Dear all,
I write to you this evening with relevant COVID-19 updates and resources.
As of today, there are 1234 Cambridge residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 and 99 residents have passed away. Learn more here. There are 112,969 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, including 26,565 in Middlesex County. 1,337,606 patients have been tested, and 8,529 have passed away. Learn more here.
Cambridge Updates
The Cambridge Elections Commission has announced mail-in and in-person voting options, the temporary relocation of polling sites, and designated early voting locations, dates, and hours for the state primary election.
This Thursday, 8/13 at 6PM City Councilor Denise Simmons and Cambridge School Committee Vice-Chair Manikka Bowman will lead a conversation “Women's Suffrage: 100 Years and Still Waiting” honoring the tireless dedication of Black women and women of color whose work has shaped history. You can join on Zoom or watch on CCTV Channel 8.
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 locations:
- Jefferson Park Clinic (266-B Rindge Ave) on Wednesday, August 12th 10AM-8PM
- The Pisani Center (131 Washington St) on Saturday, August 15th 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 RMV announced that it is extending its promotional opportunity for future free REAL ID upgrades. Those who renew their standard license or ID online will have their $25 REAL ID upgrade fee waived upon future return visit to a Service Center. There are limited in-person reservation appointments now available in RMV Service Centers for customers, but the RMV asks that those who can renew online please do so.
The RMV also announced that it is extending the ability for junior operators with a learner’s permit to complete an additional 6 hours of supervised driving hours with a parent, guardian or other adult age 21+ with a valid license for over a year, for a total of 46 hours of supervised driving, in lieu of the 6-hour requirement for observing another student driver. It is also extending the ‘grace period’ requirement for vehicle registration transfers after a vehicle purchase from 7 days to 21 days.
Governor Baker Press Conference Updates:
Today, Governor Baker announced that his administration has released new additional data on community level spread of COVID-19 in order to target resources and implement community specific strategies to stop the spread.
Cities and towns across the state have now been designated as higher risk, moderate risk, or lower risk communities. These statuses will be updated weekly on Wednesdays as part of the Department of Public Health’s weekly public health dashboard. There are currently 33 communities across the state that fall into the yellow and red higher risk categories (more than 4 cases of COVID-19 per 100,000).
The state will be adding additional metrics to the COVID-19 daily dashboard. These metrics will include positive and negative antigen and serology tests reported to the Department of Public Health.
Secretary Sudders recommended face coverings in the home in the communities with the highest presence of COVID-19 (Chelsea, Everett, Lynn, and Revere) if someone lives with you who has a compromised immune system, and you are going out into the community.
Governor Baker also stated that he cannot imagine why school districts that are in green municipalities that meet all of the benchmarks wouldn't have kids back in school in-person.
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