Click on link below to see video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxAtB3wnPpU&feature=youtu.be
Somerville Ward 1 City Councilor Matt McLaughlin has been doing a weekly Covid-19 update on SCAT and a corresponding email.
My weekly Covid-19 cable access interview can be found here. I was joined this week by Ward 4 City Councilor Jesse Clingan. We discussed updates to the face mask policy, the pandemic’s impact on local business and how to support them, volunteer opportunities and
more.
City Updates
As of May 5 640 Somerville residents tested positive for Covid-19. 267 recovered and there are 9 fatalities.
The data indicates a flattening of the infection curve, which is a positive sign, but we have to wait for more testing and continue our preventative measures before we declare any victories. Please continue to wear a mask when outside, maintain 6 feet distance from other people and wash your hands regularly.
Masks
Governor Baker recently issued a state wide requirement that everyone wear face masks in public spaces. His ruling varies from Somerville’s but the message is the same: Please wear your mask! Some people are staunchly opposed to any mask requirement, while others think there should be more nuance or exemptions to the rule. The city and state’s ability to enforce any mask order is very limited. The state and local government made this decision not to catch people disobeying the law or issue tickets to children not wearing masks; They did it to get more people to wear a mask for our collective good.
Testing
Somerville residents can get tested for Covid-19 regardless of if they show symptoms or not. If you wish to get tested please call Somerville Hospital in advance at 617-665-2928, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Some residents asked if they should get tested if they don’t have symptoms or allow others to get tested instead. The city offered this test to all residents. No one should feel guilty for looking out for their personal health, especially if it helps guide decisions to help others. Ideally every American would be tested. The fact that this hasn’t happened is a major reason we don’t have this situation under control yet. Please get tested if you want to.
Volunteer
The city is looking for volunteers to help package and distribute supplies to vulnerable populations. Please email Jdutra@somervillema.gov if you are willing to lend a helping hand.
Support Small Businesses
East Somervile Main Streets is organizing a unique event to assist local businesses and distribute food to residents in a responsible way. Residents can order food from several East Somerville businesses by going to
Eastsomervillemainstreets.org/market . You can then pick up your supplies at Dino’s Pasta on 15 Garfield Ave between 10am-12 pm Sunday May 10.
The City Council approved permits to reopen the Davis Square and Union Square Farmer’s Market in May. This decision was made in consultation with public health officials. Food is the most essential service, and if done correctly an outdoor farmers market can be safer than an indoor super market.
The Davis Square Farmers Market will be Wednesdays, May 20-Nov 25 8am-7pm
The Union Square Farmers Market Saturdays May 16-Nov 21 7am-2pm.
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Matt McLaughlin
City Councilor, Ward 1
Somerville, MA
617-999-0924
Its so sad to read this repeat of things instead of our council members actually getting out there and doing something. The mayor too, just repeats things. Get out and start working on the problem. You should be working with the heath department and businesses on ways they can start doing some business if they can’t open up. Get ideas and have them in place. I have dealt with the Winter Hills problems to know the plights of the small business owner does not matter to this elected council. When the people need help they become specialists on ignoring the problems of the people. They get elected and get paid well to do a job. Not sit on their hands especially now when needed the most. I have watched week after week of this and I don’t know how any on this board can go to sleep at night after ignoring the people of this city they were hired to work for. As I said before, we had people on the council that were questionable. But at least they threw a bone at us once in a while. We desperately need to get these people out of here and get people in that actually do something. Do we not understand what is going on here? We need to be working on solutions, not sitting back being like a parrot. Do something. We should be a proud city working together on a solution. Not throwing out our local business people like yesterdays trash. Maybe if something was done here people would be copying what we say, not vice versa.