POLITICO MASSACHUSETTS PLAYBOOK: Preparing for the SURGE — How veterans died from virus and NO ONE knew — LOGAN travel nosedives

Preparing for the SURGE — How veterans died from virus and NO ONE knew — LOGAN travel nosedives

By Stephanie Murray

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Not an April Fool's joke: March is finally over. PREPARING FOR THE SURGE — We made it through March, and now the state is entering a critical month in responding to the coronavirus pandemic. As the virus continues to spread, Massachusetts is bracing for a surge in cases that's likely to come sometime between April 7 and April 17, according to Gov. Charlie Baker. The state has taken considerable steps to prepare for an influx in coronavirus cases — Baker extended his order to close nonessential businesses until May, kids will remain home from school for another month and out-of-state travelers are urged to self-quarantine for 14 days. There are three tractor-trailer trucks headed to Worcester today to turn the DCU Center into a 250-bed field hospital, and an entire UMass Medical School class of doctors just graduated early. "We are about to enter what will be perhaps the most difficult period associated with this particular virus," Baker said yesterday during a daily news conference. "We know this is difficult, but these next few weeks will be critical to mitigating the spread of the disease and ensuring that our health care system is prepared for what is yet to come." The White House offered a warning to the Bay State yesterday, too. Dr. Deborah Birx, a member of the Trump administration's coronavirus task force, said that Boston and, more broadly, Massachusetts, are among places including Detroit, Chicago and New Orleans that show some troubling signs regarding coronavirus case numbers. Officials are "trying to make sure that each of those cities work more like California than the New York metro area," Birx said during a briefing. New York has the largest outbreak in the country, while California's social distancing measures have shown some early signs of paying off. While directives for Massachusetts residents are pretty clear for the next several weeks — stay home, don't play basketball with friends at a public park, don't gather in groups larger than 10 people — what life will look like after the surge is less clear. The state could face a tax revenue shortfall, unemployment claims are flooding in, and an ever-changing public health crisis makes it hard to predict when social distancing measures could be lifted. "Let's do all the things we possibly can to get through the surge now. And then we'll deal with what comes through on the other side," Baker said on Tuesday. "I don't think we should be speculating about this until we get to the other side." Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com. TODAY — Members of the congressional delegation, Reps. Katherine Clark, Jim McGovern, Lori Trahan, Joe Kennedy, Seth Moulton, Ayanna Pressley, Steve Lynch, and Bill Keating, host a call for reporters on the CARES Act.

THE LATEST NUMBERS

- "Mass. Sees Sharp Increase In COVID-19 Deaths; Gov. Baker Extends Business Shutdown," by Deborah Becker and Lisa Mullins, WBUR: "The number of COVID-19 deaths in Massachusetts jumped by almost 60% in a 24-hour period. The state Department of Public Health reported Tuesday afternoon that there had been 33 deaths since the same time the day before. The total number of deaths in Massachusetts related to COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, is now 89. State officials say Massachusetts has had 6620 confirmed coronavirus cases."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

- "Massachusetts order closing non-essential businesses to public, stay-at-home advisory extended to May 4, governor says," by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: "Gov. Charlie Baker extended his executive order closing non-essential businesses to the public until May 4 as the coronavirus spreads across the U.S. The executive order, which first took effect March 24, effectively forces companies across the state to work remotely or temporarily shut down." - "Public schools won't be required to extend year," by Christian M. Wade, Gloucester Daily Times: "State education officials aren't planning to extend the school year into the summer months to make up days lost to the COVID-19 outbreak, but they won't stop districts from going longer. Public schools in Massachusetts remain closed until May 4 under an executive order issued by Gov. Charlie Baker in response to the coronavirus pandemic." - "40 percent of Mass. residents expecting financial hardships," by Steve Koczela, CommonWealth Magazine: "Over the course of just a few weeks in March, the markets set records for crashes, unemployment claims shattered records for increases, and economic activity the world over slowed to a grinding crawl. Here in Massachusetts, the slow motion economy has caused massive job and wage losses, as people stay home and businesses close their doors." - "Hazard duty pay sought for Mass. first responders," by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: "Police, firefighters, nurses and other first responders shouldn't have to dip into their work benefits if they get COVID-19 or come into contact with the coronavirus, according to some lawmakers who want more protections for those on the front lines of the pandemic. A bipartisan proposal backed by nearly 50 lawmakers would allow first responders to get 'emergency hazard health duty' pay if they are hospitalized or required to quarantine themselves due to infection or exposure to COVID-19." - "Projected Tax Revenue Shortfall In Mass. Sets Up Tough Budget Math, Tufts Researchers Say," by Katie Lannan, State House News Service: "A policy research group is warning state lawmakers to prepare for a 'dramatic collapse' in state revenue, estimating a tax revenue shortfall of $1.8 billion to $3 billion over the next 15 months. In a brief released Tuesday, Center for State Policy Analysis researchers said state tax revenues will begin to decline immediately, while emergency spending increases on health needs and economic supports associated with the COVID-19 pandemic." - "State hits some snags in working from home," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "As state officials are advising non-essential workers to stay home, the state itself is working out the kinks in its own telework policies. As a major employer - state government, including higher education, supports around 86,000 jobs - the Massachusetts executive branch is just like every other employer, developing telework policies quickly. Government is getting a mixed grade from the unions that employ state workers." - "Senate Panel Backs Housing Security Bill 15-0," by Michael P. Norton, State House News Service: "The Senate Ways and Means Committee late Tuesday approved emergency legislation providing temporary protections for renters and homeowners during the COVID-19 emergency, measures intended to ensure housing security while people are being advised to stay home to achieve collective public health goals."

FROM THE HUB

- "The state asked for manufacturers' help fighting COVID-19. Hundreds of hands went up." by Greg Ryan, Boston Business Journal: "State officials have asked the manufacturing sector to help fight the coronavirus outbreak, and the manufacturing sector has responded. On Sunday, the Baker administration announced that it had formed a Manufacturing Emergency Response Team to help get companies more information about how to produce badly needed equipment for medical and health care professionals during the pandemic." - "Newly minted doctors march toward front lines to battle coronavirus," by Thomas Farragher, Boston Globe: "Life has few and precious milestone moments. High school graduation. Kneeling before the altar of marriage. The birth of a baby. And, at noontime on Tuesday in Worcester, there was another unforgettable one: a virtual commencement ceremony for 135 medical students, newly minted doctors now ready to join the front lines in a battle against a deadly and historic pandemic — a battle no one signed up for." - "Boston councilors ask Massachusetts to press pause on school improvement plan amid coronavirus crisis," by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: "State educators' insistence on forging ahead with plans to improve Boston's underperforming schools as students and families struggle to cope with their new realities amid the coronavirus crisis 'smacks of racism' and 'classism,' said City Councilor Lydia Edwards." - "MBTA to begin taking temperature of employees," by Jeremy C. Fox, Boston Globe: "The MBTA will begin taking the temperatures of employees at the Cabot Garage in South Boston before the start of each shift on Wednesday, in the first phase of a strategy to combat the spread of the coronavirus that will expand to other departments in the coming days." - "Travel Drops 76% At Boston Logan Airport Amid Coronavirus Outbreak," by Zeninjor Enwemeka, WBUR: "More people appear to be heeding advisories to stay home and avoid non-essential travel during the coronavirus pandemic, at least according to data out of Boston Logan Airport. Massport data show the number of passengers traveling through Logan fell dramatically for the week between March 16 and March 22: 76%, compared to the same period last year." - "ICE Detainees In Bristol County Go On Work Strike Over Conditions Amid Coronavirus Fears," by Shannon Dooling, WBUR: "Federal immigration detainees held at the Bristol County House of Correction are striking and refusing to perform work duties, according to several immigration attorneys with clients at the facility. The detainees of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have been speaking out for two weeks about what they describe as overcrowding, unsanitary conditions and fears of contracting the coronavirus." PRIMARY SOURCES - "From Kennedy's kitchen to Biden's basement, candidates adapt to virtual campaigning," by Fredreka Schouten, CNN: "As his two young children fidgeted and squealed in the background, Joe Kennedy III stood in his Newton, Massachusetts, kitchen this week and did battle with a raw chicken. This was no ordinary cooking lesson. Instead, it marked the latest installment of the twice-weekly 'Kennedy Evening Broadcast,' one way that the scion of the famous political clan and candidate for the US Senate is trying to maintain contact with voters." DAY IN COURT - "Man charged in 2018 Dorchester slaying released from prison amid coronavirus concerns," by Jeremy C. Fox, Boston Globe: "A man charged with second degree murder for a 2018 fatal stabbing in Dorchester was released Tuesday by a Suffolk Superior Court judge — over the objections of prosecutors — and ordered to wear an ankle monitor, according to the Suffolk district attorney's office. Judge Christine Roach ordered the release of William Jason Utley, 40, in a telephone hearing." - "Lawyers for Mass. man accused in horrific N.H. crash calls initial police assessment 'deeply flawed,'" by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: "Attorneys for the Massachusetts man who allegedly crashed his truck and attached trailer into a group of motorcyclists in New Hampshire last June, killing seven people, are saying an initial police assessment of the horrific incident was deeply flawed and want a court to reexamine if their client needs to be behind bars while he awaits trial." WARREN REPORT - "Warren to feds: Why did you take Massachusetts's medical supplies?" by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "Senator Elizabeth Warren is pressing federal officials for answers on why they seized at least two of Massachusetts's recent orders for protective equipment, charging that it appears they are still interfering with states' efforts to track down medical supplies amid the coronavirus pandemic. In a five-page letter Monday, Warren asked Peter Gaynor, the Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator, to outline how the agency is ensuring states aren't outbid for supplies by the federal government." FROM THE DELEGATION - "Rep. Richard Neal says seniors should receive checks automatically," by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: "U.S. Rep. Richard Neal is pushing for COVID-19 relief package checks to be issued to seniors and vulnerable groups automatically without needing to file any additional information with the federal government. In a statement Tuesday, Neal said he and other lawmakers had 'been inundated with calls from concerned senior citizens regarding their ability to receive' checks included in the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act signed by President Donald Trump last week." MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS - "Baker doesn't plan to lift restrictions on adult-use marijuana sales under non-essential business order; medical marijuana still labeled essential," by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: "Gov. Charlie Baker's updated executive order closing all non-essential businesses does not exempt shops selling recreational marijuana, and he doesn't plan to lift restrictions on those businesses early, either. Licensed medical dispensaries can remain open in Massachusetts, but Baker said that the push to add adult-use marijuana dispensaries to the list of essential businesses is a 'non-starter' because of the out-of-state customers they would likely attract." ABOVE THE FOLD — Herald: "WELCOME BACK, COTTER," "IRONCLAD RESOLVE," — Globe: "Shutdowns may be slowing spread, new figures reveal," "Accusations swirl as more die at Holyoke home for veterans." FROM THE 413 - "How vets died of COVID-19 and no one knew," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "It took eight veterans' deaths and five days before the head of the Holyoke Soldiers' Home informed state and local public health authorities about the extent of the COVID-19 outbreak at the facility. The outbreak at the state-run facility illustrates the quick spread of the dangerous virus but also lays bare what appear to be significant management failures that endangered residents and staff." - "Springfield TV news now reaches Spectrum subscribers in the Berkshires," The Berkshire Eagle: "As the new coronavirus outbreak grows across Massachusetts, Berkshire subscribers of Spectrum cable now have access to the latest news from across the state. As of Tuesday, WWLP-TV, the Springfield-based NBC affiliate, is available on channel 14 in the Berkshires (channel 16 in Lee), according to a statement released by the offices of Sens. Edward Markey and Elizabeth Warren, and U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield." - "Smith & Wesson closes part of Springfield factory for cleaning after worker tests positive," by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: "Gunmaker Smith & Wesson said Tuesday that it suspended work in one area of its sprawling plant on Roosevelt Avenue for a deep cleaning after a worker tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The factory is still operating despite a stay-at-home order that shuttered most nonessential businesses in the state." THE LOCAL ANGLE - "In the Hamptons and Martha's Vineyard, locals fear wealthy coronavirus refugees," by Anna Bahney, CNN Business: "Tensions are rising as city dwellers flock to resort communities like the Hamptons, Martha's Vineyard and Newport, Rhode Island, looking for respite from coronavirus hotspots. But some year-round residents fear the influx of people will spread the virus and stretch local resources thin." - "FEMA trucks arrive at DCU Center as facility transforms into Massachusetts' first medical field station," by Michael Bonner, MassLive.com: "Four pickup trucks towing small trailers, along with four tractor trailers carrying supplies and mobile equipment, lined up behind the DCU Center on Commercial Street on Tuesday afternoon. Some carried emergency supplies, others acted as mobile showers or laundry centers. All were meant to help Worcester set up the state's first field medical station to treat COVID-19 patients." - "Some SouthCoast towns not releasing coronavirus case numbers," by Kiernan Dunlop, SouthCoast Today: "COVID-19 may have more of a presence in your town than you realize. Multiple communities in the SouthCoast are not reporting specific numbers of COVID-19 positive cases within their borders, in what they say is an effort to follow the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) recommendations." MEDIA MATTERS - "The rise and fall of Marty Tirrell," by Chip Ainsworth, Greenfield Recorder: "Marty Tirrell was in Greenfield District Court earlier this month, aptly on Friday the 13th. He appeared before Judge William Mazanec III and pleaded not guilty to swindling a Red Sox fan out of $4,750 worth of tickets. ... For those who've known him since his Franklin County radio days, it was a predictable downfall for the kid who grew up practicing his play-by-play into a tape recorder at Vets Field." HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Matt Szafranski of Western Mass Politics & Insight, photog Dan Little, Dan Lothian , founder of Little Park Media and a CNN alum; and Jacob Spiering. 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. 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. 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