Dear all,
I write to you this evening with relevant COVID-19 updates and resources.
As of today, there are 1215 Cambridge residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 and 99 residents have passed away. Learn more here. There are 111,533 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, including 26,156 in Middlesex County. 1,262,877 patients have been tested, and 8,470 have passed away. Learn more here.
I would like to acknowledge the explosion in Beirut Lebanon, one of the biggest non-nuclear explosions in history. My heart and prayers are with the people of Lebanon as the death toll continues to climb, and over 300,000 people have been displaced. If you are able to give, please consider donating to the Lebanese Red Cross which is helping to provide needed relief.
Cambridge Updates
There will be a Kids Books to Go event at the Valente Branch of the Cambridge Public Library, 826 Cambridge Street, this Saturday 8/8 from 11AM-2PM. There will be additional Kids Books to Go events throughout August:
- Wednesday 8/12, 11AM–2PM at the Central Square Branch, 45 Pearl Street
- Wednesday 8/19, 12-3PM at the Boudreau Branch, 245 Concord Avenue
- Monday 8/24, 2-5PM at the Collins Branch, 64 Aberdeen Avenue
- Friday 8/28, 11AM- 2PM at the O’Connell Branch, 48 Sixth Street
You can now view a map or list of proposed additions to the City’s Shared Streets initiative. The City will collect feedback on the proposed Shared Streets network through Monday August 17th.
The Cambridge Historical Commission will host an event “Lifting up Cambridge Womxn's History: Womxn Take the Streets” on Wednesday 8/12 from 7-8:30 PM. Conversation will be centered around how to create more just and equitable public spaces in Cambridge and Councillor E. Denise Simmons, Professor Catherine D'Ignazio, Director of the MIT DataFeminism Lab, and MIT and Harvard Urban Planning students, Clara Amenyo, Osamu Kumasaka, & Lenna Johnsen will join.
Where to get tested:
During the month of August there will be free mobile testing for Cambridge residents provided by the Cambridge Public Health Department at the following location:
- The Pisani Center will offer testing on Saturday, August 8 11AM-7PM
To schedule an appointment, call 617-665-3795 or sign-up online.
Testing capacity will be increasing throughout the month. The City will release appointment slots one week at a time to avoid no-shows, which have been increasingly occurring.
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
Today, the state had its highest single-day death toll among confirmed cases in at least the last month. I would like to remind you to please continue to follow public health guidance and directives. You can find useful information on stopping the spread of COVID-19, quarantining and self monitoring, what to do if you are sick, and more on the state’s website.
As a reminder, effective tomorrow, Friday 8/7, the state of Rhode Island is removed from the list of lower-risk states for the state’s new travel order. This means that all travelers arriving in Massachusetts from Rhode Island will have to fill out a form, quarantine for 14 days, or produce a negative COVID test. There are exemptions that apply for regular commuters.
Governor Baker Press Conference Updates:
Governor Baker did not hold a press conference today.
Where to Give
On Fridays throughout August, Cambridge CoHousing will be collecting food for the Chelsea Food Collaborative. 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.”
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
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