COVID-19 update for 5/14/20

On May 14, 2020, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

Somerville Cares Fund Update

Dear Community Members,

Here is a COVID-19 update for Thursday, May 14. And mark your calendar (if you remember where it is): the Virtual Community Town Hall is Tuesday, May 19 (see below).

Please also be sure to check somervillema.gov/covid19 for information and resources that are updated frequently.

Latest news:

Case Counts: As of 11:30 a.m. today, May 14, a total of 728 Somerville residents have tested positive for COVID-19, 461 of them have since recovered, and sadly there have been 20 deaths. More Somerville case data can be found on the City’s COVID-19 Dashboard.

The Somerville Cares Fund is still taking applications: The Somerville Cares Fund was started to help meet the basic needs of residents and workers hit hardest by the COVID-19 crisis. If you need help covering essential costs, you can apply for funding HERE.

You can help. Please donate to the Somerville Cares Fund: So far, more than 700 applications for emergency aid have come into the Somerville Cares Fund. But even with the roughly $215,000 already donated, the Fund does not have enough in it to cover the basic requests of those with the most urgent needs. Funds are still being raised. We are determined to help everyone. Applicants who qualify will get up to $250 per person with a maximum of $1,000 per family. That won’t cover every need. But for neighbors who need help to cover items like diapers, groceries, personal products, medicine, or the bill for the cell phone keeping them in touch with elderly family members (or hopefully their next job), the emergency support from the fund can make all the difference right now. If you are fortunate enough to have something extra to share right now, please consider making a contribution to help fellow community members. You can do that HERE.

10,000 Mask Drive needs you: The 10,000 Mask Drive has yielded 1,302 cloth masks so far. If you’re a crafty person who would like to help your neighbors out by donating reusable cloth masks, you can drop them off using the book drop at the Central or East Branch Library. Please drop off masks in a sealed plastic bag.

Thank you, Councilor Hirsch, and welcome, Councilor Strezo: First, a big thank you and many well wishes to Councilor-at-Large Stephanie Hirsch, who resigned this month to move out of state after years of dedicated service to Somerville as a Councilor, City staffer, and active parent and neighbor. Now, please join us in welcoming City Councilor-at-Large Kristen Strezo who was officially sworn in (while wearing her face mask and practicing social distancing) on May 4. Councilor Strezo is looking forward to her new role on the City Council and serving constituents across the City. She participates in her first full City Council meeting tonight and says she is honored to serve.

Join an Upcoming Virtual Town Hall Meeting to Discuss 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. You can either participate live via Zoom or by calling in by phone, or submit questions in advance and watch live on City Cable TV (channels 13 and 613 on RCN, channel 22 on Comcast). Meetings will also be recorded and rebroadcast later on the City YouTube Channel and City Cable TV. For more information on how to participate, visit somervillema.gov/virtualtownhall. Here are the upcoming meetings:
- Community Town Hall – Tuesday, May 19, 7 to 8 p.m. (for general public)
- Parents Town Hall – Thursday, May 21, 7 to 8 p.m.
- Youth Town Hall – date to be announced (for teenagers and high school students)

Free COVID-19 testing: To sign up for free COVID-19 testing for Somerville residents, call 617-665-2928, Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. You do not need to have symptoms or a doctor’s referral.

Today’s Assistance Tip: You may qualify for new paid leave benefits

Recent surveying found that most people aren’t aware of new paid leave benefits passed in March. Qualifying employees can get two weeks of paid time off at their full salary (up to $511 a day) if they are sick, quarantining, seeking preventative care, or caring for a sick family member because of COVID-19. Qualifying employees can also get 12 weeks at two-thirds of their normal pay if they need it for childcare. You can learn more about who qualifies for these benefits at the two linked articles.

Today’s Public Health Tip: Use shared outdoor space safely

Living in a multi-unit building often means shared indoor and outdoor space. As the weather gets warmer it’s understandable that people want to get outside, but if you share a yard with neighbors make sure you keep the space safe for everyone. Here are a few tips:

Unless the space is large enough for social distancing, only one household at a time should be using it. If you can, talk to your neighbors (virtually or by phone) to work out a schedule so everyone gets a chance to enjoy the space.
Clean any shared items like outdoor furniture and grills before and after you use them.
Don’t forget about neighbors in other buildings. Even if they’re in another yard, you still need to keep at least six feet of distance.
Although the Governor has allowed events with ten or fewer people, the Somerville Board of Health still strongly advises you to forgo social gatherings, even outside, until the virus is better under control. Remember if you have friends in your yard too close to you, without face coverings, or if they need to use your bathroom or kitchen, you may be exposing your family to the virus.