month of July, the Cambridge Public Health Department is offering free mobile testing for all Cambridge residents in North Cambridge, The Port, East Cambridge, and Harvard Square one day each week during designated hours. Currently, all appointments for the month of July at these sites have been booked.
Testing will be available at the Pisani Center on Saturdays 7/25 and 8/1 from 11AM-7PM to help meet the demand of the waitlist. You can schedule an appointment online or by calling 617-665-3795.
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.
State Action Updates
The House is continuing to debate H.4860. I am proud that the House adopted amendment 148 filed by Representative Kay Khan and myself. This amendment would prohibit police officers from engaging in any sexual contact, including indecent assault and battery, with an individual who is under arrest, in custody, or otherwise detained by clarifying that individuals cannot consent to sexual relations when they are in the custody or control of law enforcement and ensure that consistent penalties are maintained. It is abundantly clear that an individual in police custody is in no position to consent to sexual contact, and it’s time that the law reflects that. Thank you to Speaker DeLeo, Representative Aaron Michlewitz, Representative Kay Khan, and Representative Claire Cronin for your support.
Today, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released transportation and facilities and operations guidance to supplement its initial Fall Reopening Memo. The information in these documents is subject to change depending on COVID-19 trends and medical research.
Governor Baker Press Conference
Governor Baker did not hold a press conference today.
Where to Give
Tomorrow, Cambridge CoHousing will be collecting food to go to Chelsea on Saturday. Drop off is between 10 AM to 4PM 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 at annert@gmail.com if you have any questions or would like to make a drop off at a different time.
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