In the second part of our series, I've written about the threads that run through the COVID-19 pandemic, the Black Lives Matter movement, Pride Month, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic that devastated the LGBTQ community in the 1980s and 1990s. The virus was insidious, difficult to track, and had a disproportionate impact among LGBTQ people, particularly gay men. But gay men weren’t the only one who were sickened and killed by the disease in the face of government inaction.

This month, I’m using our platform to talk about the history of the queer liberation movement, as well as how the legacy of civil disobedience by LGBTQ activists informs my support of the Black Lives Matter movement. During Pride Month, I am mindful that decades of protest and civil disobedience have yet to yield the same results for black and brown Americans, LGBTQ or otherwise. It’s often said that history doesn't repeat itself — it rhymes. In telling the stanza most familiar to me, I hope you'll see how the movement for LGBTQ equity bleeds into the one playing out today, and further understand the role that white supremacy has played in realizing a different outcome for black and brown Americans for decades. 

So many of you wrote to us in response to our monthly newsletter with deep concern for black lives in our community and around the country. The video of George Floyd's death is a stark departure from the America some of us we thought we knew, and many of you wrote looking for steps we could take to raise our voices and act up and raise our voices in our own backyard. A groundswell of grassroots activity gave way to several successful actions this week, and we wanted to alert you to a few more.

If you choose to attend, please take great care to practice social distancing and cover your face and nose. The onslaught of crises this spring has already taken so many lives, and it is our responsibility to take every precaution necessary to take care of each other and heal, in spite of our shared grief.
 

PLEASE NOTE: THE SEASONAL RESIDENT AND VISITOR GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN UPDATED. SEE THE NEW VERSION UPDATED AS OF 6/30/2020 AT WWW.SENATORCYR.COM/REOPENING

(CAPE COD) — Today, region-wide stakeholders, including the Cape Cod Reopening Task Force, released updated guidance to seasonal residents of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and Gosnold, effective through Phase 1 of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ reopening, which is expected to last into June. Guidance is available in English below; updated versions in Spanish and Portuguese editions are forthcoming. 

“Even in the context of a summer that will look very different from years past, we welcome, appreciate, and depend on our seasonal residents and visitors as members of our own community” said State Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro) Public Information Officer for the Cape Cod Reopening Task Force.  “It is imperative that each of us take responsibility for our own role in containing the spread of the virus as we look to reopen. In practice, this means wearing face covering when necessary, washing hands and surfaces often, keeping appropriate levels of distance, and staying vigilant for symptoms. Adherence to public health guidelines will determine the pace at which we can reopen and resume our regional tourism economy as it was in years past.”  

The guidance was developed with collaboration with the Baker-Polito Administration, regional health care providers, the Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket Chambers of Commerce, members of the Cape Cod Reopening Task Force, the Cape & Islands Legislative Delegation, and a coalition of county and municipal government leaders in the region.

As we have grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commonwealth has been in a state of shutdown. If we are to reopen and trudge back to some sense of normal, we need to do so with an eye towards containing this virus and using test capabilities where it makes the most sense. That's why the Commonwealth set up a contact tracing partnership. Learning about contact tracing and working diligently with the partners is your opportunity to protect yourself and the people that you love.

A region-wide task force has been assembled to develop strategies for reopening Cape Cod once it is safe to do so. The Cape Cod Reopening Task Force is led by the Cape & Islands Legislative Delegation, the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, and Barnstable County, with participation from Cape Cod Healthcare, municipal officials, first responders, community leaders, and others.

The public is invited to submit comments to the Task Force. Comments will be reviewed and taken into consideration as the Task Force conducts its work. Comments can be submitted online here.

You can find more information from the Cape Cod Reopening Task Force on their website: www.ReopeningCapeCod.org. 

PLEASE NOTE: THE SEASONAL RESIDENT AND VISITOR GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN UPDATED. SEE THE NEW VERSION UPDATED AS OF 6/30/2020 AT WWW.SENATORCYR.COM/REOPENING

On May 1st, region-wide guidance was issued to seasonal residents of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket as the summer approaches. The guidance is intended to provide information to seasonal residents regarding the Governor’s stay-at-home order and non-essential business closures that are in place through May 18. The guidance is provided in English, Spanish, and Portuguese at SenatorCyr.com/Reopening

The aim of the guidance is to speak with one consistent message to the region’s seasonal residents, second home-owners, summer workers, and visitors to ensure public health and promote economic vitality when we are able to reopen. We appreciate, welcome, and depend on our seasonal residents, now more than ever. We look forward to welcoming you back. 

This guidance will be updated as additional information becomes available and as municipalities and organizations sign on. The guidance was developed in consultation with the Baker-Polito Administration.

A regional task force has also been assembled by the Cape Cod & Islands Legislative Delegation, the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, and Barnstable County, with participation from Cape Cod Healthcare, several town managers, and community leaders. More information will be made available on this task force in the coming days.

Signatories to the guidance include:

Cape Cod Healthcare

Martha’s Vineyard Hospital

Nantucket Cottage Hospital

Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce

Nantucket Chamber of Commerce

Barnstable County

U.S. Representative Bill Keating

State Senator Julian Cyr

State Representative Sarah Peake

State Representative Will Crocker

State Representative Dylan Fernandes

State Representative Randy Hunt

State Representative David Vieira

State Representative Tim Whelan

This is an unprecedented time for Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket. The COVID-19 pandemic is a very steep challenge for all of us.

With this page, I want to keep you informed of our continued work on the many issues COVID-19 presents and provide a source of clear and updated information. Below please find general updates, answers to frequently asked questions, and links to official websites. My hope is to alleviate some of the understandable concern we all are experiencing during this uncertain and unprecedented time with accurate consistent information.

So many of you have already helped me to identify priorities and potential solutions based on your first-hand experiences. In the days and weeks ahead, please continue to reach out to me and my staff with concerns, suggestions, and needs. Reach me at [email protected].

Please stay safe and take care of yourself and your loved ones during this difficult time.

Bill expands access to mental health care, boosts workforce, and strengthens quality of coverage

On February 14, 2020 the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed the Mental Health ABC Act, comprehensive legislation aimed at reforming the mental health care system in Massachusetts. Senate Bill 2519, An Act Addressing Barriers to Care for Mental Health, serves as the first step toward developing a more integrated system of mental health care delivery to better meet the needs of individuals and families.