COVID-19 End of Week Update + Protests 5/31/20
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Once again, Bostonians are in the streets demanding an end to racism and police brutality. George Floyd's murder probably feels personal to you; if you see your own brother, cousin, uncle or father in Floyd's final pleas, I am sorry for the additional trauma during an already extremely difficult time.
Many of us are weeping with you, and those who can are in the streets in at least 75 cities to say that enough is enough. The world is rarely ready for a movement to blossom. I hope that this one succeeds in bending our nation's arc, and that the combined cry of voices raised for equity and justice continues to center the experiences, wisdom and needs of Black, Latino and Native people as we rebuild our broken systems.
Regarding reopening, the decision that will determine if and when we enter the next phase of the state's plan, which includes retail stores, restaurants and nail salons inviting customers back, and public pools and lodging, is dependent on the public health data collected over the next 5 days between 6/1-6/6. The earliest phase 2 of the state's restart plan could possibly begin is Monday 6/8. The Administration will announce next Sat. 6/6 when phase 2 will be allowed to begin. Please be safe and continue to follow the guidance around physical distancing, facial coverings, and the City's curfew 9PM-6AM).
With a heavy and hopeful heart,
Liz
Liz Malia
State Representative, 11th Suffolk
617-722-2380
State Updates
5/29 - On Monday 6/1, Governor Baker will issue an executive order with a detailed list of sectors that fall into each phase of reopening and will allow phase II businesses to bring back employees to prepare for reopening.
5/29 - Starting today, MA residents who receive SNAP benefits can use their EBT card to buy food online from Walmart and Amazon. Read more here.
5/29 - MassDEP and the Attorney General's Office will resume the enforcement of beverage container redemption requirements. Enforcement will resume at retailers using reverse vending machines on 6/5 and at retailers accepting containers over the counter on 6/19. Learn more here.
5/29 - Guidance was issued for the restaurant and lodging industries. Outdoor dining at restaurants will begin at the start of Phase II and indoor dining will begin later within Phase II. Tables will be spaced at least 6 feet apart, and the use of bars, except for spaced table seating, will not be permitted. You can find full restaurant guidance here.
5/29 - Hotels, motels, and other lodging businesses can expand operations in Phase II. Event spaces must remain closed. Guests must be notified of the state's policy urging travelers to self-quarantine for 14 days when arriving from out of the state. You can find the full lodging guidance here.
5/28 - Legislature sent a bill to Governor Baker's desk that would increase COVID-19 reporting requirements for the Department of Public Health, extend data collection, and establish a COVID-19 disparities task force to identify initial recommendations and issues requiring further study around health disparities for underserved and underrepresented populations.
5/28 - The 2020 Boston Marathon, which had been rescheduled from Patriots' Day to September 14, has been cancelled.
5/27 - The RMV is currently working on a solution to offer online Learner's Permit tests starting in mid-June. More information will become available in the coming weeks. Learn more and find other COVID-19 related RMV updates here.
5/27 - The Department of Unemployment Assistance announced that criminal enterprises using stolen information have been attempting to file fraudulent unemployment claims through the DUA system. If you believe someone has fraudulently applied for benefits using your information, report it here.
5/27 - Thanks to the advocacy of many of my colleagues, the Unemployment Insurance application is now available in Chinese, Vietnamese, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole, in addition to Spanish and English. You can find the application here.
5/26 - Governor Baker signed legislation that expands the maximum allowable claims period for unemployment insurance from 26 weeks to 30 weeks for any week in which claims exceed 100,000, lifts the 50% cap on dependency benefits, and exempts employers' experience ratings from the impacts of COVID-19.
5/26 - The MA House passed legislation to provide municipal governments greater flexibility by granting the ability to host town meeting remotely and allowing for a reduction in quorum requirement. The legislation also makes a concerted effort to address the challenges facing school districts throughout the Commonwealth in dealing with existing vendor contracts and allows new teachers to receive emergency educator licenses in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
5/26 - Governor Baker announced that the Boston Hope Medical Center, the COVID-19 field hospital in Boston, will be suspending the admission of new patients. All patients currently receiving care will continue to be cared for until they are safely discharged.
5/26 - The Supreme Judicial Court ordered all court business (in-person criminal and civil bench trials) will be conducted virtually until at least 7/1/20, except for certain emergency matters that must be handled in-person, and jury trials will not resume until at least 9/8/20.
5/26 - Attorney General Maura Healey released guidance to protect people living in hotels and motels from being removed from their housing during COVID-19.
5/25 - The state hosted a virtual Memorial Day ceremony with remarks from Governor Baker, Lt. Governor Polito and Legislative leaders. The Massachusetts National Guard provided a special "Tribute to the Fallen." Watch the recorded ceremony here.
5/25 - Reopening Phase 1, Part 1 - Lab space, office space outside of Boston, hair salons and barber shops, pet groomers, car washes, and retail remote fulfillment and curbside pickup allowed to reopen with restrictions, some capacity limitations, and staggered start.
City Updates
Mayor's Update 5/28
Case numbers:
As of today in Massachusetts: 94,895 cases and 6,640 deaths.
As of today in Boston: 12,634 cases, 627 deaths, and 6,272 recoveries.
The Mayor also acknowledged that 100,000 Americans have lost their lives to COVID-19 so far. He said our City’s prayers are with their families, and we think of them every day as we work to contain this cruel virus and prevent as many future deaths as possible.
Update on the 124th Boston Marathon:
The Boston Athletic Association, with the City’s input and support, has determined that the traditional, one-day running of the Boston Marathon is not feasible this year for public health reasons. There is no way to hold the usual race format without bringing large numbers of people into close contact.
The City is supporting the BAA in an alternative approach to the Marathon that allows runners to participate remotely, and allows everyone to celebrate the meaning this race has for Boston’s spirit, for charities, and for the local economy.
The Mayor acknowledged that this is a difficult adjustment, and he is grateful for the work of everyone involved—including the cities and towns along the route, the Governor and the legislature, and sponsor John Hancock. He then asked BAA President Tom Grilk to give more details about the new Marathon event, and what registered runners need to know.
Guidelines for reopening office workplaces:
This coming Monday, June 1, is when office workplaces can begin to reopen in Boston, under Phase 1 of the state’s reopening framework.
The Mayor noted that this is a date the City of Boston asked for, because of the size of the City’s commercial sector and the unique role Boston plays in the region’s working and commuting patterns.
Today, the City published guidelines for offices on how to keep workers, clients, and customers as safe as possible during a gradual and limited reopening. These guidelines use the state Safety Standards for this sector as a starting point, and are supplemented with recommendations from the CDC, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and industry associations, as well as input from local building owners, property managers, and workers.
The Mayor noted that these guidelines are not mandated, but serve as a detailed and usable best practices framework. The framework, which covers social distancing, hygiene, staffing and operations, and cleaning and disinfection, can be found at boston.gov/reopening.
The Mayor also urged office workplaces to be cautious about reopening, and protect their workforce. He talked about the guiding principles that apply to the entire reopening process:
First, going back to work brings risk. Even with a limited reopening, workplaces must be ready to manage the ongoing risk, and all plans must include mechanisms for scaling back if COVID-19 cases and deaths begin to spike.
Second, everyone who can should continue to work from home. He reminded everyone that nothing close to an old normal will be possible until a vaccine or effective treatment is developed.
Third, equity is essential for effective risk management. He warned that if workplaces don’t plan at every step for the needs of those who are disproportionately impacted, they will see disproportionate impacts that affect the entire workplace. Workplaces must take a complete view of who the workers are that make their offices run, from the front desk staff and custodians up to the CEO.
The Mayor strongly urges all employers, landlords, and property managers to make use of these best practices and guidelines. The City will be taking feedback and adapting it to conditions moving forward, and can help answer any questions about how to implement them. He also encouraged offices outside of Boston to download and use these guidelines as well.
The City will also be consulting with the new Boston Reopening Advisory Board on safety and recovery needs in offices and other sectors of the economy. This is a diverse group of leaders from business, health care, education, labor, arts, and faith communities.
Update on City Hall hours and City resources:
Boston City Hall will be open this coming Monday, June 1st to accommodate the extended June 1st property tax deadline the City put in place to provide flexibility for homeowners. Staff will be available on a walk-in basis to answer questions and process payments. However, the Mayor encouraged residents to make their payments at boston.gov or by calling 311.
This is a one-time change, and City Hall will remain open to the public, by appointment, on Tuesdays and Fridays only. You must wear a face covering when entering the building and will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms.
The Mayor also reminded small businesses that Phase 1 applications for the first round of the Boston Reopen Fund go live this afternoon at 5 pm. More information can be found at boston.gov/reopenfund. The $6 million Fund is a new resource to help small businesses minimize risk and manage economic recovery during reopening.