You can continue to request free rapid tests, KN95, and N95 masks with our request form. Please note delivery may take longer than usual as we work through a large influx of requests (up to 2-3 weeks)!
Resources for Pickup
If you’d like resources faster than we can deliver them or prefer to pick up, consider visiting our BCA hub locations in Dorchester and Hyde Park.
Additionally, this month we found that free rapid tests are available for pickup at the following locations at various times:
Additionally, we have found free rapid tests at multiple Boston Public Library sites, but cannot confirm that all sites are stocked with tests at this time. Please call ahead to check that these locations have tests before visiting, we cannot confirm how long they will have them!
COVID-19 Levels and Resources
Image description: COVID-19 wastewater map of the US is in the middle of the image, where states are highlighted in dark red, red, dark orange, orange, light orange, peach, tan, light tan, light yellow, white, and gray, indicating very high to low levels respectively. The gray color indicates there is no data recorded. The map shows 47 states had very high or high levels as of August 31st. The text reads “ ‘Very High’ or ‘High’ Levels in 47 States. COVID-19 Wastewater Map as of August 31, 2024 [Last CDC Update on 29 Aug 2024]. People’s CDC. Source: CDC.”
COVID-19 levels have continued to surge since June, where it's estimated that 1 in every 33 people are infected. As of August 31st, 47 states have reported "very high" or "high" COVID-19 wastewater levels. Please continue to take precautions, and to keep yourself and your community safe in this massive surge. To stay up to date with COVID-19 levels in your neighborhood in Boston, click here! For regions outside of Boston, view current wastewater surveillance here.
Image description: Table of Boston neighborhood COVID-19 wastewater levels and trends. Back Bay and Roslindale indicate very high levels, Charlestown and Roxbury have high levels, Hyde Park, Dorchester, Mattapan, Allston/Brighton, and Jamaica Plain indicate moderate levels, and East Boston has low levels. Overall, Boston has moderate levels of 997 copies/mL.
The FDA has authorized updated COVID-19 vaccines (Novavax, Moderna, and Pfizer) that better protect against variants currently circulating. Check with your local pharmacy on vaccine availability and get vaccinated soon!
The government is sending 4 free rapid tests to your home! By the end of September, you can sign up here to receive them.
Community News:
Open Streets East Boston
We’re so excited to be tabling at Open Streets East Boston on Sunday, September 15th! This event connects communities to local businesses, organizations, and people throughout the city. Stop by our table anytime between 10:00 AM- 3:30 PM for masks, rapid tests, information on COVID safety, and to request for more resources. Check here for more information about Open Streets Boston. We can’t wait to see you there!
Image description: An orange and yellow flyer for Open Streets Boston with community members centered in the middle. The top of the flyer reads in black text “East Boston. Bennington St. and Prescott St. to Meridian St. and London St.” There is white and black text from the middle to bottom of the flyer which reads “Sunday, October 15 10am- 3:30pm. Family fun zone. Live art & entertainment. 0.9 miles of car free engagement. Health and wellness. Boston.gov/open-streets. City of Boston”
Boston Children’s Museum Event
Boston Children’s Museum will be hosting a masked-required event for all visitors and staff this Saturday on September 7th from 8:00 to 10:00 AM. Visit their website to register and find out more about the Morningstar Access Program!
Food Not Bombs 5 Year Anniversary Show
This Saturday, September 7th, Food Not Bombs Waltham will be celebrating their 5 year anniversary! The benefit show will have incredible performers like Evan Greer, Tall Travis, and Burt Bacharach, as well as books, merch, vegan food, and community tables. This is a mask-required event with air purifiers from Fan Club MA, located at the Cambridge Community Center, 5 Callender St., Cambridge MA. Doors open at 6:30 PM, and tickets are $20 or pay what you can. Visit their IG page for more information!
Stop Mask Bans
Several universities in the Boston area have begun adopting policies that discourage or ban masks on their campuses in various situations (see: Northeastern, Emerson) in line with the push to ban masks and target protestors around the country. We urge those with ties to local universities to voice their opposition to unmasking rules.
Looking to take action in the fight against mask bans? Check out StopMaskBans.com for ways to support the national fight as well as local efforts in New York and Los Angeles. We must come together to resist criminalization of our right to protect ourselves and our community from COVID-19 and surveillance. Take action now!
Monthly Updates
Supplies Distributed
From July through the end of August, we distributed a total of 4398 masks and 2661 tests. The total amount of resources delivered this year is 33,077 and the overall number of resources distributed since we’ve launched is 47,744.
Fundraising + Purchases
This month, we received $446 in donations, spent $1,166.34, and have a current balance of $723.34 as of September 1st. We purchased 50 WellBefore Large KN95s for $84.06 from WellBefore, 5720 3M Aura 1870+ N95s for $283.28 from GovDeals Auction/ National Ambulance LLC, and 2400 Kingfa White KN95s for $799 from Planet Halo Health.
Thank you for your support in helping us continue to provide resources to our community!
Image description: A chart summarizing BCA’s purchases in August. There are four columns: “Mask Type”, “Quantity”, “Cost”, “Sourcing.” BCA purchased 50 WellBefore Large KN95s for $84.06 from WellBefore, 5720 3M Aura 1870+ N95s for $283.28 from GovDeals Auction/ National Ambulance LLC, and 2400 Kingfa White KN95s for $799 from Planet Halo Health.
Receipts
Image descriptions: 3 pages of receipts from Planet Halo Health, Govdeals, and Wellbefore on purchases indicated in the purchases summary.
Hubs
Looking to pick up free masks and tests in Boston? Feel free to stop by our hubs in Dorchester and Hyde Park!
The City School, 15 Ramsey St., Dorchester, MA, 02125
Image description: 3M Aura N95s, Chendge KN95s, and rapid tests are set up on a table along with an air filter and pink flowers in a vase.
Boston Acupuncture Project, 72 Fairmount Ave, Boston, MA 02136
Image description: black and white KN95s set up on a table at Boston Acupuncture Project.
For more information on our hubs, check out our hubs Substack page here.
To connect with us about establishing a hub in a local business or space, shoot us an email at BostonCOVIDAction@proton.me!
Just posted this to my local FB group! Thanks so much for your work!!