Sources: https://www.c-span.org/video/?470604-1/massachusetts-governor-baker-coronavirus-news-conference (for transcript and video)
Today, Governor Baker held a press conference in response to his stay-at-home advisory and closure of nonessential businesses amid the pandemic.
The Governor began the conference by announcing an emergency order, which, he says, will be “effective Tuesday, March 24 at noon, all nonessential businesses shall close their physical workplace and facilities to all workers, customers, and the public.”
This order followed after he had discussed with federal officials and reviewed similar orders in the states.
Baker continues, saying, “This order will remain in effect until Tuesday, April 7 at noon.” This means that the order would last 14 days in total.
Following this, Governor Baker notes that he will also be “directing the Department of Public Health to issue a stay-at-home advisory outlining self isolation and social distancing protocols.”
Furthermore, he advises that “people over the age of 70 and those with underlying health issues to stay home and limit their interactions with others as much as possible.”
The Governor wants Baystaters to know that “we will always allow all grocery stores, pharmacies, and other types of business that provide essential goods and services to Massachusetts residents to continue to operate.”
Baker acknowledges the impact of the order, “I want to acknowledge the incredible impact this action could have on businesses and individuals.”
Continued, he states, “It’s not lost on me or anybody else in our administration that many businesses, locally grown and owned by our neighbors and friends, are the businesses most unlikely to be able to put in place remote or telework policies.”
However, Governor Baker defends the order, saying, “I also know that by taking this action now, we can significantly improve our position in this fight to slow the spread of the virus.”
Furthermore, he says, “Acting now to prevent more person to person interaction and spreading the virus will buy us more time so our healthcare system can better prepare for a challenge unlike any they have seen before.”
The goal is, the Governor remarks, “to slow the spread by limiting person-to-person contact in a concerted effort now to help us get back to work and back to school.”
Baker continues, speaking about the effect of this order for everyone at home, “There has been a lot of talk about a government mandating people in their homes.”
He gives his opinion, saying, “I do not believe I can or should order U.S. citizens to be confined to their homes for days on end.”
Governor Baker urges “people to stay-at-home and avoid any unnecessary activities because this will help avoid any unneeded person to person interactions that could spread the virus.”
Elaborating, he states, “everyone can still buy food at the grocery store, get what they need at the pharmacy, and of course, take a walk around the block or the park.”
The Governor asks Baystaters to use “common sense and consider how they can avoid unnecessary close contact with one another.”
We should do this, he says, to “protect these high risk individuals.” (In regards to 70 year olds and older with underlying health issues.)
Governor Baker lists a few businesses that will remain open, such as, “All grocery stores and businesses that support them like shippers, producers, farms, packaging plants and wholesalers will remain open.”
Baker continues, remarking, “Gas stations will remain open. Pharmacies and all medical facilities will remain open. Manufacturers of medical products, pharmaceuticals, and similar businesses that are developing and making many of the things that we need to battle COVID-19 and other diseases will continue to operate.”
The Governor assures Baystaters that “We are not prohibiting travel. Our transportation system, roads, bridges, tunnels are open and our buses, trains and subways will continue to run.”
Finally, Governor Baker says that “restaurants and other businesses that sell food may continue to offer as take-out or delivery as long as they follow social distancing measures.”
Baker concludes, affirming, “There is purpose in these drastic changes in the way we live. We must all embrace this new way of life and appreciate that here we can all find purpose as we battle the virus together.”
Cosmical Politics 