| | |  | By Stephanie Murray | GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TESTING, TRACING AND EQUIPMENT — Expect to hear three questions as the state begins a slow reopening process next week: Are there enough tests, is there enough personal protective equipment and is contact tracing working? Those are the three components that members of Gov. Charlie Baker's Reopening Advisory Board are focused on, according to board member and Easthampton Mayor Nicole LaChapelle. "It's really starting to become abundantly clear on the advisory board that any industry needs those three things to successfully open," LaChapelle said on Monday during an interview on WGBY's "Connecting Point." "And we're all extremely aware of the possibility of having to re-close certain industries or parts of the economy, or society again if we see an uptick in cases." When some people return to work, they will inevitably increase their risk of contracting coronavirus and spreading it. That means the state has to expand its coronavirus response to cover more workers going out in public. On the testing front, Massachusetts has been a national leader but is still looking to significantly expand access. And testing materials are in high demand. As Baker put it on Tuesday, the state has been on a "global hunt" for even the swabs needed to conduct coronavirus tests. The governor toured the Ashland company MatTek Life Sciences on Tuesday, which has shifted to producing the viral transport media and Covid-19 test collection kits. When it comes to personal protective equipment, things aren't perfect. More Bay State companies are manufacturing equipment than earlier in the spring, but only half of the state's nurses say they have enough personal protective equipment, according to a WBUR and MassINC poll released last week. And with new state guidelines that call for employees at reopened businesses to keep their faces covered, businesses are eyeing ways to team up and buy large orders of protective gear, according to the Eagle-Tribune. And Massachusetts built up its contact tracing initiative last month, but a portion of those contacted by tracers have not answered the phone. The Baker administration put out a video last week urging people to pick up calls from contact tracers, who alert people to Covid-19 exposure and answer questions. As of last week, around 1,600 tracers had reached nearly 14,000 people with confirmed cases of the virus and established more than 7,500 of their contacts, according to data released by Baker's office on Thursday. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com. TODAY — Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Lori Trahan host a livestream on coronavirus and nursing homes. Markey joins a Zoom press conference with Consumer Reports and U.S. PIRG calling on airlines to refund customers for canceled flights.. Rep. Ayanna Pressley and Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin chair a Congressional Progressive Caucus remote hearing on coronavirus contact tracing and testing. Rep. Seth Moulton speaks at a Democratic Policy and Communications Committee press conference on the HEROES Act. Rep. Joe Kennedy III hosts a Q&A livestream. | |
| | JOIN TOMORROW - WHY IS THE INCARCERATION RATE OF WOMEN RISING? Women are the fastest-growing segment of the incarcerated population in the United States, increasing at a rate nearly double that of men over the past 35 years. Join Women Rule Editorial Director Anna Palmer tomorrow at 3 p.m. EDT for a virtual conversation with April Grayson, campaign surrogate and statewide coordinator for the Young Women's Freedom Center; Scott Budnick, founder of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC); and Emily Ratajkowski, model, actress and activist. Learn about the challenges women face behind bars and how they fit into the criminal-justice reform movement. Have questions? Submit yours by tweeting it to @POLITICOLive using #AskPOLITICO. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | |  | THE LATEST NUMBERS |
| – “Numbers show encouraging signs in Mass., but new model calls for 2,000 more deaths by early June,” by Martin Finucane and Jaclyn Reiss, Boston Globe: “The state reported Tuesday that the death toll from the coronavirus in Massachusetts had risen by 33 cases to 5,141, as the numbers continued to show encouraging signs of a letup in the pandemic. But University of Massachusetts researchers underlined that the heartbreak is not over yet, releasing a new model predicting 7,700 would be killed by the virus in the state by June 6.” | | DATELINE BEACON HILL |
| – “Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker files $1 billion supplemental budget bill after mounting coronavirus costs,” by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: “Gov. Charlie Baker is seeking $1 billion to hold over the Massachusetts government’s spending gap for the rest of the fiscal year as coronavirus-related costs accumulate. Baker filed a supplemental budget for fiscal 2020 to authorize spending for personal protective equipment, rate adjustments for nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, incentive pay for state workers on the front lines and other expenses.” – “Mask mandates could mean shortages,” by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: “With face masks now required in public and more businesses seeking to reopen, experts say competition for protective gear could lead to new shortages. Gov. Charlie Baker issued an executive order two weeks ago requiring masks in grocery stores, taxis, public transit and other places where social distancing isn't possible. A plan to gradually reopen the state's economy unveiled Monday says businesses must require workers and customers to cover their faces .” – “Scientists worry that planned May 18 easing of some Mass. coronavirus rules could be too soon,” by Naomi Martin and David Abel, Boston Globe: “Governor Charlie Baker’s plan to reopen the economy in phases starting as soon as Monday may come as a relief to struggling business owners and nearly 1 million people left unemployed by the coronavirus crisis. But many scientists caution that it may be too soon to broadly reopen Massachusetts, which has been among the hardest-hit states in the country, with 5,141 deaths so far.” – “Coalition Calls On Gov. Baker To Release Prisoners Because Of Coronavirus,” by Deborah Becker, WBUR: “Several community groups have joined forces to press the Baker administration to reduce the number of people incarcerated in Massachusetts to limit the risk and spread of the coronavirus among prisoners and correctional officers. The groups outlined a 10-point plan to shrink incarceration and help with social distancing behind bars.” – “Healey links COVID-19 and race, poverty, pollution,” by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: “Attorney General Maura Healey on Tuesday sought to draw attention to the high correlation between COVID-19 infections and poor, minority communities with high rates of air pollution. ‘While cities and towns across Massachusetts are reeling from this pandemic and its impacts, none have been hit harder than our immigrant, black and brown communities, and low-income communities,’ Healey said in a call with reporters on Tuesday, after her office released a brief on the link between environmental factors and COVID-19.” – “Coronavirus reopening plan for Massachusetts ‘not fast enough,’ critics say,” by Hillary Chabot, Boston Herald: “Gov. Charlie Baker’s phased May 18 re-opening plan is too slow-moving and lacks the specifics necessary for Main Street success, a group of fiscal conservatives and Bay State Republicans said today, calling for more transparency. ‘My fear is that we’re not opening fast enough, and we’re certainly not bringing clarity to the rules,’ said state Rep. Marc Lombardo, R-Billerica, arguing that his constituents need to ‘try and salvage what’s left of their businesses.’” – “A perfect storm: June 29 reopening for Massachusetts daycare centers limits care options for parents, puts financial pressure on providers,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “As Massachusetts officials work to devise a plan to at least partially reopen sectors of the economy, there are some businesses still charging customers during Gov. Charlie Baker’s mandated closure; namely, daycares. Yet many providers are having to cope with added uncertainty: as it stands now, childcare companies will have to wait until at least June 29 to resume operations — a time when many parents may be back to work and in need of childcare options.” | | FROM THE HUB |
| – “Pandemic spawns new spirit of collaboration for Boston’s longtime rival hospitals,” by Priyanka Dayal McCluskey, Boston Globe: “During normal times, Boston’s big hospitals compete for doctors, patients, revenues, and prestige. But the pandemic has spawned a new spirit of cooperation among these longtime rivals. Hospitals have been sharing supplies, equipment, data, and even staff as they scramble to treat patients sick with COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.” – “Massachusetts Hospitals Report Rare Cases of Coronavirus-Related Illness in Children,” by Deborah Becker, WBUR: “A mysterious, potentially deadly coronavirus-related illness in children is now reported in Massachusetts. Boston Children's Hospital and Bay State Medical Center in Springfield have both reporting treating patients with pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome. It's a disorder that was unknown until a few weeks ago.” – “The Massachusetts Real Estate Market Is Down — But Maybe Not Out,” by Aaron Schachter, WGBH News: “If this were a normal May, every weekend would be filled with potential buyers traipsing through homes, pulling open closet doors, peeking behind shower curtains and inspecting boilers. But this is not a normal May. This year’s real estate market is in a pandemic-induced funk.” – “This Cambridge bar was offering coronavirus antibody tests. Then the city shut it down,” by Steve Annear and Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: “A Cambridge gastropub that transformed itself into a makeshift clinic for COVID-19 antibody testing was forced to put the operation on hold amid questions about proper permits, zoning requirements, and medical licensing this week. According to city officials and a post on Wit’s End’s social media pages Tuesday, the Inman Square bar has stopped taking clients for its newly minted phlebotomy operation, after Cambridge issued a ‘zoning use challenge’ to the company, effectively shutting it down for now.” – “Some UMass Boston Faculty Told They May Not Have Jobs This Fall,” by Fred Thys, WBUR: “About half the non-tenure-track faculty at UMass Boston are getting notices that they may not have jobs this fall. The notices come as universities struggle to figure out whether they will be able to open campuses in the fall and how many students will enroll either on campus or online.” – “Where’s the beef? In another blow to restaurants, meat shortages are driving up costs,” by Janelle Nanos, Boston Globe: “Andy Husbands has been trying to make things work. Over the past two months, the chef-owner of three Smoke Shop BBQ restaurants has filled thousands of take-out orders, each requiring specific pick-up windows and elaborate social distancing measures on the part of his staff. The revenue he’s taking in isn’t nearly enough to make him whole, he said, but it’s helping his workers put food on their tables. That was before his meat costs doubled this week.” – “Mom-And-Pop Stores In Hard Hit Chelsea And Eastie Left Wondering: Where's The Support?” by Simón Rios and Tibisay Zea, WBUR: “Business was good for Claudia Gallego — good until the state of emergency was declared. She owns three businesses in East Boston. Her bar has been closed since mid-March, but her bodega and butcher shop have stayed open until now. They’re essential services — though business over the last two months is down 80%, and she's losing money.” – “During coronavirus pandemic, Boston may widen sidewalks, create pedestrian lanes on streets to help with social distancing during reopening,” by Tanner Stening, MassLive.com: “Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said on Monday that the city is looking at ways to create more distance between residents on sidewalks and streets as sectors of Massachusetts begin reopening later this month. Walsh said officials are thinking about expanding sidewalks in business districts and creating pedestrian- and cyclist-only lanes on streets.” | | WARREN REPORT |
| – “Elizabeth Warren asked Anthony Fauci if the government was ready for the second coronavirus wave,” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “Sen. Elizabeth Warren used her time Tuesday with Dr. Anthony Fauci to underscore the urgency of preparing for the potential of a second coronavirus wave. During the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions hearing, Warren asked Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, about his recent comments that a second round of COVID-19 is “inevitable” later this year.” | | ABOVE THE FOLD |
| — Herald: “FOR THE PEOPLE,” — Globe: “As pressure builds to reopen, a warning.” | | FROM THE 413 |
| – “Holyoke Soldiers’ Home administrators to change, capacity to shrink due to coronavirus,” by Jeanette DeForge, Springfield Republican: “The Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke will operate under new management and with fewer residents following the devastating toll the coronavirus has taken on patients and staff. Up to about $2 million in improvements are also being made to the building to make it safer for residents and to improve infection control, said Daniel Tsai, deputy secretary of the state Executive Office of Health and Human Services, which oversees the facility.” – “Virtual 'learning curve' for local leaders as meetings adapt to distancing,” by Jake Mendel, The Berkshire Eagle: “For Select Boards across Berkshire County, it's a whole new virtual world. The coronavirus pandemic has forced public boards to conduct business online instead of in person, and while there have been a few hiccups, several members said they are gradually adjusting and getting better at navigating the technology.” – “Hadley candidate’s spending talk of the town,” by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “A four-way race for a seat on the Select Board at Saturday’s town election is featuring what is likely the most expensive campaign ever launched in Hadley. Candidate Brenda Fydenkevez has spent nearly $20,000 thus far, according to a campaign finance report filed with the town clerk eight days prior to the election. The figure is raising eyebrows in a town where the five board members receive no stipends or benefits.” | | THE LOCAL ANGLE |
| – “UMass med student recovers from coronavirus, now works at DCU Center field hospital,” by Cyrus Moulton, Telegram & Gazette: “Just a few weeks ago, Michelle Shabo was infected with coronavirus and fighting for her life at UMass Memorial Medical Center. ‘There was a moment in the hospital where I was like, this could be it, I could die,’ said Shabo, 28, of Worcester. But now the fourth-year medical student at UMass Medical School is recovered, Shabo is returning the favor for all the nurses and doctors who cared for her by doing an emergency medicine rotation at the DCU Center field hospital.” – “Businesses want clarity on Mass. governor’s phased approach for reopening,” by Brad Petrishen, Telegram & Gazette: “A day after Gov. Charlie Baker announced a four-phase plan for reopening the economy, there was still little clarity Tuesday on which businesses will be among the first to open their doors. ‘We don’t have insight,’ Bob Luz, president of the Westboro-based Massachusetts Restaurant Association, said Tuesday afternoon, shortly after Baker indicated details wouldn’t come until Monday.” – “Churches make case for reopening,” by Christian M. Wade, The Salem News: “Pastor Chris Dyer's tightly-knit congregation has been worshiping remotely every Sunday since the state ordered churches to close their doors two months ago. But Dyer, a pastor at the Fellowship Bible Church in Methuen, said live-streaming services just isn't the same as seeing his parishioners fill the pews to pray, sing hymns and practice their faith.” – “Lawrence mask patrols start Friday,” by Jill Harmacinski, Eagle-Tribune: “Following a two-week warning period, the city is rolling out mask and face covering enforcement patrols Friday. Those caught without a mask or face covering in public, in violation of an executive city order, will be fined $300, Mayor Dan Rivera said Tuesday. ‘Lawrence is a hot-spot for coronavirus cases,’ Rivera said.” – “Yarmouth beaches reopen despite Board of Health closure order,” by Christine Legere, Cape Cod Times: “Based on a vote by the selectmen last week, the beaches in town reopened after being shut down by the Board of Health since April 1 in an effort to contain the spread of the new coronavirus. Closure signs were removed, and the public was allowed back on the beaches late last week. The Board of Health’s closure order, however, remained in place Monday, with Chairman Hillard Boskey anticipating beach-related issues to intensify as the weather improves and tourists arrive.” | | MEDIA MATTERS |
| – “Remembering lives lost to coronavirus, one tweet at a time,” by Renée Graham, Boston Globe: “Every life lost in the coronavirus pandemic has its own story. Alex Goldstein wants to tell them one tweet at a time. In late March, Goldstein launched Faces of COVID (@FacesOfCOVID) on Twitter, offering thumbnail sketches of those who’ve died from the disease caused by the coronavirus. On Monday, he posted its 1,000th story.” HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Michael Goldman, president of Goldman Associates NEW EPISODE: On this week’s Horse Race podcast, hosts Steve Koczela, Jennifer Smith, Maeve Duggan and Stephanie Murray discuss the state’s plans to reopen, and a recent poll of Massachusetts nurses. Special guest Enes Kanter of the Boston Celtics talks about the future of the NBA. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud , or watch on Facebook. 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. | |
| | POLITICO Magazine Justice Reform: The Decarceration Issue, presented by Verizon: Over the past decade, the longstanding challenge of criminal-justice reform has emerged into the spotlight with a new twist: Both Republicans and Democrats are onboard. But if both parties want to lower the incarceration rate, why are our jail and prison populations still so high? The latest series from POLITICO Magazine works to answer this important question and take a deeper look into what it will take to make progress in the policy and politics of justice reform. READ THE FULL ISSUE. | | | | |
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