My message to Boston: Help us save lives and stop the spread of COVID-19
On Sunday, April 5, 2020 I shared an update with residents: COVID-19 (coronavirus) will impact all of us. In Boston, we’re taking stricter measures to ensure we do our part to flatten the curve, stop the spread of the virus, and save lives.
Remarks from Sunday, April 5, 2020.
As of yesterday, the state has confirmed 11,736 cases of coronavirus and 216 deaths. In Boston, we are up to 1,877 cases — that’s up 259 over Saturday, our largest single day increase.
And we had 2 new deaths, for a total of 15 Boston residents who have died. What that means is: in the last 48 hours, we have had 511 new cases, over 27% of our total cases so far. And we have had 5 deaths.
That’s what a surge looks like. And we are still near the beginning.
As I’ve said before, this is an unprecedented situation. It has asked a lot from all of us. It’s going to ask more from us over the next few weeks. I am confident that Boston is rising to this challenge.
We continue to draw our inspiration from the front line heroes who are keeping us safe. And we continue to follow the recommendations of public health experts who are learning from outcomes around the world and gathering data in our own city.
As of this weekend: We have new data on the surge of cases that’s begun here in Boston and Massachusetts. We have updated models of what the curve could look like over the next 2 weeks. And we have new guidance from the CDC and local health experts about what we should do to protect our community.
What the data continues to show is that right now, every single day is critical to saving lives in our city. And what the models continue to show is that distancing will make the difference.
So we need to keep doing what we’ve been doing. And we need to do it even better.
For that reason, I’m going to announce: new, stronger Stay at Home guidelines to help us do that.
These go into effect April 6 and run through May 4, which matches the current state Advisory.
First, we are asking everyone to wear a face covering whenever you leave your home. That means shopping. That means going for a walk. That means working on a construction site. Anything outside your home. This is the new CDC recommendation for slowing the spread of the virus.
It’s important that we preserve medical-grade masks for healthcare workers and direct responders. But we can all help slow the spread by covering our faces.
It’s important to understand that a covering does not protect you from infection. Physical distance is still 100% necessary. You need to keep at least 6 feet from other people, even when wearing a face covering. But face coverings will help slow the spread of the virus.
That’s because up to 25% of people who are infected are not showing symptoms.
Many are still out and about, because they don’t feel sick. So the more of us who wear coverings, the more effective this strategy will be. The covering can be a scarf, bandanna, or other type of cloth. It should cover your mouth and nose and allow you to breathe comfortably. We will provide face coverings to city employees who must work outside the home. And we are going to provide advice and resources for anyone who needs help getting or making a covering.
Employees who work in settings where personal protective equipment guidelines have already been issued should continue to use PPE in accordance with those guidelines.
The face covering I am going to be wearing today is made by City Councilor Annissa Essaibi George. She is part of the Boston Area Mask Initiative, who are collecting masks from hundreds of volunteers and giving them to people in need — including, hospitals, medical staff, and direct service workers. Thank you to Karen Foley and Stephanie Cave, who started this effort.
Second, we are strengthening the state’s Stay Home advisory by adding a recommended curfew for at least the next 3 weeks in Boston.
The Boston Public Health Commission is issuing a Public Health Advisory recommending that people stay inside between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., starting tomorrow night. It applies to everyone except essential workers. This gives people a clear guideline to help them plan their day, make good choices, and avoid crowded situations. We have seen too many unnecessary trips in the evenings and social distancing problems as people order and wait for their take-out at restaurants. If you are getting food from a restaurant after 9 p.m. we ask you to use delivery services as much as possible.
And to be clear, at any time of day: only go out for essentials. If you are at a grocery store, pharmacy, or restaurant: you’re not going in a group; you’re not there to browse for extra items or socializing; you’re there to get what you need and get home.
I can also share new steps we are taking at City Hall. Starting this week, City Hall will only be open to the public on Tuesdays and Fridays, 9 am to 5 pm. This week only it’s open Monday, i.e. tomorrow. And we will be closed this Friday for Good Friday.
In addition, everyone entering the building — employees and members of the public — will be subject to screening for COVID symptoms, including elevated temperature. It is still the case that you should only come in for services not available by phone or online. And you must call ahead to make an appointment.
The pause on non-essential construction work remains in place. And I want to say to developers and general contractors: Even if your job site is allowed to function under the current guidance — if you don’t absolutely have to work right now, shut it down. We are at the beginning of the surge. Every step we take to limit the number of people working together will make a difference. If you can wait a few weeks, wait a few weeks. Use common sense. Put people before profits.
Finally, we are going to close the sports facilities at all City parks, such as basketball, tennis and street hockey courts. People are continuing to gather and we simply have to take away the option.
You will still have access to the open spaces where you can practice physical distancing, as you walk or run. But no group activities should take place anywhere, and that includes fitness classes in open spaces.
We have posted signs in all our parks and playgrounds and we are locking up or disabling equipment.
And as a reminder: police officers ARE empowered to disperse gatherings under the state advisory; and they CAN order people to vacate closed sections of parks and if it needs to come to this—they can issue a violation.
But, it shouldn’t have to come to that. We are urging people to use common sense, so that police are not put in a position where they need to do this. Ultimately, this is about doing what we have been doing; but doing it better.
So let me repeat the basics:
Stay at home. Only go out to get essential supplies — food and medicine.
When you do go out: maintain 6 feet from other people in public. If you’re in the supermarket or on the sidewalk, be aware of your surroundings. Don’t be that person strolling down the middle of the aisle and making everyone else move. Let’s use some teamwork. If someone is approaching, alter your path or look for a safe place to step aside. Give each other space.
There should be no gatherings or crowds, anywhere, for any reason. If you see crowded conditions where you’re headed, turn around and change your plans.
No visiting or meeting up with friends or family who are not part of your household. Period.
Wash your hands often, with soap and warm water. Use hand sanitizer. If you come in from being out, wash up immediately, and disinfect anything you touch. If you need to scratch your nose or wipe your mouth, stop and wash your hands first.
Cover your cough and your sneeze.
Wear those face coverings outside of the house.
And remember: if you live with an elderly person or someone with a health condition: every time you go out, you put them in danger until you have washed your hands, changed your clothes, cleaned your door handles and surfaces.
I want to speak directly to people who are at higher risk: our seniors and people with health conditions. We are asking everyone to do all they can to avoid transmitting the virus to you. We are also reminding you to take extra precautions. Only go out when absolutely necessary. That means food and medications. For the next couple of weeks, instead of taking a walk, exercise inside your home. We can help if you need advice or services. Call 311.
I want to remind everyone what some of the underlying health conditions are, and how common they are. Asthma; diabetes; heart conditions; kidney or liver disease; cancer treatment — these are not rare conditions. We all know people who have them. Over 11% of Boston residents have asthma. In Roxbury and Dorchester, it’s 15%. And 1 in 4 of our high school students citywide. Wherever you are in our city, you need to realize how many vulnerable people are all around you.
That brings me to our youth and young adults. I want to address you directly as well. So far in Boston, nearly 45% of positive tests are in people under the age of 40. And we are now seeing more cases of severe illness in young people. But whether you get sick or not, you have to take responsibility. You have to follow these guidelines. Otherwise, if you live with a grandparent, you put them at risk. If your parent is over 60 or has a health condition, you put them at risk. If you have a brother or sister with asthma, you put them at risk.
It’s not normal for me to get up and scare people as the mayor of Boston. But this is not a normal situation. This is a moment when we need people’s attention. We need you to know and share this information. And we need to act on it, together, as one city, right now and in the days ahead.
We are doing everything it takes to be ready for this surge. I want to give you an update on our work expanding treatment capacity in our healthcare system. We are making swift progress at the Convention Center in South Boston. By the middle of this week, we will have created: 1000 total beds; 6 Acute Care Suites; a Physical Therapy Suite; 52 nurses stations; and 48 bathroom facilities — all in 4 days of work.
I want to thank everyone who is making it happen: David Gibbons and the team at the Mass. Convention Center Authority. Suffolk Construction. The architects at the Mt. Vernon Group. Select Demo, working with the Building Trades including the Laborers, Carpenters, and Painters unions. Corp Events New England and the Teamsters. It’s an incredible team effort. We are preparing for whatever comes our way — for our vulnerable residents and for all our residents.
But what we don’t want, is to have to test the limits of this new medical capacity. And that’s why these Stay Home measures are so essential.
We will get through this. But I need everyone to understand what it will take — from each one of us. I need everyone to understand the seriousness of the situation. Lives are at stake.
I am not willing to look back 2 weeks or 4 weeks from now, and look at that number, thinking that we could have done more.
We must act now. All of us.
I also want you to understand the most important message: we are not powerless. That is the point of these guidelines. They empower you, me, and all of us, to fight this virus. We’re going to see numbers keep going up. It’s going to be difficult. But don’t focus just on the numbers going up. Think about the numbers you don’t see. Think about the cases you stop and the lives you save, by doing the right thing.
What we do now and over the next 2 weeks WILL MAKE the difference, for some people, between living and dying. I want to thank the residents of Boston for all you have done already. I want to thank you for everything you continue to do. I want to thank you for staying safe; staying inside your home; and staying Boston Strong.
More information is available on https://www.boston.gov/news/coronavirus-disease-covid-19-boston
