As of today, there are 119 cases of COVID-19 in Cambridge. Learn more here:https://bit.ly/2J2BnQj. There are 8,966 cases in Massachusetts, including 1,870 in Middlesex County. 56,608 patients have been tested, and 154 have passed away. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3aGODGn.
Today, myself, Senator Paul Feeney, Representative Daniel Donahue, Senator Adam Hinds, and many of our colleagues sent a letter to Governor Baker asking for a statewide suspension of regular construction activity in the state starting tomorrow, April 3rd, and continuing through May 4th.
Cambridge Updates
Today, the City of Cambridge confirmed that the Temporary Construction Moratorium will remain in place and released guidance to contractors that are approved to work during the moratorium. You can learn more here: https://bit.ly/2JFEGwR.
Multilingual resources are always available on the City of Cambridge's website. This includes translated information on city resources and about COVID-19. You can find them here: https://bit.ly/2wKXAzA.
State Action Updates
The Governor's administration has identified the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, the Joint Base of Cape Cod, the MassMutual Building in Springfield, and other smaller locations as possible sites for Field Medical stations.
The COVID-19 Response Command Center will secure 1000 beds for step-down care options in nursing facilities for COVID-19 patients who are stabilized. This will help to make room for patients with higher needs in hospitals. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3aFgery.
Public Health Updates
The surge of COVID-19 cases is expected to happen between April 10th and 20th, and the number of confirmed COVID cases could range from 47,000 to 172,000. You can see the Command Center Projections Chart here: https://bit.ly/2X2CKXd.
The Boston Medical Center Grayken Center for Addiction has a comprehensive page with COVID-19 Recovery Resources. It includes general substance use disorder resources, individual resources, homelessness resources, and information on virtual support meetings. You can find it here: https://bit.ly/2JzaOlY.
DCR Update
Select seasonal state parks will open early, and there will be expanded access at other parks to provide more open space opportunities for residents to utilize. You can find the list of parks here: https://bit.ly/2R6GlQp.
Today, the Governor issued an emergency order requiring that all coastal beach parking areas managed by DCR should close by noon tomorrow to reduce large concentrations of people at beaches. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3aCqO2A.
Where to donate:
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 impacted by COVID-19:
Mayor's Disaster Relief Fund: https://bit.ly/3bgTBJU
Cambridge Health Alliance: https://bit.ly/2vWegUB
Cambridge Community Foundation: https://bit.ly/33ImGeE
Food for Free: https://bit.ly/3afFuEE
Greater Boston Food Bank: https://www.gbfb.org/
Cradles to Crayons Emergency Essentials Fund:https://bit.ly/2WHOD4V
Enroot Emergency Immigrant Cash Assistance Fund:https://bit.ly/2y7bBIe
Homestart's Community Housing Assistance Fund: https://bit.ly/2JBtode East End House's COVID-19 Emergency Fund: https://bit.ly/3bM8zHV
If you are interested in seeing previous COVID-19 updates, you can find them here: https://www.decker4rep.com/news/ As always, do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions or concerns at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov.
Sincerely,
Marjorie