Baker Fears Backsliding If MA Opens Too Fast

BOSTON — Gov. Charlie Baker said Wednesday the planned phased reopening for Massachusetts is meant to keep the state from a one-step-forward, two-steps-back situation.

Baker, speaking one day after extending the stay-at-home advisory and closure of nonessential businesses to May 18, said the measured approach will help avoid backsliding "right back in the public health crisis."

"When we take a step forward, we don't want to take two steps backward," Baker said.

The governor on Tuesday announced the formation of a reopening advisory board, which held its first virtual meeting shortly after. The board discussed what public health benchmarks the state will need to hit to being reopening and what protocols will need to be put in place once people begin filtering back into the public workforce.

The 17-person board, consisting of municipal, health and business leaders from across the state, will have a report by May 18. In the meantime, Baker said industry leaders and unions should discuss reopening plans with the board.

Baker also said face coverings are going to be a big part of reopening nonessential businesses. While he is leaving whether to mandate face covering to individual municipalities — which some have done — the state still advises people to wear them in public.

Other topics Baker touched on:

• The state has paid out nearly $500 million in unemployment benefits to independent contractors and gig workers, a segment of the workforce that usually doesn't qualify for such benefits. Baker also said been paying to some 400,000 unemployed people who would do usually qualify.
• Fifty-four percent of the beds in Massachusetts remain open for patients. The state has implored people who may be sick from things other than COVID-19 to call their doctor.
• The state has distributed 6.8 million pieces of personal protection equipment, but continues to search for more.