GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Happy Monday!
STATE TURNS TO DONORS FOR EQUIPMENT —
As Massachusetts awaits personal protective equipment from a federal government stockpile and tries to order its own, Gov. Charlie Baker launched an online portal on Sunday where people can donate or sell in-demand items like masks, gloves and sanitizing wipes. Baker says the equipment will help front line health care workers respond to the coronavirus pandemic.
The shortage of personal protective equipment
has been a tense topic for Baker, who expressed frustration last week that the federal government had outbid Massachusetts on equipment, even after the Trump administration told states to obtain their own supplies.
A shortage in supplies has been the case for a number of states dealing with the outbreak, though others — like Florida — have received more equipment.
One way of filling the gap is the state's new " COVID-19 PPE Procurement and Donation Program," which allows companies, organizations and individuals to sell or donate the hard-to-come-by equipment. The state is also looking for volunteers — namely respiratory therapists and public health nurses. More than 1,000 people have already registered to be volunteers, according to Baker's office.
Asked about the shortage of protective equipment, President Donald Trump said on Sunday evening that governors were "happy" and "thrilled" by his administration's performance when he spoke to them the day before.
"Many of the states are stocked up. Some of them don't admit it, but they have — we have sent just so much — so many things to them, including ventilators," Trump said during an evening press briefing.
"I was on the call yesterday with the governors, and they were happy with the job we're doing," Trump said. "Massachusetts, we're dealing with the governor, very strongly, and we're trying to get things to Massachusetts as rapidly as possible."
That's in contrast to Baker's impassioned statement at the end of last week that his administration was "killing ourselves"
to get equipment to the Bay State, only to be outbid by the federal government. Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders said on Thursday that Massachusetts had received 17 percent of what it requested from the Strategic National Stockpile.
HAPPENING TOMORROW: States on the frontlines of the pandemic — Governors are on the frontlines of responding to the coronavirus pandemic. In this briefing, POLITICO states reporters
Anna Gronewold in New York, Carla Marinucci in California and Stephanie Murray in Massachusetts will break down how governors are handling the crisis, what kind of additional measures could be put into place and how they are working with the White House. Join us Tuesday, March 31 at 12 p.m.
Register.
Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com.
TODAY — Rep. Stephen Lynch holds a coronavirus telephone town hall.
|
- "In navigating coronavirus pandemic, Massachusetts voters say they trust Baker — and Cuomo," by Matt Stout and Victoria McGrane, Boston Globe: "As Massachusetts residents scramble for guidance for how to navigate the pandemic, there's a clear divide in both their perceptions of their leaders and where they trust getting their information, a Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll shows. Nearly 80 percent of those surveyed approve of Baker's handling of the outbreak, and 83 percent say
they're getting the information they need out of state government."
- "Berkshire legislator asks Gov. Baker to crack down on short-term rental industry," by Heather Bellow, The Berkshire Eagle:
"In response to growing alarm about people fleeing to the Berkshires to escape cities besieged by the coronavirus pandemic, one county legislator is asking Gov. Charlie Baker to shut down the short-term rental industry, at least in Berkshire County. Rep. William 'Smitty' Pignatelli, D-Lenox, said Sunday that he contacted Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito Saturday about what he says should be a decisive order that would not allow any kind of hotel or inn to allow guests."
- "Could This Be the Bill That Saves Massachusetts Restaurants?" by Scott Kearnan, Boston Magazine: "As many dismayed restaurant owners have discovered over the last few weeks, after years spent paying into the system, fine print in business interruption insurance seemingly excludes coverage for the current coronavirus-related closures. It's leaving surprised restaurants high and dry during a widespread shutdown—one that, without fast and significant relief, could cause many of these businesses to shut their doors forever
."
- "Colleagues, associates say North Attleboro state rep Poirier will be sorely missed," by Tom Reilly, Sun Chronicle: "There's a joke in local political circles and it goes something like this: 'I opened a can of tomatoes the other day and I was surprised Betty Poirier wasn't there. She's at the opening of everything.' Ba da boom. it contains more than a kernel of truth. Few politicians
are more involved in the day-to-day events in their hometown than the 10-term legislator."
|
 |
FROM THE HUB |
|
- "Officials are emptying nursing homes across Mass. to create coronavirus recovery centers," by Robert Weisman and Tim Logan, Boston Globe:
"At least a dozen skilled nursing facilities across the state could soon be emptied of their residents and converted to treatment centers for COVID-19 patients to take pressure off nearby hospitals. The first such transition is underway in Worcester, where officials on Saturday began relocating 147 residents from Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center and into a number of other eldercare facilities in Central Massachusetts."
- "Boston Adds 240 More Beds To House City's Homeless Population During Outbreak," by Ally Jarmanning, WBUR: "Mayor Marty Walsh announced that the city would be adding hundreds more beds to house those who are homeless, allowing them a place to isolate and recuperate if they fall ill. That includes two new locations: a Suffolk University downtown dorm, with 172 beds, and a former hospital in Brighton, with 70 beds. That comes after a member of the city's homeless population tested positive for the coronavirus.
- "The late Larry Rasky, Boston PR pro and confidant of Biden, had coronavirus at time of death, family says," by Travis Andersen and Bryan Marquard, Boston Globe: "The family of the late Larry Rasky, a top Boston public relations executive and confidant of Joe Biden who died Sunday at the age of 69, confirmed Friday that he had tested positive for coronavirus. Will Rasky, his son, broke the news in a statement released by Rasky Partners, his father's firm."
- "MGH president says hospital ready to expand ICU capacity, if necessary," by Andrew Martinez, Boston Herald: "Massachusetts General Hospital is running at a 60% occupancy rate, hospital President Dr. Peter Slavin said Sunday, and is prepared to expand intensive care unit capacity if cases of the coronavirus spike. Slavin, in a web conversation with U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, said there are 30 patients with COVID-19 in MGH's 150 ICU beds and the
hospital has identified space, staff and ventilators needed to expand its capacity to 400 ICU beds."
- "Cutbacks for some doctors and nurses as they battle on the front line," by Rebecca Ostriker, Boston Globe: "Emergency room doctors at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have been told some of their accrued pay is being held back. More than 1,100 Atrius Health physicians and staffers are facing reduced paychecks or unpaid furloughs, while
pay raises for medical staff at South Shore Health, set for April, are being delayed."
- "Former Boston City Councilor Tito Jackson tests positive for coronavirus," by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: "Former Boston City Councilor Tito Jackson has tested positive for COVID-19, he announced Saturday. 'I am at my home in quarantine continuing my recovery with the help of my amazing family Nephew Justin Brown Sister Akeila Jackson
and my nephew Kazeem,' Jackson wrote in a Facebook post."
|
|
DAY IN COURT |
|
- "As Pandemic Worsens, Mass. High Court Hearing Could Spur Correctional Facilities To Release More Prisoners," by Deborah Becker, WBUR:
"Some Massachusetts sheriffs say they are already considering whether some prisoners can be released to stem the spread of COVID-19 in correctional facilities, ahead of a hearing next week asking the state to quickly start reducing incarceration. A spokesman for Barnstable County Sheriff James Cummings says 100 fewer men are incarcerated there now compared to a year ago. There are two housing units in the jail dedicated to COVID-19."
|
|
PRIMARY SOURCES |
|
|
|
|
FROM THE DELEGATION |
|
- "Mass. delegation calls on Trump administration to resume visa processing for international health care workers," by Christina Prignano, Boston Globe: "The Massachusetts congressional delegation on Friday urged Trump administration officials to resume processing visas for foreign-born medical school students
and health care workers as hospitals brace for a surge in coronavirus patients."
- "Ayanna Pressley announces she tested negative for COVID-19," by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: "Rep. Ayanna Pressley says she has tested negative for COVID-19, after experiencing flu-like symptoms and seeking medical treatment earlier in the week. Apparently, it was in fact just the flu. 'I am relieved to report that I have tested
negative for COVID-19,' Pressley said in a statement Friday afternoon."
- "Neal says added financial relief possible for families," by Larry Parnass, The Berkshire Eagle: "Even $2.2 trillion may not be enough to help Americans and businesses survive economic arrest due to the coronavirus, the region's voice in Congress said Saturday. 'This is an international pandemic and I think taking the necessary steps here to provide help and to provide economic support for the American family is really important,' U.S.
Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, said in a conference call with reporters."
|
|
TRUMPACHUSETTS |
|
- "Mashpee tribe's reservation land 'disestablished,'" by Jessica Hill, Cape Cod Times:
"An unprecedented decision by the U.S. secretary of the Interior to rescind the Mashpee Wampanoag's land-into-trust comes as a 'hardcore blow' to the tribe, according to Tribal Council Chairman Cedric Cromwell. Cromwell learned the news during a call Friday afternoon with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. He thought the bureau was calling to see if there was anything the tribe needed during the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, he was told that Interior Secretary David Bernhardt has ordered that the tribe's land be taken out of trust and the reservation be disestablished."
- RELATED: "Senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren accuse Trump administration of 'craven' political games in the disestablishment of the Mashpee Wampanoag reservation," by Douglas Hook, MassLive.com: "Massachusetts Senators Edward J. Markey and Elizabeth Warren released a joint statement after the Department of the Interior announced the disestablishment of the Mashpee Wampanoag reservation."
- "Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration For Massachusetts," by Paul Singer, WGBH News: "President Donald Trump has approved a major disaster declaration for Massachusetts, allowing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide support for state and local efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Gov. Charlie Baker had said Thursday he had been seeking a disaster declaration, in particular because he was hoping for expanded unemployment assistance to help hundreds
of thousands of people who have lost their jobs across the state."
|
|
MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS |
|
|
|
|
ABOVE THE FOLD |
|
— Herald: "THE NEW NORMAL," — Globe:
"Trump extends rules on travel, large gatherings," "A TEST LIKE NO OTHER." |
|
FROM THE 413 |
|
- "Holyoke's Alex Morse adapts to the curveballs," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "Don't ask Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse about his typical day right now - there isn't one. A city of 40,000 in Western Massachusetts with a large Hispanic population, Holyoke had its struggles even before the pandemic. The once vibrant industrial city has a median household income of just $40,000, an unemployment rate above the state average, and long-struggling schools that are in state receivership.
With the COVID-19 outbreak, all the challenges facing Holyoke have multiplied."
|
|
THE LOCAL ANGLE |
|
- "Gun Parlor in Worcester stays open despite governor's order closing non-essential businesses amid COVID-19," by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: "While gun shops across the country are responding differently to the crisis, Gov. Charlie Baker says they are not essential and should not keep their brick-and-mortar stores open in Massachusetts. Yet the Gun Parlor in Worcester decided to keep its doors open, although the governor's
executive order directs non-essential businesses to shift to remote work or close temporarily."
- "Coronavirus changes Augustus' focus, not his responsibilities," by Nick Kotsopoulos, Telegram & Gazette:
"It's early Thursday evening and City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. is sitting at the large conference table in his City Hall office. He had just completed his daily COVID-19 press briefing with Mayor Joseph M. Petty and Dr. Michael Hirsh, medical director of the city's Department of Public Health. It was the 15th such briefing Augustus held in as many days."
- "Revere coronavirus cases spike to 83 as more restaurants end take-out services," by Andrew Martinez, Boston Herald: "Revere Beach restaurants ended take-out services while Revere Mayor Brian Arrigo used a bullhorn to warn passersby of social distancing Saturday, as the city Sunday announced 83 coronavirus cases after reporting just eight last week. The city's Inspectional Services Department encouraged restaurants to end take-out services 'until further notice' Saturday and eateries voluntarily
shifted to delivery-only or closed, according to a statement from the city Sunday."
- "Area mayors staggering workers, running skeleton crews," by Mike LaBella, Eagle-Tribune: "Area mayors say they're using a number of different tactics to prevent the shutdown of entire departments, but still be able to offer services to the public. As the threat of COVID-19 keeps people away from public life, mayors are having as many city employees working from home as possible, are operating skeleton crews and are
staggering work schedules in an effort to keep things running, while still keeping staffers safe."
TRANSITIONS - Mark McDevitt is leaving his post as communications director for Rep. Lori Trahan. Tweet.
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY - Zach Dupont, who celebrated Saturday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Daily Hampshire Gazette reporter Dusty Christensen and Mark Daley.
NEW EPISODE: TESTING 1, 2, 3 -
On this week's Horse Race podcast, hosts Steve Koczela and Stephanie Murray speak with Newton City Councilor Becky Grossman about her campaign for congress during the coronavirus pandemic. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud.
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS: The Friday edition of Massachusetts Playbook had an error in its email subject line. State Sen. Dean Tran was the lawmaker stripped of his leadership position.
Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you're promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com.
|
| |
Coronavirus Special Report: Virtual Briefing Series:
Join us on Tuesday, March 31, at 12 p.m. EDT for a discussion about the governors on the front lines of the pandemic and how they are responding. Top POLITICO reporters from New York, California and Massachusetts will break down how governors are handling the crisis, the inside details of how they are working with the White House, and what additional measures to expect. Register here to watch.
|
| |
| |
|
| |
|
Follow us on Twitter
|
| |
|
Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family
|
|
Follow us
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
POLITICO, LLC 1000 Wilson Blvd. Arlington,
VA, 22209, USA
|
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.