questions for the COVID-19 Update

1 OFFICE OF THE MAYOR Sumbul Siddiqui Mayor TO: LOUIS A. DEPASQUALE, CITY MANAGER FROM: SUMBUL SIDDIQUI, MAYOR SUBJECT: COVID-19 UPDATE: QUESTIONS DATE: 4.8.2021 CC: CAMBRIDGE CITY COUNCIL A communication from Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui, transmitting questions from City Councillors regarding the COVID-19 Public Health Update for April 12, 2021.

2 CAMBRIDGE CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING: April 12, 2021 COVID-19 UPDATE QUESTIONS VICE MAYOR MALLON 1. Can you give an update on the Metro North Vaccine Partnership now that the state is receiving more doses from the federal government and 4/19 is rapidly approaching? Will the site in Somerville, that is currently open only for CHA patients, and the other identified locations be opening soon to non-CHA patients as part of the regional partnership? 2. Can you give an update on the homebound vaccine program, how many people have been signed up, how are you contacting residents who might be eligible? COUNCILLOR NOLAN 1. What is the city doing to ensure that outdoor learning spaces – including tents wherever needed or possible, including the CRLS tennis courts – are in place for students? 2. What are we communicating to the residents about what types of activities and travel may be planned after vaccination? And do we have any sense of whether schools/universities at any level will be requiring vaccinations when they open this fall? MAYOR SIDDIQUI 1. Is our biobot surveillance able to pick up all variants? If not, what are options for continued surveillance? COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER 1. The most recent COVID-19 Expert Advisory Panel notes from March 24 says, “Collection of contact information from [restaurant] patrons is specified in the State’s minimum requirements for this sector posted as the Safety Standards and Checklist for Restaurants (March 22, 2021). According to CTC staff, collection of this information among Cambridge restaurants is not very consistent and could be improved.” Could you talk more about what contact information has been missing? What can the City do to better support local restaurants in collecting contact tracing information, which is really important to control the recent surge in COVID cases? 2. Since the beginning of the year, Cambridge has seen 22 eviction filings at the Avalon North Point development—which includes a number of affordable housing units through the City’s inclusionary zoning ordinance—and another 23 eviction filings from other property owners. While landlords may continue to file paperwork for eviction, Cambridge’s eviction moratorium remains in effect. Does the City have more information about eviction causes listed in the filings? How many are for non-payment, how many are for

3 purported lease violations, etc.? Do we know if any of these eviction cases are aimed at tenants living in the affordable housing units? COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN 1. There’s a lot of news around the B.1.1.7 variant spreading through youth athletics and other out of school activities. As we reopen the city and make supervised sports and recreational activities available to young people, how do we ensure everyone’s safety is maximally protected?