How to avoid missed rent penalties and COVID-19 update

On May 1, 2020, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

Please also be sure to check somervillema.gov/coronavirus for information and resources that are updated frequently.

Latest news:

Case Counts: As of 9:30 p.m. April 29, a total of 572 Somerville residents have tested positive for COVID-19, 216 of them have since recovered, and sadly there have been eight deaths.

City buildings to remain closed through at least May 18: Many City services are still available online. For more information on accessing City services, click the “City Services Status” tab on somervillema.gov/coronavirus. As a reminder, all City-sponsored and permitted events are canceled through June.

Street sweeping delayed until at least May 18: Street sweeping is now scheduled to begin on Monday, May 18.

Walkup and bikeup COVID-19 testing now available for residents (in addition to drive-up): As part of Somerville’s new COVID-19 Testing/Tracing/Safe Isolation Plan residents may make appointments for free testing. Testing is now available for drive-up, walk-up, and bike-up patients. The hotline number to make a free appointment for testing is 1-617-665-2928. No insurance or doctor’s referral needed.

City partners on project to pilot biosensors at local Veterans home: The City, Cherish Health, and the Cambridge Health Alliance have launched a pilot of a potentially lifesaving new biosensor at Somerville Hospital and Massachusetts Bay Veterans Center, a home for Veterans in Somerville run by the Volunteers of America, Massachusetts. The remote-sensing technology can monitor the vital signs of non-critical Covid patients at home. If the system picks up any signs of a worsening condition, a doctor or nurse will instantly be alerted by the device so they can get the patient the care or hospitalization they need. While Covid cases have yet to be reported at Mass Bay, we know this is a vulnerable population the device can help protect. More info HERE.

Reminder: Nonprofits are also eligible for Somerville Small Business Fund: The fund is accepting applications for support through May 11. Businesses/nonprofits may apply for an up to $10,000 forgivable loan from the $1million fund established by the City with federal funds. More info at somervillema.gov/CovidBizHelp.

Reminder: Medical exceptions to mask / face covering order: Just to reemphasize, persons who are medically unable to wear a face covering, due to a medical condition or disability are exempt from the mandatory face covering order, and these exceptions will be enforced on an honor system basis. You do not need to carry a letter from a doctor. Due to the vital health needs for community members to wear masks to protect others from potentially deadly exposure to COVID-19, we feel certain very few people will exploit this loophole out of gross disregard for others. So we’re counting on everyone to do the right thing with this, and also asking you to remember that if you see someone without a mask, they may well have a very good reason for that. So please don’t judge, attempt to self-police, or report them. Please leave any enforcement to our officers on their beats, and be responsible just for your own mask, and let others be responsible for theirs.

Today’s Assistance Tip: Avoid penalties for missed rent payments

In order to avoid late fees and reports to consumer reporting agencies for missed rent payments due to COVID-19 you must inform your landlord within 30 days of the non-payment that it was because of COVID-19. The State’s website has forms that both residential and commercial tenants can use to inform their landlord or to use as a guide to write their own letter.

Today’s Public Health Tip: Please properly dispose of gloves and face coverings

Department of Public Works employees have recently noticed an increase in glove and mask litter on the streets, particularly near supermarkets. Please help keep the community clean by properly disposing of gloves and single-use face coverings in a trash can. If no trash can is available, or it’s full, hold on to the items until you’re able to throw them out in a trash can. Throwing these items away properly also keeps them from getting into storm drains where they can cause issues for our sewer system and the broader ecosystem. Also double-check before throwing out a face covering – many can be reused.