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 90,889 cases of COVID-19 and a total of 511,644 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.
Local Updates
- On Tuesday, May 26, Representative Garlick will be offering another opportunity for virtual office hours. There will be 15-minute slots for constituents to sign up for and share their issues and concerns between 11:00 AM-12:00 PM and 1:00 PM-2:00 PM. Meetings can be conducted via Zoom or phone call. To sign up for a slot click here.
- In Needham, the Town of Needham has modified plans for its Memorial Day observances this year. In lieu of a parade and ceremony, the public is invited to mark the occasion by visiting the wreaths that will be placed around town on Monday, May 25. For a map of the locations, click here.
- In Needham, the Town will have picnic tables around Town for open air consumption of takeout food and beverages from local restaurants. Beginning today, picnic tables will be located on the Town Common, Needham Heights Common, and Eaton Square. For more information, click here.
- In Medfield, the Memorial Day Parade and ceremonies have been canceled. In lieu of this the Memorial Day Committee is announcing that at 12:00 PM noon on Memorial Day the four Medfield Churches will ring their church bells for one minute.
- In Dover, the Memorial Day observations, which are traditionally held on May 30, will not occur this year. At noon on Saturday, May 30 the churches in Dover will ring their bells to give thanks for all our Veterans.
Reopening Updates – Phase 1: Start
- We are currently in 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 begin on May 25 and 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.
The personal services that will be permitted to reopen are hair salons and barbershops, car washes, and pet grooming services.
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
