Local COVID-19 updates

[edschweppe]

As of 4PM this afternoon, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is reporting nine more deaths from COVID-19 (for a total of 44 to date), 1017 new cases (for a total of 4257) and 5,678 more persons tested (for a total of 35049). My town is still reporting one confirmed case.

The Boston Globe polled Massachusetts residents about the restrictions in place to deal with the pandemic, and found near-universal support:

The survey reveals an extraordinary sense of shared purpose in the face of an unprecedented crisis, with Massachusetts residents nearly unanimous in their support for the severe restrictions that Governor Charlie Baker has imposed on life in the state to help slow the highly contagious virus.

More than 90 percent of respondents said they back decisions to close bars, dine-in restaurants, and non-essential businesses. Ninety-six percent said they support closing local schools, and 94 percent said they have been strict about observing social distancing.

The near-universal support for these measures paired with majorities who say they are worried about their personal financial situation suggests that most people in Massachusetts are willing to make some personal sacrifice for the greater good.

And more than half of respondents said they believe they could emotionally endure at least a few more months of the current situation.

[ ... ]

There was a vast disconnect between how respondents judged the performances of the federal government, and state and local governments.

Eight in 10 approved of how Baker is handling the crisis, and strong majorities felt they were getting the information they need from state and their municipal governments.

Although the survey was statewide, 65 percent approved of how Mayor Martin J. Walsh is handling the outbreak in Boston, while eight percent disapproved, and 25 percent were undecided.

Meanwhile, just 28 percent approved of Trump’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak, and just over half of those polled felt they were getting the information they needed from the federal government.

Virtual church service tomorrow again; the Board of Trustees has decided to do virtual services at least through May 3.

I miss choir. But not getting half the congregation infected is worth the sacrifice.