Baker seeks federal disaster declaration; help for homeless
Steve LeBLANC | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 7 months AGO
Cashiers at a grocery store sanitize a card reader and the checkout area, Thursday, March 26, 2020, in Quincy, Mass., as an extra precaution out of concern about the spread of the coronavirus. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
A passer-by walks down an aisle with empty shelves where paper towels are normally on display at a grocery store, Thursday, March 26, 2020, in Quincy, Mass. Paper towels and toilet paper have sold briskly as people take measures to cope with the coronavirus. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
A passer-by walks down a nearly empty street in Boston's North End neighborhood, Monday, March 23, 2020. Many restaurants and businesses are closed in the ordinarily busy neighborhood out of concern about the spread of the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Passers-by walk past Fenway Park baseball park, Wednesday, March 25, 2020, in Boston. There will be empty ballparks on what was supposed to be Major League Baseball's opening day, with the start of the Major League Baseball regular season indefinitely on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
A cyclist rides past Fenway Park baseball park, Wednesday, March 25, 2020, in Boston. There will be empty ballparks on what was supposed to be Major League Baseball's opening day, with the start of the Major League Baseball regular season indefinitely on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
BOSTON (AP) — Gov. Charlie Baker on Thursday submitted a request to the federal government for a major disaster declaration for Massachusetts.
If approved, the declaration would provide Massachusetts with additional assistance beyond what was included in an emergency declaration issued by President Donald Trump on March 13, the Republican governor said.
The request would make financial assistance available to cities and towns, state agencies, and some nonprofits.
Baker also announced that a state-owned facility in Boston is being opened to care for homeless individuals showing symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
He said the facility, which will also be used to help care for those of them who test positive for the disease, will be operated by a consortium of providers including Boston Medical Center and the Pine Street Inn.
More on the latest coronavirus-related updates in Massachusetts:
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INMATE RELEASE HEARING
Massachusetts' highest court will hear arguments over the telephone next week in a case seeking the release of inmates amid the coronavirus pandemic.
An emergency petition was filed by public defenders and defense attorneys in the Supreme Judicial Court this week. It asks the justices to reduce the number of people entering jails and prisons, order the release of certain pretrial detainees, and free those serving sentences who are nearing the end of their term who are vulnerable to COVID-19 or who don't pose a threat to the public.
Several district attorneys in Massachusetts have already agreed to release certain inmates in an attempt to limit the spread of the virus behind bars.
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US REP. PRESSLEY TESTED FOR COVID-19
A second member of the Massachusetts congressional delegation has experienced symptoms of COVID-19.
U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley sought medical treatment after experiencing flulike symptoms and has been tested for the virus, according to a statement late Wednesday from her spokesperson, Lina Francis.
The Democrat is awaiting test results, the statement said. No other information was released.
U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton said Wednesday he decided to self-quarantine after experiencing symptoms. Moulton, a Democrat and former presidential hopeful, sought medical advice and was told that because the symptoms were minor and a test would not change his treatment, he did not qualify for a test.
The number of people in Massachusetts who have died from COVID-19 reached 15 on Wednesday. Public health officials said the number of residents who have so far tested positive for the disease jumped to more than 1,800. Nearly 19,800 have been tested, and more than 100 have been hospitalized.
For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, or death.
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JOBLESS CLAIMS
The number of people filing for unemployment benefits in Massachusetts skyrocketed as the country grapples with the outbreak.
The claims in Massachusetts soared to 147,995 in the week ending March 21, up from the 7,449 claims filed during the prior week, according to figures released by the U.S. Department of Labor on Thursday.
That includes the first week when state and local officials asked people to stay at home as much as possible, but before the governor's order this week requiring the closure of all nonessential businesses and instructing the state Department of Public Health to issue a stay-at-home advisory.
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AT ODDS ON CONSTRUCTION
Baker and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh are sparring about whether construction sites should remain open during efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Baker has resisted calls to close construction sites, saying the state needs to continue building more housing. He issued an order on Wednesday deeming construction workers “essential.” Baker has said he’s concerned some construction projects that stop may not start up again.
Walsh said Thursday that construction is still not allowed in Boston.
“The workers who work on those sites, they’re as prone to contracting coronavirus as anyone else so we’re going to try to put some safety precautions in place,” Walsh said.