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August 13, 2020, Tuesday and Thursday Report

Aug 13, 2020

August 13, 2020, Tuesday and Thursday Report

Dear Neighbor,
As we continue to move through Massachusetts phased reopening, I wanted to share with you the new information from Needham, Dover, Medfield, and across the Commonwealth. This information is also being posted on my website and on Facebook.

Local Updates

  • The Charles River Center 5K Run/1 Mile Walk will be taking place virtually this year. Individuals and teams can sign up and run or walk and submit their time during the week of Sunday, September 20 to Sunday, September 27. For more information and to register, click here.
  • In Needham, the Select Board announced Dine Around Needham, a Progressive Dinner Party to support Needham’s restaurant community. On August 19th, from 6:00pm-9:00pm, Needhamites can enjoy a socially distant night out at some of the the wonderful restaurants that Needham has to offer! Click here for more information. 
  • In Dover, the Board of Selectmen met this week with a myriad of topics on the agenda. The Board discussed Cable License Renewal, the Community Center Building Project Committee Designer recommendation, and a peak at the Town’s plan for document digitization. The next meeting of the Board of Selectmen will be August 26th.
  • In Medfield, the Medfield Music Association has begun selling Medfield masks and gaiters. The masks and gaiters will not only help stop the spread of COVID-19, each sale will support the Medfield Public School Music Program. Click here to buy your mask or gaiter today.

Statewide Updates

  • In Massachusetts, there are a total of 113,517 cases of COVID-19 and a total of 1,381,178 individual tests (molecular testing) have been performed. You can access a summary of case details and lab testing and cases by hospital facility and additional COVID-19 response reporting on the dashboard here.
  • The Department of Public Health is monitoring the presence of mosquito-borne diseases in Massachusetts, including West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). Currently, Massachusetts has found positive mosquito samples of WNV and EEE and there is 1 known human case of EEE. To learn more, click here.
  • This week the Department of Public Health released additional data on the average daily COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents, average percent positivity, and total case counts, for all 351 Massachusetts cities and towns over the last two weeks – the map can be found here. Each city or town has been designated as a higher risk, moderate risk, or lower risk community. This information will now be included in the Department of Public Health’s weekly dashboard.
  • Last week Governor Baker announced a series of steps aimed at curbing the recent increase in COVID-19 cases. As of August 11th:
  • Outdoor gatherings will be limited to 50 people in a single space and 25% capacity in smaller areas;
  • Masks are still required when people are unable to socially distance and must be worn for any gathering of more than 10 people from more than a single household;
  • Alcoholic beverages can only be served at restaurants if accompanied by food prepared on-site; and
  • The Department of Public Health, local boards of health, and now state and municipal police are authorized to enforce the new order. Violations can result in a fine up to $500 per violation, or a cease and desist order.

Reopening Updates – Phase 3: Vigilant

  • On Monday, July 7, the state entered into the first step of Phase 3 in Massachusetts Reopening. This includes: casino gaming floors, horse racing tracks, indoor recreational and athletic fields, fitness centers and gyms, museums, indoor historic spaces, aquariums, outdoor theaters and performance venues, outdoor event space, indoor event space, indoor non-athletic instructional classes, indoor recreational businesses, movie and TV production, sightseeing and other organized tours, movie theaters, and post-secondary, higher ed, vocational tech, and occupational schools regular operations.
  • If you have questions, input, or comments regarding the Reopening Massachusetts plan, you can submit comments online. These comments can be used by the Administration to support efforts to methodically reopen the economy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here for the form.

Resources

  • If you or someone you know is at risk for sexual and domestic violence, service providers are still accessible. You can find local services by clicking here. You can also call SafeLink, the statewide domestic violence hotline, at 1-877-785-2020. SafeLink can provide resources and support services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
  • To file an unemployment claim, visit here. If you have trouble filing a claim, please contact my office for assistance.
  • To apply for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits call Project Bread’s Food Source Hotline at 1-800-645-8333 (M-F from 8am-7pm & Saturday from 10am-2pm.) 
  • The WIC (Women, Infants, & Children Nutrition) program provides families with healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services for families. To check your eligibility and apply for WIC, click here.
  • Anyone feeling overwhelmed with sadness, anxiety or stress, or who wants to harm themselves or others, can access the mental health, emotional support, and suicide prevention program Call2Talk by dialing 2-1-1. Call2Talk is also available by calling 508-532-2255 or by texting C2T to 741741.
  • Text COVIDMA to 888-777 to receive daily text updates from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
  • A recent survey by The ROX Institute for Research and Training found nearly 80% of adolescent girls reported feeling more lonely since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you, or someone you know, are interested in becoming a mentor for a girl ages 7-15 the Big Sister Association of Greater Boston.
  • The Needham Community Council continues to support friends and neighbors of our community, but they need your help. Click here to learn more about volunteer opportunities and donation options!

Please remember social distancing is the most effective tool to contain the spread of COVID-19.
In addition to these updates, my office is still accessible so please continue to reach out and we will get back to you.Email:Denise.Garlick@mahouse.govPhone: 617-722-2380
Our local boards of health, the Department of Public Health, and the Centers for Disease Control are continuing to maintain websites with the most updated information regarding COVID-19 that you can access here:

Yours in Service,

Denise