Politico Massachusetts Playbook: CORONAVIRUS deaths rise by 37 percent — Two more legislators won’t seek reelection —CHELSEA emerges as HOTSPOT

CORONAVIRUS deaths rise by 37 percent — Two more legislators won’t seek reelection —CHELSEA emerges as HOTSPOT

By Stephanie Murray GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IT WARMS UP? — Several days ago, Gov. Charlie Baker closed the parking lots at state-owned beaches because too many people were congregating there. And if people are already testing the limits of social distancing at the beach when temperatures are in the 40s and 50s, what happens when the weather really warms up? We're entering what state officials believe will be the peak in coronavirus cases from April 10 to April 20, but that doesn't mean social distancing is coming to an end immediately after. And in Western Mass, some experts predict cases won't surge until May. "I think the arrival of nicer weather is absolutely going to be an issue," Baker said at a press briefing on Tuesday. "People have got to understand that we need to stop the spread. It's like goal number one, job number one." Going for a walk is fine, Baker added. But playing games in big groups or holding road races? "We can't have that stuff," he said. Under state guidelines, life is at a standstill until at least May 4. But groups have already canceled warm-weather events planned for after that deadline, even into June. Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone announced yesterday the city's PorchFest, set for May 9, is canceled, according to Boston.com's Nik DeCosta-Klipa. Organizers are looking at how to take the musical event online. The Massachusetts Democratic Party voted on Saturday to cancel its May 30 convention in Lowell, saying bringing a large group together would be unfair to members who would be considered at risk if they contracted coronavirus. And the Boston Calling music festival, scheduled for the same weekend from May 28 to May 30 is also called off. Looking ahead to June, the Dorchester Day Parade, planned for June 7, is also canceled, according to the Dorchester Reporter's Bill Forry. And the Boston Pride Parade, set for June 13, has been called off, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said yesterday. 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 small business town hall on Zoom. Candidate for Congress Alan Khazei and Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin hold a coronavirus town hall. Sen. Ed Markey speaks to a virtual New England Council meeting.   A CARES 2 Package? A Huddle Virtual Interview TODAY: Congress passed a massive $2.2 trillion stimulus to counter the economic fallout from the pandemic. But did the rescue package go far enough? Join Huddle author Melanie Zanona today at 12 p.m. EDT for a virtual interview with Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), the top Republican ranking member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and one of the GOP lawmakers heavily involved in negotiations, to discuss the response from Congress so far and what next steps are needed to protect the battered economy. Got a question? They'll answer as many as they can. REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE HERE.     THE LATEST NUMBERS - "Deaths from COVID-19 rise 37%" by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "The number of deaths in Massachusetts from COVID-19 shot up by 37 percent Tuesday, prompting questions about why some parts of the state are being impacted more severely than others. The death toll from COVID-19 reached 356, up from 260 on Monday. Officials say the latest numbers include some deaths from over the weekend. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases rose a fairly modest 10 percent to 15,202." DATELINE BEACON HILL - "Baker to funnel $800m to state health providers," by Sarah Betancourt, CommonWealth Magazine: "Gov. Charlie Baker said the state intends to funnel $800 million to health providers across Massachusetts over the next few months to offset the losses they are incurring in dealing with COVID-19. At a Tuesday press conference, Baker also said he continues to work with federal officials to round up more ventilators." - "Hyde Park's Rep. Scaccia will not seek re-election," by Sam Doran, State House News Service: "The most senior member of the House of Representatives has joined a growing list of veteran lawmakers who are not seeking another term on Beacon Hill. After 23 terms in the House, Rep. Angelo Scaccia of Readville is not running for re-election, his office confirmed to the News Service. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War, Scaccia first took office in 1973." - "Naughton announces intention to leave House of Reps," by Jan Gottesman, Telegram & Gazette: "There will be a major change at the state house next year. Rep. Harold Naughton Jr. (D-Clinton) announced Tuesday he would not be seeking re-election to a 14th term in the Mass. House of Representatives. Naughton has served in the House since 1995." - "Eviction bill bounces back and forth on Beacon Hill," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "It may be the first test of the Legislature's penchant for consensus on coronavirus-related bills. The Massachusetts House and Senate agree that there should be a pause on evictions and foreclosures during the coronavirus pandemic. But what that should look like is raising thorny questions that have left the bill bouncing back and forth between the two chambers." - "Grocery stores will have to cut to 40% of standard occupancy under updated guidance by Baker administration," by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: "Grocery stores in Massachusetts will have to operate at 40% of their standard occupancy under an updated guidance, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said Tuesday. The guidelines, which will be released later in the day, will impose occupancy restrictions on stores in hopes of preventing the spread of COVID-19. The occupancy restrictions will apply to both employees and customers, Polito said during a news conference at the Massachusetts State House." - "Coronavirus may be hitting harder in Black and Latino communities," by Andrew Ryan and Kay Lazar, Boston Globe: "The state's two largest community health centers, in East Boston and Lawrence, have encountered a disproportionately large surge of coronavirus cases among Spanish-speakers. Among COIVD-19 patients at Massachusetts General Hospital are four times more Latinos than are typically patients at the hospital. Boston has what appear to be high concentrations of infection in neighborhoods home to large Black, Latino, and immigrant communities in Hyde Park, Mattapan, and East Boston." - "Tech Fail Trips Up Major Economic Hearing," by Matt Murphy and Colin A. Young, State House News Service: "In an embarrassing setback as legislators work to understand the full economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, legislative leaders and the governor's top budget official were forced to postpone by a week a virtual roundtable discussion with top state economists due to a technological snafu." FROM THE HUB - "Beleaguered Faneuil Hall merchants need a break on rents, but landlord isn't budging," by Adrian Walker, Boston Globe: "Like most other public spaces in this city, Faneuil Hall Marketplace has been a ghost town for weeks, locked up tight for all but the most essential functions. But while business may be interrupted for the dozens of merchants, large and small, who call the iconic space home, the rent is still due. You can add the marketplace to the long list of institutions that threaten to be radically affected for the long term by the shutdown." - "Chelsea, city of the working Latino immigrant, emerges as a COVID-19 hotspot," by Marcela García, Boston Globe: "While on a quick errand to Chelsea last weekend, I was surprised to see so many people still outside, at the bus stop or walking around — only a handful wearing masks or practicing physical distancing. It's more shocking to think of those scenes now in light of what the latest COVID-19 state data show. As of Tuesday, there were 315 reported cases of the COVID-19 in Chelsea." - "Thinking Through The Unthinkable: How Mass. Hospitals May Decide Who Gets A Ventilator In The COVID-19 Surge," by Martha Bebinger, WBUR: "If a hospital has more critically ill patients than it can manage, who gets an intensive care bed and who doesn't? Who gets a ventilator? The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is out with guidelines that address some of the most challenging questions doctors and nurses will face during the pandemic. Released Tuesday, The Crisis Standards of Care guidance says those questions will be answered with the goal of saving the most years of life." - "Only some local banks making stimulus loans to new customers," by Greg Ryan, Boston Business Journal: "A limited number of local banks are now accepting applications for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) from small businesses that are not existing customers, offering some hope to those business owners scrambling to find a lender before the $349 billion program runs out of money. However, executives warn that, while they've ventured further than many of their peers by welcoming new businesses, they have limited capacity to do so." - "Tests coming to Mass. senior care centers," by Steve LeBlanc and Alanna Durkin Richer, The Associated Press: "Massachusetts has launched a program to allow for rapid on-site coronavirus testing of residents of long-term care facilities like nursing homes and rest homes, Gov. Charlie Baker said Tuesday. He described the initiative as a partnership between the Department of Public Health and the Massachusetts National Guard and the BROAD institute." - "Number of homeless people in Boston who have tested positive for coronavirus skyrockets," by Vernal Coleman and Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: "The number of homeless people infected with novel coronavirus has shot into the triple digits, surging from 5 cases to about 200 in the span of a week, Boston officials said Tuesday. The tally of confirmed cases represents about 30 percent of the local homeless people tested so far, said Boston Health and Human Services director Marty Martinez." - "Morgue Capacity Expansion Planning Underway In Boston," by Colin A. Young, State House News Service: "As an anticipated surge of COVID-19 patients and deaths approaches, Boston Mayor Martin Walsh said Tuesday that the city is prepared to work with its hospitals to expand the capacity of their morgues. The mayor said he has been in touch with hospitals and that the city is ready to expedite any permits needed to increase mortuary space." PRIMARY SOURCES - "Ed Markey falling short of signatures ahead of May deadline," by Victoria McGrane, Boston Globe: "The e-mail subject line was notable for an incumbent United States senator: "Help get Ed on the ballot." That was the message the campaign of Edward J. Markey sent out Monday night, asking supporters to help gather some of the thousands of signatures the Malden Democrat still needs to appear on the Sept. 1 primary ballot — a ballot for which challenger Joe Kennedy III is much closer to qualifying." DAY IN COURT - "Rideshare Drivers Demand Rights, Win Major Ruling In Court Against Uber and Lyft," by Arjun Singh, WGBH News: "Rideshare drivers in Boston renewed their fight for employee classification from Uber and Lyft on Monday as they protested for benefits like paid sick leave on the Boston Common. Facing major wage losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, drivers won the ability to pursue wage claims against rideshare companies more than two weeks ago — which attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan, who filed the motions, said is a step in the right direction — but are still urgently seeking legal recognition as employees in the interim." - "Correia's attorney asked producers to hold off on 'Run This City' doc," by Jo C. Goode, Herald News: "Before a documentary series on the political rise and fall of Jasiel Correia II was released Monday, and before the former mayor, who is facing 24 federal charges, took to social media to promote the series, his defense attorney expressed concern to producers about the project coming out before his client's trial." - "Despite Coronavirus, Suffolk DA Argues To Send A Man Back To Jail," by Deborah Becker, WBUR: "The first test of a Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruling on releasing prisoners because of the coronavirus has come from an unlikely place. Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins asked Tuesday that someone be returned to jail. It was what some may argue was an unusual step for Rollins, who has led the call for decarceration amid the pandemic." - "Judge orders release of 8 ICE detainees in Bristol County," by Jeremy C. Fox, Boston Globe: "A federal judge on Tuesday ordered the release of eight immigrants held by Bristol Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson in response to a lawsuit that plaintiffs' attorneys call the first coronavirus class action case against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to a court filing and a statement from the attorneys." WARREN REPORT - "Sen. Elizabeth Warren Calls For National Voting Overhaul," by Miles Parks, NPR: "Now less than seven months away from a general election that could be held under the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic, Sen. Elizabeth Warren unveiled a plan to radically reshape voting to respond to the emergency. It's a massive set of proposals that shows where the more liberal section of the Democratic Party wants to take Democracy, even if Republican lawmakers in the Senate and the White House have made it clear that such changes are political non-starters." FROM THE DELEGATION - "Pressley Wants Race-Specific Coronavirus Data Requirement In Next Relief Bill," by Kimberly Atkins, WBUR: "Rep. Ayanna Pressley is leading a call by the Congressional Black Caucus demanding the next coronavirus relief package require federal authorities to collect and report race-specific data. Pressley told WBUR that she and Rep. Robin Kelly, of Illinois, made the ask in a letter to Democratic leadership Tuesday." - "'We figured a lot of kids have questions': Congresswoman Lori Trahan, daughters host kids' town hall on coronavirus," by Arianna MacNeill, Boston.com: "As adults continue to grapple with questions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, kids do, too. And local kids had a variety of insightful questions for Congresswoman Lori Trahan during a virtual children's town hall she held Tuesday afternoon via Facebook Live." IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN - "Markey joins Jane Fonda on coronavirus, climate change," by Katie Lannan, State House News Service: "Sen. Ed Markey and actress Jane Fonda drew a link Tuesday between the COVID-19 crisis and climate change, saying there are lessons to be learned from the response to the pandemic. Fonda, who has been hosting a weekly series of 'Fire Drill Fridays' climate protests that have now moved online, joined Markey by video for a live broadcast on his campaign Facebook page." THE OPINION PAGES - "Life with (maybe) COVID-19," by David Guarino, The Salem News: "In a few days, if I can stay healthy, I can emerge from my (maybe) COVID isolation in the attic. I can't wait to again hug my family, pet my dog, sit on my couch, and take socially distant walks around our amazing city. I can't wait to not fear the fourth sneeze in a row." MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS - "Cannabis Control Commission enables adult-use marijuana businesses to support medical supply chain amid COVID-19 pandemic," by Melissa Hanson, MassLive.com: "As an increase in medical marijuana patient registrations raised concerns about the medical pot supply chain, the state Cannabis Control Commission is now allowing wholesale transfers of existing adult-use marijuana to medical operators. Recreational marijuana businesses were shut down following an order by Gov. Charlie Baker banning non-essential business from operating during the COVID-19 pandemic." ABOVE THE FOLD — Herald: "FRONT-LINE FATALITY," — Globe: "For decisions no doctor wants to make, a guide," "Health care providers get a boost from state." FROM THE 413 - "State reports 67 employees at Soldiers' Home sick with COVID-19," by Dusty Christensen, Daily Hampshire Gazette: "Amid a COVID-19 outbreak at the Soldiers' Home that has left at least 18 veterans dead, state officials reported Tuesday that 67 employees of the facility have now tested positive for the coronavirus disease. The figures released by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services show that the number of staff testing positive for the virus has more than doubled in the past day." THE LOCAL ANGLE - "11 of Quincy's coronavirus cases are in one nursing home, officials say," by Mary Whitfill, The Patriot Ledger: "Health Commissioner Ruth Jones gave city councilors an update on the state of coronavirus in Quincy Monday night, including a breakdown of the 189 positive cases the city had as of Monday. Of those diagnosed with COVID-19, about 40 percent have no clear origin, Jones said, meaning they didn't have direct contact with someone who tested positive." - "With home buying season upon us in Attleboro area, the American Dream is battling a pandemic," by David Linton, Sun Chronicle: "Just over a month ago, the economy was booming and cars were lined up with people at open houses ready to bid on the American Dream. Now, because of the coronavirus pandemic, the rules of business and social behavior in the real estate profession have had to change and adapt almost overnight. Brokers have gone from shaking hands and chit-chatting with numerous people at showings to wearing masks, booties and gloves, resembling crime scene analysts in order to conduct business." - "Rivera seeks to hire furloughed nurses to aid city," by Jill Harmacinski, Eagle-Tribune: "The city wants to hire nurses placed on furlough at Lawrence General Hospital to help them track local COVID-19 coronavirus cases. As of Monday night, Lawrence had four COVID-19 related deaths, 346 positive cases and at least one police officer and one firefighter who tested positive. Of the 346 positive cases, Mayor Daniel Rivera said 55 percent involved people under age 40. All four COVID-19 deaths are believed to be people over age 70 ." HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to Melissa Wagoner Olesen, Maddie Beecher and Jackie Kessel, managing director at 617MediaGroup. NEW EPISODE: SUFFOLK CLOWNS - On this week's Horse Race podcast, hosts Steve Koczela, Jennifer 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.   DON'T MISS POLITICO DISPATCH : Go behind the scenes at POLITICO and hear expert reporters unpack the most important news and updates, all in 10 minutes or less in POLITICO Dispatch, recently added to the "Covid-19 Essential Listening" section on Apple Podcasts. Learn how journalists break news, work sources and pull back the curtain to deliver critical reporting during this once in a century pandemic. Fast. Short. Daily. 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