As of today there are 86 cases of COVID-19 in Cambridge. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/2J2BnQj. In Massachusetts, there are 6,620 cases of COVID-19, including 1,340 in Middlesex County. 46,935 patients have been tested for COVID-19, and 89 patients have passed away. Learn more here:https://bit.ly/2wPZH5e.
Join me TOMORROW at 4PM for a town hall to discuss a variety of topics as they relate to COVID-19. I will be joined by Dr. Assaad Sayah, CEO of the Cambridge Health Alliance, Commissioner Branville Bard of the Cambridge Police Department, Kelly Turley, Associate Director of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, Danna Mauch, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Association of Mental Health, and Monica Halas, Lead Attorney at Greater Boston Legal Services. You can participate in the town hall by:
Joining the Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/490687224,
Tuning into CCTV- Channel 9
Watching on CCTV's Facebook Live here: https://www.facebook.com/cctvcambridge/
Or heading to CCTV's Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZT3PfbqdGqkHnSt-OISv8Q
I hope that you will join and ask questions on the issues and topics that matter to you at this time.
Cambridge Updates
The City will be hosting a Considerations for Restaurants webinar with Rethink Restaurants and the City of Somerville to discuss strategies and resources for food businesses tomorrow at 3:30. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/2UTEkYH
Today, Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui and City Manager Louis DePasquale thanked Biogen for donating $1 million to the Mayor's Disaster Relief Fund.
State Action Updates
Today, Governor Baker extended his Essential Services Order until May 4th. This means that non-essential businesses must remain closed until this date. This also extends the limit on social gatherings over 10.
The stay at home advisory issued by Governor Baker last week will remain in effect. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/2Jv3FmA.
The essential services list was updated today, and will now provide more clarity around the supply chain and other essential services, add health care providers like chiropractors and optometrists, and expand types of workers that provide disinfectant and sanitation services. Also, hotels and motels can only be used for efforts related to fighting COVID-19, and cannot be booked for travel and leisure. You can find the updated list here: https://bit.ly/2WYeGER.
Public Health Updates
A Field Medical Station that will provide additional medical care capacity will be opened at the DCU Center in Worcester this week and will contain 250 beds. It will be managed by UMass Memorial.
The state is implementing a pilot project for safe, on-site testing of symptomatic residents in nursing and rest homes. This pilot will be run by the National Guard in collaboration with DPH and the Broad Institute of Cambridge.
Education Update
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has released a letter that shares remote learning recommendations and updates on other issues relating to school closures. You can find this letter in English and Spanish here: https://bit.ly/2UMIHF4.
MassDOT Update
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued a 3 month waiver for Commercial Learner's Permits. This means that CLP holders can operate commercial motor vehicles on public roads and highways without having a Commercial Driver's License holder in the front seat as long as certain conditions are met. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/39wvZQ7.
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
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