Fenway Civic Association

• Text BOSEspanol to 888-777 for Spanish
• Text BOSKreyol to 888-777 for Haitian Kreyol
• Text BOSFrancais to 888-777 for French
• Text BOSKriolu to 888-777 for Cabo Verdean Creole
• Text BOSPortugues to 888-777 for Portuguese
• Text BOSSoomali to 888-777 for Somali
• Text BOSChi to 888-777 for Simplified Chinese
• Text BOSbilAraby to 888-777 for Arabic
• Text BOSViet to 888-777 for Vietnamese
• Text BOSRus to 888-777 for Russian

• He declared racism to be a public health crisis in the City of Boston, and is backing this declaration with an initial investment of $3 million transferred from the police overtime budget to the Boston Public Health Commission. The BPHC will work with the City departments on strategies to directly address the impact racism has on the lives and health of Boston residents.

• The City will be taking a number of steps in law enforcement accountability.
  • We will establish a process to strengthen the existing Community Oversight Panel.
  • BPD has completed its review of the use-of-force policies outlined by the 8 Can’t Wait movement. The BPD is clarifying its rules to meet the standards, and has immediately implemented several reforms. These are use-of-force policies proven to reduce the likelihood of violence.
  • BPD is also adopting the training program known as Ethical Policing is Courageous, or EPIC. This means officers will not only be required to intervene when they witness unnecessary use of force; they will be trained with strategies for preventing abuses and intervening if they occur.
  • Moving forward, BPD will no longer use the “hair test” for evidence of drug use in officers or recruits.

• The Mayor also announced steps the City is taking in the FY2021 Budget to further ground public safety in community health and wellbeing.
  • He is proposing to reallocate 20%, or $12 million, from the Boston Police Department’s overtime budget. That money will be invested instead in community programs for our youth, for the homeless, and people struggling with the effects of inequality.
  • That includes the initial $3 million to implement our Public Health declaration;
    • $1 million to support trauma response and counseling at the Boston Public Health Commission.
    • $2 million for community investments through other City departments, including violence prevention, language access, food security, immigrant advancement, elder support, and the Human Rights Commission.
    • $2 million for programs supporting minority and women-owned businesses.
    • $2 million for housing security and ending youth homelessness.
    • And $2 million for emergency clinicians and mental health supports provided through the Boston Police Department when they respond to residents in crisis.

• The Mayor has signed the Mayor’s Pledge issued by the Obama Foundation’s My Brother’s Keeper Alliance. My Brother’s Keeper was launched in 2014 to empower young men and women of color. Boston was at the founding and we have made sure Boston is a leader in this alliance.
  •  What the new pledge says is this:
    • 1, We will review our Police use-of-force policies;
    • 2, We will engage communities by including a diverse range of input, experiences, and stories;
    • 3, We will report the findings of our review to the community and seek feedback;
    • And 4: We will reform our use-of-force policies based on that conversation.

• To make sure our commitments translate into action, the Mayor is creating a new Task Force.
  • It will be led by Bostonians from civil rights organizations, the legal community, and the faith community.  It will be chaired by Wayne Budd, the former US Attorney for the district of Massachusetts— and a respected, longtime leader in Boston’s legal and civil rights communities.
  • The Task Force will conduct an immediate review of force policies and other equity issues at the Boston Police Department. And it will provide guidance on how we strengthen the Community Ombudsman Oversight Panel, the Co-op Board, to ensure that their work is effective. The Mayor will be accepting any changes that they recommend.
  • The Task Force will begin immediately and produce recommendations within 60 days. The community will then have time to review the recommendations and provide feedback. And we will announce reforms.

• The Boston Police Dept. has been deeply committed to community policing and positive reform since the beginning of the Mayor’s administration. They continue to build a strong foundation of trust—in relationships with young people and members of the community in our neighborhoods. Their work starts with positive interactions in our communities and classrooms — and in programs like Coffee with a Cop, Flashlight Walks, Peace Walks, and Shop with a Cop. They provide prevention and diversion supports for at-risk youth and families. And they offer pathways away from violence for those who are ready to make a change [e.g., partners in Operation Exit].
• The results of this work are evident:
  • From 2013 to 2019: complaints of improper behavior fell by 40%; and complaints of excessive force dropped by over 50%.
  • Over that time period, the crime rate is down by nearly 30%; arrests are down 33%; and officers have taken 5,000 guns off the streets.
  • We’ve made this progress, over the last 6 years, by lifting people up, not locking people up. That’s what we’re going to keep doing here in Boston.
  • The men and women of the Boston Police Dept. are increasingly reflective of the community they serve.

• The $3.61 billion recommended budget represents an increase of $119 million, or 3.4 percent over the FY20 budget, and the resubmission follows over 30 City Council hearings that helped identify opportunities for further targeted investments and cost-savings.
• In this budget resubmission, the City has accounted for a projected $65 million in revenue loss as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, $30 million of which was initially accounted for in the Mayor’s original budget proposal in April. Despite this lost revenue, and as a result of six consecutive years of proactive fiscal management that has positioned the City of Boston to continue investing in core city services and resident needs at a time of global economic uncertainty, the budget resubmission affirms Mayor Walsh’s historic commitment made in his State of the City address in education and housing.
• Through those commitments, the City will allocate $80 million in new funding for the Boston Public Schools to both meet the challenges of COVID-19 and work towards closing achievement and opportunity gaps. This budget marks the first year of the Mayor’s $100 million commitment to new revenue for direct classroom funding, over and above cost increases. This funding will reach every school in the Boston Public Schools district, and will begin with intense support for underperforming schools.
• The budget also protects Mayor Walsh’s unprecedented commitment of $500 million over five years to create thousands of homes all across our city that will be affordable to residents at a range of income levels.
• The FY21 budget fulfills the first year of the Mayor’s commitment of City resources with an $18 million investment in new operating and capital fundings. In the first year of this new housing investment, the City is dedicating new funds to create affordable homeownership opportunities, preserve and generate affordable rental opportunities including Boston’s first City-funded rental voucher program.
• For more information about the budget, visit Boston’s budget website at budget.boston.gov.

• Today the Mayor announced a new mortgage and down payment program, ONE+Boston, which gives income-qualified first-time Boston homebuyers greater ability to purchase a home in Boston by combining a discount on a low-interest rate mortgage product with down payment assistance.
• The ONE+Boston program was designed to supplement one of the state’s existing affordable mortgage programs (the ONE Mortgage) by providing qualified buyers, based on area median income, additional discounts on interest rates. With the new ONE+Boston program, qualified Boston residents who earn between 80% and 100% area median income will receive a half percent (0.5%) discount rate off the already low-interest rate offered through the ONE Mortgage product (currently about 3%). In addition, Boston residents who earn below 80% of area median income will receive up to one percent (1%) off of the current ONE Mortgage rate. Qualified buyers will also be eligible for downpayment and closing cost assistance through the Boston Home Center.
• For example, a family of four making 100% of area median income of $119,000, could afford a $410,000 single-family house in Boston with a conventional loan. With the ONE+Boston program, the same family could afford a $539,000 single-family house in Boston.

• The City is providing a way for residents to find local restaurants that are offering  take-out and delivery service, and outdoor seating during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. Find the restaurant listings here.

• Vist the City’s website for  information on how to apply for a temporary outdoor extension as well as  information and guidance for businesses and job seekers.

• Beginning June 22nd, patrons will be able to pick up physical items such as books, DVDs, and CDs from select Boston Public Library locations as a part of their new program, called “BPL to Go.”  Patrons can “order” items from the library by placing a hold on them, then safely pick them up from select branches.
• The pilot program will launch first at five locations: the Central Library in Copley Square, the Codman Square Branch, the East Boston Branch, the Jamaica Plain Branch, and the Mattapan Branch. The program will be expanded throughout the system in the coming weeks.
• You can place items on hold by visiting bpl.org; on the BPL mobile app; or by calling the library’s main number at 617-536-5400. When they are ready, you will be notified and asked to schedule a time to come to their pickup location.
• Pick-up times: Central Library, Monday – Thursday, 11am – 6pm, and Friday & Saturday, 11am – 4pm. At the branches, Monday – Thursday, 2 – 6pm; and Friday 2 – 4pm.
• For more information, please visit bpl.org/takeout, or download the iPhone app in the Apple App Store. Patrons can also call the main number of the Library at (617) 536-5400 or email ask@bpl.org to have their questions answered.

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• Text BOSEspanol to 888-777 for Spanish
• Text BOSKreyol to 888-777 for Haitian Kreyol
• Text BOSFrancais to 888-777 for French
• Text BOSKriolu to 888-777 for Cabo Verdean Creole
• Text BOSPortugues to 888-777 for Portuguese
• Text BOSSoomali to 888-777 for Somali
• Text BOSChi to 888-777 for Simplified Chinese
• Text BOSbilAraby to 888-777 for Arabic
• Text BOSViet to 888-777 for Vietnamese
• Text BOSRus to 888-777 for Russian

• Phase 1 of the State’s reopening plan began last Monday, May 18, with some construction sites, manufacturing facilities, and houses of worship resuming activities. Some office spaces will resume in-person activities this week in Massachusetts, and next week in Boston.
• Remember, there is about a 2-week time lag between infections and positive test results, as people develop symptoms and get tested. Therefore, the numbers we’re seeing now are based on what we were doing 2 weeks ago and earlier. If we want the numbers to keep going in the right direction, everyone must continue doing their part to minimize the risk of another surge, by maintaining 6 feet of distance between individuals; continuing to wash hands and clean surfaces frequently; and wearing a face covering when in public.
• Residents should continue to work from home if possible, and older adults and medically vulnerable people should follow the Safer at Home advisory and stay home as much as possible.

• Areas that are now OPEN:
  • Passive space for walking, running, cycling, riding non-motorized scooters and skateboards, while practicing physical distancing. Keep six feet of space between yourself and others.
  • Tennis courts, pickleball courts, and athletic fields are open for families and individuals from the same household. Do not congregate in groups. No permits will be issued until further notice.
• The following features are STILL CLOSED in all parks:
  • Playground structures and equipment (slides, swings, climbing structures)
  • Fitness equipment
  • Courts: basketball, street hockey, and handball
  • Organized, group sports activities on fields: baseball, softball, football, rugby, cricket, and soccer
• Only use parks when you have the ability to remain six feet away from others. If you find a park to be crowded, choose a less busy time or find another park.

• This is a grant program to help small businesses put safety measures in place, including buying personal protective equipment (PPE); installing safety partitions for customers and employees; and managing outdoor space that’s approved for business use. The grants will be distributed to brick-and-mortar businesses, with fewer than 15 employees, where people work close to each other or to customers. That includes salons and barber shops, retail stores and restaurants, gyms and event spaces, and more.
• The funds will be released in three rounds, corresponding to the phases of the state’s reopening plan. Phase 1 applications will open this Thursday, May 28th, at 5 p.m. Information is available in multiple languages at boston.gov/reopen-fund.
  • The second round will target retail stores, restaurants, including outdoor dining materials, and remaining personal services including nail salons, day spas, waxing, and laser services.
  • The final round will include bars, arts and entertainment venues, and fitness businesses.
• This new fund builds on previously existing supports for small businesses, including the Small Business Relief Fund, which has already distributed $4 million to more than 1,100 small businesses, and a new online resource to help small businesses procure PPE, which has already seen 4,500 visitors.
• When business owners are allowed to open under the State’s plan, that doesn’t mean they have to open. If they decide not to open, they will continue to have access to all the resources and support that the City provides.

• Workers in any size organization have options if they feel they are being pressured into an unsafe situation. Attorney General Maura Healey has created resources for workers to report safety concerns during reopening. They include an online form at the Attorney General’s website and a dedicated Fair Labor hotline at 617-727-3465. People can also find those resources by calling 311.

• The City of Boston is also holding a series technical assistance workshops for small businesses to address challenges around reopening. The Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, in partnership with the Boston Licensing Board, the Public Works Department, Boston Transportation Department, the Inspectional Services Department, the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services, and the Boston Main Streets program, will discuss reopening guidelines, PPE and cleaning supply needs, as well as updated City policies to support businesses reopen safely.

• As the number of new coronavirus cases have continued to decline, and capacity at local hospitals has returned to near-normal levels, the Boston Hope Medical Center at the BCEC stopped taking new patients on May 26th.
• The facility will continue operating until the last patient has been discharged to a safe place, and it will stay in place as a ready resource should it be needed again.
• In total, Boston Hope has treated more than 700 patients since it opened in early April.

• Over the weekend, the Office of Neighborhood Services (ONS) distributed 10,000 care kits to various community outreach partners, meal sites, and testing sites in Boston, building on the Mayor’s commitment of making critical resources available to residents.
• Each kit contains a mask, hand sanitizer, gloves, anti-bacterial wipes, soap, and a booklet with information from the City on COVID-19 facts and resources.
• Providing residents with the tools they need to stay safe during this time was one of the recommendations of the Mayor’s Health Inequities Task Force, which has been working to provide guidance to the City of Boston on addressing current inequities in data analysis, testing sites, and health care services for blacks, Latinos, Asians and immigrants, and advocating for an equitable reopening and recovery for all of Boston’s communities.
• The care kits were assembled by a team of 130 volunteers from 25 City departments, who supported the Office of Neighborhood Services (ONS) in preparing for the distribution. The care kits are being made available in part through community partners, who play an integral role in providing residents with the resources needed to keep people safe during this public health crisis.
• ONS is assembling another 10,000 care kits for a second round of distribution this week.

• Stay home. If you must go outside, practice physical distancing from others (6 feet apart); avoid crowded places.
• Wear a face covering if you absolutely must go outside. Face covers help reduce the risk of a person spreading the virus, especially if they are asymptomatic. Visit CDC guidelines on face coverings for more information and guidance.
• Anyone experiencing a medical emergency should call 911. The City of Boston’s EMTs and hospitals have the capacity and ability to treat everyone.
• Observe the recommended curfew for everyone in Boston except for essential workers to stay at home from 9 pm to 6 am daily.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol; avoid shaking hands
• Cover your coughs and sneezes; clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces; and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• If you think you might be sick, please call your doctor or 311 to be connected to the Mayor’s Health Line 617-534-5050. Buoy Health has created a free online diagnostic tool which screens for COVID19 at buoy.com/mass.
• Donate supplies to first responders here.
• Donate to the City of Boston Resiliency Fund here.
• Volunteer with the City of Boston here.
• Fresh Truck Open Air Markets schedule.
• City Hall is open to the public on Tuesdays and Fridays, 9 am – 5 pm. Learn more about the status of city departments and hours of operation here.
• Fill out the 2020 Census. The Census informs how billions of dollars in federal funds will be allocated by state, local and federal lawmakers annually for the next 10 years. It’s more critical than ever to ensure that all Bostonians are counted.
• Tell the Parks Department where you would like to see more open space in our neighborhood here.

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• Text BOSEspanol to 888-777 for Spanish
• Text BOSKreyol to 888-777 for Haitian Kreyol
• Text BOSFrancais to 888-777 for French
• Text BOSKriolu to 888-777 for Cabo Verdean Creole
• Text BOSPortugues to 888-777 for Portuguese
• Text BOSSoomali to 888-777 for Somali
• Text BOSChi to 888-777 for Simplified Chinese
• Text BOSbilAraby to 888-777 for Arabic
• Text BOSViet to 888-777 for Vietnamese
• Text BOSRus to 888-777 for Russian

• Outdoor seating for when restaurants reopen is something the City’s been working on. We want to help restaurants recover and create safe distancing options for everyone.
• The Licensing Board for the City of Boston has taken steps to lift restrictions and streamline existing processes to help small businesses and restaurants as part of the COVID-19 reopening process.
• At its hearing on Thursday, May 21, 2020 the Board took the following actions:
  • Voted to pass an emergency amendment to its General Rules codifying its existing administrative review of temporary extensions of licensed premise onto outdoor space using its existing One Day Amendment to Existing License Application;
  • Voted to administratively lift citywide the preexisting condition of “alcohol with food only” on outdoor space or any other similar condition that prohibits the sale and service of alcohol on outdoor space without the service of a food item;
  • The Board, Boston Transportation Department, Inspectional Services Department, Public Improvement Commission, and Public Works Department  will waive fees for the approved use of outdoor space for this program, on both public and private property, on a temporary, non-precedent setting basis.
• On Monday, the Licensing Board issued a questionnaire for businesses that will be used as the starting point for both identifying opportunities for temporary extensions onto outdoor space both on public and private property.
• Extensions into the public way, whether sidewalks or streets, require evaluation by multiple departments to confirm doing so can be done while ensuring the safety of patrons and employees. The goal is to be able to process and approve these temporary extensions administratively without requiring hearings, fees, or multiple applications going to multiple departments.
  • To date, 147 businesses have filled out the questionnaire across the city ranging from small restaurants and coffee shops in neighborhoods to restaurants downtown. The questionnaire is for businesses who have licenses from the Licensing Board.
• The data from the questionnaire, in addition to serving as the starting point for the review process, also informs City departments which neighborhoods may not be aware of the temporary extension process so that outreach can be targeted to ensure businesses across the city have access to this opportunity.

• The City has been working to make sure frontline employees have PPE, and help as many essential organizations as possible, including nursing homes and long-term care facilities, especially those with limited resources.
• With Phase 1 of the State’s reopening plan beginning, more workers will need these items. For small businesses, it’s an issue of both public health and economic equity. The Mayor stated that he wants to make sure that every worker has access to the equipment they need to stay safe, and that no small businesses get shut out of reopening because they don’t have supply chain connections.
• The City is launching a resource to help at boston.gov/business-ppe. It has guidance on what type of PPE businesses and organizations need, how to procure it and avoid scams, and lists of trusted vendors.
• The Mayor stressed that it is the responsibility of the employer to provide protective gear for all of their workers, but he hopes that this City resource will help them meet this responsibility and keep their workers and customers safe.

• As of Monday, the City of Boston and its partner organizations have distributed over 1 million meals to young people at 65 meal sites across Boston.
  • The Boston Public Schools have distributed more than half of those meals. They have also delivered over 200,000 meals directly to the homes of students with special needs.
  • The City has completed nearly 5,000 door-to-door grocery deliveries for people who have reached out in need. 50% are to seniors referred by the Age Strong Commission, and the City has increased Meals on Wheels deliveries by 40% as well.
  • Information about food resources for all ages is available at boston.gov/covid19foodmap.
• A new report by the Greater Boston Food Bank shows that the number of households they served in April was up 69% compared to a year ago; and the number of children they served is up 81%. The City will continue to focus on food access. So far, the Boston Resilience Fund has distributed more than $9 million in grants to local food providers, and the Fund will continue to focus on food access as a top priority area.

• Families will get $5.70 per student per day for every day school is closed to buy food.
• Families receiving DTA benefits will get their benefits on their existing EBT card.
• Families not currently receiving DTA benefits will be mailed a new P-EBT card.

• Massachusetts residents who are eligible for the federal CARES Act and qualify for having exhausted their regular unemployment compensation may now receive the new Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC).
• The launch of this program marks the third and final benefit available for the Commonwealth through the CARES Act.
• PEUC provides up to 13 additional weeks of benefits to an individual who has exhausted all rights to any regular unemployment compensation and who meets other eligibility requirements of the CARES Act. PEUC will automatically begin for individuals who have been receiving regular standard unemployment benefits on an active claim and those benefits are exhausted, and those individuals do not have to take any further action.
• If an individual’s standard unemployment claim has expired, they must file a new standard claim. If the individual is monetarily eligible on the new standard claim, regardless of the benefit rate amount, they will receive benefits from that new claim. Otherwise, the individual will be eligible for PEUC on the prior claim and it will be automatically implemented.
• Individuals who exhausted their standard benefits but were receiving benefits through Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) must apply to claim weekly benefits. Residents should apply through the standard unemployment benefits portal available here.
• Those receiving PEUC will also receive $600 weekly through the week ending July 25, 2020, provided by the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program established by the CARES Act.
• The CARES Act signed into law on March 27, 2020, established the PEUC, PUA and FPUC public benefit programs that expanded unemployment eligibility, temporarily increases weekly benefits for all claimants and allows additional categories of people to claim unemployment benefits. This is the largest expansion of assistance for the Commonwealth’s workforce since the Great Depression.
• More information about Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation can be found at mass.gov/peuc.

• The Mayor announced 19 new grantees, which will receive a total of $880,000. Consistent with the City’s equity focus, 58% of the organizations are led by a person of color and 58% are women-led organizations.
• These grants focus on helping seniors who are homebound, people experiencing homelessness, and building on some of the early food grants that were distributed in the past two months.
• In total, the Boston Resiliency Fund has raised a total of $30.8 million from nearly 6,000 donations, and distributed $18.5 million to 200 organizations. To learn more, donate, or request grant funding, go to Boston.gov/BostonResiliencyFund.

• The City of Boston’s Small Business Relief Fund has now given out nearly $4 million in grants to over 1,100 small businesses in every neighborhood across the City of Boston. These are grants, not loans, so they don’t create debt.
• They are from the industries most heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including restaurants, hair salons and barbershops, arts and recreation facilities, retail stores, childcare and home care providers, and more.
• 95% of these businesses have 15 or fewer employees, 52% are owned by people of color, 49% are women-owned, and 46% are immigrant-owned.

• Join virtual Memorial Day events that will be happening on Monday and through the weekend.
• Show your appreciation for service members who have given the ultimate sacrifice by decorating the outside of your homes with flags and patriotic symbols in a neighborhood show of support.
• Reminder: The City’s Office of Veterans Services remains fully operational and that veterans and their families can call 617-241-VETS (8387) or email veterans@boston.gov if they are in need of assistance or counseling.

• Stay home. If you must go outside, practice physical distancing from others (6 feet apart); avoid crowded places.
• Wear a face covering if you absolutely must go outside. Face covers help reduce the risk of a person spreading the virus, especially if they are asymptomatic. Visit CDC guidelines on face coverings for more information and guidance.
• Anyone experiencing a medical emergency should call 911. The City of Boston’s EMTs and hospitals have the capacity and ability to treat everyone.
• Observe the recommended curfew for everyone in Boston except for essential workers to stay at home from 9 pm to 6 am daily.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol; avoid shaking hands
• Cover your coughs and sneezes; clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces; and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• If you think you might be sick, please call your doctor or 311 to be connected to the Mayor’s Health Line 617-534-5050. Buoy Health has created a free online diagnostic tool which screens for COVID19 at buoy.com/mass.
• Donate supplies to first responders here.
• Donate to the City of Boston Resiliency Fund here.
• Volunteer with the City of Boston here.
• Fresh Truck Open Air Markets schedule.
• City Hall is open to the public on Tuesdays and Fridays, 9 am – 5 pm. Learn more about the status of city departments and hours of operation here.
• Join the Renter’s Rights Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday, May 26, 6 pm here.
• Fill out the 2020 Census. The Census informs how billions of dollars in federal funds will be allocated by state, local and federal lawmakers annually for the next 10 years. It’s more critical than ever to ensure that all Bostonians are counted.
• Tell the Parks Department where you would like to see more open space in our neighborhood here.

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• Text BOSEspanol to 888-777 for Spanish
• Text BOSKreyol to 888-777 for Haitian Kreyol
• Text BOSFrancais to 888-777 for French
• Text BOSKriolu to 888-777 for Cabo Verdean Creole
• Text BOSPortugues to 888-777 for Portuguese
• Text BOSSoomali to 888-777 for Somali
• Text BOSChi to 888-777 for Simplified Chinese
• Text BOSbilAraby to 888-777 for Arabic
• Text BOSViet to 888-777 for Vietnamese
• Text BOSRus to 888-777 for Russian

• Boston’s number for new deaths is slowing and Tuesday was the first day we had with no new deaths to report in a 24hr period. 
• Boston’s number of recoveries of coronavirus cases are growing faster as we continue to get data from the State’s community tracing collaborative. 
• The City of Boston’s expanded medical capacity is allowing hospitals to maintain expanded ICU capacity. Currently hospitals are at 110% of normal ICU capacity. 
• As of Tuesday night, there were 158 patients at Boston Hope, including 83 on the homeless respite side, and 75 on the hospital side. Altogether, over 688 patients have been treated at the facility. 
• Monday, May 18th is a date that many are focused on as the Governor’s Advisory Board is due to release their reopening report. The City of Boston is working every day as part of that advisory board. 
• Mayor Walsh stressed that he supports a cautious, multi-phased reopening approach that includes clear health criteria and safety guidelines for each industry. Our administration is working on what that will look like for City Hall, city employees and throughout the City of Boston.
• We’re also in conversation with employers in Boston in many industries such as restaurants, labor organizations, faith communities, advocacy groups, healthcare providers, colleges and universities, office buildings, and other businesses. We have worked to make these conversations broad and inclusive with a focus on equity and the impacts that different communities are experiencing both in health impacts and economic impacts.
• Mayor Walsh acknowledged that we will not move forward based on dates but will plan reopening around public health data. This must be a gradual phased in approach which depends on testing data and hospital metrics reaching certain benchmarks. It would be worse for our economy to reopen too soon and roll back all of our efforts due to new outbreaks. We must remain focused on physical distancing and good hygiene practices. 

• This week, we are distributing $1.3 million to 17 organizations.
• 52% of these organizations are led by a person of color and 47% by women.
• These grants will allow us to expand telehealth COVID-19 treatment—from 9 current sites to 19 Community Health Centers in Boston. Additional grants support community organizations in providing food, childcare, gift cards, face coverings, and more, to those in need. The populations they work with include seniors, service workers, young people of color, and homeless individuals.
• Grantee highlights include:
  • The Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare, which provides emotional and psychological support to healthcare workers. The program they are launching draws on PTSD experts who work with veterans. They will train staff at hospitals and health centers to treat job-related stress at the work site. 
  • Newmarket Business Association, who will provide truck and delivery support for their neighbors at the Greater Boston Food Bank.
  • Based on previous BRF grants, COVID testing is underway at South Boston Community Health Center and at the Charlestown location of North End Waterfront Health.
• With this week’s grants, we have now distributed $17.5 million to nearly 200 organizations.

• In this first round, we have funded a diverse range of businesses reflective of all of our neighborhoods
  • 58% of the businesses receiving grants are owned by people of color
  • 48% are owned by women
  • 44% are owned by immigrants
  • 95% went to businesses with 15 or fewer employees
  • The top 10 zip codes with the most recipients include East Boston, Jamaica Plain, Brighton, South End, Dorchester, Roslindale, and Roxbury
• Fenway/Kenmore/Mission Hill recipients in the first round of funding include: ABM Partners, INC, Balance Patch, Bishesh Inc, Boston Burger Company, Boston Yoga Union, Centre Fitness LLC, Cornish Pasty Co Boston, Crispy Dough Pizzeria Inc, Danielle Farrell, DBA Penguin, Evolve Chiropractic & Wellness, Inc. FitnessKarma, HAJU Kitchen, Hokkaido Ramen Santouka, Huntington Property Services, LLC, Josh Morin, Laughing Monk Cafe, Lime Red Tea House, Lolivone De La Rosa, Love Art Sushi Boston LLC, Momo No Yume, Msalon, Nathalie Wine Bar, Neighborhoods Cafe, Noodle Street, Papa’s Pizza Company, Phoraya Thai Spa, PilgrimWaters LLC, Playa Bowls, Poke Bar and Kitchen, Quality Eats LLC, Saigon Fusion, Serif and Sans, Shin Hakata Ramen Corp, Solid Ground Cafe, Sway Spa, LLC, Thai Dish Restaurant, The Corner Tavern, The Kush Grove Shop, Town Nail & Skin Care Inc, University Barber Shop, Who’s on First Inc. d/b/a The Bullpen Kitchen & Tap, Woody Grill & Tap,
• The full list of recipients is posted here
.
• The City of Boston has more than tripled the size of this Fund since the first round of applications and we expect additional businesses to be funded. 

• Residents with incomes under $75,000, including those with no income, may be eligible for the full $1,200 payment. However, residents who do not usually file a tax return must file an application with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in order to receive their payment.
• Boston Tax Help Coalition volunteers and staff have been trained to assist residents in filing this application with the IRS.
• Boston residents should check if they are eligible for the stimulus before calling at: https://www.bostontaxhelp.org/stimulus-payment-help/.
• The hotline can be accessed by calling (781) 399-5330 or 311. The hotline is staffed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m., and calls received outside of those time frames will be returned. Staff are available to assist residents in Spanish, and residents in need of assistance in additional languages will be connected to the appropriate translation services.
• The Tax Help Coalition is also getting ready to provide its usual free services for the July 15 tax deadline, for those who make under $56,000. We are setting up the technology to be able to provide these services virtually in the coming weeks.

• Fenway/Kenmore/Mission Hill projects POSTPONED: 809-821 Beacon Street
• We will follow up with a new hearing date once it has been scheduled

• In addition to the Department of Youth Engagement and Employment (DYEE), Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF), and the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, we will also be joined by representatives from ABCD, Boston PIC, and MLK Scholars.
• May 14th, 2020 2-3PM Zoom Session: https://zoom.us/j/99414693682
• May 15th, 2020 1-2PM Zoom Session: https://zoom.us/j/98463512997

• City Hall is open to the public only on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9 am.to 5 pm
• Public access to 1010 Massachusetts Avenue is limited to the Boston Public Health Commission on the 2nd Floor and residents must be accompanied when entering the building. 
• Everyone entering City Hall, including employees and members of the public, will be required to complete a self-screening for COVID-19 symptoms, including elevated temperature.
• Residents are required to make appointments if they need to visit any of the essential services offered out of City Hall, and can learn more about the status of city departments and hours of operation here. 

• Stay home. If you must go outside, practice physical distancing from others (6 feet apart); avoid crowded places.
• Wear a face covering if you absolutely must go outside. Face covers help reduce the risk of a person spreading the virus, especially if they are asymptomatic. Visit CDC guidelines on face coverings for more information and guidance. 
• Anyone experiencing a medical emergency should call 911. The City of Boston’s EMTs and hospitals have the capacity and ability to treat everyone.
• Observe the recommended curfew for everyone in Boston except for essential workers to stay at home from 9 pm to 6 am daily 
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol; avoid shaking hands
• Cover your coughs and sneezes; clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces; and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• If you think you might be sick, please call your doctor or 311 to be connected to the Mayor’s Health Line 617-534-5050. Buoy Health has created a free online diagnostic tool which screens for COVID19 at buoy.com/mass.
• Donate supplies to first responders here
• Donate to the City of Boston Resiliency Fund here
• Volunteer with the City of Boston here 
• For Food access needs, visit our Food Resources Map or call 3-1-1
• Fill out the 2020 Census. The Census informs how billions of dollars in federal funds will be allocated by state, local and federal lawmakers annually for the next 10 years. It’s more critical than ever to ensure that all Bostonians are counted. 

Read Full Post »

COVID-19 CASES

CASE TRENDS IN BOSTON AND TESTING UPDATE

STATE OF MA UPDATE

FIRST ROUND OF UNIVERSAL HOMELESS TESTING COMPLETE

RECOVERY AND ADDICTION SERVICES

PUBLIC SPACE AND TRANSPORTATION

UPDATE ON NURSING HOMES AND LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES

SPARK BOSTON WELLNESS WEDNESDAY EVENT

ZONING BOARD OF APPEAL VIRTUAL HEARINGS

CITY OF BOSTON COVID-19 OPERATIONS

GENERAL REMINDERS

STAY INFORMED

COVID-19 CASES

The City of Boston has 11,106 positive cases of coronavirus (confirmed and presumptive) in Boston residents. So far, 3,327 of these 11,106 residents have fully recovered. There have been 533 COVID-19 related deaths in Boston residents. 

The City posts race and ethnicity data for deaths, as well as for confirmed cases here.

The Boston Public Health Commission will be providing the updated total of cases in Boston residents as it is received from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Information can be found at boston.gov/coronavirus or bphc.org.

Massachusetts has 78,462 positive cases of coronavirus (confirmed and presumptive) and 5,108 deaths reported at this time. Massachusetts has also tested 394,728 individuals to date. 

The City of Boston has two dashboards to provide statistics on COVID19 cases in Boston and throughout Massachusetts.  View them here.

The City of Boston has a free texting service to provide daily updates and information about the coronavirus. Text BOSCOVID to 888-777 to opt-in for English. Language and communications access remains a priority for Mayor Walsh, so this text service which was available in Spanish, Haitan Creole, French, Cabo Verdean Creole, and Portuguese, now includes Somali, Chinese, Arabic, Vietnamese and Russian.

• Text BOSEspanol to 888-777 for Spanish

• Text BOSKreyol to 888-777 for Haitian Kreyol

• Text BOSFrancais to 888-777 for French

• Text BOSKriolu to 888-777 for Cabo Verdean Creole

• Text BOSPortugues to 888-777 for Portuguese

• Text BOSSoomali to 888-777 for Somali

• Text BOSChi to 888-777 for Simplified Chinese

• Text BOSbilAraby to 888-777 for Arabic

• Text BOSViet to 888-777 for Vietnamese

• Text BOSRus to 888-777 for Russian

Updates in 10 total languages can additionally be accessed through boston.gov/coronavirus#multilingual-help. Each language has its own page and hosts multilingual print materials distributed citywide. 

CASE TRENDS IN BOSTON AND TESTING UPDATE

• The City of Boston’s expanded medical capacity is allowing hospitals to maintain expanded ICU capacity. Currently hospitals are at 110% of normal ICU capacity. This is better than the last few weeks but we still need to continue practicing physical distancing and good hygiene.

• As of Sunday night, there were 164 patients at Boston Hope, including 82 on the homeless respite side, and 82 on the hospital side. Altogether, over 650 patients have been treated at the facility. 

• Every neighborhood saw its positive test rates go down this past week. Mayor Walsh acknowledged that is a testament to the physical distancing residents are doing, and the expanded testing access we have created citywide. 


• The neighborhoods with the biggest reductions week-over-week were: East Boston, with a 19% drop in positive results and Mattapan, which had a 15% drop. The Mayor also noted that this drop is a testament to the work of the COVID-19 Healthcare Inequities Task Force and the ways the City is targeting outreach and testing in the most impacted communities.

• Residents can find up-to-date information on the City’s map of testing sites at boston.gov/coronavirus.

STATE OF MA UPDATE

On May 11th, Governor Baker announced a four-phase approach to reopening the Massachusetts economy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and published Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards that will apply across all sectors and industries once reopening begins. More information here.

• The Reopening Advisory Board met with 44 stakeholders representing different industries and sectors, and received written comments from more than 2,200 employers and organizations. Additional information here.

• The board’s full report will be released by May 18, which will include protocols and guidelines for how different industries should operate once they reopen.

FIRST ROUND OF UNIVERSAL HOMELESS TESTING COMPLETE

On May 11th, Mayor Walsh announced that the City of Boston’s first round of universal testing in the homeless population was completed at the end of last week.

• In this first round, we tested over 2,200 individuals. 735 tested positive, for a 33% infection rate. Those individuals have been provided with quarantine space, support, and medical treatment when necessary. 


• The result is that severe illness has been kept to a low level for a medically vulnerable population. The consensus of those who work with the homeless is that the impact could have been much worse. The Mayor thanked City staff and nonprofits like Healthcare for the Homeless and Pine Street Inn for their strong partnerships, as well as institutions that stepped up with space, like Suffolk University, Boston University, Northeastern University, and Emerson College. 


• Mayor Walsh reiterated that homeless individuals and families remain a top priority in the City’s work to slow the spread of COVID-19. He noted that there is more work to be done, including more testing and longer-term shelter space. We’re also working on permanent housing solutions and helping 1,000 families of Boston Public Schools students secure affordable housing using BHA rental vouchers we dedicated for that purpose.


• When construction re-starts, the City will make it a priority to create supportive housing for the homeless, continuing the progress Boston has made toward ending chronic homelessness.

RECOVERY AND ADDICTION SERVICES

Mayor Walsh shared that the City of Boston’s addiction and recovery services remain fully operational. The Mayor noted that finding beds for in-patient treatment after detox continues to be a big challenge, and that supporting those experiencing substance use disorder remains a top priority for Boston.

• The staff at the Office of Recovery Services has worked hard to adapt their services to crisis conditions including the following changes:

  • Moving harm reduction services outdoors, to help active users stay safe.


  • Expanding outdoor space at the Engagement Center, to allow for physical distancing. 


  • Keeping the Street Outreach Team active. 


  • Creating comfort stations with bathrooms, hand washing, Narcan, and more. The City is actively looking at additional locations.

• We’re working with faith communities in downtown to help them open up new daytime spaces 


• We’ve moved outpatient treatment services to a telehealth model. 


• We’re conducting universal testing at residential programs. 


• We continue to help people get into detox and treatment.

PUBLIC SPACE AND TRANSPORTATION

On May 11th, Mayor Walsh announced that as the City of Boston looks to a phased reopening, we will prioritize creating additional public space for physical distancing, support our small businesses with curb space they may need and ensure that everyone has safe and healthy transportation options.

• In addition to planned capital investment in safe and sustainable streets, the City is looking at ways to expand space for pedestrians, small business customers, cyclists, and bus commuters including:

  • Expanding sidewalks in business districts to help with physical distancing, especially where people wait in line for businesses that are following new capacity guidelines.


  • Opening up entire lanes for pedestrian and cyclist use, which could also calm traffic speeds. This needs to happen in a way that does not cut off emergency vehicles or delivery access for residents. 


  • Expanding bus stops and bus priority on roads. While subway ridership is down, essential workers continue to rely heavily on bus routes.

UPDATE ON NURSING HOMES AND LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES

Mayor Walsh acknowledged the impact the virus has had on nursing homes, assisted living communities, and other residential facilities for elderly and medically vulnerable individuals. He noted that data from nursing homes and senior care facilities is devastating, and is consistent with the statewide and nationwide impact.

• These facilities are licensed and regulated by the State, so the City’s work in this area is tied to the State’s efforts and done in collaboration with State officials.


• Mayor Walsh assured residents, families, and staff that the City of Boston has been in contact with elder care facilities since the beginning of the crisis. The City communicates with administrators of these institutions every day, and is getting them the resources and support they need. 


• The Disease Containment Strike Team was created to help facilities facing an outbreak. As of May 5th, the Team has provided over 414 staff shifts—including nurses, nursing assistants, and personal care attendants, as well as administrative support to those facilities. 


• We’ve also provided 206,000 items of Personal Protective Equipment to these facilities—including 62,000 medical masks, 6,000 face shields, and over 14,000 gowns.


• Boston will begin sharing the State’s data on Boston facilities on a weekly basis. As of May 9: across 39 facilities, 252 residents have passed away, or 48% of our Citywide total. 


• Mayor Walsh pledged to continue the City’s support for nursing homes and their residents, including the families with loved ones in these facilities, and to share more information when it’s available. 


SPARK BOSTON WELLNESS WEDNESDAY EVENT

Hosted by SPARK Boston, the Mattapan and Hyde Park communities, May 13 is Wellness Wednesday! From 12-1 PM, join us as we talk about mental health, provide tips and develop new habits. Speakers on this call will include Anim Aweh LCSW,LICSW,CHE and Orville E Joseph. Please be prepared to join us in a safe space with weights for a light workout.

• RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/104389263096

ZONING BOARD OF APPEAL VIRTUAL HEARINGS

The May 14th, 2020 hearing of the Zoning Board of Appeal Subcommittee and the May 19th, 2020 hearing of the Zoning Board of Appeal will be held virtually, via video teleconferencing and/or telephone. Interested persons can participate in the hearing REMOTELY by following a link to the virtual hearing, or by calling into the virtual hearing via telephone.

• There are no Fenway/Kenmore/Mission Hill projects scheduled for May 14th.

• Fenway/Kenmore/Mission Hill projects scheduled on May 19th: 809-821 Beacon Street

• The hearing agendas including the hearing video and phone access information will be posted on the Public Notices page of Boston.gov 

• Further instructions on how to offer comments during the virtual hearing will be provided prior to the hearing. Instructions for commenting will also be provided during the hearing.

CITY OF BOSTON COVID-19 OPERATIONS

All essential City of Boston services such as public safety, public health and maintenance operations including street cleaning, parks maintenance, trash and recycling pick up, etc will continue to be in operation.

• City Hall is open to the public only on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9 am.to 5 pm

• Public access to 1010 Massachusetts Avenue is limited to the Boston Public Health Commission on the 2nd Floor and residents must be accompanied when entering the building. 

• Everyone entering City Hall, including employees and members of the public, will be required to complete a self-screening for COVID-19 symptoms, including elevated temperature.

• Residents are required to make appointments if they need to visit any of the essential services offered out of City Hall, and can learn more about the status of city departments and hours of operation here. 

GENERAL REMINDERS

• Stay home. If you must go outside, practice physical distancing from others (6 feet apart); avoid crowded places.

• Wear a face covering if you absolutely must go outside. Face covers help reduce the risk of a person spreading the virus, especially if they are asymptomatic. Visit CDC guidelines on face coverings for more information and guidance. 

• Anyone experiencing a medical emergency should call 911. The City of Boston’s EMTs and hospitals have the capacity and ability to treat everyone.

• Observe the recommended curfew for everyone in Boston except for essential workers to stay at home from 9 pm to 6 am daily 

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol; avoid shaking hands

• Cover your coughs and sneezes; clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces; and avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• If you think you might be sick, please call your doctor or 311 to be connected to the Mayor’s Health Line 617-534-5050. Buoy Health has created a free online diagnostic tool which screens for COVID19 at buoy.com/mass.

• Donate supplies to first responders here

• Donate to the City of Boston Resiliency Fund here

• Volunteer with the City of Boston here 

• For Food access needs, visit our Food Resources Map or call 3-1-1

• Fill out the 2020 Census. The Census informs how billions of dollars in federal funds will be allocated by state, local and federal lawmakers annually for the next 10 years. It’s more critical than ever to ensure that all Bostonians are counted. 

STAY INFORMED

Receive the latest COVID19 info from reliable sources. Visit: bphc.org/coronavirus; boston.gov/coronavirus; mass.gov/2019coronavirus. Call: 311 or 211

We will keep you informed as we receive updates. Stay healthy and stay safe.

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• Text BOSEspanol to 888-777 for Spanish
• Text BOSKreyol to 888-777 for Haitian Kreyol
• Text BOSFrancais to 888-777 for French
• Text BOSKriolu to 888-777 for Cabo Verdean Creole
• Text BOSPortugues to 888-777 for Portuguese
• Text BOSSoomali to 888-777 for Somali
• Text BOSChi to 888-777 for Simplified Chinese
• Text BOSbilAraby to 888-777 for Arabic
• Text BOSViet to 888-777 for Vietnamese
• Text BOSRus to 888-777 for Russian

• The daily increase in cases has been roughly steady for some time. 
• The number of people in ICU care for COVID-19 at Boston hospitals has been gradually going down. 
• At the same time, Boston hospitals are still operating at around 120% of normal ICU capacity. 
• We are still relying on Boston Hope Medical Center at the BCEC to help make that space available. As of Sunday night, there were 161 patients at Boston Hope, including 63 on the homeless respite side, and 98 on the hospital side. Altogether, 548 patients have been treated at the facility. This is allowing hospitals to maintain expanded ICU capacity. 
• Mayor Walsh expressed that Boston is moving in the right direction, but that this is not a time to ease up on the precautions we are taking to prevent the spread of the virus.

• So far, about 28,000 Boston residents, or 4% of the City’s population, have been tested for COVID-19. Last week, testing increased by 44%. Currently, about 32% of people who get tested are testing positive. This number has been trending down slightly. We are analyzing the data to see how the virus is impacting certain neighborhoods the hardest.
• COVID-19 testing is being conducted at Boston’s hospitals and community health centers. By the end of this week, there will be 19 testing sites in Boston. This week, Brigham & Women’s Hospital will begin running a testing site at the BCYF Tobin Center in Roxbury. Residents can find a map of testing sites on boston.gov and bphc.org. The Mayor reminded residents to call ahead for pre-screening and to schedule an appointment.
• We continue to conduct universal testing among the homeless population. So far, more than 1,800 homeless individuals in Boston have been tested. About 33%, or 596 individuals, have tested positive. 2 homeless individuals have passed away from COVID-19 in Boston.
• The City of Boston’s antibody testing initiative is ongoing. This is a partnership with Mass General Hospital, that entails testing 1,000 residents of East Boston, Roslindale and the 02121 and 02125 zip codes of Dorchester. These neighborhoods reflect Boston’s diversity and the results will provide important information about how different populations are being impacted. We will make a summary of the results available, including the numbers and percentage of residents who test positive for the virus and its antibodies.

• On Friday, May 1, BPS shared new policies with families and schools for remote learning. Those policies go into effect today, Monday May 4. This updated learning plan gives more guidance for students and teachers around attendance, assignments, grading, and scheduling. It also provides predictability for families with routine class schedules and contact between students and teachers. 
  • As part of the new policies, no student will be held back in their grade. All students will advance to the next grade and have opportunities for summer learning and additional support in the fall. 
  • If parents believe their child would benefit from repeating their grade, they can request a meeting with their teacher to discuss further.
• The City of Boston is working with the Boston Public Schools to develop plans to honor graduating seniors and their families. Details will be shared soon.
• Mayor Walsh thanked Boston’s teachers and staff for their continued cooperation during this difficult time, acknowledging that this week is Teachers Appreciation Week, and tomorrow is National Teachers Day.
• The Mayor stated that throughout the final weeks of the school year, BPS will continue distributing free meals for students and other resources; connecting with students on a routine basis; and collaborating with school communities, nonprofit partners, and parent groups, to ensure that students are getting the support they need. 

BCYF Tobin at 1481 Tremont Street — 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM 
Boston Latin School at 78 Avenue Louis Pasteur — 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM

YMCA at 316 Huntington Ave — 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Blackstone Elementary School at 380 Shawmut Ave — 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Vibrant Boston Community Center at Lenox/Camden at 136 Lenox St — 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

• Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT) is a special food benefit authorized by the federal coronavirus bill. It’s available for all Boston Public Schools and Charter School students while schools are closed. Households will receive $5.70 per child per school day for the duration of school closures—or $28.50 a week per child. If families currently receive SNAP benefits, the P-EBT will be added to their cards. If families aren’t enrolled, they will get cards sent to them in the mail. Some families may have gotten their benefits last week, and everyone else can expect to receive theirs in the coming weeks. 
• Using P-EBT benefits does not impact any adult or child’s immigration status, and the Public Charge rule does not apply to P-EBT benefits. 
• If families have questions about P-EBT, SNAP, WIC or other food resources, they can call Project Bread’s Hotline at 1-800-645-8333. They can also contact the city’s Office of Food Access at 617-635-3717 or by email at food@boston.gov.
• The City of Boston also continues to operate 65 youth-oriented meal sites, which are open every weekday with weekend meals available on Friday. Eight of these sites serve youth and adults in East Boston, Dorchester, South Boston, Mattapan, and Brighton, Mission Hill and Egleston Square, which is easily accessible from Roxbury and JP.  By the end of this week, we will have added an additional 8 sites in East Boston, Charlestown, Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Hyde Park, and Roxbury, almost doubling the number of meals available to adults. The City of Boston has served more than 740,000 meals at its meal sites so far. For hours and locations, visit the Food Resources Map on Boston.gov or call 3-1-1.
• We continue to serve seniors through the Meals on Wheels program. Last week over 58,000 meals were distributed, representing a 33% increase from the pre-COVID levels. 
• The City of Boston is launching a new food program with the Greater Boston Food Bank, Boston Public Schools, the Boston Housing Authority, and the Age Strong Commission. This week, they will distribute 2,400 boxes of food to households in need within the Boston Housing Authority and at others identified by the Age Strong Commission. 
• Mayor Walsh thanked all of the partners who have helped make this happen, including volunteers with the Building Trades, the Boston Housing Authority, and the Newmarket Business Association.

• City Hall is open to the public only on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9 am.to 5 pm
• Public access to 1010 Massachusetts Avenue is limited to the Boston Public Health Commission on the 2nd Floor and residents must be accompanied when entering the building. 
• Everyone entering City Hall, including employees and members of the public, will be required to complete a self-screening for COVID-19 symptoms, including elevated temperature.
• Residents are required to make appointments if they need to visit any of the essential services offered out of City Hall, and can learn more about the status of city departments and hours of operation here. 

• Stay home. If you must go outside, practice physical distancing from others (6 feet apart); avoid crowded places.
• Wear a face covering if you absolutely must go outside. Face covers help reduce the risk of a person spreading the virus, especially if they are asymptomatic. Visit CDC guidelines on face coverings for more information and guidance. 
• Observe the recommended curfew for everyone in Boston except for essential workers to stay at home from 9 pm to 6 am daily 
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol; avoid shaking hands
• Cover your coughs and sneezes; clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces; and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• If you think you might be sick, please call your doctor or 311 to be connected to the Mayor’s Health Line 617-534-5050. Buoy Health has created a free online diagnostic tool which screens for COVID19 at buoy.com/mass.
• Donate supplies to first responders here
• Donate to the City of Boston Resiliency Fund here
• Volunteer with the City of Boston here 
• For Food access needs, visit our Food Resources Map or call 3-1-1
• Fill out the 2020 Census. The Census informs how billions of dollars in federal funds will be allocated by state, local and federal lawmakers annually for the next 10 years. It’s more critical than ever to ensure that all Bostonians are counted. 

Read Full Post »

Please be aware that:

South Boston and Fenway experienced higher positive rates during the past week compared to previous data and that the city is working to increase testing in these neighborhoods. 

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