Dear Neighbor,
We're all flooded with updates about coronavirus, and the situation changes constantly. But people have sent me many questions about local resources and questions about state policy in the past few days. Here are some responses; please stay in touch with other questions and suggestions.
LOCAL RESOURCES
Somerville and Medford have closed all public buildings, including schools, for the next two weeks. Cambridge and Winchester have closed schools and recreation programs. Winchester Town Hall will have reduced hours.
Everything is subject to change, so check your community's website for updates:
http://www.medfordma.org/coronavirus-information/ including food resources
https://www.somervillema.gov/departments/programs/novel-coronavirus-preparedness-and-information
https://www.cambridgema.gov/covid19
https://www.winchester.us/566/COVID-19
The state has a call center and website: dial 211 or visit https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19.
Cambridge Health Alliance has a hotline for coronavirus questions: covid19inquiries@challiance.org.
For people who have trouble getting food, Project Bread has a hotline for food resources: 1-800-645-8333
CommonSense has some good resources for young ones home from school, including books and apps.
If you live in Somerville and Medford and are able and interested in supporting your neighbors during this time of uncertainty, or might need need a hand yourself, you can check in with MAMAS Mutual Aid Medford & Somerville.
The Harvard Graduate Student Union has set up a form to both give and receive support for anyone in the Greater Boston area, not just Harvard students.
What's the Legislature doing?
The Legislature has passed a $15 million relief package to support DPH and local health authorities in monitoring, treating, and containing the coronavirus, as a first step. We need to do more.
As of Thursday, all public meetings at the State House have been cancelled. We are converting meetings to conference calls or virtual meetings. Our offices will have minimal staff, but staff will work from home where possible and will continue to respond to phone messages and emails.
The Senate will continue our work, passing legislation and resolving final questions about bills in our committees.
President Karen Spilka created a Senate working group, chaired by Sen. Jo Comerford, to collect suggestions for Senate action, and so far senators have submitted over 150 recommendations.
As chair of Elder Affairs, I asked the working group to make sure nursing homes, home care, and other facilities have adequate supplies, and to ensure that their low-paid workers have adequate paid leave so they can afford to stay home sick without losing income.
In one Washington nursing home, out of 120 residents, 25 have died of covid-19, at least 21 others have tested positive, and others are waiting for results. Over a third of staff members are out with symptoms consistent with the virus. Nine other nursing homes in the Seattle area have had cases, possibly because staff work at more than one facility.
As chair of Labor and Workforce Development I asked the working group consider expanding unemployment insurance eligibility and not enforcing job search requirements for workers laid off during the emergency. (This, along with expanded paid sick leave, may be addressed by federal legislation next week.)
I'm concerned about small businesses, and low-wage workers whose hours may be reduced. We will look for solutions, but we should also publicize the Workshare program, which isn't widely known. WorkShare allows you to avoid getting laid off. You work fewer hours and receive your reduced wages, while unemployment benefits help make up the difference.
I also asked that the working group consider asking state authorities to continue public benefits for people who were supposed to recertify their eligibility but can't get to state offices to do that; taking steps to protect officers and incarcerated people in prisons and jails; and reducing non-emergency court actions.
I'm cosponsoring bills that were just filed this week:
- to prevent evictions during the emergency
- to allow state employees to donate sick time to other employees impacted by the virus; otherwise, under current law, sick leave banks require individual legislation
- to establish a fund to assist residents who are unable to perform wage-earning services due to COVID-19 infection, quarantine, or isolation.
Federal Action Needed
The House of Representatives has passed a comprehensive legislative response to the pandemic, The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, and now we need the Senate to pass it immediately. Read more and sign a petition at MomsRising.
Stay well! Stay in touch!
This is a challenging and unprecedented time. Let me know your ideas and experiences.
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