Tuesday 8/25 COVID-19 Updates

Dear all,

 

I write to you this evening with relevant COVID-19 updates and resources.

 

As of today, there are 1276 Cambridge residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 and 99 residents have passed away. Learn more here. There are 116,770 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts. 1,604,752 patients have been tested, and 8,729 have passed away. Learn more here. 

 

Cambridge Updates

 

The Gold Star Mothers Pool is now open 7 days per week, from 11AM- 6:30PM. Use of the pool is free and open to Cambridge residents. Capacity is limited. You can learn more about the pool’s reopening and safety protocols worked on by the Department of Human Service Programs in collaboration with the Cambridge Public Health Department here.

 

The in-person early voting period for the September 1st Primary election is underway, and will continue tomorrow 8/26, Thursday 8/27 and Friday 8/28 from 9:30AM-5PM at the following locations:

  • Moses Youth Center – 243 Harvard Street, Main Entrance
  • Cambridge Water Department - 250 Fresh Pond Parkway
  • Valente Library – 826 Cambridge Street, Side Entrance on Berkshire Street

 

If you plan to vote in person on election day, you can view the City’s interactive polling place map to find your polling location. Some polling sites like those in high-risk facilities were temporarily relocated for the upcoming 2020 State Primary, September 1st. Polls will be open on September 1st from 7AM-8PM.

 

There is a ballot drop box at 51 Inman Street that is available daily from 8AM - 8PM. Cambridge voters who wish to hand deliver their mail-in ballot can use the drop box to do so.

 

You can find more information on voting in the 2020 elections on the City’s website.

 

Where to Get Tested

 

The Cambridge Public Health Department has expanded August dates and locations for free mobile testing for Cambridge residents:

  • Field House at Russell Field (Rindge Ave) will offer testing Wednesday 8/26 from 10AM - 6PM
  • The Pisani Center (131 Washington St) will offer testing on Saturday, 8/29 from 11AM - 7PM
  • King Open School (850 Cambridge Street), will offer testing on Thursday, August 26 and Friday, August 27 from 10AM - 6PM

 

To schedule an appointment, call 617-665-3795 or sign-up online.

 

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 Massachusetts Health Connector announced that its online application for coverage through the Connector and MassHealth is now available in Spanish.

 

Governor Baker Press Conference Updates:

 

Governor Baker held a press conference today and discussed the sales tax holiday this weekend. This weekend, nobody will have to pay the state’s 6.25% sales tax on any purchase under $2500. He also announced a new statewide campaign: My Local MA, which will run through the end of the year and will encourage residents to shop, dine out, and travel locally.

 

Where to Give

 

On Fridays throughout August, Cambridge CoHousing will be collecting food for the Chelsea Food Collaborative. Drop off is between 9 AM to 3:30PM 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:

 

Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund

 

Cambridge Health Alliance

 

Cambridge Community Foundation

 

Food for Free

 

Greater Boston Food Bank

 

Cradles to Crayons Emergency Essentials Fund

 

Enroot Emergency Immigrant Cash Assistance Fund

 

Mount Auburn Hospital

 

The One Chelsea 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

 

Prisoners’ Legal Services

 

Boston NAACP

 

Massachusetts Bail Fund

 

ACLU of Massachusetts

 

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

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