Wednesday 8/5 COVID-19 Updates

Dear all, 

 

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

 

As of today, there are 1210 Cambridge residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 and 99 residents have passed away. Learn more here. There are 111,371 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, including 26,109 in Middlesex County. 1,251,322 patients have been tested, and 8,438 have passed away. Learn more here.

 

Cambridge Updates

 

Yesterday, Cambridge Public Schools released an updated proposal for reopening schools. You can read the District Draft Reopening Plan here.

 

Tomorrow, 8/6 at 5PM there will be a School Committee Special Meeting with a discussion and vote on the Cambridge Public School District proposed reopening model. You can watch and participate online here, and the meeting will also be broadcast on Cambridge Educational Access TV (CEATV) Channel 98/99.

 

The Cambridge Election Commission is hiring poll workers. Elections will be held on 9/1 (state primary) and 11/3 (general election). Election workers will receive compensation at an hourly rate depending on the position assigned on Election Day and paid training. To be an election worker, you must be registered to vote in Massachusetts, available to work on Election Day from 6:30AM-9PM, be able to read and write English and speak clearly, and complete a mandatory training session. To apply, you should complete the election worker application and return it to the Cambridge Election Commission by email (elections@cambridgema.gov), by mail or in person at the Cambridge Election Commission, 51 Inman Street, or by fax (617-349-4366).

 

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 location: 

  • The Pisani Center will offer testing on Saturday, August 8 11AM-7PM

 

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

 

Testing capacity will be increasing throughout the month. The City will release appointment slots one week at a time to avoid no-shows, which have been increasingly occurring.

 

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

 

There will be service changes to MBTA bus routes starting August 30th. Service is being added on 23 bus routes. Some bus routes with low ridership or routes with other service options nearby will have service frequency reduced or will continue to have service suspended. Starting 9/1, CharlieTicket and cash fares will be lowered to CharlieCard prices. There will be virtual public meetings on Wednesday 8/12 (Spanish language) and Thursday 8/13 (English language) where members of the public can learn more about these changes and provide feedback.

 

Boston Public School officials announced today that no schools will have all students return full time at once, and remain undecided on whether they will implement a hybrid or fully-remote model. 

 

Governor Baker Press Conference Updates:

 

Governor Baker did not hold a press conference today. 

 

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: 

 

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

 

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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