Dear all,
I write to you this evening with relevant COVID-19 updates and resources.
As of today, there are 1097 Cambridge residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 and 97 residents have passed away. Learn more here. There are 108,882 cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, including 23,962 in Middlesex County. 837,147 patients have been tested, and 8,095 have passed away. Learn more here.
Town Hall
Join me tomorrow at 4PM for my 14th and final COVID-19 town hall for the time being. Some of you may have joined me over the years when I've invited the community to come together with our community leaders for a communal reading of the Declaration of Independence and Frederick Douglass's Speech "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" This year, while we will not gather together in person, please join us as we gather virtually to share a collective reading of a historical document that has defined the idea of what this country espoused to be and is a sobering reminder of how short we continue to fall. The collective power of gathering as a community, facing our history and being accountable for our failures can also be an opportunity that empowers us to reflect and take action, change laws, vote on budgets and become the country, state and city that moves beyond words and evolves.
You can register for the Zoom or join in by watching CCTV Channel 9 or Facebook Live. I hope that you will join.
Thanks to CCTV, you can find recordings of all previous town halls here.
Cambridge Updates
The City has created a phase 2 reopening survey to ask small business owners about their experiences and their needs during the reopening process.
Cambridge nonprofit organizations can begin applying for COVID-19 Emergency Recovery grants tomorrow, 7/1. There are up to 100 grants available, and the application deadline is 7/10.
There will be a traffic pattern change in Inman Square starting tomorrow, 7/1, to allow for outdoor dining space on the north and south sides of Cambridge St between Springfield St and Oak St, and on the north side of Cambridge St between Oakland St and Prospect St.
As a reminder, starting tomorrow, July 1st, you must move your vehicle for street cleaning.
The City has been recognized as one of 16 cities to achieve a 2020 What Works Cities Certification at the silver level. This certification evaluates how effectively cities are managed by measuring the extent to which city leaders incorporate data and evidence in their decision-making.
Where to get tested:
During the month of July, the Cambridge Public Health Department will offer free mobile testing for all Cambridge residents in North Cambridge, The Port, East Cambridge, and Harvard Square one day each week during designated hours:
- North Cambridge - Wednesdays, 11AM-3PM, Jefferson Park clinic at 266-B Rindge Avenue
- Harvard Square - Wednesdays, 4PM-6PM, First Church Cambridge at 11 Garden Street
- East Cambridge - Thursdays, 12PM-4PM, Millers Rivers Apartment at 661 Cambridge Street
- The Port - Thursdays, 5PM-8PM, Pisani Center at 131 Washington Street
Testing will be done by appointment only. 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.
State Action Updates
Today, the House of Representatives met in a formal session. The House passed H.4818 An Act to Reduce Racial Disparities in Maternal Health, accepted a conference committee report on H.4820 An Act relative to voting options in response to COVID-19 relative to voting options in response to COVID-19, and enacted H.4803 An Act financing improvements to municipal roads and bridges.
Governor Baker Press Conference Updates:
Today, Governor Baker announced updated travel restrictions that will take effect tomorrow, 7/1. All travelers arriving in Massachusetts, including residents who are returning home, are instructed to self-quarantine for 14-days. This does not apply to those travelling from Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, New York or New Jersey and workers designated by the federal government as essential critical infrastructure workers. Any travelers displaying COVID-19 symptoms are instructed not to travel to Massachusetts.
Where to Give
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:
I also encourage you to donate to the following organizations that are engaging in racial justice work:
As always, do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions or concerns at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov.
Sincerely,
Marjorie