Posted on 04/23/2020 9:03:50 PM PDT by raccoonradio
SWAMPSCOTT — Protesters gathered in front of Gov. Charlie Baker’s home Thursday morning to pressure the governor into ending restrictions on businesses, put in place to contain the spread of COVID-19.
“I’m here because they need to open the state back up. Get people back to work,” said Chris Gaumont, one of roughly a dozen protestors — who were, at times, outnumbered by members of the media — congregated outside Baker’s residence on Monument Avenue.
The Georgetown resident said lab closures have meant his girlfriend, a one-year ovarian cancer survivor, is unable to receive diagnostic tests required every six months to ensure her cancer hasn’t returned.
“She needs to have her CA125 check to make sure the cancer is in remission,” Gaumont said. “She can’t get testing because all the labs are shut down.”
He added: “It all depends on (Baker). He’s the man holding the cards.”
With Massachusetts approaching five weeks since all nonessential businesses were mandated to close, many worry about the long-term effects shutdowns will have on the nation’s economy, with some arguing restrictions on local businesses won’t be worth the economic toll.
As she held a sign that read “Baker is a Faker,” Wakefield resident Carol G (who preferred not to give her full name) said she was laid off from her job as a phlebotomist.
“I want (Gov. Baker) to open up now and stop this scam,” she said. “Why isn’t the media telling the truth? The media spreads so much fear and it’s sad.”
She added she felt lucky her boyfriend, an auto shop worker, has been able to keep his business open, although she said the number of people bringing their cars in for repairs has dropped dramatically.
“Enough is enough of this lie,” she said. “Do I think COVID is serious? I believe it, but I think the media is making it way worse. It’s time to open up.”
When asked about protests at a press briefing Wednesday, Baker said the shutdowns are a necessary measure.
“This isn’t being done to punish anybody,” he said. “It’s being done to try to keep people safe, and it’s being done (based) on data and information on an unprecedented virus as we gather it and it comes together.”
On Wednesday, Massachusetts recorded its deadliest day since the start of the coronavirus outbreak with 221 deaths, bringing the state’s total number of COVID-19-related fatalities to 2,182.
Although the number of newly-diagnosed cases has remained relatively stable as of late, the governor cautioned it’s likely too early for businesses to safely reopen.
“The last few days we’ve seen fewer or about the same number of positive cases day to day, but we think it’s too soon to draw a conclusion from this data,” Baker said. “A few days does not represent a trend. We’ve seen this data bounce around before.”
Current stay-at-home orders are set to expire May 4, but White House guidelines recommend states wait until they’ve seen declining numbers for 14 straight days before reopening their economies, and Baker added that hospitalization rates will remain the most important factor in the state’s decision.
“We think the issue going forward is going to be less about the date and essential and non-essential and more about the rules of the road,” he said. “The rules will be relatively comprehensive and uniform and defined more depending on space than industry.”
Meanwhile today via NBC10 Boston
Gov. Charlie Baker and officials at some of the state’s top teaching hospitals are urging anyone experiencing symptoms of a heart attack or stroke, like chest pains or slurred speech, or other acute illness or injury not wait too long before heading to a nearby emergency room.
Fear of COVID-19 is sparking a noticeable drop in patients arriving at hospitals, officials said. That can result in patients waiting too long and arriving much sicker.
People are stupid, and things are about to get bad.
I’ve had my physical moved three months
into the future and did my checkup with
the endicrinologist via phone yesterday
(Glucose meter readings forwarded to
her office)
I hope they bring megaphones, whistles and a big brass drum.
“Now Hear THIS!..”
Imagine, people protesting for the right to resume their working lives. Inspiring. I understand some professions may need to wait, but not all of them.
Those kids should be in school too. I suspect many are learning the wrong lessons, with everyday feeling like Saturday. No particular place to go.
I would think a lab would be essential.
At least we know now that government considers health care non-essential ... unless it’s a government approved medical problem.
That being the case all health care can be left to the private sector so individuals can decide what is essential and what is not.
Dang, never expected this in the Gay State.
“People are stupid, and things are about to get bad.”
Afraid so.
L
Baker banned landlords from evicting tenants for non payment of their rent for 120 days starting this week, but offered no extensions to the landlords for payments on their property taxes..
Loads of people, businesses and individuals on the family level, are never going to recover from this.
Hope and pray for the best..
Always!
You never want to sharpen pitchforks when you’re agitated. :)
I agree. However every Karen is out on FB demanding more so they can feel safe and saying who cares of you are in finical ruin, you can rebuild your business or bank but not lives. They will simply not hear we must find a safe way to reopen things now while protecting health.
Karen?
Karen is term used to define a normally middle-class/upper middle class suburban white women, usually with kids who believes the world revolves around her and everyone must bow to her wishes. The type to demand a manager for every minor issue and demand a waiter disciplined, gift cards, etc.
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