Normally there is an editorial from Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone in this space, but this week the city is instead sharing important information and updates about COVID-19.

 100,000 Commercial Masks Being Distributed to Residents

Last week the city began distributing 100,000 civilian three-play masks to residents across the city with a focus on getting masks to people most vulnerable to COVID-19. Masks are first being delivered to senior residences, public housing buildings, and city and school food distribution sites. This is the second round of mask distribution. Previously, the city delivered 4,000 civilian three-ply masks to senior buildings.

As part of the educational approach to enforcement of the city’s face covering order, Somerville Police officers have also been carrying masks to give to people without them. Officers will also be distributing masks at the following locations from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. through May 18:

• Outside of the East Police Substation, 81 Broadway (distribution will be moved inside the Substation if it’s raining)
• At the intersection of Broadway and Temple St. (distribution will be moved to the Public Safety Building, 220 Washington St., if it’s raining)
• Teele Square (distribution will be moved to inside the West Police Substation, 1116 Broadway, if it’s raining)

Join a Virtual Town Hall to Talk about COVID-19

Join us for a series of virtual town hall meetings with Mayor Curtatone where you can learn about local COVID-19 impacts and the city’s response. Four meetings are left on the schedule – one geared toward a general audience and three tailored to specific communities. Residents can attend the meetings by joining online or calling in via a phone. Meetings will also air live on City Cable.

The meeting schedule is as follows:

• Spanish Language Town Hall – Wednesday, May 13
• Community Town Hall – Tuesday, May 19
• Parents Town Hall – Thursday, May 21
• A Youth Town Hall meeting is being scheduled with more information to come.

All scheduled meetings begin at 7:00 p.m.

Visit www.somervillema.gov/virtualtownhall at the start time of the meeting you would like to attend to join online or get call-in information. Call-in information will also be available on the day of each meeting on City Cable or by calling 311. The town halls will be recorded and made available through the city’s YouTube channel and cable channels. If you’re unable to attend a meeting live but would still like us to answer your questions, you can submit them ahead of time at www.somervillema.gov/virtualtownhall or by calling 311. Advance questions for specific meetings should be submitted by noon the day of that meeting. 

City Buildings Closed until June 1

City buildings will remain closed to the public until at least Monday, June 1. Many city services are still available online and 311 is available 24 hours a day to answer any questions or for service requests. You can also find out about any modifications made to accessing city services at the “City Services Status” tab at www.somervillema.gov/coronavirus.

10,000 Mask Drive Launched

The civilian three-ply masks the city is distributing can be reused a limited number of times and cannot be washed, so in order to get washable masks with a longer lifespan to residents who need them most, the city is putting out a call for donated cloth masks with a goal of collecting at least 10,000.

The Somerville Library has offered up its book drops for the effort. To donate masks, just place them in a sealed bag and put them in the book drop-off slot at either the Central Library, 79 Highland Ave., or the East Branch Library, 115 Broadway. Porter Square Dry Cleaners has generously volunteered to launder the donated masks. Once the masks have been washed, they will be distributed with vulnerable populations getting first priority.

Staying Informed During COVID-19

The city’s COVID-19 website, www.somervillema.gov/coronavirus, is updated frequently with public health information as well as resources and supports.

Here are some additional ways you can stay informed:

• Sign up for city alerts at www.somervillema.gov/alerts or by calling 311. You can choose to get phone, text, and/or email alerts.
• Tune in to City Cable (RCN channel 13, Comcast channel 22) for information and updates.
• 311 is available 24/7 to answer questions and provide information.