From: Marjorie Decker <repdecker@gmail.com> Reply-To: <repdecker@gmail.com> Date: Friday, April 24, 2020 at 8:58 PM Subject: Friday 4/24 COVID-19 Updates Dear all, I write to you this evening with relevant COVID-19 updates and resources. As of today, there are 667 Cambridge residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 and 37 residents have passed away. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/2J2BnQj. There are 50,969 cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, including 11,681 in Middlesex County. 215,213 tests have been performed, and 2,556 patients have passed away. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3aC72TY. Save the date Next Wednesday I will be hosting a town hall on education during COVID-19. Panelists to follow. You can register for the Zoom here: https://bit.ly/2Kelp6l or join in by watching CCTV Channel 9, Facebook Live, or Youtube. Please submit questions you have ahead of time to Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov, or submit them in the Q&A chat during the town hall. I hope to see you there. Cambridge Updates Tonight, 22-Cityview premiered a special with Mayor Siddiqui and City Manager DePasquale where they answered questions from residents about COVID. The special will re-air tomorrow and Sunday at 3PM and 7PM. The start of street cleaning season has been delayed until May 18th. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/2yK0bdH. The City updated Temporary Emergency Restrictions on public meetings, city events, and city permitted events through May 31st. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/2VCn77T. State Action Updates Today, the state filed two waiver requests with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. These waivers would expand Medicare telehealth coverage to include services provided by phone and video, extend retroactive coverage for those who qualify for MassHealth to allow them to be covered up to 90 days before submitting their application, provide flexibility for federal provider payment limits, and ease provider requirements that could result in unnecessary administrative burdens or barriers to care. Learn more here:https://bit.ly/2VV5MWP. Earlier this month, I wrote a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma asking CMS to extend reimbursements to cover telephonically delivered healthcare services. This issue is so important in ensuring that everyone has access to care during this time, especially our most vulnerable populations. You can see my letter here: https://www.facebook.com/RepDecker/posts/3201670289844378. Unemployment Insurance Updates Since the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program launched on Monday, over 100,000 claims have been processed. Checks which include an additional $600 per week as part of another CARES Act benefit are being sent out. You can learn more about the PUA program and apply for benefits here: https://bit.ly/2S0id2n. MassDOT Updates The MBTA is opening up the RIDE services to personal care attendants. Users of the RIDE will be able to book these trips for their PCAs as capacity allows. Those interested in booking rides for their PCAs can call the Access Center at (844) 427-7433. Where to donate If you are able to give to others during this time, I encourage you to look to the following places that are working to help those most affected by COVID-19: Mayor's Disaster Relief Fund: https://bit.ly/3bgTBJU Cambridge Health Alliance: https://bit.ly/2vWegUB Cambridge Community Foundation: https://bit.ly/33ImGeE Food for Free: https://bit.ly/3afFuEE Greater Boston Food Bank: https://www.gbfb.org/ Cradles to Crayons Emergency Essentials Fund: https://bit.ly/2WHOD4V Enroot Emergency Immigrant Cash Assistance Fund: https://bit.ly/2y7bBIe As always, do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions or concerns at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov. Sincerely, Marjorie Friends of Marjorie Decker P.O.Box 390431 Cambridge, MA 02139 See what's happening on our social sites Friends of Marjorie Decker, PO Box 390431, Cambridge, MA 02139 Sent by repdecker@gmail.com in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!