Governor Celebrates COVID-19 Business Relief Program & Awards Final Round of Grants
Today, Governor Baker spoke at Panela Restaurant in Lowell which is both family- and minority-owned. There, he celebrated the success of the Administration’s COVID-19 business relief program administered by the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC), which has awarded over $687 million in financial support to local shops and restaurants who were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This program specifically focused on minority and women-owned businesses. Read more here.
Effective Monday, May 10, 2021, outdoor and indoor venues will be permitted to increase their capacity from 12% to 25%. Other outdoor industries will be allowed to operate at 50% capacity after submitting safety plans to Massachusetts DPH. Outdoor organized amateur or professional group athletic events, such as road races, will be allowed to take place with staggered starts after submitting safety plans to a local board of health or DPH. Youth and adult amateur sports tournaments will be allowed for moderate and high risk sports, and singing will be permitted indoors with strict distancing requirements. Read more here.
The CDC’s Science Update has peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed articles to help individuals learn more about a wide range of subjects pertaining to COVID-19. You may subscribe to their weekly Science Update here.
The CDC’s How Right Now Mental Health Resource
I urge you to take 10 to 15 minutes to find out how to ease your stress, worry, or sadness with the help of the CDC’s How Right Now initiative. Click here to discover How Right Now.
Updated Cruise Ship Guidance from the CDC
The CDC has posted new technical instructions for conducting simulated passenger voyages as a part of the Conditional Sailing Order for cruise ships. This next phase will assess the cruise ship operator’s ability to help minimize the risk of COVID on cruise ships. Read more here.
CDC May Authorize Vaccines for Children Ages 12 to 15 Years of Age
In the coming weeks, the CDC may authorize vaccines for children ages 12 to 15 years of age. Pre-registration will remain available for parents who may want to bring kids to a mass vaccination site. Vaccine advisers to the CDC have scheduled an emergency meeting for Wednesday, May 12, 2021. Read more on the matter here.
Main Library reopens with Library Express Services on June 2
The Cambridge Public Library will reopen the Main Library building for Library Express services, including limited browsing, on Wednesday, June 2, 2021. Learn more here.
DHSP Preschool Lottery for the 2021-2022 School Year
The Department of Human Service Programs is accepting applications to the DHSP Preschool Lottery for the 2021 to 2022 school year starting in September. Apply online through Monday, May 31, 2021. For more information, click here.
Cambridge Advancing to Phase IV, Step 1 of the Reopening Plan Today
Cambridge will follow the same schedule as the Commonwealth and advance to Phase IV, Step 1 of the Administration’s Reopening Plan today, Thursday, May 6, 2021. The city will increase gathering limits for event venues and in public settings to 100 indoors and 150 outdoors at that time. Read more here.
Tomorrow, Friday, May 7 Deadline for Small Business Grants
An additional $600,000 in grants for Cambridge small businesses is available through the City’s Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund and the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority. Grant applications will be accepted until tomorrow, Friday, May 7, 2021. Read more here.
Reminder: National Small Business Week Webinars and Events in Cambridge
This week until Saturday, May 8, 2021 is National Small Business Week. Throughout the week, join the Cambridge Community Development Department for webinars and other events to provide resources to local small businesses and entrepreneurs. Learn more here.
Fuel Assistance Program Accepting Applications Until Friday, May 28
Beginning in July 2021, the utility payment moratorium will end. If you need assistance paying your heating bills, the Fuel Assistance Program is accepting applications through Friday, May 28, 2021. Read more here.
COVID-19 Housing Stabilization Program
The COVID-19 Housing Stabilization Program provides short term financial assistance to individuals and families in Cambridge who are experiencing housing instability. New applicants are encouraged to apply. Learn more here.
Council on Aging Homebound Vaccination Program
The homebound vaccination program is for people who would not otherwise be able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine unless they receive it in their home. It does not include individuals who are temporarily homebound; and/or able to leave the home with adequate assistance; or those who would prefer to get a vaccine in their home. If you meet the definition for homebound, or know someone who does, please call the Cambridge Council on Aging (CoA) at 617-349-6220. Learn more here.
Translation Resources Available
Multilingual city resources and information on COVID-19 are available on the City's multilingual help page.
MA Vaccination Updates
Walk-in Appointments at Mass Vaccination Sites
Starting Monday, May 10, 2021, walk-ins will be accepted at all mass vaccination sites except Gillette Stadium. Hynes Convention Center is already accepting walk- ins. Click here to find a vaccination site near you, and book an appointment or view details about walk-in appointments.
Upcoming Vaccine Clinics in the City of Cambridge Tomorrow, Friday, May 7
The City of Cambridge's is offering upcoming vaccine clinics using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. These clinics are free and open to all individuals 18 years of age and older who live and work in Cambridge. Appointments aren’t needed and IDs aren’t required. Learn more here. Vaccine clinics locations and hours are as follows:
Reservoir Church: 170 Rindge Avenue in North Cambridge.
On Friday, May 7, 2021, from 9 AM to 2 PM and 4 PM to 8 PM
Vaccine Eligibility Open to All Adults
All Massachusetts residents aged 16 and older are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Currently, people under the age of 18 can only receive the Pfizer vaccine and there are certain steps these individuals should take prior to scheduling their appointment. Learn more here.
Preparing for your Vaccination Appointment
Learn about how you can prepare for your vaccination appointment here
Resources for Booking and Getting to Your Appointment
Online: Preregister for mass vaccination sites at vaccinesignup.mass.gov. All state vaccination sites are online at vaxfinder.mass.gov/, or you can book directly with a pharmacy at cvs.com or walgreens.com. You can also visit macovidvaccines.com, which is not an official site but is more user-friendly than the state site.
Phone: Call 2-1-1 between 8:30 AM-8:00 PM Monday-Thursday or 8:30 AM-5:00 PM Friday-Sunday and select the prompt for “help scheduling a vaccine appointment.” This multilingual service is for residents 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. You can also visit macovidvaxhelp.com, which is an unofficial site staffed by volunteers for eligible individuals who are unable to book vaccine appointments on their own.
Need a ride?
Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) is offering free transportation for local adults aged 60+ 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.
All MassHealth members or Health Safety Net patients can get free transportation to COVID-19 vaccine appointments. You can request transportation for a scheduled appointment by calling (800) 841-2900. You may find additional information on transportation help here.
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!
Massachusetts is currently in Phase Three of the vaccine rollout. For more details and updates on vaccination priorities, please visit mass.gov/CovidVaccine.
For more details and updates on vaccination priorities, please visit mass.gov/CovidVaccine.
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.
For Harvard University COVID-19 information, click here.
If you or a loved one are struggling, please know that you are not alone. Here are some great resources:
Helpline for People Who Abuse
There is a new Helpline for People Who Abuse that launched on April 15, 2021, that came out of CARES ACT funding for COVID-19. The Helpline is currently open to any resident of western Massachusetts, however they plan to expand to more residents within the Commonwealth. This helpline is the first in the nation of its kind, and is based out of Western Massachusetts. You can find more information here.
Where to Give
On Fridays, Cambridge CoHousing will be collecting food either in a paper bag or small box for the Chelsea Food Collaborative. Drop off is between 9 AM and 2:30 PM at the entrance to CoHousing at 175 Richdale Ave, Cambridge, MA. If you don't see someone at the moment you arrive, 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 additional places that are working to help those most affected by COVID-19:
