How Massachusetts Hospitals Are Preparing For The Predicted Increase In Coronavirus Cases
Governor Charlie Baker stepped up the official response to coronavirus Sunday, as he announced the closure of all schools statewide for three weeks, banned public gatherings of more than 25 people and ordered all restaurants to operate on a take-out basis only. To discuss how Massachusetts hospitals and health care workers are preparing for an increase in cases — the extent of which is still a big unknown — Jim Braude was joined via Skype by Ann Prestipino, senior vice president of Surgery, Anesthesia, and Emergency Medicine at Mass General Hospital.
Mayor Walsh On Declaring A Public Health Emergency In Boston Over Coronavirus
Mayor Marty Walsh declared a public health emergency over the weekend, setting a mandatory 11 p.m. closing time for all restaurants, bars and coffee shops — a move that was later overshadowed by Gov. Baker’s decision Sunday night to close all such establishments during the outbreak, making them operate on a delivery-only basis. Today, Marty Walsh continued the city’s efforts to encourage social distancing and hopefully slow the spread of the disease, announcing the suspension of construction in the city, the closure of several Boston Centers for Youth and Families sites, and the closure of all library branches, as well as the creation of a fund help families most impacted by the coronavirus. Jim Braude was joined by Mayor Marty Walsh to discuss all this and more.
Rep. Katherine Clark Calls For Congressional Action To Help Families Hit By COVID-19 Repercussions
The House passed a bill early Saturday morning aimed at easing the financial burden of coronavirus on families, with provisions to strengthen the safety net and increase sick leave availability for those who were hit the hardest by the shutdown of businesses and drop in consumer spending across the country. The legislation negotiated by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin was intended to be bipartisan in order to facilitate its quick passage through the Republican-controlled Senate, but so far its future looks uncertain. To discuss this and more, Jim Braude was joined by Congresswoman Katherine Clark.
