News : POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: CDC DIRECTOR: Rising cases suggest ‘IMPENDING DOOM’ — CHANG-DIAZ eyeing GOVERNOR’S RACE

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: CDC DIRECTOR: Rising cases suggest ‘IMPENDING DOOM’ — CHANG-DIAZ eyeing GOVERNOR’S RACE — State drops ROLLINS PROBE

Mar 30, 2021

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GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS.

BIDEN, CDC DIRECTOR SOUND COVID ALARM — A feeling of "impending doom " isn't exactly the message you want to hear from the director of the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.

But Dr. Rochelle Walensky sounded the alarm yesterday about rising Covid-19 cases across the country. The Peabody-born Walensky is urging governors to slow down economic reopening measures in their states. Before taking the helm of the CDC, Walensky was the infectious disease division chief at Massachusetts General Hospital and appointed to Gov. Charlie Baker's Covid-19 advisory board.

"Right now I'm scared," Walensky said during a press briefing . "I will be speaking with the governors tomorrow to try and reinforce the need for current restrictions, to not open up."

President Joe Biden echoed that message to reporters later in the day, saying "yes" some states should pause reopening. Federal health officials are warning that a fourth surge could be on the horizon for the United States, as the pandemic crosses the one-year mark. The warnings come as the pace of vaccinations picks up in Massachusetts and across the country, and states have relaxed some pandemic-era restrictions.

Massachusetts just moved into a new reopening phase last week, opening stadiums at reduced capacity and replacing an out-of-state travel order with a travel advisory. And state officials have ordered elementary schools to reopen for in-person instruction five days a week beginning next week. Still, Massachusetts has more restrictions on measures like mask-wearing than other places.

Like other parts of the country, cases of the virus here are rising. Massachusetts ranked ninth in the country for daily average Covid-19 cases over the last week, according to the New York Times.

It's not clear whether Baker will consider pausing reopening, or bring back old restrictions, after Walensky's warning. The governor's office didn't say whether Baker will be among those who speak with the CDC director today, but it did send a statement touting the vaccine distribution effort. Two million people in Massachusetts have received a first dose. The administration will "continue to monitor public health data," according to his office.

Restrictions here are partially based on hospitalizations, a number that hasn't risen in the same way Covid-19 cases have this month. Baker noted last week that the virus is spreading among people under 30, especially now that many older residents have been vaccinated, and the risk of dying from the virus is lower for that group.

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TODAY — Sen. Ed Markey and Gov. Charlie Baker tour the FEMA pilot community vaccination center at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. Boston Acting Mayor Kim Janey delivers a Covid-19 update at City Hall, and hosts a round table on education with U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and Boston Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Cassellius at Tynan Elementary School.

Rep. Richard Neal announces federal funding for Baystate Medical Center at the facility. Rep. Ayanna Pressley volunteers at a soup kitchen in East Boston and a clothing drive in Cambridge. Voters head to the polls in the 19th Suffolk District to fill former House Speaker Robert DeLeo's seat.

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THE LATEST NUMBERS

– "Active COVID cases rise again as Massachusetts reports 1,464 new positive tests, 15 deaths Monday," by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: "Massachusetts public health officials reported 1,464 new cases of COVID-19 and 15 more deaths on Monday, with the state reporting at least 6,000 more active cases than a week ago. There are 31,428 active coronavirus cases as of Monday, according to the state Department of Public Health. For several days last week, the number of active cases was around 25,000. On Sunday, the state reported 30,772 active cases."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

– "Testing Shows COVID Positivity Below 1% In Schools," by Mike Deehan, GBH News: "There is very little transmission of COVID-19 in the state's schools, according to Gov. Charlie Baker, who wants most elementary schools back open for in-person learning next week. The Baker-Polito administration released a report Monday that found a 0.76% test positivity rate in schools throughout Massachusetts that took part in the state's pooled testing program, which screens samples from students and staff to determine if the virus is present."

– "State considering major expansion of child abuse reporting laws," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "A 2018 report by a legislative committee recommended the state update its mandated reporter law to fix what it called a 'glaring loophole' that puts youth athletes at higher risk for abuse. No one is arguing against adding youth coaches to the list of mandated reporters. But a comprehensive look at the state's mandated reporter law prompted by youth sports scandals could now lead to a far more sweeping expansion of the law ."

– "Attorney For Rollins Says Ethics Case Against Suffolk DA Dropped," by Deborah Becker, WBUR: "The state ethics commission is no longer investigating a parking lot incident involving Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins. Rollins' attorney Ronald Sullivan said ethics investigators are no longer looking into the complaint filed by a Boston woman last year. She alleged that Rollins threatened her and inappropriately flashed her car's blue law enforcement lights as they both were trying to exit the South Bay Shopping Center on Dec. 24."

– "Massachusetts senator wants to let student-athletes earn money from third-party endorsements as NCAA pushes off decision," by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: "As March Madness rakes in more than $1.1 billion in revenue for top-tier universities and college sports regulators, Sen. Barry Finegold says it's time to give student-athletes a slice of the pie."

VAX-ACHUSETTS

– "Officials laud approval of Big E as regional COVID vaccine site: Unknown when doses will arrive," by Jeanette DeForge, Springfield Republican: "Three mayors, a selectboard chairwoman, a senator and others agreed on one thing: There probably isn't a person in Western Massachusetts that can't find the Eastern States Exposition. Its easy-to-access location and ability to handle tons of traffic – more than 100,000 people a day – makes the Big E the perfect location for a COVID-19 regional vaccination site."

FROM THE HUB

– "Acting Mayor Janey criticizes service cuts to T, launches program to provide free Charlie cards to hard hit neighborhoods," by Travis Andersen and Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: "Acting Mayor Kim Janey appeared with transit advocates Monday to beseech the MBTA Fiscal Management and Control Board to restore service levels on the bus and subway systems that were reduced as ridership plummeted amid the COVID-19 pandemic."

– "In latest City Hall departures, head of finance, chief operating officer are leaving," by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe: "With a new acting mayor installed, the departures from Boston City Hall continue, with Emme Handy, the city's chief financial officer, and Patrick Brophy, the chief of operations, leaving in coming weeks. The two Cabinet-level exits mark the latest City Hall shake-ups."

– "Becker College to close this spring," by Laura Krantz, Boston Globe: "Becker College, a small private liberal arts school in Worcester, will close after the end of this school year, the board of trustees announced Monday. The school, best known for its veterinary, nursing, and video game design programs, has struggled financially for years and trustees said the COVID-19 pandemic dealt the final blow."

– "More entrepreneurs of color needed; number of startups down 'sharply,' report says," by Isabel Contreras, Boston Business Journal: "Entrepreneurship is 'under threat,' and the health of the state's startup sector depends on building a diverse and inclusive ecosystem, according to a new report."

FEELING '22

– "Sonia Chang-Díaz, a Jamaica Plain senator, says she's considering a run for governor," by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "Sonia Chang-Díaz, a seven-term Jamaica Plain state senator and a vocal critic of the Baker administration's COVID-19 vaccine rollout, said Monday she is seriously considering a run for governor, making her the first currently elected Democrat to publicly eye a campaign."

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

– "East-west passenger rail through Springfield likely boosted by Biden infrastructure plan, Rep. Neal influence," by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: "With three Massachusetts congressmen on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal heading the powerful Ways and Mean Committee, east-west passenger rail through Springfield will likely get a piece of President Joe Biden's $3 trillion to $4 trillion infrastructure package."

– "MBTA officials are moving to restore pandemic-induced service cuts. But no one knows how long it will take." by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: "Infused with at least $845 million from this month's federal COVID-19 relief bill, the MBTA is reversing course on its recent cuts and looking to restore bus and subway service 'as fast as we possibly can,' according to Steve Poftak, the agency's general manager."

– "MBTA to acquire land for new bus depot at former Quincy Lowe's for $38.2 million," by Joe Difazio, The Patriot Ledger: "The MBTA is another step closer to its planned new bus depot in South Quincy. In a meeting on Monday, the T's Fiscal and Management Control Board voted to authorize the acquisition of the 13-acre plot of land and former Lowe's building at 599 Thomas Burgin Parkway for $38.2 million."

– "Riders complain of overcrowded Orange Line shuttle buses during Monday commute," by Arianna MacNeill, Boston.com: "The Orange Line is being bused between Oak Grove and Sullivan Square through April 11 due to damage from its derailment earlier this month, and customers are continuing to complain of overcrowding."

IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN

– "Under Biden, will offshore wind finally drive major energy gains in the U.S.?" by Ivette Feliciano and Sam Weber, PBS: "For decades, scientists have seen vast potential for offshore wind energy. Despite this, offshore wind in the U.S. barely exists, as projects have faced local opposition and concern about how they would affect ocean habitats and fisheries. But with a new emphasis on renewable energy from the Biden Administration, that may soon change."

ABOVE THE FOLD

— Herald: "MONEY PLAY," "MODERNA'S MOMENT," — Globe: "Biden warns of regression in virus fight," "Brutal footage opens officer's trial."

FROM THE 413

– "Candlelight vigil set outside Holyoke Soldiers' Home to mark 1-year milestone of COVID outbreak," by Stephanie Barry, Springfield Republican: "As the trustees home in on a new superintendent, supporters of the Holyoke Soldiers' Home and its veterans are planning to hold a candlelight vigil on the grounds Tuesday to mark one year since a COVID-19 outbreak roiled the facility."

– "Northampton City Council wants to decriminalize psychedelic plants," by Greta Jochem, Daily Hampshire Gazette: "Citing the benefits of entheogenic plants and the disproportionate impact of the criminalization of drugs, the City Council took an initial vote earlier this month to pass a resolution to decriminalize them."

– "Local group to protest in Pittsfield against gas pipelines," by Danny Jin, The Berkshire Eagle: "Local organizers plan to protest two pipeline projects Tuesday, channeling the work of climate advocates and Indigenous activists across the country. The 350 Massachusetts Berkshire node will take to Park Square in Pittsfield at 5 p.m., in an effort to express opposition to the Line 3 and Dakota Access pipelines."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– "As Worcester Public Schools transition to hybrid learning, far fewer nonwhite students are returning to the classroom," by Tom Matthews, MassLive.com: "Far fewer nonwhite students in the Worcester Public Schools have opted in for a return to in-person classrooms with hybrid learning than their white counterparts, according to a new briefing from the Worcester Regional Research Bureau."

– "A look at how COVID-19 cases are increasing on Cape Cod," by Amanda Kaufman and John Hancock, Boston Globe: "Cases of COVID-19 are rising on Cape Cod, causing alarm from local health officials and illustrating the continued threat posed by the virus and its variants even as vaccinations ramp up across the state."

TRANSITIONS – Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark adds two new staffers to her office: Courtney Cochran as director of strategy planning and Elana Ross as deputy communications director.

– Jesse Kanson-Benanav has been appointed executive director of Abundant Housing MA.

REMEMBERING THADDEUS BUCZKO, via the Boston Globe ... "Thaddeus Buczko was sitting at home in Salem one September evening in 1964 when the phone rang, according to an account of the conversation that followed. … That brief conversation launched one of longest tenures in the state's executive branch. Appointed to the post several days later, Mr. Buczko went on to win the general election by nearly 380,000 votes and serve as auditor until 1980. He was 95 when he died March 7, according to funeral information his family posted on a funeral home website and in death notices." Link .

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Daily Hampshire Gazette reporter Dusty Christensen, Bill Ryan and Mark Daley.

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