As the COVID-19 Command Center and other agencies and organizations provide updates on COVID-19, I wanted to share with you the new information being reported:
Statewide Updates
- In Massachusetts, there are a total of 100,805 cases of COVID-19 and a total of 599,919 tests 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, the reopening advisory board released sector-specific protocols and best practices for Phase Two of reopening. This guidance covers reopening restaurants, lodging, and retail. To read these protocols, click here.
- Today, the Department of Early Education and Care released information on the approach they are considering for reopening child and youth-serving programs in Massachusetts. This information includes the health and safety requirements they are considering for all youth service programming including, summer programs, home-based care, and center-based care. For more information, click here.
- MassDEP and the Attorney General’s Office will resume the enforcement of beverage container redemption requirements. Enforcement will resume at retailers using reverse vending machines on June 5th and at retailers accepting containers over the counter on June 19th. To learn more, click here.
- Massachusetts residents who receive SNAP benefits can now use their EBT card to buy food online. For more information, click here.
- Criminal enterprises using stolen personal information from earlier national data breaches have been attempting to file fraudulent unemployment claims through the DUA system as part of a national unemployment fraud scheme. If you believe someone has applied for unemployment benefits using your personal information, call the DUA customer service department at (877) 626-6800 or submit via the online form here.
Local Updates
- In Needham, Town offices reopened today to the public by appointment only. If you are seeking to enter a Town building you must schedule an appointment in advance. If you would like to schedule an appointment, call the Town department in advance to schedule one. For more information, click here.
- In Dover, the Water Resource Committee will be holding a public meeting on Tuesday, June 9 at 9:00 AM via Zoom. This meeting will be to discuss the completed Hydrology Report on Dover Groundwater. The Committee will present on the findings and recommendations of the report. For more information, click here.
- In Medfield, the Board of Selectmen will be meeting on Tuesday, June 2 at 7:00 PM via Zoom. The Selectmen will discuss COVID-19 Operations, and the FY2021 Budget. For more information, click here.
Reopening Updates – Phase 1: Start
- We are currently in Phase 1. In addition to construction, manufacturing, and places of worship, now lab space, office space, limited personal services, and retail can begin to reopen.
- The personal services that will be permitted to reopen are hair salons and barbershops, car washes, and pet grooming services.
- To learn more about the reopening process and to read the guidance, click here.
- If you have questions, input, or comments regarding the Reopening Massachusetts plan, you can submit comments online. These comments can be used to support efforts to methodically reopen the economy admits 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.
- Text COVIDMA to 888-777 to receive daily text updates from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
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: http://www.needhamma.gov/85/Public-Health
Medfield Updates: http://www.town.medfield.net/1860/Coronavirus-Info-COVID-19
Dover Updates: http://doverma.org/
Department of Public Health: https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19, call 2-1-1, or text COVIDMA to 888-777.
Centers for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html