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:
Statewide Updates
- In Massachusetts, there are a total of 105,986 cases of COVID-19 and a total of 972,070 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.
- Today, Governor Baker announced $16.1 million in relief funding for 32 special education residential school providers to support costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools incurred unanticipated costs related to the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE), infection control measures, increased staffing costs and enhanced cleaning protocols.
- The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has released additional guidance for the fall 2020 reopening of schools in Massachusetts. For more information, click here.
- Tomorrow, July 15, the Health Connector will be hosting a live webinar to help Massachusetts residents who have lost employer-sponsored health insurance learn about their health coverage options through the Health Connector. For more information and registration, click here.
- On July 10, the Department of Public Health rescinded an emergency order addressing operation of grocery stores and pharmacies and related guidance. Specifically, the recission of this order means local plastic bag bans are again in effect and individuals can use their own reusable bags in grocery stores. To read the original order issued March 25, click here. To read the recission, click here.
Local Updates
- In Needham, the Library re-opened for curbside pickup on Monday and additional hours have been added to the curbside program. The library will open at 9:00 AM Monday-Saturday and close at 8:30 PM on Monday, 5:00 PM on Tuesday-Friday, and 4:30 PM on Saturday. For more information, click here.
- In Dover, the Board of Selectmen will be meeting on Wednesday, July 15 at 6:30 PM. For more information, click here.
- In Medfield, the School Committee will conduct a public forum about re-entry guidance and planning during its regular meeting on Thursday, July 16 at 5:30 p.m. More information, including a Zoom link, will be posted here.
- In Medfield, the Board of Health will be meeting on Thursday, July 16 at 2:30 PM. More information will be posted here.
Reopening Updates – Phase 3: Vigilant
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- If you do not qualify for traditional unemployment benefits but have lost your job due to COVID-19, you may qualify for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance under the federal CARES Act. To learn more, click here.
- To apply for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)benefits call Project Bread’s Food Source Hotline at 1-800-645-8333 (M-F from 8 AM-7 PM & Saturday from 10 AM-2 PM.)
- 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.
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.gov
Phone: 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:
Needham Health Department Updates: https://stories.opengov.com/needhamma/published/lP3WUJtv_
Medfield Updates: http://www.town.medfield.net/1860/Coronavirus-Info-COVID-19
Dover Updates: http://doverma.org/AlertCenter.aspx?AID=Dover-COVID19-Updates-Information-3
Department of Public Health: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-updates-and-information, call 2-1-1, or text COVIDMA to 888-777.
Centers for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html