Thursday 2/11 COVID-19 Updates

Dear all,

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

Today’s Case Count

	Total Cases:	New Cases:	Total Deaths:	Tests Today:
Massachusetts	523,258	2,213	14,964	110,792
Cambridge	4,538	22	118

The state has created an interactive dashboard, including the percentage of COVID-19 positive cases and testing rates by city and town. The dashboard can be viewed here.

Baker Press Conference Updates

Today, Governor Baker announced nearly $64 million in awards to 1,312 additional businesses in the seventh round of COVID relief grants administered by the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC). Each business meets sector and demographic priorities set for the two grant programs. With the addition of this round of grant awards, the Baker-Polito Administration has awarded approximately $514 million in direct financial support to 11,212 businesses across the Commonwealth.

Vaccination Updates

Many of you have contacted me with concerns about Governor Baker’s decision to allow companions of people aged 75 and up to get vaccinated. While I realize that the goal is to increase incentives for vaccination and to make the process more efficient, this misses the mark when supply is an issue. Now people who are seriously ill, have other comorbidities, or are front-line workers have to wait even longer. I wrote to the Governor and Secretary Sudders today sharing some of your words and asking for an explanation.

CVS Now Offering Vaccines

CVS is now offering free COVID-19 vaccines at select locations across Massachusetts, including one in Cambridge. If you are eligible, you can schedule your first and second doses through the pharmacy’s website. CVS is expected to post new appointments daily. The Cambridge location is 215 Alewife Brook Pkwy, Cambridge, MA 02138. Schedule an appointment here. The site is getting a lot of traffic and may need a minute or two to load.

Resources for Booking and Getting to Your Appointment

Online: Visit mass.gov/COVIDVaccine, maimmunizations.org or macovidvaccines.com, which is not an official state website, but which people have found much easier to navigate. You can also book directly at cvs.com.
Phone: Call 2-1-1 between 8:30AM and 5:30PM Mon-Fri and select the prompt for “help scheduling a vaccine appointment.” This multilingual service is for residents 75 and older who don’t have Internet access or have trouble using the Internet.
Need help? For detailed information about how to make an appointment, including updates about specific health care providers, see the Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services vaccine resources page.
Need a ride? Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) is offering free transportation for local adults aged 75+ to COVID-19 vaccination sites in Cambridge and Somerville as well as Fenway Park and CHA Malden. For more information, click here. To register for a ride, call SCES at 617-628-2601 or email info@eldercare.org.
The City of Cambridge has published accessibility information for the state’s mass vaccination sites. You can find it here.

Don’t forget to book your second appointment while you’re getting your first dose!

Weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Report

The Department of Public Health's Weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Report is updated each Thursday by 5 PM. Information as of February 11, 2021:

Total doses administered:	Total cumulative doses shipped to MA:
950,515	1,413,025

Vaccination Timeline

Massachusetts is currently at the beginning of Phase Two of vaccine rollout: the first priority group, individuals aged 75 years or older. There are currently 125 vaccination sites in Massachusetts and it is expected that this will ramp up to 165 sites by mid-February. The map of vaccination sites is here; you can search by zip code as well.

As the state transitions into Phase Two, the priority groups are:

Individuals 75 or older
Individuals 65 or older or with two or more comorbidities and/or residents and staff of low income and affordable senior housing
Early education and K-12 workers, transit, utility, food and agriculture, sanitation and public health workers
Individuals with one comorbidity

Phase Three will expand vaccination efforts to the general public.

For more details and updates on vaccination priorities, please visit https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has a Frequently Asked Questions site that is continually updated as they receive new questions. Access the FAQs here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-vaccine-frequently-asked-questions. Questions can be submitted to COVID-19-Vaccine-Plan-MA@mass.gov.

COVID Testing Sites

Testing appointments through the City's free mobile-testing program are 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.

Federal Updates

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its guidelines for face masks. The recommendations include adjusting your mask to get a better fit or adding a second mask. Read more here.

State Updates

The Massachusetts Cultural Council is launching a fifth survey of the state's cultural institutions to take stock of the economic damage the COVID-19 pandemic has caused. More than 30,000 cultural sector jobs have been affected by COVID-19-related cancellations and closures, the organization said, and its November survey found a loss of more than $484 million in revenue for cultural organizations in Massachusetts. The survey will be open until March 1 and cultural organizations can fill it out here.

Youth Employment Opportunity

The Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General has announced the FY2022 Healthy Summer Youth Jobs Grant Program. Applicants may apply for grants to fund jobs for youth with core health and wellness components while also providing opportunities for professional enrichment. The deadline for applications is March 5. To learn more about this opportunity, click here.

Cambridge Updates

Harvard University COVID-19 information, click here.

MIT COVID-19 information, click here.

The City of Cambridge has increased indoor capacity limits from 25% to 40% as of February 8. Indoor gatherings are still limited to 10 people and outdoor gatherings to 25 people. Learn more here.

COVID-19 Emergency and Recovery Grants for Cambridge Nonprofit Organizations

The intent of this funding is to provide COVID-19 related assistance and critical support to the vulnerable and at-risk Cambridge families and individuals served by Cambridge nonprofit organizations. Applications for COVID-19 Emergency and Recovery Grants for Cambridge Nonprofit Organizations are due by 5:00 PM on February 22, 2021. To learn more about the grant opportunity and apply, click here.

Cambridge Works

Cambridge Works is a transitional jobs program for younger adults who have had difficulty finding a job. This program is ongoing and open to residents, must be age 18 - 35, without a college degree. The program is meant for those who have experienced difficulty finding jobs for any of the following reasons: limited work experience, a gap in work history, frustration with dead end jobs, or legal or personal issues. For additional information on the Cambridge Works program, click here.

Donate Wool Socks

The Office of Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui is partnering with the Vice-Mayor Alanna Mallon, Cambridge City Council, CASPAR & Bay Cove, Cambridge Police Department, and CambridgeSide to collect and donate 2,500 wool socks to homeless residents for its 4th Annual “Warm Hearts, Warm Feet Sock Drive.” From February 1, 2021 through February 14, 2021, this year’s sock drive aims to collect the largest amount of donations in this annual sock drive’s history. For more information, click here or contact Adelina Atamer, Outreach Manager, at aatamer@cambridgema.gov.

Cambridge Library Services

Contactless holds pickup has resumed at all branches. The winter schedule includes a dedicated hour for seniors and at-risk individuals at the start of each service day at the Main Library. Details are available on the library website at www.cambridgema.gov/cpl. For assistance, call 617-349-4040 or email library@cambridgema.gov.

Translation Resources Available

Multilingual city resources and information on COVID-19 are available on the City's multilingual help page.

February Vacation Activities

The Cambridge Department of Human Service Programs will offer a variety of free online activities for K-8th graders during the morning, afternoon, and evening from Tuesday, February 16th through Friday, February 19th. Youth who are already registered with DHSP Online will automatically receive a calendar with February Break activities they can sign up for. New participants are welcome to register for virtual programming at any time. Click here to register.

The Center for Families is providing a week of fun and free virtual activities from February 15 through February 20. Registration is required. For more information, go to https://letstalkcambridge.org/february-family-fun-week/. To register, call 617-349-6385 or email centerforfamilies@cambridgema.gov.

Where to Give

Transition House in Need of Emergency Donations

Make a donation
Order from their wishlist

If you are able to give to others during this time, I encourage you to look to additional 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:

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

Sincerely,

Marjorie