Wednesday 8/19 COVID-19 Updates

Wednesday 8/19 COVID-19 Updates

 

As of today, there are 1,264 Cambridge residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 and 99 residents have passed away. Learn more here. There are 115, 048 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts. 1,974,918 patients have been tested, and 8,645 have passed away. Learn more here.

 

Cambridge Updates

The Cambridge Election Commission updated the hours of the Ballot Drop Box at  51 Inman St., from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily. Last week the Commission announced the relocation of 14 polling sites in response to COVID-19. If a voter's polling site has been relocated, the new polling location will be in the same ward and precinct or near their regular polling place. There will be signs posted at the regular polling sites directing voters to the temporary polling sites as well. You can find a polling place map and a polling place PDF on the City's website.

As a reminder, people in Lebanon are still recovering from the devastating explosions in Beirut.  I would like to thank everyone who has reached out to ask about our family in Lebanon. We have family and friends who were impacted by the explosions. We continue to think and worry about the security, peace and health of the people of Lebanon. We know over 300,000 people were immediately displaced and that 200 people (and counting) who have lost their lives with many more grieving and suffering this loss of loved ones. We know the suffering will continue to grow to the destruction that impacted hospitals and clinics. For those who have emailed me or texted our family asking for suggestions of where to donate in support of this recovery I am offering two places to consider making a donation. If you are able to give, please consider donating to the Lebanese Red Cross and The  Order of Malta Lebanon

The City of Cambridge is offering free 90-day Bluebikes passes to essential workers employed at grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, and local retail shops. Those with passes can take as many trips as they would like during the 90-day period. Register here.

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:

  • Field House at Russell Field (Rindge Ave) will offer testing Wednesday 8/19 and Wednesday 8/26 from 10AM - 8PM
  • The Pisani Center (131 Washington St) will offer testing on Saturday, 8/22 and Saturday, 8/29 from 11AM - 7PM
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.

Governor Baker Press Conference Updates:

Governor Baker announced $3.3 million in grants to address urgent food insecurity for Massachusetts residents as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and make the Commonwealth's food system more resilient. This funding is being awarded as part of the second round of the new $36 million Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program, created following recommendations from the Administration's COVID-19 Command Center's Food Security Task Force, which promotes ongoing efforts to ensure that individuals and families throughout the Commonwealth have access to healthy, local food.  The second round of the grant program includes 34 awards totaling $3,324,349 to fund investments in technology, equipment, increased capacity, and other assistance to help producers distribute food, especially to food insecure communities. When evaluating the applications, considerations included equity, economic impact and need, sustainability and scalability of efforts, and ability to support producer readiness to accept SNAP and HIP benefits. This round follows the first round of $2,941,838 in grants awarded last month to 26 recipients.

The Baker administration also announced about 70 percent of Massachusetts school systems plan to bring students back to the classroom at least part time this fall. Several other districts, including Boston, have not yet settled on a reopening plan.

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:

I also encourage you to donate to the following organizations that are engaging in racial justice work:

Union of Minority Neighborhoods

As always, do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions or concerns at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov.  

 

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