Local COVID-19 updates

[edschweppe]

As of 4PM this afternoon, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is reporting 154 more deaths from COVID-19 (for a total of 3,716 to date), 2,106 new cases (for a total of 64,311) and 13,989 more tests performed (for a total of 289,636).

Today's big story from the Governor: orders for everyone to wear masks in public. From the Boston Globe:

Governor Charlie Baker issued an order Friday requiring everyone in Massachusetts to wear a face covering in public — including in businesses, outdoors, or on public transportation — if they’re unable to socially distance themselves from other people.

The order will take effect Wednesday, adding to the raft of directives the Republican governor has issued in a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

"Covering our faces when we cannot practice social distancing is an easy, critically important, and essential step that everyone can and should take to stop or slow the spread" of the virus, Baker said during a State House news conference. "We view this as common sense."

The order says violators :may" face a fine up to $300, but Baker is expected to leave enforcement up to local officials, who up until now have issued a patchwork of rules for face coverings throughout the state.

People will have to cover their nose and mouth if they’re unable to keep a six-foot distance from others. The requirement for a face covering — which can range from a bandanna or T-shirt to a homemade or painter’s mask — would not apply to children two years of age and younger or those with medical issues that would otherwise prevent them from wearing a mask. Baker said the Department of Public Health would develop guidelines up to 5 years old.

[ ... ]

A Globe review found nearly 60 towns and cities across the state had issued orders requiring the public to wear masks as of Thursday, the majority of which mandated people don them when inside a grocery store, pharmacy, or other essential business.

The town of Acton has yet to post an update today. Yesterday's report was of 92 confirmed cases in town, with 52 of those being "cases in isolation that are actively being monitored".