GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TGIF. PREPARING FOR THE PEAK —
Life in Massachusetts is grinding to a halt, and it will stay that way for longer than initially planned as the state prepares for coronavirus cases to peak later this month. Just a few days ago, Gov. Charlie Baker ordered nonessential businesses closed and advised Massachusetts residents to stay at home for the entire month of April, until May 4. Things are changing by the day
and even by the hour. So it's useful to look back at how the week developed, and take stock of what lies ahead. Here are some key numbers to keep track of as we head into the weekend. 47,000 to 172,000: The range of confirmed coronavirus cases Gov. Charlie Baker expects to see in Massachusetts over the course of the pandemic. That's between .7% and 2.5% of the state's population, Baker said on Thursday. The state believes hospitalizations will peak between April 10 and April 20.
5,726: The number of people who tested positive for coronavirus in Massachusetts in a single week. Last Friday, the state had 3,240 confirmed cases of Covid-19. As of Thursday afternoon, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health had announced 8,966 confirmed cases in the state. As the state increases testing capacity, the number of confirmed cases is expected to rise. 1,400:
The number of ventilators Massachusetts has requested from the Strategic National Stockpile. Massachusetts initially asked for 1,000 ventilators but increased its request, according to Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders. The state has not received any ventilators from the federal government so far, Sudders said. 181,062:
The number of people who filed for unemployment in Massachusetts during the week that ended March 28. That's even higher than last week's total, which was close to 148,000 claims during the week that ended March 21. 1,000:
The number of hospital beds officials will set up by turning the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center into a field hospital. Half of the beds will go to people who are homeless, and the other half will treat other coronavirus patients, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said Thursday, though plans are not final. A 250-bed field hospital was already set up at the DCU Center in Worcester, and the state is eyeing several other sites. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: GROUP WANTS LOWER SIGNATURE REQUIREMENTS —
A voter protection group will send a letter to Beacon Hill leaders today urging the legislature to reduce the number of signatures candidates must collect to get on the ballot amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Voter Protection Corps says existing signature requirements may force campaigns to choose between abiding by the state's social distancing guidelines and making it onto the ballot. The letter expresses support for a Rep. Patrick Kearney bill
to reduce signature requirements and is addressed to Gov. Charlie Baker, Senate President Karen Spilka, House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Secretary of State Bill Galvin. "We ask that the administration and legislative leadership act now to protect public health and voters choice by reducing the number of signatures required, as New York and New Jersey have already done. If you fail to act, many candidates will be forced to decide whether to violate public health directives or end their campaigns," the letter says.
The letter. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com. |
- "Near tripling of employee coronavirus infections in largest Massachusetts hospitals in past week," by Priyanka Dayal McCluskey and Travis Andersen, Boston Globe:
"Coronavirus infections among employees at major hospitals in Massachusetts nearly tripled over the past week, intensifying alarm about workers' health, potential spread to others, and the withdrawal of staff at such a critical time in the pandemic. As of Wednesday, there were 509 infected workers at the hospitals, up from 177 the prior week, according to hospital data tracked by the Globe."
- "Walsh announces plans for convention center to become field hospital; Baker warns of upcoming coronavirus peak," by Travis Andersen, Andrew Ryan and Martin Finucane, Boston Globe: "Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced Thursday that the massive Boston Convention and Exhibition Center would become the site of a field hospital, as Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker warned of a peak in coronavirus hospitalizations that could arrive in a little more than a week."
- "Restaurant Beer-and-Wine Takeout Bill on Guv's Desk," by Matt Murphy, State House News Service: "As Gov. Charlie Baker's administration works to supply medical professionals with protective gear and prepare for the coming surge of coronavirus infection, the Legislature on Thursday set about putting in place new housing protections for tenants and homeowners, expanding unemployment insurance, and allowing for high-school graduation requirements to be relaxed in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- "Charlie Baker closing DCR beach lots, opening state parks early amid coronavirus," by Mary Markos, Boston Herald: "Gov. Charlie Baker is closing beach parking lots to prevent crowds from creating a breeding ground for the highly contagious coronavirus, instead offering early access to state parks as an open space alternative. The emergency order, issued Thursday, requires all coastal beach reservation parking areas managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation to close effective 12 p.m. Friday,
simultaneously opening seasonal state parks early and expanding access at other parks." - "Massachusetts again shatters record for weekly unemployment claims," by Greg Ryan, Boston Business Journal:
"Another 181,000 people in Massachusetts filed their initial claims for unemployment benefits last week, as more workers have made the claims in the past two weeks than did all of last year. The new U.S. Department of Labor data measure claims filed from March 22 to March 28, a period that includes Gov. Charlie Baker's order that non-essential businesses in Massachusetts close their brick-and-mortar locations as a way to limit the spread of COVID-19."
- "Physician assistants provide workforce flexibility," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "There are about 4,000 physician assistants in Massachusetts, and the flexibility they bring to the health care system is becoming increasingly vital as hospitals prepare for an expected surge in patients with COVID-19. The state has generally been taking steps to increase the pool of available health care providers - letting medical students graduate early and making it easier for out-of-state clinicians to practice here -
and it is also making it easier for existing clinicians to switch roles." - "Museum of Fine Arts losses at $1.4m and growing," by Chris Lisinski, State House News Service:
"A Massachusetts art museum laid off almost three-quarters of its staff. Another expects to face a budget deficit in the tens of millions of dollars. Leisure destinations that rely on warm-season surges are worried they may not begin to feel recovery until 2021. One after another, members of the state's arts and tourism sector shared stories Thursday of financial strain and indefinite worry amid the coronavirus pandemic that has shut down all non-essential business. |
 |
FROM THE HUB |
|
- "15 reported dead in Norwood facility as nearly 80 nursing, assisted living centers battle coronavirus clusters," by Matt Stout, Laura Krantz and Laura Crimaldi, Boston Globe:
"At least 15 people at a Norwood nursing home have died of what staff members believe were coronavirus infections or related complications, the latest outbreak in an epidemic that state officials say has hit one-tenth of the state's long-term-care facilities. The deaths at the Charlwell House Health & Rehabilitation Center occurred in the last 12 days, according to three employees with direct knowledge."
- "Inmate with COVID-19 dies at Massachusetts Treatment Center in Bridgewater," by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: "A man in his 50s who was incarcerated at the Massachusetts Treatment Center in Bridgewater has died after testing positive for COVID-19, according to the state Department of Correction. The man, who had underlying health conditions, was being treated at a hospital for the coronavirus when he died Thursday, according to state officials."
- "Boston Mayor Marty Walsh announces small business relief fund amid outbreak," by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: "The city of Boston has established a fund to help small businesses recover from the devastating impacts of the novel coronavirus. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh announced the creation of the fund on Thursday. It will be overseen by the city's Office of Economic Development, and will 'quickly and strategically disburse grants to local businesses' in manner that lets them remain debt-free."
- "Patriots team plane arrives with protective masks from China," by Victoria McGrane and John R. Ellement, Boston Globe: "The news, which broke early Thursday, resembled a plot pulled straight out of a summer blockbuster: The Kraft family had deployed a New England Patriots team plane to China to deliver about one million desperately needed N95 respirator masks to health care workers in Massachusetts. Yet the story is as alarming as it is heartwarming, underscoring a harsh reality as the
coronavirus pandemic spreads ever faster around the United States." - "System that sanitizes 80,000 coronavirus masks a day coming to Massachusetts," by Lisa Kashinsky, Boston Herald: "A decontamination system that can clean up to 80,000 N95 masks a day will soon be online in Somerville — a 'significant win' for health care workers and first responders struggling to gain access to crucial personal
protective equipment in the fight against coronavirus." - "A Looming Recession Puts A Freeze On Nonprofit Donations And Fundraising," by Jason Turesky, WGBH News: "The coronavirus could cause 63 percent of nonprofits in Massachusetts to have a decrease in revenue, according to a recent survey by the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network. Out of the 950 nonprofits surveyed, 92 percent reported
having to cancel or postpone a fundraising event because of the coronavirus." |
|
DAY IN COURT |
|
- "As Nurse Tests Positive, Judge Looks For Ways To Release Some ICE Detainees At Bristol County Jail," by Shannon Dooling, WBUR: "A U.S. District Court Judge for Massachusetts is weighing whether to release dozens of people detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Bristol County House of Correction as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Judge William Young heard arguments in releasing a sub-class of 11
individuals who are detained by ICE with no criminal charges or convictions." |
|
WARREN REPORT |
|
- "Elizabeth Warren: How John Bolton Blew Off Senators Who Asked About Global Pandemics," by David Corn, Mother Jones:
"In early May 2018, media reports noted that Rear Admiral Tim Ziemer, the top White House expert on global health security, had suddenly left the National Security Council. Moreover, the NSC team he oversaw was disbanded by John Bolton, the national security adviser, as part of a reorganization. Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) were troubled by this news, and they sent Bolton a letter ... In an interview with Mother Jones this week, Warren recalls that Bolton blew them off." |
|
FROM THE DELEGATION |
|
- "US Rep. Richard Neal asks when feds will send money to process new unemployment claims," by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: "With nearly 10 million Americans — 330,000 Massachusetts residents among them — filing for unemployment in the last two weeks, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal is asking why the U.S. Department of Labor has yet to distribute emergency administrative funding so states can process the
claims. The Labor Department released new data on first-time unemployment claims Thursday." |
|
ABOVE THE FOLD |
|
— Herald: "TOUCHDOWN," "1,000,000," — Globe:
"Joblessness at chilling heights." |
|
THE LOWELL CONNECTOR |
|
- "'This is very real': Lowell General Hospital prepares for surge," by Nicole DeFeudis, The Lowell Sun: "Despite steep financial losses amid the pandemic, Lowell General Hospital is prepared to handle a surge in coronavirus cases expected to hit the state in the next two weeks, CEO Jody White said. The hospital has lost about 40% of its monthly revenue due to canceled elective procedures and appointments, White said.
As a result, about 21% of hospital and Circle Health staff have been furloughed." |
|
FROM THE 413 |
|
- "Up to 16 suspected COVID-19 deaths at Holyoke Soldiers' Home; 2nd death at Chelsea Soldiers' Home," by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: "Up to 16 veteran residents may have died from coronavirus-related illnesses at the Holyoke Soldiers' Home, and two have died at the Chelsea Soldiers' Home, according to state officials. The Holyoke
facility has had 18 deaths over the past week, with 12 testing positive for the coronavirus." - RELATED: "Holyoke Soldiers' Home nursing assistant reprimanded for wearing PPE a day before resident tested positive for COVID-19," by Patrick Johnson, Springfield Republican:
"One day before the first Holyoke Soldiers Home resident tested positive for COVID-19, a certified nursing assistant at the facility was reprimanded for wearing personal protective equipment while on duty. The letter, dated March 20 and authored by Chief Nursing Officer Vanessa Lauziere, takes the unnamed nursing assistant to task for wearing, 'without permission or need,' protective equipment during the overnight shift two days earlier on March 18."
- "National Grid workers sequestered so they can keep the power on," by Steven H. Foskett Jr., Telegram & Gazette: "Three-and-a-half weeks ago, Lavallee became part of discussions he's never had in his 33-year career. Those talks led to the utility's decision to sequester employees in New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island to ensure that if COVID-19 starts to spread throughout the company, its natural gas and electrical operations will continue to run. So 11 days ago, around 200 National Grid control center employees
went to work and haven't been home since." - "Chicopee closes flea market operating against governor's orders, owner may face charges," by Jeanette DeForge, Springfield Republican: "A flea market operating covertly during the coronavirus pandemic - violating orders issued by the governor and the mayor - has been shut down by police and the Board of Health. The city has issued a cease and desist
order requiring the Chicopee Willimansett Indoor Flea Market to close immediately." |
|
THE LOCAL ANGLE |
|
- "Advocates raise alarm on nursing home transfers," by Paul Leighton, The Salem News: "The former head of North Shore Elder Services is appealing to Gov. Charlie Baker to stop the state's plan to transfer nursing home residents to create temporary COVID-19 treatment centers. Paul Lanzikos, a Beverly resident who also served as Massachusetts' secretary of elder affairs and is a member of the state's public health council,
said the practice will lead to deaths among the frail and elderly residents being forced to move." - "Haverhill company, city officials denounce coronavirus misinformation on Facebook," by Mike LaBella, Eagle-Tribune: "Officials at Cedar's Mediterranean Foods in the Ward Hill Business Park said a man spread misinformation on Facebook following the death of an employee who collapsed on the job, and the company wants to set the record straight. City officials are
joining the company in denouncing the Facebook posting." - "Hospitals on Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket worry about possible need to evacuate patients," by Liz Kowalczyk, Boston Globe:
"Massachusetts' tiny island hospitals, where common medical problems include moped injuries and tick bites, are grappling with a potential problem of far greater magnitude: How to move critically ill coronavirus patients to the mainland if cases explode. Two Martha's Vineyard residents, sickened by the virus, have already been flown off the island for treatment." |
|
MEDIA MATTERS |
|
- "Community newspapers were already in a tough spot. Coronavirus might destroy them," by Adam Vaccaro, Boston Globe:
"At a time when their roles as information conduits and community sounding boards are critical to fighting the pandemic, local newspapers are reeling from the economic shocks of the coronavirus, laying off or furloughing staff and cutting back coverage as their already meager base of advertising shrinks even further. From the Boston Herald to the Martha's Vineyard Times, local papers in New England and beyond are cutting costs, in concert with other industries that have been devastated overnight by rolling shutdowns."
- "Both Boston sports radio stations are implementing pay cuts, layoffs, and furloughs," by Chad Finn, Boston.com: "Both major Boston sports radio stations — and their on-air talent — are facing the harsh financial consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic. Entercom Communications, the parent company of sports radio station WEEI, informed employees in all of its markets Thursday that it would be implementing pay cuts, layoffs, and furloughs to cut expenses during the pandemic."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Ed Cash, founder and president of Frontier Security Strategies; Niall Murphy, Juan Jaramillo, Greg Honan, and Molly Thomas.
HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND - to former Sen. Mo Cowan, former Rep. Jim Shannon, Michael Forbes Wilcox, Joe Ricca and the State House News Service's Sam Doran, who all celebrate Saturday. And to state
Rep. F. Jay Barrows, state Rep. Michael Day, state Sen. Brendan Crighton, Lizzy Guyton; comms director for Gov. Charlie Baker, Liam Kerr, Aleca
Hughes and Adham Sahloul, who all celebrate Sunday. NEW EPISODE: SUFFOLK CLOWNS - On this week's Horse Race podcast, hosts Steve Koczela, Jennfer Smith and Stephanie Murray
talk about the Massachusetts Democratic Convention, which the party will vote to cancel, and a coronavirus tracking poll of Massachusetts residents. 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. |
| |
| CAN'T MISS MONDAY - Playbook Virtual Interview: How is this generational pandemic impacting the 2020 race for president? In so many ways. Join Playbook co-authors Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman on Monday, April 6, at 9 a.m. EDT for a virtual interview featuring top political strategists
Adrienne Elrod and Brendan Buck. Don't miss this high level discussion and a preview of what to expect in the days and months ahead. Got a question? They'll answer it. REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE HERE. |
| |
| |
|
| |
 |
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.