POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Bay State SURGE on White House RADAR — Fast-growing crisis in NURSING HOMES — CLARK wants more info on PPE

By Stephanie Murray GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. MASS. SURGE ON WHITE HOUSE RADAR — Any other year, runners would be heading for the starting line of the Boston Marathon this morning. Instead, the race is postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and Bay Staters are staying home. But the eyes of the nation are still on Massachusetts where coronavirus cases are surging, according to officials. Boston and the entire state of Massachusetts are areas of concern for the White House coronavirus task force, Dr. Deborah Birx said during a CBS interview on Sunday morning. Also on the Sunday show circuit was Gov. Charlie Baker, who appears on national television less frequently than some other governors. Baker called for more federal guidance on testing, and federal funding for states and local governments as Washington lawmakers discuss another economic relief package. "We're right in the middle of the surge now. But I certainly believe that the more guidance and especially the ability to put the foot on the accelerator with respect to advancements in testing, everything associated with testing ultimately has to be approved by the CDC and the FDA," Baker said on "Face the Nation." "The states shouldn't be making their own decisions on that stuff." Baker also addressed the seven-state coalition to reopen the economy in the Northeast, which is helmed by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. But before the state prepares to reopen parts of the economy, New York is offering Massachusetts some mutual aid — Cuomo said on Sunday that New York is prepared to send 400 ventilators to Massachusetts on 24-hour notice, as cases continue to rise here and New York moves past its surge. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: BILL WOULD PUSH TRUMP TO REPORT ON EQUIPMENT — Rep. Katherine Clark will introduce a new bill today that would require President Donald Trump to report "detailed information" to Congress every two weeks on the federal government's transportation, distribution and possession of emergency resources during the coronavirus pandemic. The bill comes as states complain about the federal government outbidding the state on equipment or even seizing shipments of personal protective equipment. Clark is filing the bill with Florida Rep. Ted Deutch, Illinois Rep. Brad Schneider and Minnesota Rep. Angie Craig. The bill would also cover private companies that have partnered with the government under the Defense Protection Act and Stafford Act. "I am in constant communication with local hospitals, community health centers, essential workers and our state leaders. They all have one message: we need PPE," Clark said. "The Trump administration's failure to coordinate and distribute these materials is inexcusable. We need accountability now." The bill. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com. TODAY — Rep. Joe Kennedy III holds a livestream in Spanish with Worcester City Councilor Sarai Rivera, Springfield City Councilor Victor Davila and Alex Mitchell-Munevar of Greater Boston Legal Services. Sen. Ed Markey holds a livestream with Chelsea City Councilor Damali Vidot and Madeleine Scammell and Maria Belen Power of GreenRoots. Markey holds a livestream with Dr. Mary Bassett of Harvard University.   JOIN TODAY - CAN THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY RECOVER FROM COVID-19? Restaurant doors are shut and millions of their employees have lost their jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic. Join Playbook co-authors Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman today at 9 a.m. EDT for a virtual discussion with David Chang, founder of Momofuku Restaurant Group, on what Washington can do to help the industry. What do restaurant owners and workers need to recover from this swift and devastating blow? Join the discussion. Have a question? Tweet it to @POLITICOLive using #AskPOLITICO. REGISTER HERE TO PARTICIPATE.     THE LATEST NUMBERS - "Health officials announce 146 more deaths and 1,705 new COVID-19 cases," by Douglas Hook, MassLive.com: "The number of coronavirus-related deaths in Massachusetts increased to 1,706, with 146 new deaths reported on Sunday. Statewide, there are now 38,077 new positive cases of the virus, according to the latest figures, up from 36,372 on Saturday. Altogether, 162,241 COVID-19 tests have been carried out by state and commercial labs." DATELINE BEACON HILL - "Amid flurry of national coronavirus data, Massachusetts remains a hot spot of infection," by Andrew Ryan, Kay Lazar and Mark Arsenault, Boston Globe: "This virus first struck in late February on the Pacific Coast, attacking a nursing home in Washington state where the death toll quickly soared from one to 14 — to 43. It was terrifying, but far away — not here, not us. The one publicized case of COVID-19 in Massachusetts had seemed to fizzle. But today, after seven long weeks, fortunes have dramatically shifted. Washington appears to be on the back side of the curve with new infections waning, and Massachusetts has emerged as a national hot spot." - "Most COVID-19 deaths now at nursing homes," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "Deaths in long-term care facilities and deaths everywhere else both continue to rise, but they are rising faster at the long-term care facilities. Over the last eight days, fatalities at nursing homes grew at an average daily rate of 16 percent while deaths at hospitals and everywhere else grew at an average of 10 percent a day." - RELATED: "Government actions, guidance fail to keep pace with health crisis in nursing homes," by Robert Weisman and Laura Krantz, Boston Globe: "Earlier this month, Governor Charlie Baker activated a dozen National Guard teams to test for COVID-19 at hard-hit nursing homes across Massachusetts in an effort to help them contain the deadly outbreak. Yet soon after the Guard completed its testing, managers of the homes noticed a disturbing trend: Large numbers of front-line employees stopped coming to work, leaving their beleaguered facilities severely understaffed." - "Lawmakers OK ban on evictions, foreclosures," by the Associated Press: "Massachusetts lawmakers have sent to Republican Gov. Charlie Baker a bill they say would provide a safety net for renters, homeowners, and small businesses grappling with the economic fallout of the coronavirus state or emergency. The legislation approved Friday prohibits all non-essential evictions and foreclosures and provides mortgage borrowers with forbearance options and protects tenants from late fees." - "Healey sees coronavirus highlighting, and increasing, inequality," by Adrian Walker, Boston Globe: "Governor Charlie Baker and Attorney General Maura Healey unveiled a surprising but urgent message this past weekend: People who are sick — but not with COVID-19 — shouldn't avoid going to the hospital. ... What made this necessary? There was growing concern, including among health care officials that many people with serious illnesses, for a range of reasons, have been getting a message that they shouldn't seek medical care right now." - "Massachusetts health care workers protected from liability tied to COVID-19 under Gov. Charlie Baker's law," by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: "A bill signed by Gov. Charlie Baker extends liability protections to health care workers treating patients during the coronavirus pandemic. Baker, who filed the legislation, signed it into law Friday afternoon. The bill, S.2640, protects health care workers authorized to treat COVID-19 patients from lawsuits and civil liabilities over certain errors made in good faith, similar to protections that hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities have in place." - "Advocates Raise Concerns About Moving Kids In State Care To Protect Them From COVID-19," by Tori Bedford, WGBH News: "Youth advocates in Massachusetts are raising concerns about a new initiative launched by Gov. Charlie Baker to limit coronavirus infections among children in foster care or other state custody by moving infected kids to designated facilities. The advocates warn that moving the kids without a plan for where they will go afterwards could damage the mental health of these already fragile youth." FROM THE HUB - "Quick recovery? Not likely in Massachusetts, as a coronavirus-induced recession stuns economy," by Shirley Leung and Larry Edelman, Boston Globe: "A month into what may prove to be the most devastating economic collapse since the 1930s, the region's world-famous hospitals and universities find themselves too crippled by COVID-19 to provide a soft landing. White-collar professionals, another bulwark of the state economy, are also bracing for the worst. With Europe and China also in trouble, Massachusetts won't be getting much of a lift from exports or international travelers." - "Don't Run The Boston Marathon Route On Monday, Mayor Walsh Says," by Elie Levine, WBUR: "Boston Mayor Marty Walsh delivered a warning in a Friday afternoon press conference to anyone considering running the Boston Marathon on Monday: Don't even think about it. Last month, the marathon was postponed from its original date set for April 20 for the first time in its history to contain the spread of the coronavirus. The new date was set for Sept. 14." - "In rare but growing number of cases, children hospitalized with coronavirus in Massachusetts," by Rebecca Ostriker, Boston Globe: "Last week, when the state first released data on coronavirus cases by hospital, the numbers seemed almost predictable. Many large hospitals had well above 100 patients; smaller community ones had dozens. But one number was striking: Boston Children's Hospital had seven patients admitted with confirmed or suspected cases of coronavirus, including three in the intensive care unit." - "Patients start to fill field hospitals amid surge in coronavirus cases," by Priyanka Dayal McCluskey, Boston Globe: "Boston's newest medical facility — a pop-up field hospital at the city's cavernous convention center — has already treated more than 100 coronavirus patients in the past week and could reach capacity in the coming days as the state's COVID-19 cases peak. The already high demand for beds in the temporary facility known as Boston Hope is a sign of the magnitude of the pandemic, even as doctors and state officials say social distancing measures are helping to slow spread of the virus." - "Biogen employees, family members infected with coronavirus asked to contribute blood samples to help build COVID-19 biobank," by Scott J. Croteau, MassLive.com: "Employees of Biogen, the company whose managers' meeting in February became a super spreader event for coronavirus in Massachusetts, is now asking employees who were infected with COVID-19 to contribute blood samples for a biobank." - "City trucks drove through Boston announcing COVID-19 warnings in seven languages," by Lucas Phillips, Boston Globe: "Trucks played multi-lingual warnings about COVID-19 Sunday afternoon as they drove through Boston neighborhoods that have been hit especially hard by the spread of the virus. Seven public works trucks fitted with sound equipment drove through the neighborhoods with the highest rates of the virus — Hyde Park, Mattapan, Dorchester, East Boston, Roxbury, and Roslindale — delivering the message to wash hands and stay inside in seven languages between noon and 5p.m." - "The last T riders: 'As soon as I get to the Green Line, my heart starts racing,'" by Adam Vaccaro, Boston Globe: "The buses and trains may be near empty, but there are still thousands of workers who have little choice but to risk a T ride every day, nurses and janitors and food service workers whose jobs are as essential as ever, and desperate shoppers with no other way to get around. They're the last commuters in a bestilled economy, voyaging each day into a scary unknown. It is the very promise of public transit — to move many people on one vehicle — that poses what may be their greatest threat." PRIMARY SOURCES - FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: "MASSACHUSETTS STATE REPRESENTATIVE SMITTY PIGNATELLI ENDORSES ALAN KHAZEI FOR CONGRESS IN MASSACHUSETTS 4TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT," from the Khazei campaign: "State Representative Smitty Pignatelli announced his endorsement of Alan Khazei's campaign for Massachusetts 4th District congressional seat on Monday, touting Khazei's lifelong commitment to public service and experience making a meaningful difference in people's lives." - FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: "State Senator Jamie Eldridge endorses progressive Democrat Ceylan Rowe for State Representative for the 12th Worcester District," from the Rowe campaign: "Ceylan Rowe today announces that her campaign for State Representative has been endorsed by State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton). 'I'm very proud to endorse Ceylan for State Representative,' Eldridge said." THE OPINION PAGES - "Don't let Big Gig game the system," by Sharon Block and Mike Firestone, CommonWealth Magazine: In its sweeping response to the coronavirus pandemic, Congress threw a financial lifeline to millions of Americans and made so-called 'gig economy' workers, like Uber drivers, eligible for unemployment assistance for the first time. But the economic crisis begs the question why Uber drivers weren't eligible already." DAY IN COURT - "Equifax will pay Massachusetts $18.2 million settlement," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "The credit reporting agency Equifax will pay $18.2 million to the state of Massachusetts under a settlement reached with Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey over its 2017 data breach. The massive data breach occurred when hackers obtained personal information of around 147 million people in the US, including nearly three million Massachusetts residents." WARREN REPORT - "Warren tops VP appeal for Dem voters in Michigan and Wisconsin," by Alexi McCammond, Axios: "A group commissioned a poll in two Midwestern swing states to test the viability of women of color to be Joe Biden's vice presidential pick and found Stacey Abrams as the top choice for black voters — but Elizabeth Warren as the overall candidate to beat." FROM THE DELEGATION - "Ed Markey Says Country Currently 'Unprepared' To Reopen Amid Coronavirus," by Jon Keller, WBZ: "Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey said President Donald Trump would be leaving the country 'unprepared' if he rushes to reopen the economy amid the coronavirus pandemic. Markey told WBZ-TV political analyst Jon Keller that he has concerns over the president's comments that about 29 states could be in position to reopen by May 1." - "Pressley Says Baker 'Open' To Rescinding State-Issued Guidelines For Rationing Ventilators," by Arjun Singh, WGBH News: "Rep. Ayanna Pressley said Gov. Charlie Baker is open to rescinding state-issued voluntary guidelines for hospitals regarding rationing medical equipment following comments from elected officials that the guidelines may result in a lack of medical care for African-Americans and Latinos. 'I speak with the governor regularly,' Pressley said during an interview with Boston Public Radio on Friday. 'He's open to rescinding, and said they would take a hard look at it.'" - "Rep. Richard Neal says agreement is 'imminent' on 4th coronavirus relief package, WCVB: "Rep. Richard Neal said an agreement between the House of Representatives and the Senate on the next coronavirus relief package is 'imminent.' The veteran Massachusetts congressman spoke about the talks surrounding the fourth COVID-19 relief bill during a live appearance on WCVB's 'On the Record' Sunday, which he made remotely from outside his Springfield home." - "Kennedy, Rausch push vote-by-mail program, but GOP leader blasts idea," by George W. Rhodes, Sun Chronicle: "U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III is pushing state lawmakers to adopt a vote-by-mail program for the fall elections in light of the coronavirus pandemic, but the head of the state's Republican party is blasting the idea. Meanwhile, state Sen. Becca Rausch, D-Needham, and state Rep. Adrian Madaro, D-Boston, have filed a bill to implement comprehensive voting by mail for all statewide elections in 2020." ABOVE THE FOLD — Herald: "THE RACE THAT WASN'T," "THE WAY BACK," — Globe: "More kids hospitalized for COVID-19," "State in middle of virus surge, says governor." FROM THE 413 - "How Baystate Health shielded an order for face masks and respirators from being taken by federal officials," by Dave Canton, Springfield Republican: "Securing personal protective equipment for frontline health care workers is forcing administrators to develop a new set of operating skills. Dr. Andrew W. Artenstein, who heads Baystate Health's command center for COVID-19, described his experiences attempting to acquire N95 face masks and related gear for workers in a letter published by the New England Journal of Medicine." - "Northampton rest home installs fence as protective measure in pandemic," by Greta Jochem, Daily Hampshire Gazette: "A fence installed around the River Valley Rest Home on Pine Street has drawn some attention from city residents in recent days but was put up only as a safety precaution, according to the facility. 'It's just to keep our residents inside safe,' said Carmen Santiago, the facility's office manager, adding that the fence is not locked." THE LOCAL ANGLE - "In hard-hit Chelsea, COVID-19 fight a collaborative effort," by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: "That style has largely drawn praise in Chelsea, but it's also generated criticism from those who think the city manager has not always acted decisively in the face of a growing crisis. Ambrosino also saw his judgment land centerstage in a moment of awkward tension last week between Chelsea officials and the Baker administration. Ambrosino and other Chelsea leaders are facing a problem of enormous — and unknown — proportions." - RELATED: "Nearly a third of 200 blood samples taken in Chelsea show exposure to coronavirus," by Jonathan Saltzman, Boston Globe: "Nearly one third of 200 Chelsea residents who gave a drop of blood to researchers on the street this week tested positive for antibodies linked to COVID-19, a startling indication of how widespread infections have been in the densely populated city." - "Protesters gather at Bourne Rotary to protest Barnstable County lockdown during COVID-19 pandemic," by Douglas Hook, MassLive.com: "Hundreds of protesters from a conservative group known as the United Cape Patriots gathered in Cape Cod to protest the lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. The United Cape Patriots organized the event that took place early afternoon on Sunday." - "Littleton facility allegedly received threatening letter in wake of COVID-19 deaths," by Arianna MacNeill, Boston.com: "Littleton police are investigating after they say Life Care Center of Nashoba Valley received a threatening letter on Wednesday. Authorities say a worker found the letter around 6:20 a.m. that day; it was stuck to the sign by the senior care facility's entrance. The facility has been publicly criticized by town officials for its handling of COVID-19 cases among residents and staff." MEDIA MATTERS - "A stark reality: Sunday's Boston Globe runs 16 pages of death notices," by Jaclyn Reiss, Boston Globe: "With coronavirus cases surging in Massachusetts, the Boston Sunday Globe offered a stark reminder of the death toll that COVID-19 is taking on the state, with the paper running 16 pages worth of death notices in the print edition." - "Boston Herald furloughs 30 employees," by Sarah Betancourt, Boston Herald: "The majority of the Boston Herald's workforce will be furloughed in the coming weeks, as steep cutbacks in advertising from coronavirus shutdowns continue to devastate already troubled newspapers across the country. The Herald, which has 30 news and sports reporters, advertising, and circulation staff, will impose furloughs of between two to five unpaid weeks, beginning Monday and lasting through June 30, according to an internal email sent to reporters and staff by parent company Media News Group on Thursday." HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to state Rep. Dan Hunt, Jessie Zimmerer and Colin Reed, managing director at the Levinson Group. NEW EPISODE: THE 'STAY AT HOME' STRETCH - On this week's Horse Race podcast, hosts Steve Koczela, Jennifer Smith and Stephanie Murray speak with George Cronin of Rasky Partners about the fate of ballot question campaigns during the coronavirus pandemic. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud. 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.   BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE: A DIFFERENT KIND OF NEWSLETTER: "The Long Game" explores the convergence of private sector leaders, political actors, and NGO/Academic experts on the key sustainability issues of our time. Subscribe for a nuanced look at sustainability news, trends, solutions and the leaders focused on building a sustainable future. Launching soon. Subscribe today.       Follow us on Twitter Stephanie Murray @StephMurr_Jour   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters Follow us

POLITICO, LLC 1000 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA, 22209, USA