Good evening Cantabrigians,
I hope my emails continue to find you and your loved ones well. We continue to receive donations to the Mayor's Disaster Relief Fund ("Fund") from businesses and individuals in Cambridge looking to support their most vulnerable neighbors during this time. The Fund will provide relief to Cambridge residents who have suffered a significant loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are hoping to release the application to the Fund as soon as possible.
Last Friday, the President signed the $2 trillion economic relief package into law. It is estimated that Massachusetts will receive $2.67 billion, which includes:
- $32.9 million in homelessness assistance grants
- $20.4 million in community development block grants
- $60.8 million in Housing and Urban Development emergency solution grants
- $45.3 million for child care and early education grants
- $10.9 million for low-income heating assistance
- $17.2 million to help law enforcement acquire PPE and other gear
- $12.9 million in Centers for Disease Control grants, and
- $8.3 million in funding to prepare for safe elections.
With so many resources becoming available, we are making sure that any assistance provided by Federal, State and Local governments reach our communities as quickly as possible.
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Healthcare Updates
- The Cambridge Public Health Department has reported that a total of 70 Cambridge residents have tested positive for COVID-19.
- There are 4,955 cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts. As of yesterday, 39,000 Massachusetts residents have been tested.
- We are deeply saddened by Cambridge's first COVID-19 related death this past weekend. Our thoughts are with their family and loved ones during this time.
- Be sure to check Cambridge Public Health Department's website for up to date guidance and information on Coronavirus throughout Massachusetts.
- Massachusetts launched the Buoy Health’s online resource for residents to check their symptoms and connect with the next appropriate health care resource. This tool does not replace emergency medical care, but it may be used as a support for residents during the COVID-19 outbreak to connect them with appropriate health care resources if they display coronavirus symptoms. Buoy Health’s online 24/7 tool is free for Massachusetts residents and uses current COVID-19 guidance from the CDC and Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
- Apple also recently created a tool in partnership with the CDC, the White House Coronavirus Task Force and FEMA to make it easy for people across the country to get trusted COVID-19 information and guidance.
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Cambridge Public Schools | Citywide Updates
- As a reminder, Cambridge Public Schools remain closed until May 4, 2020.
- The City of Cambridge will suspend adding interest and late fees to the recently issued and future water and sewer bills that are due between March 30, 2020 - June 30, 2020.
- The City of Cambridge will also temporarily absorb all credit card and ACH fees relating to online payments of Real Estate, Personal Property, Water Bills, etc., paid through our Invoice Cloud payment portal. This change is effective immediately and will remain until further notice.
- The City’s temporary construction moratorium remains in effect while the City Solicitor and Commissioner of Public Health review the Governor’s position.
- The City is providing information in multiple languages related to important COVID-19 content. These resources are now available in Amharic, Arabic, Bangla, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese. This resource will be updated on an ongoing basis.
- The City has joined the social network Nextdoor to post key information about the City's response to COVID-19. Residents will be able to engage with each of the City's posts with questions and comments, as well as send private messages to the City.
- The Broad Institute is now processing over 1,000 COVID-19 tests per day.
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Statewide Updates
- Governor Baker’s disaster declaration was approved by the White House, which opens the door to federal funding in support of efforts to combat the virus.
- Local governments may be reimbursed 75% of their costs associated with emergency protective measures and response to the outbreak.
- Massachusetts extended the Massachusetts tax filing deadline to July 15, 2020 to mirror the federal tax filing extension.
- Governor Baker is asking all travelers arriving in Massachusetts to self-quarantine for 14 days.
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The programs and initiatives in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was just passed by Congress are intended to assist business owners with whatever needs they have right now. When implemented, there will be many new resources available for small businesses, as well as certain nonprofits and other employers. Find more information here.
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Grant applications are available for a new Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program. The program is designed to provide short-term working capital assistance to enable the viability of the business and retention of jobs during the severe interruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Applications are due May 1, 2020.
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Family Resources
- MIT has developed a new website for children, youth, parents, educators, and adults called Full STEAM Ahead. It’s a collection of MIT teaching and learning materials intended as a rapid response to the need for online resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. The curated resources are for K-12, higher education, and lifelong learners.
- Girls Who Code (at home) is a weekly series of downloadable CS educational activities to help girls keep up their learning at home—each activity will include a feature of a woman in tech who pioneered innovative technology.
- Cosmic Kids Yoga is a YouTube channel with mindfulness and relaxation activities for kids.
- Emergency child care centers are available for workers on the front lines of this outbreak. Currently there are 400 programs that can serve 8,000 children in Massachusetts. Find the full list here.
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Community Resources
Domestic Violence
- The Cambridge Police Department’s Domestic Violence Unit has compiled a valuable resource guide and suggested safety plans for residents that may be isolated with an abusive partner or household member, be in fear and/or unable to access critical services for safety and support. Please share with your networks.
Distaster Distress Hotline
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The Disaster Distress Helpline (1-800-985-5990) is a national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster, including disease outbreaks like COVID-19. This confidential support service is available in multiple languages and provided around the clock.
Housing Resources
- In order to address the many concerns regarding housing and housing related needs, the Community Development Department, the Department of Human Service Programs' Multi Service Center, and the City’s Housing Liaison are working together to stay up to date on all court related information and to respond to your questions and concerns. If you have questions about housing, please reach out to us here.
Other Resources
- Additional local guidance documents for the community can be found below:
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To support ongoing COVID-19 emergency response efforts, the Commonwealth has partnered with the Massachusetts Medical Society to match volunteers with our communities and health care providers based on skillsets and need. There is an immediate need for respiratory therapists and public health nurses, and the state is asking health care professionals interested in volunteering to sign up here.
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CASPAR provides critical services to some of our most vulnerable populations struggling with addiction and homelessness. Please consider donating these items and more:
- Disposable gloves
- Disposable gowns, booties, scrubs
- No-Touch Digital Scanner Thermometers
- N95 Masks for staff & Surgical Masks for clients
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Massachusetts has launched a COVID-19 text message system to keep residents informed by delivering updates to those who sign up.
To sign up to receive notifications, text COVIDMA to 888-777.
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Want even more up to date information on COVID-19? Dial 2-1-1
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