Dear all,
I write to you this evening with relevant COVID-19 updates and resources.
As of today, 3,500 Cambridge residents have tested positive for COVID-19 and 111 residents have passed away, according to the state's database. Learn more here. There have been 400,823 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, and there are 7,635 newly reported confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state today. 108,569 tests have been performed today, and 12,708 have passed away. Learn more here.
Baker Press Conference Updates
The Baker administration announced efforts to expand coronavirus testing measures in hopes to encourage more schools to transition to in-person learning. The voluntary program will offer a less expensive way for schools to identify potential COVID-19 cases in schools, and ease anxieties about returning to the classroom. Rapid testing began at more than 100 schools last month, and the initial phase of this pool testing expansion will be covered by federal stimulus.
State Action Updates
The Department of Unemployment Assistance will begin issuing the additional 11 weeks of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) provided by the Continued Assistance for Unemployed Workers Act of 2020. Payments of PUA and the additional $300 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) will be issued beginning Monday, January 11, 2021. Payments will be retroactive to week ending January 2, 2021 for eligible claimants. Read more here.
Cambridge Updates
COVID-19 Housing Stabilization Program to Begin Accepting New Applications on January 11, 2021
The City of Cambridge announced that it will begin accepting new applications on January 11, 2021, as part of the next round of funding for the COVID-19 Housing Stabilization Program. Launched in July 2020, the City of Cambridge COVID-19 Housing Stabilization Program serves to provide short term financial assistance to individuals and families in Cambridge who are experiencing housing instability due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more here.
Harvard University COVID-19 information, click here.
MIT COVID-19 information, click here.
Updated vaccine schedule, click here.
In-person learning resumes at Cambridge Public Schools on Monday, January 11.
Cambridge flu clinics are over, but you can still get a flu shot.
The Cambridge Public Health Department's annual public flu clinics ended on November 14, 2020. Please note that the Cambridge Public Health Department will not be able to offer any flu shot appointments at its office this year due to the pandemic.
Residents are encouraged to visit a local pharmacy or make an appointment with their health care provider. Flu shots are covered by most Massachusetts health insurance plans. Cambridge Health Alliance patients (12 - 22 years old) or Cambridge Public School students (12 - 22 years old) can now receive a flu shot at the Teen Health Center located in Cambridge Rindge and Latin School. Call 617-665-1548 to schedule an appointment.
Cambridge library services
Contactless Holds Pickup Service hours at the O'Neill Branch, 70 Rindge Ave., Cambridge have been suspended from Saturday, Jan. 2 through at least Monday, Jan. 18. The Library's virtual programs and services and digital collections continue to be available. For assistance, call 617‑349‑4040 or email library@cambridgema.gov.
Where to Get Tested
Testing appointments through the City's free mobile-testing program are now available at the following locations:
- Monday - 50 Church St. 12:00pm - 8:00pm
- Tuesday - 50 Church St. 12:00pm - 8:00pm
- Wednesday - 2254 Massachusetts Ave, St. John the Evangelist Church, 10:00am - 6:00pm
- Thursday - CambridgeSide in East Cambridge, 11:00am - 7:00pm (Drive-through testing in garage. Enter on First St.)
- Friday - 50 Church St. 12:00pm - 8:00pm
- Saturday - Christian Life Center located at 85 Bishop Allen Drive. 11:00am - 7:00pm
- Sunday - CambridgeSide in East Cambridge, 11:00am - 7:00pm (Drive-through testing in garage. Enter on First St.)
You can schedule an appointment online or by calling 617-665-3795.
Translation Resources Available
Multilingual city resources and information on COVID-19 are available on the City's multilingual help page.
Where to Give
Transition House in Need of Emergency Donations
Transition House's mission is to break the cycle of domestic violence in our community. In its first decades, Transition House created the first shelter on the East Coast, a legal services program for battered women, a foster grandparent program, and pioneered school-based teen dating violence intervention curricula and programs. Learn more here.
Today, Transition House provides vital housing options for individuals and families surviving domestic and intimate partner violence in Cambridge. With a 40% increase in emergency housing as a response to the pandemic, and rising expenses, Transition House needs support with their mission now more than ever. If you would like to donate, click here. If you would like to order from their wishlist, click here.
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
Hospitality Workers COVID-19 Emergency Fund
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