Dear all,
I write to you this evening with relevant COVID-19 updates and resources.
As of today, there are 1067 Cambridge residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 and 95 residents have passed away. Learn more here. There are 106,151 cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, including 23,346 in Middlesex County. 727,549 patients have been tested, and 7,734 have passed away. Learn more here.
Earlier today, I sent a newsletter with behavioral health resources that may be of use during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the resources listed in that email, I’d like to highlight the Home Base Program at Massachusetts General Hospital, which provides resources and services to active duty service members, veterans, and their families.
Today is the five year anniversary of the Charleston Church shooting. Nine Black churchgoers were killed by a white supremacist who was safely escorted by police without incident while being arrested. Today I reflect on this with an understanding that there is much more work we need to do to address racism and white supremacy in our country and also to institute common sense gun reform.
Town Hall
Today I held a town hall focused on racial justice. Thank you to the Chair of the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus Representative Carlos González, Cambridge Police Commissioner Branville Bard, and Lisa Laguerre, Associate Director of Community Relations for the Institute on Race and Justice at Northeastern University for joining me for this important conversation. Every legislator has the responsibility to address the structural racism and white supremacy that has put communities of color at a disadvantage throughout history.
Thanks to CCTV, you can find a recording of today’s town hall and all previous town halls here.
Cambridge Updates
Starting Monday, June 22, the City of Cambridge Department of Human Service Programs will open applications for its free Online/Offline Summer Programming and begin operating its annual Cambridge Summer Food Program. The Cambridge Summer Food Program provides free bagged breakfast and lunch to anyone 18 years of age and under and will be available every weekday between 12-1PM at these locations:
- 35 Cambridge Park Drive
- Fletcher-Maynard Academy (225 Windsor St.)
- Haggerty School (110 Cushing St.)
- King Open School (840 Cambridge St.)
- Morse School (40 Granite St.)
- Peabody School (70 Rindge Ave.)
- Putnam Ave. Upper School (100 Putnam Ave.)
- Rindge Towers (362 Rindge Ave.)
Cambridge Crossing is kicking off Cambridge Crossing summer nights tomorrow, 6/18 at 5PM with a virtual show featuring performances by Will Dailey & GA-20.
Where to get tested:
Cambridge residents age 8 or older can get tested at the following location free of charge regardless of insurance or immigration status:
CHA East Cambridge Care Center
- To schedule an appointment call 617-665-2928
Translation Resources Available:
Multilingual city resources and information on COVID-19 are available on the City’s multilingual help page.
State Action Updates
Governor Baker Press Conference Updates:
Today, Governor Baker introduced legislation that would create a licensing system for police and other law enforcement officers. This legislation would require officers to get certified every three years and would create a process for decertification that involves community input and immediately decertify officers that use a chokehold or excessive force. It would also create incentives for training programs.
MassDOT Updates:
The Registry of Motor Vehicles will exempt Massachusetts residents who renew their license or ID before 8/12 from the $25 fee to upgrade to a REAL ID next year. The RMV is not currently accepting appointments that are necessary to upgrade to a REAL ID. The federal government has pushed back the deadline for requiring a REAL ID to fly until Oct. 1, 2021.
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:
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
As always, do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions or concerns at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov.
Sincerely,
Marjorie