COVID-19: May 6, 2020 Update From Representative Dykema
May 6 Coronavirus Update
Physical distancing and the stay at home advisory has made it challenging to feel connected to each other and to our community. This has also posed challenges in my work as your Representative, since my effectiveness relies on regularly interacting with my constituents and understanding their needs and concerns. Traditionally, I’ve stayed connected at community events and in local coffee shops. Now, I’m doing it remotely. I’ve appreciated all of the questions and thoughts you’ve sent me via email, phone call, or social media and your engagement has been, and is invaluable in my ability to represent you.
To help continue this dialogue, I’ve begun compiling responses to some frequently asked questions that my office has been receiving. I hope the responses will provide helpful context as you continue to assimilate information from a range of reliable sources. The first Q & A responses are included below, and I’ll continue to respond to new questions in future newsletters.
Frequently Asked Questions
As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, the questions evolve with it. Most recently, I’ve begun receiving questions about how and when the state will begin to return to “normal” and related issues. While the level of uncertainty makes it difficult to answer many of your questions directly, I hope the following Q & A will provide some context to help anticipate what may come next.
When is the state going to re-open?
Massachusetts is currently operating under a stay-at-home advisory until May 18th. This policy is based on guidance from top public health and medical experts, who in Massachusetts are some of the best in the world. They continue to advise the Governor and support evidence-based responses.
The Governor has stated that there needs to be a sustained downward trend in key indices before we can move forward with a reopening plan. Federal guidance requires 14 days of “downward trajectory” in reported cases and symptoms, along with clear and robust planning for testing, contact tracing, and worker safety.
In Massachusetts, COVID-19 hospitalization numbers have been a metric that the Secretary of Health and Human Services has highlighted as a key indicator trend. During our “surge” period, hospitalization numbers peaked around 3,900 patients, and although recent data has shown a net decrease in hospitalizations, we still have over 3,500 patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Recent day-by-day data have seen flat numbers or slight increases, so this isn’t yet a sustained downward trend. You can monitor several key trends on the daily chart below that is regularly included in this newsletter.
Massachusetts has been hit disproportionately hard by this pandemic. The CDC reports that we are currently #3 in the country for total cases and #4 in the country in total deaths. When we start to see news of other states and countries implementing reopening plans, it is important to remember that some areas of the country have not been impacted as greatly as we have. The policies that we adopt in Massachusetts are direct reflections of and responses to our unique circumstances.
Why are masks being required in public spaces?
As Governor Baker likes to say in his daily press conferences, masks are “more to protect others from you, than to protect you from others.”
Although there is not yet conclusive research on the percentage of the population who are asymptomatic – carrying the virus but never showing symptoms – we know that the numbers are significant. By requiring everyone to wear a face covering, we are ensuring that those who have and could unknowingly transmit the virus, are prevented from doing so. Specifically, the order indicates that if you are in a public place and are not completely certain you can maintain at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and others, you should be waring a face covering. The full language of the Governor’s statewide mask and face covering order that takes effect today can be found here. Some towns may have local guidance that exceeds the requirements of the state order.
While the Reopening Advisory Board hasn’t yet issued their recommendations for a reopening plan, an extended period of widespread mask use will very likely be part of any plan that’s eventually adopted.
More questions and answers will be published tomorrow.
New Updates
Below is a summary of the most recent efforts to respond to the wide range of needs in our communities. For a summary of previously issued guidance and state restrictions related to the coronavirus epidemic, visit mass.gov/coronavirus. For previous updates visit carolyndykema.com/covid19.
Coronavirus Testing and Response
- There are 72,025 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth, with 1,754 new cases and 4,420 deaths as of today at 4pm.
- Overall, over 339,000 tests have been conducted by public and private sources. 28% of the 6,290 tests reported today were positive.
- 3,564 individuals are hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide, an increase of 22 from yesterday.
- The Department of Public Health has regularly released a daily reporting dashboard containing detailed information on hospitalizations, demographic data, and county-by-county breakdowns of cases. To view the DPH dashboard, visit here.
Local Update
- The Department of Public Health has released this weekly town-by-town COVID-19 case through May 5. Our communities’ confirmed cases are below:
- Holliston: 42
- Hopkinton: 104
- Southborough: 35
- Westborough: 251
- You can download the full list of cases by city/town here.
Health Care
- Hospital Capacity: As of 5/6, 52% of the Commonwealth’s 18,300 permanent and temporary hospital beds are available for new patients if needed. In the MetroWest region, 38% of the region’s 2,600 beds are available for new patients.
- Personal Protective Equipment: PPE distribution continues across the Commonwealth, with over 1,415,000 pieces of PPE distributed in the MetroWest region, including 292,000 N95/KN95 masks and 136 ventilators.
- Mobile testing: The MA National Guard mobile testing unit continues to visit and conduct test at the Commonwealth’s long-term care facilities, having made 569 visits and conducted 31,851 tests as of 5/6.
Economy and Workforce
- In recognition of the changing dynamics of the economy, business operations, and the possibility of some employees returning to work, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development has released guidance and frequently asked questions for employers and employees.
- In addition to the Department of Unemployment Assistance’s regular virtual unemployment town halls in English and Spanish, DUA will be holding a special virtual town hall in Portuguese tomorrow, 5/7, at 4pm.
Legislative Update
- Today, the House of Representatives met for the first time in a remote formal session (formal sessions allow full chamber votes to be held) and voted unanimously to pass legislation authorizing the Treasurer to proceed with borrowing to address current budget gaps created by delays in tax deadlines. The bill now travels to the Senate for consideration.
Additional Items
- As a reminder, manufacturing businesses looking to transition functions or begin producing PPE and other priority equipment are eligible to apply for Massachusetts Emergency Response Team funding through the Mass Tech Collaborative. Funding can be used for equipment, materials, or workforce training purposes and a list of priority items is included on the grant website.
Local Resources
All of our towns now have centralized COVID-19 resource page with resources, updates, and alerts regarding town services.
Holliston | Hopkinton | Southborough | Westborough
The Department of Public Health also releases weekly reports on town-by-town COVID-19 case numbers and rates, which can be found online here.
Resources for Residents Experiencing Job Loss or Loss of Income
COVID-19 is causing broad disruption to the economy which is affecting incomes of many residents and families. There are a number of state resources and supports available to support workers who may find themselves unemployed or otherwise income-constrained during this uncertain time.
Guide for job/income loss resources: https://carolyndykema.com/covid19-state-resources
Department of Unemployment Assistance: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-unemployment-assistance
Department of Transitional Assistance: https://www.mass.gov/dta-covid-19-resources-and-support
How You Can Help
Holliston Youth and Family Services requests your support of the Community Action Fund, which provides emergency assistance to those affected by COVID-19. Learn more or donate here.
The Westborough Rotary Club has launched a COVID-19 Community Relief Fund to provide assistance to those affected by COVID-19. Learn more or donate here.
The American Red Cross is asking for blood donations, the need for which is significant due to blood drive cancellations.The need is dire due to the cancellation of hundreds of blood drives. People can donate at the Worcester American Red Cross Donor Center, 381 Plantation St. Worcester or call 1-800-RED CROSS. Some local donor sites, including the Natick Senior Center, are available for appointments as well.
Information on our local food pantries can be found below. The most pressing need right now is cash donations to ensure that food drop-off and delivery do not inadvertently contribute to the spread of the virus.
Holliston Pantry Shelf | Project Just Because | Southborough Food Pantry | Westborough Food Pantry
Current Statewide Advisories
Stay at Home: Due to evolving spread of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, Governor Baker has directed the Department of Public Health to issue a stay at home advisory. Residents are advised to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel and other unnecessary activities until May 18th. Residents over 70 years of age or with underlying health conditions, who are considered at high risk when exposed to COVID-19, should limit social interactions with other people unless absolutely necessary.
Face Covering: To maintain behaviors that limit the spread of COVID-19 and to prepare for the precautions necessary once the state begins to reopen, Governor Baker has issued an advisory requiring masks or cloth face coverings in public indoor and outdoor spaces in situations where social distancing is not possible. The full advisory and detailed guidance can be found online.
A list of all executive orders in place during the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 state of emergency can be found here.
