Livingstone Dispatch

TESTING UPDATE
This morning, Governor Baker provided an update on expanding COVID-19 testing home kits for residents across the Commonwealth. The Administration secured 2.1 million iHealth Labs over-the-counter (OTC) at home rapid antigen tests that will be delivered to 102 towns with the highest percentage of families below the poverty line. The free tests will be available for distribution to the public by each municipality, with an emphasis on increasing access for individuals and families who are facing financial hardship.

The City of Boston and Cambridge were selected to receive the iHealth OTC at-home rapid antigen test kits. These test kits can be done at home and are a fast, easy and convenient way of testing for COVID-19. The tests can be completed in 15 minutes without sending a sample to a laboratory. Individuals 2 years of age and up can use the tests regardless of vaccination status.

The CDC issued guidance on self-tests, like the iHealth tests, with information on when to consider testing, complete the tests, and how to react to a positive or negative result. Visit here to view the guidance.

The state of Massachusetts and Labcorp have also teamed up to make convenient at home kits for COVID-19 testing available to Massachusetts residents. You can click here to see if you meet the eligibility requirements and request a test.

I am pleased that the Governor made this announcement. Testing, coupled with vaccines and masks when appropriate, can get us through this latest surge.

VACCINE UPDATE
Last week, the CDC announced its recommendation that 16 and 17 year olds receive a booster shot at least six months after their initial Pfizer vaccination series. This decision came after the FDA authorized the Pfizer booster shot for that age group. Previously, CDC announced that all adults receive a booster shot and those five and older should get vaccinated. (My oldest son Henry will receive his second shot this week).

Massachusetts residents 18+ are also eligible to get a COVID-19 booster six months after receiving their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or two months after receiving a Johnson & Johnson single dose vaccine.

You can access booster doses from more than 1,000 locations, with appointments available now for booking across the Commonwealth. The CDC allows for mixing and matching of different COVID-19 booster doses for people 18+, and eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. The booster is safe, effective, and free. You do not need an ID or health insurance to access a booster.

Getting vaccinated and receiving the booster is the best way to minimize risk when celebrating with friends and family this holiday season. My wife and I received our booster at Cambridge Health Alliance’s walk-in clinic in Cambridge right after Thanksgiving. It was quick and easy.

ELECTION REMINDER
Please make a plan to vote in the special election tomorrow, December 14th. It is so important that every person goes to the voting polls and makes their voice heard in this election.

Every precinct in Massachusetts is assigned a specific polling place. If you are casting your ballot in person, you must do so at the polling place assigned to your precinct. You can find your polling place here. You can also check your voter registration status here. People in Boston (Beacon Hill, North End, East Boston, Bay Village, Leather District, Downtown Boston, and Chinatown), Cambridge (Cambridgeport, MIT, Kendall Square, and parts of East Cambridge), Revere, and Winthrop can vote in this election.

If you received an early vote ballot or absentee ballot, you can still drop them off in a drop box until polls close on Tuesday night at 8 PM. Ballots received by election commissions after that will not count.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or concerns or regarding issues that are important to you. You can always reach me at Jay.Livingstone@mahouse.gov, and my staff Sarah and Cassidy at Sarah.Mills@mahouse.gov and Cassidy.Trabilcy@mahouse.gov.

In your service,
Jay Livingstone