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Want to learn more about the basic functions of an iPhone or iPad? Learn how to get online, identify common apps, and build your confidence in using your device safely. To view and register for other Basic Tech Classes at the Library, please go to tinyurl.com/basictechclass. This is a virtual event. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants 1 hour before the event. Registration is encouraged, but not required.

The Baker-Polito Administration, in collaboration with the Museum of Science Boston and Dunkin’ announced initiatives to increase access to COVID-19 vaccines in the Commonwealth. Massachusetts continues to be a national leader in vaccination rates with over 77% of adults having received at least one dose, and the Administration is supporting additional opportunities to drive vaccine uptake.

Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests. If you haven’t already, order yours today. Starting this week, every home in the U.S. will be able to order an additional set of 4 tests.

As the holiday season and shopping begins, potential criminals will look to perpetrate scams against shoppers and donors. The scams involve online shopping, charity, cryptocurrency investment, gift cards and social media. Online shopping schemes include fraudulent websites or ads offering goods at unrealistic discounts, items purchased through third-party marketplaces using stolen credit cards or accounts and puppy scams involving fake advertisements for pets. People should be on the lookout for fake charities soliciting donations through phone calls, emails, crowdfunding platforms, and social media. Also, copycat organizations create seemingly legitimate charities to steal funds. Gift card scams involve requests for gift card purchases for alleged emergencies, work-related functions, or as payment, or tampered cards with compromised security stickers or altered barcodes. Social media scams include posts offering fake gift cards or event tickets designed to steal personal information, or fraudsters duplicating ticket barcodes for resale.

The application period for Homeowners Rehab Inc. (HRI)’s 29-unit affordable development at 4 Mellen Street in Cambridge is now open. Click here to fill out the application online. Physical applications are available at the following locations: 810 Memorial Drive, #200, Cambridge, MA 02139 City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139 City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02139 Multi-Service Center, 362 Green St, Cambridge, MA 02139 Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02139 Completed applications can be returned to HRI as follows: Online: https://waitlistcheck.com/MA3398 By Email: FourMellen@Wingatecompanies.com By Mail: 810 Memorial Drive, #200, Cambridge, MA 02139 Applications are available from June 1, 2026 to July 31, 2026 at 5 p.m. with a lottery to be held August 13th, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. via Teams. Applicants are not required to attend the lottery. To learn more about the application and lottery process, please attend one of the upcoming information sessions: In person: Thursday, June 11, 2026 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at 810 Memorial Drive, 3rd Floor, Cambridge MA 02139 Online via Teams: Tuesday, July 7, 2026 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. Teams Meeting link: https://shorturl.at/BxHwS For more information about this project, please visit https://linktr.ee/FourMellen. For information about eligibility or the application process, please contact HRI at (617) 693-0981or email FourMellen@wingatecompanies.com.

In keeping with the recommendation of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Cambridge Public Health Department, the City of Cambridge today is strongly recommending that residents wear face coverings anytime they are outside of their home, especially in public settings in which physical distancing measures (ensuring 6 feet of space or more from others) are difficult to maintain. Those areas include grocery stores and pharmacies.

Governor Baker announced that he will institute a statewide rollback to Phase III, Step 1 of the Commonwealth’s Reopening Plan on Sunday, December 13. Cambridge has remained at Step 1 of Phase III since the summer.

Booster shots increase your protection against COVID-19, including variants. During the Omicron surge, receipt of a third (booster) dose has been highly effective at preventing COVID-19–associated hospitalizations, the need for mechanical ventilation, and death. These findings underscore the importance of receiving a booster dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine to prevent both moderately severe and severe COVID-19, especially while the Omicron variant is the predominant circulating variant.

With people gathering indoors more as the weather gets colder, COVID-19 cases are on the rise. The Cambridge Public Health Department encourages residents to protect themselves and others by staying up-to-date on COVID vaccinations, wearing masks indoors when outside their own home, and keeping spaces well-ventilated.

The Baker-Polito Administration announced the launch of MassNotify, a new free smartphone service that people in Massachusetts can voluntarily use to let others know that they may have been exposed to COVID-19. Massachusetts remains a leader in the nation in COVID-19 vaccinations, with almost 4 million residents fully vaccinated, and COVID-19 case trends continue to drop. Case counts in Massachusetts are down 99% from their peak in January, and hospitalizations are down by 93% since their peak in January.