Dear all,
I write to you this evening with relevant COVID-19 updates and resources.
As of today, there are 1109 Cambridge residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 and 97 residents have passed away. Learn more here. There are 104,961 cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, including 24,300 in Middlesex County. 910,354 patients have been tested, and 8,028 have passed away. Learn more here.
Cambridge Updates
Today, Harvard and MIT sued the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement challenging the decision to bar international students taking classes entirely online from staying in the U.S.
The Community Art Center is holding a free virtual summer camp for kids ages 5-13 starting Monday 7/13 which will include online art classes, themed activities, community play dates, and at home projects to do offline.
My Brother's Keeper Cambridge is holding a children’s book drive this Saturday 7/11 at 12:30PM at Cambridge Commons. Book pickups can also be arranged. If you would like to arrange for a book pickup, you can email mbkcambridge@gmail.com or call 617-564-1382.
The Cambridge Health Alliance asks that you do not wear a mask with a valve, as it can increase the risk of spreading COVID-19 by pushing out droplets. This defeats the purpose of wearing a mask.
Where to get tested:
During the month of July, the Cambridge Public Health Department is offering free mobile testing for all Cambridge residents in North Cambridge, The Port, East Cambridge, and Harvard Square one day each week during designated hours. As of today, July 8th, all appointments for the month of July have been booked.
Those who have appointments booked at the East Cambridge mobile testing site should be aware that the site has moved to the Cambridge Public Library’s Valente Branch.
Translation Resources Available:
Multilingual city resources and information on COVID-19 are available on the City’s multilingual help page.
State Action Updates
The Department of Labor and Workforce Development announced yesterday that Massachusetts has received more than 58,000 fraudulent unemployment claims between the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program and the traditional unemployment insurance system.
If you have thoughts or concerns about reopening in Massachusetts, you can submit questions and comments via this online form.
Governor Baker Press Conference Updates:
Today, Governor Baker announced the launch of the Stop the Spread initiative, a strategic testing program which will support the testing of those who are asymptomatic in the following communities which have seen a higher number of residents testing positive for COVID-19: Chelsea, Everett, Fall River, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Marlborough, and New Bedford. Testing will be available at no cost to all residents of these communities between July 10-August 14.
Where to Give
On Friday, Cambridge CoHousing will again be collecting food to go to Chelsea on Saturday. Drop off is between 10AM and 4:30PM 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".
WHAT IS MOST NEEDED:
- bags of rice
- Pasta
- dried beans
- cereal (none sweetened)
- Tuna
- canned soups
- canned tomatoes and tomato sauce
- diapers and wipes
- pet food
Please no fresh foods -- those are supplied by a generous food producer
Also, no desserts, high sugar foods, or chips. THANK YOU!
Here is the LINK to the Chelsea Food Collaborative which this effort is supporting. Another option is to make a financial donation, via link at top of page.
Please email Anne Tonachel (annert@gmail.com) or Polly Attwood (polly.attwood@gmail.com) if you have any questions.
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