Dear friends,
I am writing to you today with Cambridge, legislative, and public health updates.
Table of Contents
Cambridge Updates
Legislative Updates
Public Health Updates
A Glimpse at the Past Week
Services and Resources
Cambridge Updates
DCR Briefing on Memorial Drive Safety Improvements
Last night, I attended the Department of Recreation and Conservations’s (DCR) legislative briefing on improvements to the area of Memorial Drive near the Boston University Bridge, where John Corcoran tragically lost his life last week. Although it is of no consolation to Mr. Corcoran’s family and friends, it was important to hear DCR talk about their plans for improvement — both short-term and long-term — that they are in the midst of implementing. Mr. Corcoran’s passing is the third such horrific crash that has killed cyclists in our Cambridge community in the past four months: Kim Staley and Minh-Thi Nguyen also lost their lives this summer.
I am saddened and angry by these preventable fatalities. Last summer, I joined state and municipal colleagues in a letter to DCR calling on them to improve safety in this stretch of Memorial Drive. Though it was important to hear the work DCR has been doing over the last year in response to this letter, it is tragic that it wasn’t done faster. I will keep you posted on the progress that they are making.
My commitment to ensuring that these paths are safe for everyone is why I have filed amendments in the past two budgets that would appropriate funds to DCR to improve the Paul Dudley White path — enhancing safety and accessibility for users — and also created a task force to examine uses of Memorial Drive and how it can be a safe and joyful space that is equitably accessed by all in our community. I continue to advocate to ensure the safety of all members of our community, especially vulnerable road users. In response to the tragic death of Jie Zhao who was struck in Cambridgeport by a truck without a working backup camera, working with her friends and advocates, I filed a bill mandating large, state-owned, and municipally-owned vehicles to be equipped with backup cameras which was adopted in Chapter 358 of the Acts of 2022 and was promulgated in recent updates to regulations by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). You can read comments I wrote to MassDOT in support of that regulation and other improvements to bike safety here.
I will continue to advocate my support for increased protections for all users of DCR-run pathways and work towards a day where these preventable fatal collisions no longer occur. I asked the Commissioner what their plan was to engage the local community, and the Cambridge City Manager who was on the call said he was working with DCR and the Council to keep the community engaged. For a preliminary overview, you can find DCR’s traffic advisory here.
Flu and COVID Vaccine Clinics
Throughout October, the Cambridge Public Health Department will be offering COVID-19 and flu vaccines to adults and children who live in Cambridge. Registration is encouraged, and you can bring your insurance card if you have one. Medical staff will be on-site to answer any questions. You can learn more about the clinic and sign up here. The schedule for the clinics is below:
Wednesday, October 16, from 10am-2pm: Cambridge Senior Center (806 Mass. Ave)
Thursday, October 17, from 3-6pm: King Open School (850 Cambridge Street)
Friday, October 18, from 1-4 pm: Cambridge Community Center (5 Callender Street)
Wednesday, October 23, from 3:30-6:30 pm: Reservoir Church (170 Rindge Avenue)
Thursday, October 24, from 4-6:30pm: Pisani Center (131 Washington Street)
MBTA Income-Eligible Reduced Fare Program
At the beginning of this month, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced expanded access to reduced fares for income-eligible riders. The new program provides riders 18-64 who have low income with reduced one-way and round-trip fares of approximately 50% off on all MBTA buses, subway, Commuter Rail, ferries, and paratransit (The RIDE) travel.
Program participants can demonstrate eligibility via existing enrollment in programs with a cutoff of 200 percent of the federal poverty level (or lower), including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Transitional Assistance for Families and Dependent Children (TAFDC), Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled & Children (EAEDC), MassHealth CarePlus, MassHealth Family Assistance, MassHealth Limited, MassHealth Standard, and MASSGrant. You can learn more and apply for the program at mbta.com/fares/reduced/income-eligible
Honoring the Lives of Councillor Joan Pickett and Ted Hoff
Last Saturday, I attended the memorial for Councillor Joan Pickett at City Hall. I first met Joan in her capacity as President of the Mid-Cambridge Neighborhood Association, where I was struck by her passion for her community and consistent advocacy on their behalf. In a remarkable testament to her public service, Joan ran for office and was elected in her retirement! I was honored to work with and know Joan, and she will be deeply missed.
I also attended the dedication of the Ted Hoff basketball court at St. Peter School last weekend. Ted was a beloved community member who was dedicated to Cambridge. He was an extraordinarily generous person in building community, including coaching youth basketball, baseball, and hockey. He served as a mentor for so many, and he is deeply missed by his family and community.
Legislative Updates
Governor Healey Signs Emergency Preamble to New Gun Law
On Wednesday, Governor Maura Healey used her executive power to sign an emergency preamble to the gun omnibus package the Legislature passed this summer, putting it into effect immediately, circumventing a growing campaign of gun rights activists who were trying to gather signatures to halt its implementation.
Public Health Updates
I am happy to continue sharing these public health updates. I wanted also to let you know that I provide public health updates like this to my colleagues each week in my capacity as the House Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health. I do this as a service to help my colleagues keep their constituents informed.
Remaining Steward Massachusetts Hospitals Officially Transferred
The six remaining Steward hospitals in Massachusetts have officially been transferred to nonprofit operators according to a statement released by Governor Maura Healey’s office on Tuesday. Lawrence General Hospital will take over Holy Family Hospital campuses in Methuen and Haverhill, Boston Medical Center will take over St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Brighton and Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton, and Providence-based Lifespan Health System will absorb St. Anne’s Hospital in Fall River and Morton Hospital in Taunton. While patient care is expected to continue without interruptions, the new owners may face a plethora of challenges as the Steward facilities are integrated into existing hospital systems. The sale announcement came just days after Steward announced CEO Ralph de la Torre’s resignation, which took effect on October 1.
Maternal COVID-19 Vaccination Reduces Risk of Newborn Hospitalizations
New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) finds that infants whose mothers were vaccinated for COVID-19 during pregnancy were at a decreased risk for being hospitalized to treat severe COVID-19 complications when compared to infants whose mothers did not receive a COVID vaccination before giving birth. Infants six months and younger are not eligible to be vaccinated against COVID, leaving them incredibly vulnerable to contracting the illness, experiencing severe symptoms, and having to be hospitalized during treatment. Data shows that COVID hospitalization rates for infants younger than six months old are second only to hospitalization rates for adults 75 years and older. The best way to protect newborns from COVID is through maternal vaccination during pregnancy, enabling mothers to pass on antibodies to their children before birth.
Rwanda Experiences Country’s First Marburg Virus Outbreak
Earlier this week, the Republic of Rwanda confirmed several cases of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in hospitals around the country. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), MVD is a highly virulent disease that causes hemorrhagic fever and has an average fatality rate of 50%, although fatality rates have been as high as 88%. Initially, human infection results from prolonged exposure to mines or caves inhabited by Rousettus bat colonies. MVD is transmitted to people through direct human-to-human contact. As of September 30, Rwanda has reported 27 illnesses and nine deaths from MVD and is marked as the fourth largest Marburg outbreak ever recorded. Most of the people infected with Marburg virus have been healthcare workers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been no reported cases of Marburg in the United States, and the risk of infection to Americans with this outbreak is low.
FDA Approves New Drug for Schizophrenia Treatment in Adults for the First Time in Decades
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a new drug, Cobenfy, an oral medication for treating schizophrenia in adults. Schizophrenia affects about 1% of the population or an estimated 2.8 million adults in the United States. Manufactured by Bristol Myers Squibb, Cobenfy is a twice-daily pill that appears to have fewer side effects than current medicines. The standard of care for antipsychotic medications for people with schizophrenia has traditionally worked by blocking dopamine receptors, a brain chemical that affects mood, motivation, and thinking. However, Cobenfy introduces a new approach to treating schizophrenia by targeting cholinergic receptors in the brain, a brain chemical that aids memory, learning, and attention.
FDA Approves Nasal Spray Influenza Vaccine for At-Home Administration
Last month, the FDA approved FluMist, a nasal spray influenza vaccine, for self- or caregiver-administration. The spray is the first influenza vaccine that does not require administration by a healthcare provider, although patients will still be able to receive the vaccine in a healthcare setting, including at the pharmacy. During the 2023-24 season, the flu caused at least 35 million illnesses, 400,000 hospitalizations, and 25,000 deaths according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates. Getting vaccinated each year is the best way to prevent illness and potentially serious complications.
A Glimpse at the Past Week
On Friday, I toured the Daily Table grocery store in Central Square. I am so impressed by their commitment to offering fresh and nutritious food at affordable prices. Importantly, they offer a wide range of SNAP-eligible food, ensuring all members of our community, regardless of income, can purchase, prepare, and eat healthy meals.
During a very busy weekend, I attended the North Cambridge Little League Banquet. Congratulations to both the Minors and Majors Cubs for winning their leagues and making the Mayor’s Cup! I also want to give a special shoutout to fellow CRLS graduate Tucker Lewis — owner of Forge Baking and Diesel Cafe — pictured in the first photo, for opening Page & Leaf in Porter Square Books.


I also stopped by the Raymond Park Fall Fest on Sunday. It was great to see neighbors coming together on a beautiful fall afternoon and having fun at the petting zoo, pumpkin painting, and an ice cream truck. Thank you to the Friends of Raymond Park for their time and effort putting together this community event for all to enjoy!

On Sunday, Rep. Steve Owens and I had the honor of presenting Paddy’s Lunch with a citation commemorating 90 years of operation! Paddy’s is a Cambridge institution that has been owned and run by women for three generations, and I am grateful for the Allen family’s commitment to our community, particularly girls’ sports. If you're a runner, you know one of my favorite things to do is cheer you on, and I had a great time seeing so many friends and neighbors cross the finish line.
On Sunday evening, I had a great time celebrating Black-owned businesses in Greater Boston at the Black Biz Ball. Congratulations to the Cambridge businesses that were honored during the event: Kush Groove Dispensary, New Chapter HI Services, and Zina’s Hair Salon. Special shout out to Imam “Flash” Firmin for creating and hosting this extraordinary event!

I joined Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA) in celebrating the groundbreaking revitalization of Jefferson Park. This new community housing project will develop 278 units of affordable housing in North Cambridge, the first new public housing units in Cambridge since 1997. The modernization of Jefferson Park will not only provide housing for those in our community who need it but will feature outdoor gathering spaces and play areas for children. As someone raised in CHA housing, I am grateful for their continued commitment to ensuring our neighbors can be housed with dignity regardless of their income level.
It was great to be there with so many colleagues, but it’s always special to be with other members of our community who are elected leaders and who grew up in public housing — Mayor Denise Simmons, Councillor Ayesha Wilson, and Councillor Sumbul Siddiqui.
Cambridge Public Health Helpline Supports Residents with COVID-19
To speak with someone, call the confidential COVID-19 Hotline at 617-933-0797. Learn more here.
Intimate Partner Abuse Prevention Helpline
This initiative is designed to prevent intimate partner violence by fostering accountability and change in people who harm or may harm their partner. You can find more information at 10to10helpline.org or by calling 877-898-3411.
SafeSpot Overdose Prevention Helpline
SafeSpot is a virtual spotting/overdose detection service for people who use drugs. Learn more at safe-spot.me or access it by calling 800-972-0590.
De Novo Center for Justice and Healing
De Novo is a Cambridge-based nonprofit that provides free civil legal assistance and affordable psychological counseling to people with low incomes. You can learn more about their services at denovo.org.
MassLegalHelp.org is a resource to help Massachusetts residents learn about their legal rights. The website does not offer legal advice or answer individual questions but has a page about options for finding a lawyer. It does provide resources for those facing legal issues, such as a landlord refusing to make repairs, appealing the denial of SNAP benefits, and questions about getting a CORI sealed.
As always, please contact me with questions or concerns at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov.
Sincerely,
Marjorie