News: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: POLITICS of COVID — MASKING UP

Monday, July 26, 2021

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: POLITICS of COVID — MASKING UP — Trump’s GOP SHADOW

Jul 26, 2021

THE POLITICS OF COVID — If Republican Geoff Diehl's entrance into the governor's race put pressure on GOP Gov. Charlie Baker to make a quicker decision about his 2022 intentions, the state's rising Covid-19 metrics could push his timeline back.

Massachusetts reported 586 new cases on Friday, the state's highest daily number of new infections in more than two months. The seven-day average number of daily cases was 311, nearly five times higher than the state's record low of 64 in late June. The growing Provincetown coronavirus cluster — which health officials have linked to the more-contagious Delta variant — has made national news and prompted a renewed indoor mask mandate. Cambridge and Nantucket are recommending people wear masks indoors.

None of this is a backdrop for a reelection announcement, particularly for a race that's poised to be a referendum on Baker's handling of the pandemic. It's also inopportune timing for Baker's fundraising, which was just ramping up again after his team largely pumped the brakes on it through most of Covid.

It wouldn't be a good time for Baker to bow out of next year's gubernatorial contest, either — a move that would make him a lame-duck governor just when people are again looking to him for leadership.

Baker's urging people to get vaccinated and stressing that hospitalizations and deaths remain low — though both of those metrics tend to lag behind infections. The governor said last week he's "not looking at changing any of our existing rules or policies," but left the door open for cities and towns to implement restrictions as necessary.

Yet some Democrats who were among Baker's most vocal critics during the rocky vaccine rollout and at other points amid the pandemic tell me now's the time for the governor to be proactive.

"Clearly the virus isn't done with us," Amherst state Rep. Mindy Domb said, adding, "We need to increase access [to vaccines] and the numbers of people who are immunized, deploy more resources to produce vaccine acceptance, and we need to let people know we may have to revisit the no-mask-in-indoor-public-spaces [policy], including K-12 schools."

Covid rules — or the lack thereof — in schools this fall could become a problem for Baker. The state announced earlier this year it would drop all coronavirus-related protocols for the new school year and Baker said last week he has no plans to change that. But a dozen lawmakers recently sent him a letter urging mask mandates in elementary and early-education settings because children under 12 can't get vaccinated yet and Boston officials announced late last week that students and staff will be required to wear masks in schools this fall as the Delta variant drives up cases and national guidance changes.

Northampton state Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, who signed onto the letter to Baker, said "any basic reminder that Covid has not gone away would be extremely helpful as would real conversations about what the fall looks like if cases keep going up."

GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Speaking of Geoff Diehl, the GOP gubernatorial hopeful continues to walk a fine line when it comes to Donald Trump.

Diehl, who co-chaired Trump's campaign here in 2016, came out of the gate in the governor's race saying he wasn't actively seeking the ex-president's endorsement and distancing himself from Trump's stolen-election claims.

But on WCVB's "On the Record" Sunday, Diehl said if Trump runs for president again and his policies are the same, "I think I would support him."

And he now is making Baker's repudiations of Trump an issue in a would-be Republican primary.

The "real question ... is going to be why didn't Charlie Baker support the president and his policies," Diehl said. "I understand that some people don't like the way he talks and tweets. But at the same time, Charlie Baker never had a relationship with a Republican president and I think that's going to be a big factor in a Republican primary."

Diehl also seemed to imply he was "third-highest vote getter" in the 2018 state election behind Baker and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (who he lost to that year) and that he "beat people like Maura Healey."

Diehl garnered 979,507 votes in the November 2018 general election, while Warren got 1.63 million. Baker received 1.78 million votes that year. Healey got 1.87 million votes. And Secretary of State William Galvin topped them all with nearly 1.88 million. Diehl did get more votes than the Democratic nominee for governor that year, Jay Gonzalez, who received 886,281. Diehl's campaign later clarified that he meant he received the third-highest number of votes among Republicans running statewide in 2018.

TODAY — Boston Acting Mayor Kim Janey holds a 10 a.m. press conference in Mattapan to launch a pilot program to make the MBTA's 28 bus route fare free, offers remarks for the 10th anniversary of Blue Bikes at 11 a.m. in Copley Square, participates in Age Strong's "Meet the Mayor Series" at 1 p.m. and appears live on WBUR's Radio Boston at 3 p.m. Rep. Richard Neal makes a Small Business Administration aid announcement at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame at 11 a.m. The Legislature's public health and Covid-19 oversight committees host a joint hearing on preparing for child vaccinations at 11 a.m. Boston mayoral candidate John Barros hosts a meet-and-greet at 6:30 p.m. at the Toutwèl Restaurant.

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DATELINE BEACON HILL

– "Monday hearing to look at COVID, kids and schools," by Jim Morelli, Boston 25 News: "School districts in Massachusetts know when they'll be welcoming students back for the 2021-2022 academic year. What they suddenly don't know is what that year will look like, thanks to the sudden surge in Covid cases fueled by the Delta variant. … [state Rep. Marjorie Decker] wants state leaders to start talking about what the coming school year is looking like now."

– "Muni Matters: Remote Meetings Leave Questions, Hurdles for Small Towns," by Meg McIntyre, State House News Service (paywall): "[Shutesbury Town Clerk Grace Bannasch] thinks remote meeting access has been good for her town, boosting participation and keeping people informed during the public health crisis. But as lawmakers consider permanent guidelines around remote participation, she worries this system won't be sustainable long term."

– "The clock may be ticking on Barnstable County Sheriff's Office ICE contract," by Jeannette Hinkle, Cape Cod Times: "Barnstable County Sheriff James Cummings said this week he has no plans to end an arrangement that allows certain staff at his jail to serve as agents of the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ... Legislation filed on Beacon Hill calls for ending the use of 287(g) in Massachusetts, so the clock could be ticking on the Barnstable County Sheriff's Office contract with ICE."

VAX-ACHUSETTS

– "Provincetown leaders impose stricter mask rules Sunday amid COVID-19 case surge," by John Hilliard and Zoe Greenberg, Boston Globe: "Provincetown officials during an emergency meeting late Sunday afternoon approved a new indoor mask mandate and a measure clearing the way for stricter capacity limits on local businesses … Provincetown issued an indoor mask-wearing advisory early last week after reporting what health officials are calling a cluster, which has grown to include 551 cases as of Friday, including some caused by the more infectious Delta variant..."

– More from the Provincetown Banner's Michaela Chesin: "The indoor mask mandate will shift to an advisory when town officials see below a 3% positivity rate for over five days, according to the motion passed by the Select Board and Board of Health. Town officials are also looking into reinstating COVID-19 virus precautions such as an on-the-street ambassador program and increased communication about the virus threat."

– "Boston-area coronavirus wastewater tracker shows rise as Massachusetts cases jump: 'I'm worried'," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: "The Boston-area coronavirus wastewater tracker is again showing a rise in COVID-19 sewage samples as cases across Massachusetts spike amid the delta variant."

– "As VaxMillions drawing nears, doses continue decline," by Lily Robinson, CommonWealth Magazine: "One Massachusetts adult is about to become $1 million richer when the first VaxMillions winner is pulled on Monday. … The governor's office reported that nearly 2 million adults and 134,885 individuals ages 12 to 17 have entered the lottery. The total, just over 2 million, represents less than half of the 4.3 million people who are fully vaccinated in the state."

FROM THE HUB

– "Child-care crisis deepened in Boston during pandemic, report says," by Tonya Alanez, Boston Globe: "The supply of child-care seats fell by an average of 16 percent between March and September 2020, according to the report. East Boston and Brighton lost the largest number of seats, at around 30 percent. Back Bay and Beacon Hill lost a little over 1 percent of their seats."

– "Increase in homelessness and need for rental assistance expected with end of CDC eviction moratorium," by Alexi Cohan, Boston Herald: "An unprecedented wave of homelessness is expected to begin in just a week as the CDC's eviction moratorium is set to expire, experts say, and Boston shelters such as Women's Lunch Place are already slammed with people seeking rental assistance."

– "Kim Janey remains mum on releasing report on former Boston Police Union president's child rape charges," by Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald: "[Acting Mayor Kim] Janey said months ago that by June 17 — or 45 days after the Office of Police Accountability and Transparency's new executive director started her job — that the office would release the report. The acting mayor [last] week said the report would be released 'in the coming days,' but her office did not issue it by Friday evening."

THE RACE FOR CITY HALL

– "Essaibi George Wins No. 1 Spot On Boston's Preliminary Mayoral Ballot," by Saraya Wintersmith, GBH News: "At-Large Councilor Annissa Essaibi George will appear at the top of Boston's preliminary ballot for mayor, making her name the first that voters will see when they make their selections on Sept. 14. … Research suggests that ballot position can influence voter decisions and that the top of the ballot can command more votes."

– "All aboard the 'Wu Train'," by Brakkton Booker, POLITICO: In an interview with The Recast , City Councilor and mayoral hopeful Michelle Wu discusses Boston's historic mayor's race, the difficulties AAPI candidates face, the strides that have been made toward increasing representation in city government and the work that still needs to be done to address systemic inequities.

– FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Sunrise Boston has endorsed the following candidates for Boston City Council: Julia Mejia (incumbent) , Ruthzee Louijeune, David Halbert and Carla Monteiro for councilor at-large; Stephen McBride for District 3, Joel Richards for District 4 and Kendra Hicks for District 6.

– FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Boston District 3 City Councilor Frank Baker is endorsing Jon Spillane for City Council at-large, per Spillane's campaign. "I am proud to endorse Jon Spillane for Boston City Council due to his experience creating affordable housing and leading budget and constituent service initiatives at the City Council," Baker said in a statement.

DAY IN COURT

– "MassHealth employee fired after Facebook posts about Nazis and masks files lawsuit," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: "A former MassHealth employee who says she was fired for her Facebook posts about mask enforcement and her comparisons to Nazi Germany has filed a lawsuit against the state agency. Denise Foley filed the suit this week against MassHealth for wrongful termination and for violating her First Amendment rights."

WARREN REPORT

– "Sen. Elizabeth Warren touts infrastructure investment, housing at Falmouth meet and greet," by Asad Jung, Cape Cod Times: "Cape Cod can remain a vibrant place to live and work by investing in infrastructure and providing more and cheaper housing to maintain the workforce that is vital to the economy, Sen. Elizabeth Warren said in a wide-ranging interview with the Cape Cod Times."

TRUMPACHUSETTS

– "A Gathering For Trump Fans In Auburn Makes Little Noise, Spawns Small Counter-Protest," by Esteban Bustillos, GBH News: "The group known as Super Happy Fun America, probably best known for its 'straight pride parade' in Boston two years ago, organized what it called the 'Refounding Fathers Festival' at Century Sportsman's Club in Auburn to fundraise for those who participated in Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to prevent the certification of Donald Trump's defeat in the 2020 presidential election. … around two dozen demonstrators organized by LGBTQ advocacy organization MassEquality gathered to denonce the meeting."

– More: "Divided they stand: 'Refounding Fathers' event in Auburn lures Trump fans, protesters," by Cyrus Moulton, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: "A 'Refounding Fathers' event brought a crowd to Auburn Saturday: both attendees who called it a patriotic 'networking' event, and protesters who called the organizer, Super Happy Fun America, a 'hate group.'"

IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN

– "Salem newcomer to offshore wind conversation," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll said the city's harbor is ideally suited for offshore wind projects because it has a deep-water channel and no bridges, power lines, or breakwaters that could restrict large vessels from coming and going."

FROM THE 413

– "Pittsfield, North Adams among plaintiffs to claim settlements from Sackler payout over opioid crisis. But, how much?" by Heather Bellow, Berkshire Eagle: "Like all the plaintiffs who agreed to the settlement, the city will pump this money into programs and services that address addiction and treatment. … In Pittsfield, Mayor Linda Tyer's office referred questions to City Solicitor Stephen Pagnotta, who said he can't answer to what specific programs the money will fund, or how much is coming, since 'the details are still foggy.' But, he said whatever it is won't be enough."

MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

– "Republicans are desperate for Gov. Chris Sununu to run for Senate. What's stopping him?" by Henry J. Gomez, NBC News: "Sununu lamented how Trump has inspired candidates and conspiracy theorists who care more about yelling on Fox News than advancing conservative ideas that once defined the party. He has thought about how he might elevate the discourse. … Sununu then rolled his eyes at a comparison to Govs. Charlie Baker of Massachusetts and Larry Hogan of Maryland, fellow Republicans who've resisted the party's push toward Trump. He considers both friends, but he also believes they made political calculations to suit their more liberal constituencies, in contrast to his approach. 'I think Hogan and Baker went out of their way: 'Can I be first to bash former President Trump?'' Sununu said."

– "Sununu signs 'medical freedom' immunization bill," by the Associated Press: "New Hampshire residents can't be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to access public facilities, benefits or services under a bill signed into law by Gov. Chris Sununu."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– "A Black entrepreneur wanted to find success in the Seaport. Instead she had to go to New York. Her business is taking off," by Shirley Leung, Boston Globe: "Courtney Blagrove's oat-milk ice cream is all the rage. ... Blagrove is entertaining expansion opportunities from California to Florida, but success is bittersweet: She wanted her first brick-and-mortar shop to be in Boston, where she cofounded Whipped Urban Dessert Lab. But plans to be in the Seaport District were stymied after she ran into trouble dealing with her landlord, WS Development, over a 200-square-foot space."

– "'This is not the end': Advocates reflect on FDA's ban on the use of electric shock devices used at Judge Rotenberg Center being overturned," by Heather Morrison, MassLive.com: "In 2020, advocates felt like they got a win when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned the devices. Earlier this month, that ban was overturned. … 'We had hope that an end might be in sight. And to have that hope seemingly crushed, at least for now, was a devastating experience.'"

– "Working at an Amazon warehouse is a tough job. It's the first of many problems facing injured workers," by Harry August and Julia Rock, Boston Globe: "The Fall River warehouse has one of the highest rates of worker injuries in Amazon's sprawling national network of distribution centers, data show. … As Amazon continues to expand in Massachusetts, including building a warehouse in North Andover twice the size of the Fall River one (and receiving $27 million in tax subsidies to do so), a coalition of labor groups in the state is demanding better working conditions at the new warehouses."

– "Unarmed police alternative initiatives picking up steam in Massachusetts," by Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald: "Some Massachusetts communities are moving toward creating unarmed emergency response teams, a move heralded by proponents of police reform — as long as the necessary efforts are made to keep the health-care workers safe. … experts say it will be crucial to properly train dispatchers to assess the dangerousness of a situation."

– "Businessman pushes banks to add people of color to boards," by Ron Chimelis, Springfield Republican: "Years before issues of race relations and equity became daily and dominant themes in media, Ron Davis was pushing for more diversity and inclusion at the higher levels of American business. He still is."

– IN MEMORIAM: "Robert Parris Moses, civil rights legend who founded the Algebra Project, dies at 86," by Bryan Marquard, Boston Globe.

– IN MEMORIAM: "Boston Marathon pioneer Gloria Ratti remembered as 'First Lady of our sport'," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald.

TRANSITIONS – Tanner Stening, formerly of MassLive, will join Northeastern as a reporter in August. Tweet.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Tamara Small and Hadley Holmes. Happy belated to Jane Rayburn of EMC Research, who celebrated Friday.

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