Friday, March 4 COVID-19 & Legislative Updates

Dear all,

I write to you this evening with relevant COVID-19 updates and resources as well as recent legislative news.

Table of Contents

State Updates
National Updates
Cambridge Updates
COVID-19 Testing Information
MA Vaccination Updates
Vaccination Appointment Resources
Today’s Case Count
Legislative Updates
Recent Press
Mental Health Services and Resources
Where to Give

Baker administration closing 3/4 of its free COVID testing sites this month

Due to a significant decline in demand at state-sponsored Stop the Spread testing sites and the wide availability of rapid antigen tests, the Spread (STS) testing program will downsize to 11 sites. As of March 1, Massachusetts 7-day average of cases reported is down 96% from its peak in January of this year and overall positivity rate is less than 2%.

As of April 1, 2022, 11 STS sites will continue to offer PCR testing. These tests will remain free to any Massachusetts resident, with no insurance or ID necessary.

Everett
Framingham
Lawrence (2 locations)
Lynn
New Bedford
Randolph
Revere
Springfield (2 locations)
Worcester

The locations that will remain open were selected based on demonstrated need, volume of daily testing, and geographic equity. These sites will continue through at least May 15, 2022.

DTA has received approval to issue another extra emergency SNAP payment.

DTA has received federal approval to issue an additional SNAP payment to bring families’ benefits to at least the max monthly amount. To learn more please visit: https://bit.ly/3HFB7Th

National Updates

Updated Mask Guidance for School Buses and Vans, Transportation Hubs

Effective March 1, 2022: The CDC updated its guidance on mask wearing and announced that it is no longer requiring that masks be worn on school buses or vans for K-12 and child care programs or in outdoor areas of a transportation hub. To learn more please visit: https://bit.ly/3KiaSE5

Cambridge Updates

Cambridge Public Schools Considering Lifting Mask Mandate

Superintendent Greer announced on Wednesday that Cambridge Public Schools is proposing to lift the mask requirement for students and staff on Monday, March 14, in alignment with the City of Cambridge. A final decision has not been made, but they are continuing their planning and discussions over the next several days. We expect a follow-up communication next week.

City updating Mask Mandate for Public Spaces and City Buildings

The City of Cambridge announced that due to the sustained improvement to the City’s COVID-19 metrics over the past month, it will lift its mask requirement for indoor public places effective at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, March 13, 2022. Cambridge has seen a steady decrease in reported cases, test positivity, and COVID-19 virus detection in the City’s municipal wastewater monitoring program. For more information please visit https://bit.ly/3hfL3I4.

CHA Vaccine Center Open for Walk-Ins

The CHA Somerville Vaccine Center is now accepting walk-in patients again, subject to availability. They are also hosting a special Saturday clinic tomorrow, 3/5. You can make an appointment through MyCHArt or at bit.ly/3A19n7N.

Where to Get a COVID-19 Booster Shot

This is a list of a few places that we are familiar with that are offering COVID-19 boosters in/near Cambridge for eligible MA residents:

Cambridge Health Alliance
- 176 Somerville Ave, Somerville
- Mon & Tues: 11:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
- Wed, Thu, & Fri: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- To pre-register:
  - CHA patients: challiance.org/mychart
  - Non-CHA patients: bit.ly/3A19n7N.

CVS (Appointments required)
- 624 Mass. Ave (Central Square)
- Schedule here: bit.ly/3mgBACv.

Star Market (Walk-ins or appointments)
- 699 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge
- Schedule here: bit.ly/3uujXTv.

Search by zip-code for other locations https://vaxfinder.mass.gov/

City of Cambridge Scholarship Program Applications Can Be Submitted Completely Online by March 7th

Applications for the 2022 City of Cambridge Scholarship are currently being accepted. The fund provides financial assistance to college-bound high school seniors and other Cambridge residents who wish to pursue post-secondary education. Applications can be submitted at: Cambridgema.gov/cityscholarship.

COVID-19 Testing Information

Cambridge Announces Schedule Updates to Its COVID-19 PCR Testing Program

Appointment-Only Testing Changes

Appointment-only testing, provided through a partnership with CIC Health, will be available 7 days per week to people who live or work in Cambridge. Beginning Saturday, March 5, 2022, Testing at CIC Health’s 295 Third Street location is available during the following hours:

Sunday, from 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Monday - Friday, from 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, from 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Appointments can be booked online at www.cic-health.com/cambridge or assistance is available from CIC’s Customer Service Team at support@cic-health.com or by calling 877-280-2937.

Walk-In Testing Changes

Based on lower testing demand at walk-in sites and improved city COVID-19 metrics, walk-in COVID-19 PCR testing will be offered two days per week, beginning Monday, March 7, 2022. Walk-in testing sites will be open during the following hours:

Monday, from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at CambridgeSide in the Parking Garage on Level G3.
This will remain walk-up only, not drive-through. Level G3 is accessible by the CambridgeSide’s elevator and escalators. Visitors can park in the garage and proceed to Level G3. Parking will be validated. The Parking Garage entrance is located on CambridgeSide Place.
Wednesday, from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at 2254 Massachusetts Ave, St. John the Evangelist Church.

For more information please visit: https://bit.ly/3vH5wOL

Walk-In Saturday Testing Tomorrow

The City will offer walk-in Saturday testing tomorrow at the Christian Life Center (owned and operated by St. Paul AME Church), located at 85 Bishop Allen Drive. Testing will be from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m

Walk-In Cambridge COVID-19 Testing Sites

Monday: 4:00 - 8:00 PM at the CambridgeSide mall
Wednesday: 2:00 - 6:00 PM at 2254 Massachusetts Ave, St. John the Evangelist Church
Thursday: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM at the CambridgeSide mall
Sunday: 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM at 50 Church Street

The testing site at the CambridgeSide mall has moved to the G3 Level of the mall parking garage. G3 is accessible by the mall’s elevator and escalators. Residents can park in the garage and proceed to G3 by foot or walk into the mall and head down to Level G3. Learn more at cambridgema.gov/covid19/testing.

State COVID-19 Testing

To find a COVID-19 testing site in Massachusetts, visit mass.gov/GetTested.

Home PCR Tests for Adults

Lab-based PCR testing with home collection is available at no cost to all eligible Massachusetts adults. Kits are reserved for adults (18+) who live or work in a congregate setting, are experiencing symptoms, have recently been in contact with someone with COVID-19, or who have otherwise been recommended for testing. Please visit the Pixel by LabCorp for Massachusetts webpage at t.ly/vL4j for details, and to request a test kit.

MA Vaccination Updates

Vaccination Locations for Children Ages 5-11

Pharmacies: CVS and Walgreens locations
Mass General Brigham (for patients): covidvaccine.massgeneralbrigham.org/MA
Boston Children's Hospital (for patients): Schedule an appointment through the hospital’s MyChildren’s Patient Portal or call 617-919-7102.
Atrius Health (for patients): Parents can schedule an appointment directly throughMyHealth Online or call their child’s doctor’s office.
Pediatricians’ Offices: Call your child’s doctor or nurse to determine vaccine availability.
To see all Massachusetts vaccine locations and make appointments, go to vaxfinder.mass.gov or VaxAbilities.com for children with sensory and/or other accommodation needs.

Mobile Vaccination Services

You can find hours and dates for mobile vaccination clinics at t.ly/qTMc.

CHA Offering Walk-In Vaccinations

These sites are open to all Massachusetts residents age 12 and older:

Cambridge Hospital
East Cambridge Care Center
Malden Care Center

CHA is also offering "pop-up" vaccination clinics - information on hours and locations here: https://www.challiance.org/patients-visitors/covid-19-vaccine.

Cambridge Vaccination Data

The City of Cambridge has added Cambridge Vaccination Data to its COVID-19 Data Center. Data will be updated weekly on Thursdays. Information as of Thursday, March 3, 2022:

Residents who have received at least 1 dose: 103,182

Fully Vaccinated Residents: 84,971

Residents with Booster: 51,428

Daily COVID-19 Vaccination Report

The Department of Public Health publishes a Daily COVID-19 Vaccine Report in addition to its Weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Report. Information as of Friday, March 4, 2022:

Total doses administered: 13,698,557

Total booster doses administered: 2,857,728

Total cumulative doses shipped to MA: 16,047,850

Vaccination Appointment Resources

Resources for Booking and Getting to Your Appointment

Online: Visit vaxfinder.mass.gov/. You can also book directly with a pharmacy at cvs.com or walgreens.com.
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.”
In-Home Vaccinations: Anyone who is unable to get to a vaccine location can call the Homebound Vaccination Central Intake Line at 833-983-0485 between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM Monday-Friday. Boosters are also available.

FAQs

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has a Frequently Asked Questions site that is continually updated as they receive new questions. You may access the FAQs here. Questions can be submitted to COVID-19-Vaccine-Plan-MA@mass.gov.

Today’s Case Count

Massachusetts

Total Cases: 1,543,609

New Cases: 900

Total Deaths: 22,833

New PCR Tests: 56,914

Cambridge

Total Cases: 2,056

New Cases: 80

Total Deaths: 142

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. For MIT COVID-19 information, click here.

Legislative Updates

House Approves Offshore Wind Bill

This week, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed H4515, An Act Advancing Offshore Wind and Clean Energy. This important bill:

Invests hundreds of millions of dollars over the next decade in infrastructure, innovation, job training, supply chain capacity, and transmission upgrades
Promotes a more competitive bid process to fuel economic development
Provides thousands of good-paying jobs with a focus on ensuring access and opportunity for every segment of our population
Modernizes our electric grid to accommodate the energy of the future
Invests in long-term energy storage to help our transition to renewable energy
Protects our coastal environment and fisheries

The bill now heads to the Senate for approval.

Recent Press

Here’s how the new 988 crisis helpline will work in Massachusetts.

By Jason Law, Boston 25 News

There is a new helpline coming that could make things a lot easier. The Federal Communications Commission designated 988 as a nationwide suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline. The number goes live on July 16. One of the goals with 988 is to take police out of the equation when someone is in need of mental health treatment.

“They do not need to be the first responder to every mental health crisis and sometimes it’s actually a lot safer if they’re not,” Decker said. “The research does, in fact, affirm that when somebody calls a crisis hotline often that can literally be the lifesaving line.”