Dear Friends—

As we all deal with the challenges of COVID-19, it's important that we stay up to date and use best practices to reduce its spread and keep people safe. Though these are challenging and uncertain times, I continue to be inspired by the community support and leadership in Somerville and Medford. Thank you to everyone who is doing their part in this crisis to support each other. 

As a long-time public health advocate, I’ve been focusing on ensuring that everyone has access to health care. I’ve also been working on housing, assisting constituents applying for unemployment benefits, and supporting those who are most vulnerable, particularly immigrant communities. 

​My team is here to support you during this crisis. You can call my cell phone at 617-410-6025 or email me at Christine@ChristineBarber.org.​

-Christine 

Updates

• This webpage is updated to include daily and cumulative reports on MA COVID-19 cases, testing, and hospitalizations. You can also find data on nursing facilities, cases by city/town, and more.

• The state recently released its plan for the safe, equitable, and effective delivery of an FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more about the plan and when you can expect to receive a vaccine here.

• If you are facing an eviction, there is help available. Reach out to my office or the COVID Eviction Legal Help Project for help paying rent, to know your rights, and to access legal help.

• Worried about your child’s mental health? Not sure where to start or who can help? Visit HandholdMA.org, a new family friendly website for parents of school-aged children in Massachusetts.

What Precautions Should I Take?

• Prevent the Spread: Practice social distancing, stay home when you can, and wear a mask when out

• ​Know the signs and symptoms: If you feel sick, call your health care provider for medical advice

• Refer to this webpage for information on testing and an interactive map of testing sites

• Make preparations and check in on your neighbors & loved ones

State Resources

• Mass DPH posts regular updates and advisories. You can view all state orders and details here.

• ​You can dial 2-1-1 or chat online for information and updates in multiple languages. Text COVIDMA to 888-777 to get updates to your phone. 

  • En español enviando el mensaje COVIDMAESP al 888-777.

• You can also reach out to Call2Talk--a free phone service that provides mental health care, emotional support, and suicide prevention.

  • Call 508-532-2255 or Text C2T to 741741. 

• Concerns about a loved one in a nursing home? Call the Nursing Home Resource Line, at (617) 660-5399. ​

• Home isn't safe for everyone. If you are experiencing domestic violence, see services here.

• If you need assistance paying your utility bills, see resources here.

COVID-19 Vaccine Resources

• To sign up for an appointment, try these steps:

  1. Pre-register for a vaccine appointment (anyone can pre-register)

  2. Search for and sign up for an appointment online OR call 211 (only eligible categories can sign up for appointments)

  • Includes all Mass Vaccination sites, pharmacy sites, Community Health Clinics, and BOH site

  • Check with your primary care provider

  • If you need assistance with transportation, accessing an appointment, or language need call 311. Multilingual support is available.

• If you are helping someone else pre-register or sign up for an appointment, please see this very detailed guide:

  • Vaccine pre-registration and appointment guide

• Call-In Vaccine Info Line

  • Residents can call the numbers below to hear messages with the latest vaccine updates.

    • English: 617-591-3251

    • Spanish: 617-591-3252

    • Portuguese: 617-591-3253

    • Haitian Creole: 617-591-3254

    • Nepali: 617-591-3255

• Learn more about vaccine phases and eligibility on the state's main vaccine page.

Health Access
Access to affordable and high quality health coverage is essential, particularly now.

• In addition to advocating for community health center and safety net hospital funding, I have been working to ensure health coverage for everyone. See resources in the graphic below. 

• ​If you are having any issues with your health insurance, reach out to the Office of Patient Protection.

Work & Unemployment
​As COVID-19 continues to shift the economic landscape, I am working to make unemployment insurance (UI) available to those who need it.

• You may be eligible for unemployment benefits if you are quarantined or if you left work due to risk of exposure or to care for a family member. You can apply here. 

• You may be eligible for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Program, which expands unemployment to those not traditionally covered, including self-employed, gig economy workers, and part-time employees. You can apply here.

• The MA Attorney General accepts complaints related to worker protections. File a complaint here or call 617-727-3465.

• The Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health (MassCOSH) has resources to protect workers when they are required to return to work. Check out their COVID-19 Tool Kit for Workers: Health and Safety Protections and How to Make Them Happen (also available in Spanish).

Housing
I’ve been working hard to ensure that people can stay in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• At the beginning of the pandemic, I worked hard to ensure an eviction and foreclosure moratorium. The Governor initially extended the moratorium to mid-October, but then let it expire. I am disappointed in this decision, and am working hard to prevent a wave of evictions that experts have predicted if we don’t take bold action. I am supporting the Housing Stability Act to provide more protections to tenants and small landlords.

• You have rights. If you need help with with a legal problem, such as an eviction, find resources here.

• You are not alone if you are facing housing instability—there are many resources available to you (see below).

Food Resources

• I recently partnered with Project Bread to request the USDA extend the child nutrition program area eligibility waiver through the summer― allowing meal sites for children to continue operating after the school year. This successful effort ensured thousands of children across the Commonwealth will continue to receive healthy meals throughout the summer.

• I organized a second effort in the House alongside Project Bread to urge the USDA to extend child nutrition waivers set to expire at the end of the summer. Following this effort, the USDA has extended child nutrition program flexibilities, and will provide free meals to all children through December 31st. This decision provides children sustained access to free and nutritious meals, and ensures meals sites can continue to operate safely this fall.

• If you are struggling with food insecurity, there are many local resources available. See these lists of Somerville resources and Medford resources. Learn more about SNAP benefits here.​​

Support for Immigrant Communities & Undocumented People
I’ve been leading a working group under the House Progressive Caucus to address how COVID-19 is uniquely impacting immigrant & undocumented communities. So far, we've been working on:

• Health Access: Testing and treatment for COVID-19 is covered for all, regardless of immigration status.

• Unemployment Translation: I led a successful effort to translate the application for unemployment benefits into commonly spoken languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, and more.

• Financial Assistance: Due to federal rules, many undocumented immigrants are not eligible for unemployment benefits and were left out of the federal stimulus package. In response, I filed H4726, An Act to provide equal stimulus checks to immigrant taxpayers. Read the Globe Editorial Board endorsement of this bill here.

Local Updates

• See information from Medford here and from Somerville here. ​​

How Can I Help? 
If you have extra time or funds, please consider the opportunities below. This is not an exhaustive list, but a few places where help is needed:  

• ​The Somerville Cares Fund: Supports community members most impacted by the pandemic, regardless of immigration status. Donate here.

• Medford COVID-19 Fund: Supports local businesses and community members in need. Donate here.  

• Donate Food: Food pantries in Somerville and Medford accept nonperishable food. Please reach out before you bring donations. See Elizabeth Peabody House, and Mystic Community Market.

• Blood Donations: The Red Cross is urging individuals to give blood.  Learn more & schedule an appointment here. 

• Mutual Aid Medford and Somerville: Work with your neighbors to support each other. Get more information and sign up for newsletters here.

• MassUndocufund: Donate to support undocumented individuals and families who do not qualify for unemployment or other government benefits.​

• Donate PPE: If you have any, consider donating personal protective equipment to first responders.

If you are in need of assistance, my office can help connect you to resources. Contact us at 617-410-6025 or Christine@ChristineBarber.org . I know this is a challenging and uncertain time, but we will make it through if we continue to look out for each other.