Dear all,
I write to you this evening with relevant COVID-19 updates and resources.
As of today, there are 1292 Cambridge residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 and 99 residents have passed away. Learn more here. There are 119,426 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts. 1,770,001 patients have been tested, and 8,853 have passed away. Learn more here.
Cambridge Updates
The City has amended its temporary emergency restrictions on public meetings and events. City-sponsored community events, athletic events, events permitted for the use of City parks, or other City-sponsored public gatherings will be cancelled through 10/4 or postponed to a later date. All prior approvals for events or gatherings are revoked.
The City of Cambridge and the Department of Human Service Programs are extending the swimming season at the Gold Star Mothers’ Pool through September 27th.
On Saturday, Starlight Square unveiled the mural #BreonnaUndertheStars, which was designed and created by youth artists in the Public Art for Social Change track at Community Art Center.
Starlight Square is partnering with Reevx Labs by Berkshire Bank on Popportunity, an initiative to support small businesses. Popportunity will provide safe, outdoor vending opportunities and online forums with resources around financial planning and small business support.
Where to Get Tested
The City’s COVID-19 free mobile testing will resume on September 9th and will be available at the following locations:
- Field House at Russell Field (Rindge Ave) will offer testing on Wednesday, September 9 and Wednesday, September 16 from 10AM-6PM
- The Pisani Center (131 Washington St) will offer testing on Saturday, September 12 and Saturday, September 19 from 11AM-7PM
You can make an appointment to be tested online or by calling 617-665-3795.
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
The Metropolitan Area Planning Council, MBTA, Department of Transportation and the Massachusetts Port Authority are partnering with 13 municipalities, Cambridge included, on a collective purchasing agreement for bus and bike lane road markings to accelerate multimodal infrastructure.
Governor Baker Press Conference Updates:
Governor Baker did not hold a press conference today.
Federal Action Updates
Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a temporary halt on evictions nationwide through December for those who have lost work during the COVID-19 pandemic and do not have other good housing options. Under this order, renters will have to sign a declaration saying they don't make more than $99,000 a year (twice that if filing a joint tax return) and that they have no other option if evicted other than homelessness or living with more people in close proximity.
Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notified health officials in every state and in five large cities to prepare for distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine to health care workers and other high-risk groups as soon as late October or early November, which is weeks to months sooner than most experts expect a vaccine to be fully tested.
Where to Give
On Fridays, Cambridge CoHousing will be collecting food for the Chelsea Food Collaborative. Drop off is between 9 AM to 3:30PM 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.”
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
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
Union of Minority Neighborhoods
As always, do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions or concerns at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov.
Sincerely,
Marjorie