Mayor announces curfew, urges Bostonians to wear face masks

Yawu Miller

Yawu Miller is the former senior editor of the Bay State Banner. He has written for the Banner since 1988.... VIEW BIO

As the number of COVID-19 cases in Boston reached 1,877 Sunday, Mayor Martin Walsh recommended that Bostonians wear face masks outside their homes and announced a 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew for the next six weeks in the city.

Walsh said the measures are in keeping with recommendations of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as cases in Boston and Massachusetts approach what public health experts expect will be a peak in April.

“In the last 48 hours, we’ve had an increase of 511 new cases,” Walsh told reporters during his daily press briefing on City Hall Plaza. “That’s 27% of our overall coronavirus cases in the City of Boston. That’s what a surge looks like, and we are at the beginning of this surge.”

Walsh emphasized that face masks will not necessarily protect those who wear them from contracting the coronavirus, but that they can prevent those who carry the virus from spreading it to others. He urged Bostonians who are required to work outside their home to maintain safe distancing of at least six feet from others.

“We are at the beginning of the surge,” Walsh said. “Every step we take to limit the number of people working together will make a difference.”

He added, “What the data continues to show is that right now, every single day is critical to saving lives in our city. What the model continues to show is that distance and distancing will make that difference.”

The mayor also said the city will take more aggressive steps to close down basketball courts and other outdoor sports facilities, noting that some people are still using them in violation of social distancing guidelines. Walsh said police officers will be monitoring parks and playgrounds to ensure sports facilities are not in use.

“No group activities should be happening anywhere,” he said.

Additionally, Walsh advised all senior citizens to stay home and refrain from going outside their homes for any reason.

But he also emphasized that young people are not at all immune to COVID-19, noting that 45 percent of all positive tests are for people under the age of 40.

“We are now seeing more cases of severe illness in young people,” he said. “Whether you get sick or not, you have to follow these guidelines.”

Response by local elected officials to the COVID-19 outbreak continues at a rapid pace. Besides the mayor, Boston’s city councilors and U.S. and state legislators have been working to create policies and share updates with constituents. Here are some of the most recent developments.

Rental assistance

Twelve Boston City Councilors have called on state and federal officials to implement a moratorium to freeze all rents and mortgages until the end of the pandemic. The resolution passed on Wednesday with a 12-1 vote, with only Councilor Frank Baker opposing. The Boston City Council does not have authority to enact the moratorium but can instead urge officials to exercise their influence.

“It is well within our power as a body to advocate for a rent, mortgage, eviction and foreclosure moratorium,” said Councilor Ricardo Arroyo, who authored the resolution. “It is in fact the least we can do at a time where so many of our residents are at risk of losing their housing and businesses.”

Arroyo had already attempted to pass the resolution during the previous week’s council meeting, but Baker blocked its passage. Baker said Wednesday that the resolution would send a dangerous message, especially due to the Council’s inability to enact the moratorium.

Councilor Lydia Edwards said that the resolution was not calling on renters and homeowners to stop paying their bills. Rather, it’s merely symbolic — aimed at encouraging Mayor Marty Walsh, Gov. Charlie Baker and President Trump to authorize such a moratorium and provide relief.

Arroyo noted that various cities across the country have already acted where Massachusetts has not.

“The cost to our communities is tragic, and with state and federal intervention it can be avoidable,” he said.

Edwards also introduced the idea of using funds from the Community Preservation Act to provide rental assistance. She said that the emergency assistance would not be a voucher program, but rather a “bridge over troubled waters.” Money from the CPA is currently going towards alternative housing programs, including a first-time homebuyer program. But Edwards said that emergency assistance is needed immediately.

“This is an attempt to align our resources with the urgency of now,” she said.

Councilor Kenzie Bok, however, said she did not think using CPA funds would be appropriate for this purpose.

In other housing news, Massachusetts House members voted last Thursday for legislation that would place a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures in Massachusetts. Landlords have filed for more than 500 evictions in housing courts across the state since March 16, housing activists say.

“Equitable recovery”

The city council has already begun planning for the pandemic’s end. Councilor Michelle Wu stressed the importance of an “equitable recovery” once the public health crisis has abated. Bok agreed, noting that the FY2021 budget should promote this recovery.

“This is way beyond just a public health pandemic,” Wu said. “It’s really an economic crisis, and it’s a situation that has been deepening pre-existing systemic inequities across our city.”

If the city does not plan for an equitable recovery, said Wu, “the same communities that were experiencing public health disparities even prior to COVID will continue to bear disproportionately the cost of this pandemic over the long run.”

Other relief measures

The council offered short-term crisis-relief measures as well. Councilor Ed Flynn introduced a resolution urging insurance companies to provide coverage during the pandemic.

“I believe it is critical that our residents have continuous access to their health insurance, as well as auto, home, renter’s and life insurance that are necessary,” he said. “Because of the virus we see significant job losses for our residents and families, many of whom may be unable to pay their insurance premium as a result.”

Councilor Liz Breadon added that there should be no impediments to residents seeking medical care, even if individuals offer out-of-network insurance.

“They should have a seamless system that anyone can access care wherever they can,” she said.

Edwards also acknowledged the uptick in financial hardships. She called for a hearing regarding economic relief and incentives for the restaurant industry.

“The fact of the matter is, before COVID-19, a lot of workers who worked in this industry were economically vulnerable,” she said.

As of January, the minimum wage for tipped workers in Boston is $4.95. Now, those employees are receiving unemployment benefits that are two-thirds of their income, based off of the $4.95 wage. These employees cannot survive off that, said Edwards.

“We can incentivize restaurants that are getting relief to either adopt the minimum wage or adopt $15/hour for their workers,” said Edwards.

Arroyo called for an order regarding the “Invest in Boston” ordinance. The ordinance was passed in 2013, said Arroyo, but it has not been implemented since its passage. “Invest in Boston,” said Arroyo, amended the Municipal Banking Commission and called for responsible banking practices in Boston.

“It called on banks to offer loan modifications for up to six months for Boston residents who are experiencing loss of income, as many Bostonians are now due to COVID-19,” he added.

Under the ordinance, the Municipal Banking Commission would meet twice a year. All meetings and data provided by banks applying for Boston city funds would be made public. Furthermore, said Arroyo, it “would have ensured that banks with City of Boston funds as deposits would be willing partners in foreclosure prevention, home and small business loan modifications and the continued employment of Boston residents.”

The ordinance was never implemented, “for reasons that remain unclear,” said Arroyo.

Bok agreed with the importance of a public process and noted that work was underway to revive the commission.

PPE shortage

Healthcare workers across the world are suffering from debilitating shortages of face masks, gloves and other personal protective equipment (PPE). Flynn commended these workers for their courage and encouraged more protective measures. He said that hospitals should consider triage outside of the facility and designate certain floors for COVID-infected patients. He advocated for childcare support for the workers, physical distancing and the cessation of staff reductions.

Other councilors echoed strong support for health care workers.

“Among the many heroes out there it’s important that the council recognizes these brave men and women who are literally saving lives every day and putting their own lives at risk as well,” said Councilor Matt O’Malley.

Bok added, “We use the word ‘frontline’ for a reason. This is like a wartime situation in a bunch of ways. And I think it’s scary for everyone how quickly that’s developed.” She applauded the bravery of the workers, adding, “We all have to be in solidarity in this time.”

Councilor Andrea Campbell noted that the solidarity should extend to undocumented immigrants, as they make up a portion of these frontline workers.