MA Coronavirus: State Awaits Massive Aid Package Amid Shutdown

Massachusetts, on the first full day under a statewide stay-at-home advisory, will continue navigating the coronavirus crisis amid mixed messages from Washington.

News emerged early Wednesday morning that the Senate and White House reached an agreement on a $2 trillion aid package that will deliver checks — many worth $1,200 — to American workers and loan hundred of billions of dollars to small businesses.

The historic package, if approved by the House and signed by President Trump, will also extend unemployment insurance and provide well over $130 billion for overwhelmed hospitals.

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How Gov. Charlie Baker and lawmakers on Beacon Hill apply the money earmarked for state and local governments is unknown. Baker is expected to provide his daily update at 3:30, shortly before what is expected to be hundreds more coronavirus cases are revealed in the daily Department of Public Health update. The latest numbers showed 11 dead and more than 1,100 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Even as aid descends from Capitol Hill, it remains to be seen what impact, if any, Trump's about-face to quickly reopen the country will have in the Commonwealth. Trump on Tuesday said he wants the country back up and running by Easter, April 12, despite warnings from medical experts that the virus has yet to peak.

It's unclear what that means for Massachusetts. Governors — including Baker — have been the ones to shut down schools and nonessential businesses. While a presidential green light might make residents more comfortable going outside and visiting restaurants, it may not mean much if Baker and other state leaders don't budge.

Wednesday marked the first full day of the stay-at-home advisory that went into effect Tuesday at noon. Nonessential businesses have been ordered to close, adding to an already historic unemployment build-up. See what is considered essential.

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