Free service will augment existing test site at Somerville Hospital 

The City of Somerville, Cataldo Ambulance, and Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) formally launch their mobile COVID-19 testing unit in Somerville this week. The mobile unit, designed to lower barriers to testing and offer equitable access, is the next phase of the City’s COVID Action Plan to control the spread of the virus via testing, contact tracing, and safe isolation. The mobile testing unit will accept patients by appointment at roaming locations, as well as hold designated testing days for residents of senior housing buildings. This testing is in addition to the Crown St. testing location at Somerville Hospital, where the City and Cambridge Health Alliance have offered free testing to Somerville residents since April.

An audit released today by State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump shows the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is not providing important information to the federal government and the public about the safety and usability of Massachusetts watersheds in a timely manner. The audit examined the period of July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019.

GLX officials will host a virtual public meeting, Wednesday, June 24, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Register and attend this meeting using GoToWebinar

 GLX presentation topics will include:

• Project Overview and Benefits
• Construction Update and Look-Ahead
• Work Forecast, Locations, and Hours of Operation

An investigation is underway and a suspect sought in connection with a shooting that took place Saturday evening in Somerville.

According to reports, a pregnant woman was shot at around 11:30 p.m. and later taken to the hospital.

$50 SNAP and P-EBT Match at Union Square Farmers Market

SNAP shoppers and P-EBT recipients can now leverage a dollar-for-dollar SNAP Match up to $50 dollars per market through June 27. SNAP and P-EBT customers will have significantly increased access to healthy food sourced from local food producers thanks to the generous support of the Somerville Job Creation and Retention Trust.

With the arrival of summer weather, and as COVID-19 related restrictions on daily activities begin to lift, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) reminds residents of the recommended precautions to keep families, including young children, safe this summer.

The Washington Street Art Center presents its inaugural virtual exhibition of the COVID-19 era, a solo show by studio member Catherine Aiello, opening June 20. Power and Service, an online and interactive exhibition, features multimedia work that reflects on and illuminates Aiello’s experience working in the food service industry. An online reception and artist talk take place Saturday, June 20, 7:00  – 9:00 p.m. Information on how to access the Zoom reception/talk will be available closer to the event at www.washingtonstreet.squarespace.com/events and the artist’s website.

Board of Health urges continued caution; coronavirus remains an active threat

After a review of Governor Charlie Baker’s Phase II reopening plan, the City of Somerville accepted the June 8 reopening date for all included sectors and activities such as outdoor dining, limited indoor shopping, and limited organized sports practices – with added city-required safety measures to some areas to better protect public health. The measures, which are designed to save lives amid the ongoing pandemic, will affect some reopening dates. Outdoor dining starting  June 10 at the earliest due to permitting and safety plan requirements, and a reopening date for playgrounds and splash pads will be announced in the coming days after safety and disinfection protocols are put in place. 

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

Part 1: How do we begin?
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By William C.  Shelton

Ten years ago I wrote a column in which I argued that we are incapable of complete objectivity. The most honest things we can do are to be humble before all relevant evidence, and to disclose our underlying assumptions so that others can evaluate how they have influenced what we are saying.