Politico Massachusetts Playbook: BERNIE backers say BIDEN has work to do — The coronavirus DATA GAP — HAVERHILL to fine social distance violators

BERNIE backers say BIDEN has work to do — The coronavirus DATA GAP — HAVERHILL to fine social distance violators

By Stephanie Murray GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. BERNIE BACKERS SAY BIDEN HAS WORK TO DO — Now that Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders has dropped out of the presidential race, many of his Bay State supporters say they remain committed to defeating President Donald Trump. But that doesn't mean they are enthusiastically lining up behind Joe Biden just yet. The former vice president - and presumptive nominee - has a ways to go to unify the party ahead of the November election, state Sen. Jamie Eldridge told me yesterday. Eldridge was a Massachusetts campaign co-chair for Sanders this cycle, and supported the Vermont senator in 2016. "I certainly will be supporting the Democratic nominee and Sanders, you know, he has to make it clear to his supporters that now the focus is to defeat Donald Trump," Eldridge said. "But Sanders supporters aren't just going to support Joe Biden because Bernie Sanders tells them to." "There's a need for Biden to do more outreach. And I would say so far it's been kind of a mixed bag. I think that Joe Biden needs to do more to reach out to Sanders supporters and not be dismissive," Eldridge added. For Ihssane Leckey, a Democratic socialist and former Wall Street regulator running to replace Rep. Joe Kennedy III, the end of the Sanders campaign left her feeling "heartbroken," but she's still focused on defeating Trump. "My worst nightmare would be if Trump got reelected and I have worked relentlessly to do everything I can to make sure he doesn't get reelected and I will continue to do that," Leckey said. Leckey pointed to the coronavirus pandemic, saying political leaders will have to focus on rebuilding the economy, preparing for future pandemics and bracing for the impacts of climate change in the years ahead. Asked whether Biden is up for the job, Leckey said it's not just up to him. "[Biden] needs to have a government to make sure he's up to the task. Our country is not a one-person country," Leckey said. "We have to elect a government that will push him to do the right thing." And on the topic of the best-known Bay State progressive who notably did not support Sanders - Sen. Elizabeth Warren - Leckey said it was hard to tell whether her endorsement would have changed things for Sanders. Biden won Massachusetts in an upset, and Warren dropped out after coming in third here on Super Tuesday. Warren did not endorse Biden or Sanders. "Many who dropped and backed Biden - that definitely gave him a leg up. I think if she had backed Bernie it could have been helpful at least to contribute to uniting the movement," Leckey said, adding that Warren inspired her to run for office. Eldridge was a little more blunt. "From a politically pragmatic view of being a fellow progressive, I do wish that she had endorsed Sanders, because I do think that would have helped him," Eldridge said. "Remain a tremendous fan of hers, but I do wish she had done that." FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: MOULTON WANTS PROTECTIVE GEAR FOR GROCERY WORKERS — Rep. Seth Moulton sent Gov. Charlie Baker a letter last night urging him to designate grocery store workers as emergency personnel during the coronavirus pandemic. Moulton's letter comes after a Market Basket employee in Salem died from coronavirus. "This designation would provide them access to priority testing, personal protective equipment like masks and gloves as well as other workplace protections necessary to keep them and the general public safe and healthy," the letter says. While personal protective equipment is in short supply even for medical workers, Moulton wants President Donald Trump to use the Defense Production Act to expand access to personal protective equipment. The letter. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com. TODAY — Rep. Richard Neal is a guest on WGBH's "Boston Public Radio." Rep. Joe Kennedy III holds a small business virtual town hall. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and other lawmakers speak at a press conference about the FAMILY Act. Sen. Ed Markey holds a livestream with Jim Steyer of Common Sense Media.   TODAY - MENTAL HEALTH IN THE AGE OF CORONAVIRUS: The pandemic has raised concerns about mental health as Americans cope with a new normal. Join POLITICO health care reporter Brianna Ehley for a virtual Coronavirus Special Report on mental health with Joshua A. Gordon, director of the National Institute of Mental Health and Paul Gionfriddo, president of Mental Health America, to discuss the psychological and emotional challenges that arise with social distancing, healthy coping mechanisms and how all of this and more is being incorporated into the broader public health response. They will take questions; don't miss out. REGISTER HERE TO PARTICIPATE.     DATELINE BEACON HILL - "Baker 'cautiously optimistic' virus curve may be flattening," by Christian M. Wade, The Salem News: "Gov. Charlie Baker said he believes the state's aggressive response to the COVID-19 outbreak is working, but he urged residents not to get complacent. Baker said Wednesday new cases of the coronavirus and deaths continue to rise, but he suggested there is a glimmer of hope in current data on the outbreak." - "Mass. Has No Racial Or Ethnic Information On Two-Thirds Of Coronavirus Cases," by Esteban Bustillos, WGBH News: "Massachusetts released its first data on the demographics of conronavirus infections in the state, but acknowledged that the information is so incomplete that it allows for no conclusions. The data released by the state Department of Public Health showed that the state could not identify the race or ethnicity of the patient in 67 percent of the nearly 17,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and in 69 percent of the 433 confirmed deaths." - "Block evictions during the crisis, or just delay them? Lawmakers must decide," by Tim Logan, Boston Globe: "At the beginning of the month, Monica Rey missed making April's rent payment for her Jamaica Plain apartment. A graduate student and mother, Rey had taken a census job to help pay the bills. But that fell through amid the coronavirus crisis, and she hasn't been able to find other work. On Friday, Rey came home to a letter in the door from her landlord, saying she had 14 days to pay up, or face eviction." - "Frontline Health Care Workers, Bracing For A Surge, Issue Another Plea For Help To Gov. Baker," by Martha Bebinger, WBUR: "More than 900 doctors, nurses, physician assistants and other caregivers have signed a second petition to Gov. Charlie Baker demanding more help as the number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 climbs and more hospital staff test positive for the coronavirus. There are over 1,000 such cases among hospitals reporting their staff infection numbers to WBUR." - "AG Maura Healey launches investigation into Holyoke Soldiers' Home over coronavirus deaths," by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: "Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey is launching an investigation into the Holyoke Soldiers' Home where at least 25 veterans have died amid a coronavirus outbreak. Healey's office is in touch with the state's coronavirus command center and the Department of Public Health about concerns with other facilities as well." - "Deadline for House seat signatures still set for April 28," by Katie Trojano, Dorchester Reporter: "Nomination papers for this year's state election continue to circulate with a looming April 28 deadline to file signatures with local election officials now less than a month away. The primary election to pick party nominees is Sept. 1, with the general election scheduled for Nov. 3, the same day as the presidential election. In the 12th Suffolk district, a vacancy left by state Rep. Dan Cullinane, who is not seeking re-election, each potential candidate has to collect and file at least 150 signatures from voters who live in the district to make the ballot." FROM THE HUB - "Biotech Firms May Be Key To Beating The Coronavirus, But They're Not Immune To Financial Worry," by Callum Borchers, WBUR: "For a handful of drugmakers taking on the coronavirus, fundraising is no problem right now. But for many other Massachusetts biotechs, the pandemic threatens to stop the flow of money. If you're a company like MicroQuin, and you don't have a coronavirus vaccine candidate or a drug ready to test against COVID-19 — good luck getting new financing. And there's no telling when investors will feel comfortable spending again." - "After worker's death, grocery stores lay out measures to keep shoppers, staff safe under new state rules," by Travis Andersen, Boston Globe: "One day after state officials released updated safety rules for grocery stores amid the COVID-19 pandemic, leading supermarket chains on Wednesday laid out a number of measures they're taking to protect customers and staff. The measures were announced amid growing fears among employees about contracting the coronavirus." - "Boston Braces For 'The Surge,'" by Adam Reilly, WGBH News: "The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation currently predicts the surge in Massachusetts will peak on April 20, requiring more than 8000 hospital beds, nearly 1900 ICU beds and nearly 1600 ventilators. If those estimates are right, the state may simply not be able to provide care to everyone who needs it. The institute also projects that single-day coronavirus deaths will crest around this time, forecasting 213 fatalities on April 18 and 212 on April 22." - "If you survive COVID-19, are you immune?" by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "The question of whether someone who had COVID-19 is now immune is one that scientists are frantically studying today, and it has major implications for both the public and the health care workforce. As more and more health care workers fall ill, could recovered workers be able to care for COVID-19 patients with fewer fears of exposure?" - "Self-employed struggle as they await benefits," by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: "Uber driver Tabitha Collier has been out of work for several weeks after calls for the ride-hailing service dried up amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Like many other self-employed workers, she doesn't qualify for traditional unemployment benefits and the bills are starting to pile up." - "JetBlue Cuts And Consolidates Flights In Boston And R.I." by Zeninjor Enwemeka, WBUR: "JetBlue is consolidating flights in five major metropolitan areas, including Boston. The airline announced Wednesday that it will suspend flights from T.F. Green Airport in Warwick, R.I. and only operate flights in the region out of Boston Logan Airport for the next several weeks. JetBlue — Boston Logan's largest carrier — said it wants to reduce excess flying. So, in regions where the airline flies into multiple cities, it will now operate in just one or two places." - "Seventh inmate tests positive for COVID-19 at Billerica jail," by Jeremy C. Fox, Boston Globe: "A seventh inmate at the Middlesex Jail & House of Correction in Billerica has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the Middlesex sheriff's office said Wednesday. The inmate was tested Tuesday and received the results Wednesday morning, the sheriff's office said in a statement." PRIMARY SOURCES - "Ed Markey vs. Joe Kennedy in coronavirus era? No contest," by Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald: "The deadly coronavirus crisis has upended the marquee U.S. Senate race of Joe Kennedy III versus incumbent Ed Markey, but only one candidate is keeping on top — Kennedy. With the Sept. 1 primary coming up quickly, Markey has been outmaneuvered at every turn by the younger, more nimble and more social media adept Democratic challenger." - "Would-be Kennedy successors could miss ballot as COVID-19 hampers signature push," by Ted Nesi, WPRI: "Some of the candidates running to succeed Congressman Joe Kennedy III are in jeopardy of missing the ballot if state leaders don't extend next month's deadline to collect signatures because of the coronavirus pandemic. In response to a survey by WPRI 12, only one of the 10 Democrats campaigning for the seat — Newton City Councilor Jake Auchincloss — confirmed filing the 2,000 required signatures with city and town clerks across the 4th Congressional District." FROM THE DELEGATION - "Ed Markey is 'deeply concerned' about the White House's reported interest in a coronavirus surveillance network," by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: "Experts say that rigorously tracing the contacts of those infected by the novel coronavirus is an integral part of any strategy to stem the spread of the contagious disease — and that digital tools may help scale those efforts. The federal government is also relaxing certain privacy rules to make it easier to share patients' health information. However, Sen. Ed Markey is 'deeply concerned' about what the White House is reportedly planning next." - "Local officials call for transparency from Life Care as COVID-19 cases mount," by Nicole DeFeudis, The Lowell Sun: "The Littleton Board of Selectmen and local elected representatives are calling for transparency at Life Care Center of Nashoba Valley (LCC-NV), where 65 residents have tested positive for COVID-19. Five nursing home patients have died of the virus, all of whom were hospitalized, Life Care announced on Tuesday. Twenty employees have called in sick." KENNEDY COMPOUND - "Body of Second Kennedy Family Member Is Recovered From Chesapeake Bay," by Sandra E. Garcia, The New York Times: "The body of an 8-year-old grandson of former Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend of Maryland who went missing with his mother in a canoe last week was recovered in the Chesapeake Bay on Wednesday, two days after his mother's body was found, the authorities said." MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS - "Recreational marijuana companies sue Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker over shutdown," by Dan Adams, Boston Globe: "A group of marijuana businesses and consumers sued Governor Charlie Baker on Wednesday, saying his decision to shut down recreational cannabis operations amid the coronavirus pandemic was an illegal overreach that will cost thousands of jobs — and endanger public health by forcing consumers into the illicit market." - "Baker to pot firms: I'm focusing on surge," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "Gov. Charlie Baker on Wednesday fended off questions about his decision to declare recreational marijuana businesses non-essential by saying he's focused on the expected surge in COVID-19 cases and the effort to save thousands of lives. Baker is facing pushback from the recreational marijuana industry for his decision to declare it nonessential while deeming package stores as essential." ABOVE THE FOLD — Herald: "AIRING IT OUT," "STAY STRONG," — Globe: "Patient surge likely coming -- but when?" "Just what the doctors ordered." FROM THE 413 - "Staffing issues still plague Soldiers' Home in Holyoke despite National Guard presence and state assurances," by Hanna Krueger, Boston Globe: "For a week, caregivers at the Soldiers' Home in Holyoke battled the fast-moving contagion, unprotected and severely outmanned. But last Monday, when state officials learned of the deadly outbreak and took control of the elder care facility, help finally arrived. Droves of National Guard soldiers unloaded boxes of face shields and surgical gowns and began to administer tests for the coronavirus that had swept through the state-run home, killing nearly a dozen veterans and infecting scores more." - "'Get me those N95 and KN95 masks,' Springfield's mayor says to state officials as city's supply to first responders dwindles," by Michelle Williams, MassLive.com: "Domenic J. Sarno says now is the time for his 'Andrew Cuomo moment.' The mayor of Springfield drew upon the governor of New York Wednesday, who has received national attention for using forceful language in demanding a stronger response to the surge in coronavirus cases in New York. The focus of Sarno's ire Wednesday is federal and state officials and their slow response to the COVID-19 outbreak." THE LOCAL ANGLE - "Delaying before, New Bedford council now votes to go virtual at a live meeting," by Kiernan Dunlop, SouthCoast Today: "City councilors' seats were empty Tuesday night while the councilors themselves were strategically seated six feet apart from each other on the benches that wrap around city council chambers at a City Council meeting. Some of the councilors were wearing masks at the first meeting the council has had since March 12, the day before Mayor Jon Mitchell announced schools would be closed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus." - "Framingham officials take 'wait-and-see' approach to fiscal '21 budget," by Zane Razzaq, MetroWest Daily News: "City officials are taking a wait-and-see approach on budgets in terms of the oncoming financial threat of the new coronavirus, according to Chief Operating Officer Thatcher Kezer. As they craft a new budget amid an anticipated loss of state revenues, officials are examining vacant positions to determine which ones they can delay hiring candidates for, Kezer said." - "Haverhill to fine social distancing scofflaws," by Maysoon Kahn, Boston Globe: "The Haverhill City Council passed an emergency ordinance Tuesday night allowing police to fine those who fail to comply with social distancing guidelines to curb the coronavirus, an official said. The new measure allows police to enforce the state's prohibition of public group gatherings of ten or more people by issuing fines starting at $50, said council president Melinda Barrett." REMEMBERING PAUL KALILL ... via the Springfield Republican: "Paul Kalill, a prominent attorney, onetime radio host and former city councilor, died Tuesday after contracting coronavirus, according to friends, colleagues and family. Kalill, 77, of Westfield, was a well-known figure in Springfield's political circuit as a three-term councilor in the 1970s and a mayoral candidate in the early 1990s. Link . TRANSITIONS - Kalina Francis is leaving her role as communications director for Rep. Ayanna Pressley to become deputy chief of communications for the Sierra Club. HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to state Rep. Dan Cullinane. NEW EPISODE: FLOUR POWER - On this week's Horse Race podcast, hosts Steve Koczela, Jennifer Smith and Stephanie Murray speak with Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz about the coronavirus pandemic. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud or watch the Zoom video. 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.   TODAY - AN IMPORTANT WOMEN RULE VIRTUAL BRIEFING: Job losses have soared and millions of Americans have filed for unemployment as the economic fallout from the pandemic deepens. Join Women Rule Editorial Director Anna Palmer today at 4 p.m. EDT for a virtual conversation with Caroline Fairchild, editor at large, LinkedIn, to learn strategies for navigating a difficult job market during this devastating generational pandemic and economic crisis. You can tweet job market-related questions to @POLITICOLive using #RuleWithUs. REGISTER HERE TO PARTICIPATE.       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

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