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:
Reopening Updates – Phase 1: Start
- Today is the first day of Phase 1. The first step of Phase 1 allows construction, manufacturing, and places of worship to reopen under sector-specific guidance that details necessary safety measures.
- To learn more about the reopening process and to read the guidance, click here.
- The second step of Phase 1 will allow lab space, office space, limited personal services, and retail to reopen in the coming weeks. You can read the sector-specific protocols and best practices for these services at mass.gov/reopening.
Statewide Updates
- In Massachusetts, there are a total of 87,925 cases of COVID-19 and a total of 476,940 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 RMV announced that select Massachusetts AAA offices will begin to reopen to members by appointment only. Members will be able to schedule appointments up to two weeks in advance and in some cases, curbside service will be available. To learn more, click here.
Local Updates
- In Needham, the Select Board will be meeting via Zoom Wednesday, May 20 at 5:00 PM. The Select Board will be discussing economic development opportunities and the annual town meeting. Click here for more information.
- In Medfield, the Board of Health will be meeting via Zoom Wednesday, May 20 at 3:00 PM. The Board of Health will be discussing the Dale Street School and reviewing the Reopening Massachusetts Plan. Click here for more information.
- In Dover, Eversource’s Eastern MA Transmission Vegetation Management will be conducting aerial vegetation patrols on transmission Rights of Way. This will take between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (5/19-5/21) depending on the weather. The aircraft being used will be a Bell 206B Jet Ranger III, registration N37WA, white/blue striped. Flight altitude will be at or below 300 ft.
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 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.
- 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
