< Back to Blog


May 5, 2020 COVID-19 Update

May 5, 2020

May 5, 2020 COVID-19 Update

As the COVID-19 Response 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 70,271 cases of COVID-19 and a total of 333,349 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.
  • The Administration has updated its essential services Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page to allow some small non-essential businesses to fulfil online and phone orders. See the updated FAQs here.
  • Starting tomorrow, the Governor’s order regarding the use of face coverings and masks goes into effect. Residents over the age of two must wear a face mask or covering in all public places where maintaining proper social distancing is not possible. You can read the order here.
  • Today, Governor Baker provided an update on the distribution of Personal Protective Equipment in the Commonwealth. Massachusetts has currently distributed 8.5 million pieces of PPE including masks, gloves, and ventilators. If you have PPE to sell or donate, the state is continuing to collect equipment to support the response effort. Click here to learn more.
  • RMV customers can now schedule a reservation online 7 days in advance for an open service center. Previously, you could only schedule for 3 days in advance. For more information, click here.

Local Updates

  • On Monday, May 11, 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 11:00AM-12:00PM and 1:00PM-2:00PM. Meetings can be conducted via Zoom or phone call. To sign up for a slot click here.
  • In Needham, the Town is developing Climate and Hazard Mitigation plans to prepare for future extreme weather events. The public feedback session has been canceled due to COVID-19, but the Town continues to seek public feedback on the priorities that should be included in the plans. Please click here for more information.
  • In Dover, the Annual Town Election will be held on June 15, 2020. Absentee ballots for this election are now available. You can submit the application by mail, by email to fhoffman@doverma.rog, or drop it off in the Treasurer’s Box at Town Hall. Click here for an application.
  • The Town of Medfield held its annual Town Election yesterday. Thank you to our election workers for ensuring yesterday ran smoothly and safely in the time of COVID-19. To view the results from the election, click here.

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