News: Covid metrics are rising again. Now what?

Thursday, May 19, 2022

Covid metrics are rising again. Now what?

May 19, 2022

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MASK CONFUSION — Federal health officials now say a third of Americans live in counties where the risk of Covid-19 is high enough that they should consider masking up indoors in public. A new, even more contagious Omicron variant with the ability to evade immunity is driving wastewater and case rates in Massachusetts up to levels not seen since the tail end of the first Omicron surge in January.

Now a group of public health experts and community organizers, led by the Massachusetts Coalition for Health Equity, is urging the Baker administration to issue an advisory recommending people to mask up in indoor public spaces and avoid large gatherings. But the governor doesn't seem keen on a widespread mask advisory or mandate.

Other infectious disease doctors are more focused on personal responsibility. With vaccines, boosters and therapeutics that range from monoclonal antibodies to antivirals like Paxlovid, mask mandates in schools or offices are "less relevant" now, Dr. Todd Ellerin, director of infectious diseases and chief of medicine at South Shore Health, said on this week's episode of "The Horse Race" podcast.

"Masks definitely decrease transmission. Is it important to mask indoors? It is," Ellerin said. "But it's also the balance of the pandemic fatigue and knowing that a lot of us just aren't going to mask anymore. I think that as long as people who are the most vulnerable are masking when they need to, I think mandates are less relevant now than they were before."

Ellerin said getting vaccinated and testing remain key. But as the virus evolves, so does the logic about what vaccines are meant to accomplish.

"The goal is no longer to prevent infection in the general population," Ellerin said. "It's to prevent severe illness."

GOOD THURSDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Abortion rights groups from across the country are joining Sen. Ed Markey's push to expand the Supreme Court.

Reproductive Equity Now's Rebecca Hart Holder will join Markey, Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) and abortion rights groups from Ohio to Missouri on a press call today to discuss the court crusade that's seen an uptick in interest since POLITICO published a draft Supreme Court majority opinion that would strike down Roe v. Wade.

In Congress, six more representatives have signed onto the House version of the Judiciary Act in the days since the draft opinion dropped, bringing the total number of cosponsors to 56.

But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has historically been cool to the concept. And Markey's companion bill in the Senate remains stalled at just two cosponsors, Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Tina Smith (D-Minn.).

Still, as the potential rollback of Roe spurs abortion rights groups to push to expand the court, activists say upcoming rulings in other cases — like one that could limit the EPA's authority to regulate certain emissions — could motivate more advocacy groups to join the call.

TODAY — Baker joins Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, Delaware Gov. John Carney, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Vermont Gov. Phil Scott for a NGA discussion on computer science education at 9:15 a.m. at Hotel Commonwealth; a media availability follows at 10:30 a.m.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu tours the Horace Mann School at 9 a.m., announces members of the Black Men and Boys Commission at 11 a.m. at City Hall and speaks at the U.S. Holocaust Museum Boston Luncheon at 12:30 p.m. Rep. Ayanna Pressley testifies on her FIX Clemency Act before a House Judiciary subcommittee at 9 a.m. GOP gubernatorial rivals Geoff Diehl and Chris Doughty are both on Bloomberg Baystate Business ahead of Saturday's MassGOP convention. Former Boston Acting Mayor Kim Janey speaks and receives an honorary degree at MassArt's commencement.

Tips? Scoops? Does anybody read this part? Email me: lkashinsky@politico.com.

A message from PhRMA:

Thousands of scientists in Massachusetts are creating ground-breaking treatments to fight everything from the common cold to cancer. Gov. Charlie Baker's bill would let the government set prices on medications, limiting the amount of research scientists can do to create cures. More importantly, it might make some medications harder to get. Gov. Baker: let the scientists do their jobs, don't discriminate against patients, and stop threatening access to medications. Go to SupportMassCures.com to learn more.

THE LATEST NUMBERS

— "Boston-area COVID wastewater data keeps shooting up, Massachusetts hospitalizations jump again," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: "[T]he state Department of Public Health on Wednesday reported 3,948 new COVID cases, similar to last Wednesday's total of 3,996 infections."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

— ABOUT THAT GAS TAX HOLIDAY: Gov. Charlie Baker appears to be revving up his calls to suspend the state's 24-cents-per-gallon gas tax as prices at the pump keep climbing.

"If we were to suspend the gas tax, the cost of gas would drop by 25 cents a gallon, and that would make a huge difference for a lot of those folks," Baker told reporters in Salem yesterday, after telling Playbook earlier this week that Beacon Hill "should be talking about" a gas tax holiday.

— More: "As gas prices rise, food delivery drivers feel the sting," by Zinnia Maldonado, CBS Boston: "Services such as Uber Eats and DoorDash have recently added temporary fuel surcharges as a way to help cut costs for drivers, but they say it doesn't help."

— "House lawmakers to consider moratorium on constructing correctional facilities," by Laura Crimaldi and Matt Stout, Boston Globe: "House lawmakers on Thursday are expected to vote on a plan that would impose a five-year moratorium on new construction for jails and prisons. The proposal, written into a $4.8 billion government operations bond bill, could upend Governor Charlie Baker's potential plans to build a new women's prison. A proposal for one has been under consideration since 2019, but administration officials said this week they had not decided whether to pursue the project."

— "Massachusetts auto body techs demanding higher pay surround Beacon Hill," by Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald: "Auto body repair mechanics crashed the State House Wednesday, joined by dozens of tow trucks circling the building, horns blaring, to push for a pay hike on what the industry says are the lowest-in-the nation reimbursement rates."

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VAX-ACHUSETTS

— "As COVID surges again, Boston hospitals are not — so far — strained like they were amid omicron," by Christopher Gavin, Boston.com: "As Boston weathers another surge of COVID-19 cases, the city's largest hospital systems have so far not felt the strain quite like what they experienced last winter — but officials are nonetheless concerned about rising cases, according to Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, executive director of the Boston Public Health Commission."

— "New COVID-19 cases put Berkshire County among hardest-hit areas in continental U.S.," by Larry Parnass, Berkshire Eagle: "New daily cases of COVID-19 in Berkshire County pushed the region this week to the top of national lists, second only to a Connecticut county in the continental U.S. As of Wednesday, even as newly confirmed cases fell, Berkshire County was behind only Middlesex County in Connecticut based on the number of new infections per 100,000 population, a standard measure."

FROM THE HUB

— "Laptops were used in three Boston school assaults recently, raising concerns about student safety," by Andrea Estes, Boston Globe: "They have been powerful educational tools, but in some Boston Public School students' hands, Chromebooks have become something else lately: powerful weapons. Over less than a week — between April 28 and May 3 — three students at three different schools were struck in the head by Chromebook-wielding assailants. … But the school department did not report the incidents to the police, police reports show, leaving that job to the victims' parents, and raising concerns that Boston schools are not doing enough to protect students."

— "Homegrown food services coming to Boston Public Schools," by Saraya Wintersmith, GBH News: "Mayor Michelle Wu announced Wednesday a new food services agreement for Boston Public Schools that represents the largest non-construction contract the city has awarded to a certified Black-owned business. Beginning July 1, City Fresh will provide breakfast, lunch, after-school meals, fresh snacks and summer meals for BPS. The contract carries a projected value of more than $17 million, according to the mayor's office."

— "Boston City Council passes resolution opposing state takeover," by Christopher Huffaker, Boston Globe: "Boston City Council voted Wednesday afternoon to oppose a state takeover of the city's schools, amidst the state's second review of the district in less than three years. … Two councilors, Michael Flaherty and Frank Baker, opposed the resolution but allowed the unanimous consent needed to pass the order at the same meeting it was submitted. Flaherty and Baker both said they opposed a complete state takeover, but advocated for a 'middle ground' such as a partnership with the state or targeted interventions in particular areas of concern, like transportation and safety."

— "Boston City Council tees up hearing on civilian flaggers, cites 'systemic racism'," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "City Councilors are bringing back the idea of civilian flaggers for construction projects, arguing that it's a great way to help with Black unemployment in the city. City Councilor Kendra Lara entered the hearing order, which cited 'systemic racism' and the murder of George Floyd in her appeal for civilian flaggers."

A message from PhRMA:

CAMPAIGN MODE

— FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Philanthropist and activist Barbara Lee is endorsing Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll for lieutenant governor, NAACP Boston Branch President Tanisha Sullivan for secretary of state and former Boston City Councilor Andrea Campbell for state attorney general. Lee previously endorsed Attorney General Maura Healey for governor.

— Jesse Lederman, vice president of the Springfield City Council and chair of the Democratic City Committee, has endorsed Quentin Palfrey for state attorney general.

— Two-dozen school committee members from across Massachusetts, including Somerville School Committee Chair Andre Green, have endorsed state Sen. Adam Hinds for lieutenant governor.

— FROM THE OPINION PAGES: "Numbers don't lie: Even in Mass., GOP candidates are outpacing Democrats," by Joan Vennochi, Boston Globe: "Direct from the very blue state of Massachusetts comes another warning to Democrats about voter discontent. According to Secretary of State William F. Galvin, individual Republican candidates running for statewide office have collected thousands more signatures than their Democratic opponents as part of the process required to get on the ballot."

— "Healey for Governor team hires self-described undocumented political director," by Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald: "Republican gubernatorial hopeful Geoff Diehl is blasting a new hire by Attorney General Maura Healey's campaign who identifies himself as an 'Undoc DREAMer' on his social media profile, a charge the AG threw back at him as a taking page out of the 'Trump playbook.'"

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

— WHEELS IN MOTION: The MBTA's redesigned bus system would increase service by 25 percent overall and 70 percent on weekends, add more connections and improve service in places like Roxbury, Everett and Chelsea.

But the T is also heading for a fiscal cliff. So how can this decades-in-the-making revamp happen, financially speaking?

"We actually baked into our pro forma — our five-year kind of capital plan — the additional 25 percent increase in the operating budget that will start in five years, and we'll kind of build up to that over the next five years," Caroline Vanasse, project manager for the MBTA's bus network redesign, said on this week's episode of "The Horse Race." "If you hear our general manager or the secretary talk about this, they are committed to this and they are going to do what they can to ensure that we have those funds available to prioritize this initiative."

Public meetings on the proposed redesign start tonight. A final map is expected in the fall, with the bus route overhaul set to begin in spring 2023 and roll out over a five-year period.

— "MBTA rolls out new fines targeting fare evaders," by Christian M. Wade, Newburyport News: "The MBTA is proposing to set new fines for people who skip paying fares and cost the state's public transit agency tens of millions of dollars a year. Under the proposed regulations, which were unveiled on Wednesday, the T police would be authorized to issue non-criminal citations to riders caught not paying their fares on buses, the commuter rail and subways. Violators will be hit with a $50 fine for the first violation, and $100 for subsequent violations. … Riders caught fraudulently misusing a reduced fare T card could be fined $75 for a first violation and $150 for subsequent offenses."

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DAY IN COURT

— "Monica Cannon-Grant, indicted for fraud in her management of charity Violence in Boston, requests speedy trial," by Flint McColgan, Boston Herald: "Monica Cannon-Grant, the embattled head of the nonprofit Violence in Boston that prosecutors say she and her husband used as their own personal piggy bank, wants the government to get on with a speedy trial."

— "U.S. Postal Service worker attempted to bribe Massachusetts supervisor with cash left in Dunkin' bag to help distribute cocaine in mail, officials say," by Heather Morrison, MassLive: "A mail carrier in Lowell attempted to bribe his supervisor to be part of a scheme to help distribute cocaine in the mail with cash hidden inside a Dunkin' bag, officials say. However, the bribe didn't work."

— "Inside the Jasiel Correia trial with the man who put him behind bars," by Dan Medeiros, Herald News: "In an interview with The Herald News, lead prosecutor Zachary Hafer dishes on Jasiel Correia, Gen Andrade and the one regret he has from the trial."

IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN

— "Salem offshore wind facility gets major cash infusion from state," by Dustin Luca, Salem News: "State leaders want the offshore wind industry up and running in Salem sooner rather than later, and they're throwing $45 million at the city to take some immediate first steps. Gov. Charlie Baker, flanked by members of his administration and local officials, announced Wednesday during a press conference on Blaney Street wharf that $100 million from a $1.7 billion supplemental budget proposal would go toward port development in New Bedford, Salem and Somerset."

MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS

— "Mass. House approves sweeping marijuana reforms on 153-2 vote," by Dan Adams, Boston Globe: "The 153-2 vote in favor of the bill, which largely mirrors legislation approved by the state Senate in April, came on the same day regulators announced that total recreational pot sales in Massachusetts have surpassed $3 billion — underscoring the high stakes of any tweaks to the rules governing the industry. Among other provisions, the changes would allow cities and towns to opt in to hosting marijuana cafés, steer a significant chunk of state pot tax revenue to so-called equity applicants trying to get their small cannabis businesses off the ground, crack down on controversial local fees charged to marijuana operators while easing their state tax burden, and make it easier for former defendants to wipe away old marijuana charges."

FROM THE 413

— "Amherst Town Council calls on Biden to cancel student debt," by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: "Amherst's Town Council is making an appeal to President Joe Biden to cancel all student debt, joining Northampton's City Council in passing such a resolution."

— POLLING TIME: UMass Amherst pollsters say backing for police reform and the Black Lives Matter movement is waning. Support for reducing funds for state and local police departments to instead spend on social services dropped to 31 percent from 38 percent, when compared to a similar poll the university conducted in April 2021, according to a new survey. Support for banning the use of military-grade equipment by state and local police also declined, dropping to 42 percent from 48 percent. But the survey also found that while support for these positions fell, opposition to them only increased marginally and in some cases decreased. A lot of people were undecided.

A message from PhRMA:

Massachusetts is a booming biotech ecosystem. Its scientists and researchers are developing ground-breaking treatments to fight everything from the common cold to cancer.

Gov. Charlie Baker's bill imposes government prices on medications, which would then limit the amount of research scientists can do to create lifesaving treatments. By setting medication prices, it also means politicians decide which patients and diseases are more important than others.

State bureaucrats should not be playing doctor. When the government imposes artificial prices from the top-down, some patients can lose access to their medications. Seniors, the disabled, and the chronically ill are most vulnerable to these policies.

Gov. Baker: let the scientists and doctors do their jobs, don't discriminate against patients, and stop threatening access to medications. Go to SupportMassCures.com to learn more.

THE LOCAL ANGLE

— "It is happening here: Massachusetts has a growing neo-Nazi movement," by Phillip Martin, GBH News: "The Nationalist Social Club is a locally grown hate group that has been stepping out of the shadows and into the streets in and around Boston in recent months. 131 is alphanumeric code for ACA, or Anti Communist Action. … NSC-131 and the Patriot Front, another white supremacist group, have been the most active, according to anti-extremist researchers. The organizations compete with each other for attention across the region. Members of NSC-131 and the Patriot Front also took part in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C."

— "Massachusetts confirms rare monkeypox case, the first in the US this year," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: "A Massachusetts man who recently traveled out of the country has tested positive for the rare monkeypox virus infection and is now being hospitalized in Boston, health officials confirmed on Wednesday as an outbreak emerges in Europe."

— "McAnneny to step down as head of Mass. Taxpayers Foundation," by Greg Ryan and Steph Solis, Boston Business Journal: "Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation President Eileen McAnneny, one of the top advocates for businesses on Beacon Hill, plans to step down from the organization at the end of 2022. McAnneny has led the foundation since 2015, the first woman to do so in the organization's 90-year history. The foundation's board of directors has formed a search committee to find her replacement as president."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to state representative candidate and Brookline Select Board Vice Chair Raul Fernandez; Sydney Simon of Rep. Seth Moulton's office; NBC10/NECN's dynamic duo Alison King and Sean Colahan, and Stephanie Nigro.

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