Cherish Health, a Cambridge technology innovator that pioneers solutions to improve lives and enable care using advanced sensors, artificial intelligence, medical evidence, and human touch, and its non-profit partner, Health eVillages, a global organization that provides medical resources such as mobile technology, training, and apps to low-resource settings, are launching their broad partnership during the COVID-19 pandemic with a program that will monitor and support the health care needs of formerly homeless veterans.

Message from Mayor Joe Curtatone:

To help reduce the spread of COVID-19, the Board of Health and I have issued a new order to require face coverings to be worn at all times in public. This order applies to anyone age two or older when in any public indoor or outdoor space. This will go into effect on Wednesday, April 29, but there will be a one-week grace period to allow time to comply.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan has announced the launch of a new dedicated text line for victims.  This line will provide victims with direct access to a victim witness advocate via text message.  The line provides the opportunity for victims in non-emergency situations to have live interaction with an advocate in the District Attorney’s Office without having to say a word. This is a valuable tool both for individuals who may feel safer utilizing text and for young people who often prefer text to phone call. Recognizing that many victims are reaching out with questions regarding personal matters, this line provides a person-to-person connection, which can help alleviate the stress of navigating the criminal justice system.

Somerville is working on multiple fronts to protect senior residents during the COVID-19 crisis.

L to R: Chief Charles Breen, Randy Oliver, Daniel Roche and Assistant Chief Christopher Major. — Photo courtesy of SFD

Probationary Firefighters Randy Oliver and Daniel Roche successfully graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy on Friday, April 24. Due to the COVID-19 State of Emergency, a graduation ceremony was not held. The newly graduated firefighters are seen along with Chief Charles Breen and Assistant Chief Christopher Major after receiving their helmet shields for their new assignments.

Dear Community Members,

Businesses should apply by Monday, May 11, at 3:00 p.m. to be considered

Applications are now open for the $1 million Somerville Small Business COVID-19 Relief Fund, which provides forgivable loans of up to $10,000 to Somerville small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible applicants should apply online at www.somervillema.gov/BizRelief. Applications are due by Monday, May 11, at 3:00 p.m. Multilingual application support is available.

— Photo © monkeybusinessimages / iStock via Getty Images Plus

The transition from in-person to online learning isn’t easy, particularly when it comes to mathematics, a subject where many students benefit from classroom learning and individualized attention from their teacher.

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.

Two New Assistance Funds Launched, Applications Coming Soon
Last week, Mayor Joe Curtatone and the United Way announced the launch of the Somerville Cares COVID-19 relief fund, which will offer emergency financial support to Somerville residents and workers. Through the fund, support will be made available to help individuals and families with the greatest need: people who have lost their jobs or income, for example, and are struggling to cover basic needs like food, utilities, housing costs, healthcare, or child care. Funds will be available regardless of immigration status and eligible workers include those recently laid off from their jobs. The fund will be hosted by the United Way and administered by the Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS). Because the fund was just started, it is currently only accepting donations. As soon as sufficient funds are raised, we will announce how to apply for aid. If you are able to donate to the Somerville Cares Fund, visit www.somervillema.gov/somervillecares.

Dear Community Members,