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 107,221 cases of COVID-19 and a total of 1,052,369 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 7 positive samples of EEE in Mosquitos in Franklin and Plymouth Counties and 5 positive samples of WNV in Mosquitoes in Suffolk and Middlesex Counties. For more information, click here.
- Today, Governor Baker extended the moratorium on evictions during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency until October 17, 2020. Tenants are still responsible for paying rent during this time and if you cannot pay rent due to COVID-19 you must notify your landlord. For more information, click here.
- Today, the Boston Red Sox will be playing an exhibition game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park at 7:30 PM on NESN. This will be the first game played at Fenway Park in 2020 following the start of Phase 3 which allowed for professional sports games to be played in Massachusetts.
- Yesterday, Governor Baker signed legislation to allow restaurants to sell sealed containers of mixed drinks with their takeout and delivery food orders.
- Yesterday, the House Ways and Means Committee released H4860, An Act relative to justice, equity and accountability in law enforcement in the Commonwealth. The House expects to consider the bill in formal session tomorrow. To read a bill summary, click here. To read the bill itself, click here.
Local Updates
- In Needham, Superintendent Dan Gutekanst and School Committee Chair Andrea Longo-Carter will be hosting a virtual Open House to share initial ideas about school reopening plans and respond to questions and comments on this plan on Thursday, July 23 at 5:00 PM. For more information, click here.
- In Needham, Needham Public Schools is asking families to complete the July NPS Family Survey, to help them in planning how to best support children and families in the coming school year. Click here to complete the survey.
- In Dover, the Dover Town Library is offering Curbside Service, as of July 20. You will be able to find items by visiting find.minlib.net or using the Minuteman app. When your requested item is available you will be able to schedule a time for you to pick up your items. For more information on Curbside Pickup, click here.
- In Medfield, Medfield Environment Action will be holding a virtual forum on Community Choice Aggregation on Wednesday, July 22 at 7:30 PM. For more information on Community Choice Aggregation and information on attending this forum, click here.
- In Medfield, the Board of Health will be meeting on Thursday, July 23 at 2:30 PM. The Board will be providing updates regarding COVID-19, municipal building reopening, and school building reopening from Superintendent Marsden. For more information, click here.
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
- 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
