BOSTON (AP) - Gov. Charlie Baker said Monday that Massachusetts is seeing hopeful data about the state’s effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
“In the course of the past few days we have seen some positive downward trends,” Baker said, pointing in part to a general decline in new hospitalizations for COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus.
The state processed nearly 16,000 COVID-19 tests on Sunday, the highest daily tally since the start of the pandemic. About 12 percent of those tests came back positive, lower than previous daily highs that had exceeded 20 percent, Baker said. The total number of COVID-19 deaths in Massachusetts topped 4,000 on Sunday.
But the Republican warned the extension of the state’s state-of-emergency and stay-at-home advisory until May 18 doesn’t mean the economy will be “off to the races” on that date. He said reopening plans will include social distancing and cleaning protocols for businesses.
Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, who is helping to lead a 17-member economic reopening commission, echoed Baker’s caution.
Baker said his sense was that people in general were adopting the use of masks or facial coverings in public locations. Baker has signed an order making their use in public places mandatory on May 6.
Democratic Boston Mayor Marty Walsh also urged a cautious approach to reopening.
“We have to make sure we are taking all the right actions every step of the way,” Walsh said at a Monday press conference.
___
STATEHOUSE-PROTESTS
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Massachusetts Statehouse on Monday calling on Baker to lift his declaration of a state of emergency and stay-at-home advisory aimed at limiting the spread of the coronavirus.
The protesters, including supporters of President Donald Trump, held signs reading “Tyranny is not Leadership,” “Governor Baker End Lockdown Hoax,” and “End Shutdown” and waved American flags and flags bearing Trump’s name.
At least two trucks with banners reading “Trump Keep America Great 2020,” “All Lives Matter,” “Build the Wall,” and “Make Liberals Cry Again” also drove by to cheers from protesters.
Few of those gathered were wearing masks. Most were crowded together and not staying 6 feet apart as recommended for social distancing efforts. There were similar protests over the weekend in Maine and Vermont.
___
SHUTDOWN-SPEEDING DEATHS
State transportation officials say they’re concerned about the number of people dying on Massachusetts’ highways at a time when traffic volume has dropped significantly because of the pandemic.
Even though there was about 50% less traffic on the state’s major highways last month, 28 people died in crashes, compared with 27 in April 2019.
“Reduced traffic volume is no excuse for excessive speed,” Jeff Larason, director of highway safety for the Executive Office of Safety and Security said in a statement.
___
CHURCH PASTOR-FINE
The pastor of a Massachusetts church faces a $300 civil fine for allegedly ignoring the state’s ban on gatherings of 10 or more people during the coronavirus pandemic.
Police on Sunday counted more than 40 people leaving Adams Square Baptist Church in Worcester.
“It is disappointing that despite all of the sound medical advice, and evidence of the effectiveness of limiting public gathering in curbing the spread of the COVID-19 virus, that this pastor has chosen to ignore that,” Worcester City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. said in a statement.
The church had been warned the previous Sunday when about 50 people attended worship.
The church had a deep cleaning and everyone inside was required to wear masks and gloves, pastor Kristopher D. Casey said. People attending the service had their temperature taken and hand sanitizer was available.
“My whole argument has been the First and 14th amendments, along with Massachusetts law that says that no law shall be made that infringes on my rights to freely worship my God and my savior,” Casey said.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.