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: 2.25.2021 CC: CAMBRIDGE CITY COUNCIL A communication from Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui, transmitting questions from City Councillors regarding the COVID-19 Public Health Update for March 1, 2021.

2 CAMBRIDGE CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING: March 1, 2021 COVID-19 UPDATE QUESTIONS VICE MAYOR MALLON: 1. The CHA announced yesterday that they would not be receiving any new doses of vaccines. How will that impact the announced CHA vaccine site in Somerville (next to Target) from last week's meeting? 2. There seems to be an uptick in CPS staff COVID cases, from 53 on 2/21 to 59 on 2/22 which seem to be clustered at the FMA. What is being done to contain this uptick among staff at FMA? 3. Please give an update on vaccinations for our low-income elderly population through the onsite program with CHA. How many have been vaccinated, how many are left, what is the plan to finish vaccinating this vulnerable group? COUNCILLOR NOLAN: 1. From a public health perspective, a number of people have expressed concern about the impact of the pandemic on routine health care. Covid-19 meant the availability of routine health screenings and visits declined the past year – due to people either staying away from doctor’s offices or not being able to schedule in person visits. Did Cambridge residents experience this – or was telehealth able to fill in adequately? For our most vulnerable populations, is there anything the public health department is doing or can be doing to ensure that the pandemic related challenges in getting routine health care does not have long-term adverse effects? 2. What is the status of applications for funds available for residents and businesses suffering from the economic impact of the pandemic – residents unable to pay rent or mortgages, businesses, or organizations at risk of closure. Have we seen the need for more funds to be allocated or have the efforts to date met most of the most urgent needs, from what we can tell? MAYOR SIDDIQUI: 1. What is the efficacy of the vaccines on the new COVID-19 variants? Can you share some information on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine? 2. Do we have any information on boosters being developed to address variants that emerge? 3. How has our messaging changed around masking changed? Should everyone be double masking? COUNCILLOR SIMMONS: 1. We learned that the Cambridge Housing Authority was able to help vaccinate seniors right inside their senior buildings, bringing the vaccines to them instead of forcing the seniors to drive to vaccination

3 centers – how will we find and reach other home bound seniors (such as those in 1221 Cambridge Street and other non-CHA buildings) who do not have the ability to go to public vaccination sites? 2. As more vaccine doses become available in the coming weeks and months, what long-term plans does the Cambridge Public Health Department have to vaccinate all our seniors and those with mobility issues?