Dear Friends and Neighbors ,
This time of year always seems to bring new energy and new ideas! My staff and I look forward to launching the “Garlick Press” on Mondays and Thursdays beginning next week. We will share the information and resources that you may need in an easily accessible format – as well as the news you want! As always, I can be contacted by email: (Denise.Garlick@MaHouse.gov) and through the office phone: 617 722 2380.
Stay well- Stay strong!
Denise
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 124,139 cases of COVID-19 and a total of 2,024,306 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 has added Nantucket, Plainville, Saugus, Tyngsboro, Worcester, and Wrentham to the highest-risk category for COVID-19. Additional communities on this list, include Chelsea, Dedham, Everett, Framingham, Lawrence, Lynn, Lynnfield, Monson, New Bedford, Revere, and Winthrop. For more information, click here.
- Residents in Massachusetts are encouraged to get vaccinated against the flu now to prevent to spread of the flu and ease the strain on the healthcare systems due to COVID-19. The Department of Public Health encourages people to wash your hands, cover your cough and sneeze into your sleeve, stay home when you are sick, and contact your healthcare provider if you believe you have the flu. For more information on the flu, click 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 positive mosquito samples of WNV and EEE and there are 5 known human cases of EEE and 7 known human cases of WNV. To learn more, click here.
Local Updates
- In Needham, the Recycling and Transfer Station will be holding a paint collection day on Saturday, September 19 and Saturday, October 17, 2020 from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. The Re-Use-It Swap Shop will be closed on these days. For more information, click here.
- In Dover, the Board of Selectmen will hold a Cable License Ascertainment Public Hearing on Thursday, September 24 at 6:30 PM via Zoom. This meeting will be to discuss Dover’s future cable-related needs and review the performance of the current cable operator. Residents may attend the meeting and or submit written comments on this topic. For more information, click here.
- In Medfield, Electronic Recycling Day will be held on October 3, 2020 at the Recycling and Transfer Station from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. For more information, click here.
- The Charles River Center 5K Run/1 Mile Walk will be taking place virtually this year. Individuals and teams can sign up and run or walk and submit their time during the week of Sunday, September 20 to Sunday, September 27. For more information and to register, click here.
Reopening Updates – Phase 3: Vigilant
- 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 and Additional Information
- 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.
- A recent survey by The ROX Institute for Research and Training found that nearly 80% of adolescent girls reported feeling more lonely since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you, or someone you know, are interested in becoming a mentor for a girl ages 7-15 the Big Sister Association of Greater Boston.
- The Needham Community Council continues to support friends and neighbors of our community, but they need your help. Click here to learn more about volunteer opportunities and donation options!
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