Third in a series about mayors across Massachusetts and how they’re contending with the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are stories on Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse and Pittsfield Mayor Linda Tyer. FOR SOMERVILLE […]
Curtatone stresses boldness in addressing COVID-19
Posted inHealth Care
State hits projected surge peak in new COVID-19 cases
THE STATE REPORTED 2,615 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, a record high and above the target level Gov. Charlie Baker has set for the peak of the surge. “Our model […]
Posted inEducation
As parents, we’re all now superintendents
I RECENTLY DECLARED a “snow day” for my school district. I made the call early after my oldest son complained of a toothache and my younger two boys came down […]
Posted inHealth Care
Mask-wearing Baker warns of ‘invisible’ carriers
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER sported a mask on Saturday while taking a tour of a mask-cleaning facility in Somerville and said one of the reasons why he and his administration have […]
Posted inEconomy
Unemployment site now available in Spanish
A Spanish version of this story is available. AFTER THREE WEEKS of questions on the issue, Gov. Charlie Baker announced Saturday that the state unemployment benefits portal is now available […]
Posted inHealth Care
Antiviral drug ‘may have clinical benefit’ on COVID-19, study says
THE EXPERIMENTAL ANTIVIRAL drug remdesivir showed potential promise in a small study among severely ill coronavirus patients, raising hopes that it might prove to be an effective treatment for COVID-19. […]
Posted inEducation
MCAS testing requirement suspended this year
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE MCAS TESTING REQUIREMENTS for the school year are suspended, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will modify or waive graduation requirements for students set to […]
Posted inHealth Care
Baker: Surge peak to hit nearer April 20
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER said on Friday that he thinks the peak of the upcoming COVID-19 surge is now going to hit closer to April 20, suggesting the curve is flattening […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Coronavirus infection in state prisons more than two times statewide rate
THE CORONAVIRUS INFECTION rate among inmates in the state prison is more than two times than the statewide rate, according to new figures from the Department of Correction. Prisoners’ Legal Services sent out an […]
Posted inTransportation
Union: Registry worker in Boston likely had COVID-19
THE REGISTRY OF MOTOR VEHICLES shut its Haymarket branch in Boston for the past week after an employee exhibited COVID-19 symptoms, according to union officials. An official with the National […]
Posted inHealth Care
Nursing homes account for 41% of state’s COVID-19 deaths
TWO-FIFTHS OF THE COVID-19 deaths in the state have occurred at long-term care facilities for the elderly, according to information released by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health on Friday. […]
Posted inEconomy
A stronger state safety net is part of the cure
LIFE UNDER QUARANTINE can easily cause many of us to lose track of time. But one date we should remember is this: Today marks one month since Gov. Charlie Baker issued […]
Posted inEconomy
Will remote work help solve our traffic woes?
COULD BUSINESSES’ EXPERIENCE with social-distancing help relieve traffic congestion in cities like Boston? These days, employees of many companies are learning to use remote meeting software like Google Hangout, Zoom, […]
Posted inUncategorized
Getting at the real Tom Brady
I LEARNED MORE about Tom Brady listening to two hours of a Howard Stern interview than I did reading 20 years of Boston sports pages. I’ve watched Brady religiously season after […]
Posted inThe Download
Getting at the real Tom Brady
I learned more about Tom Brady listening to two hours of a Howard Stern interview than I did reading 20 years of Boston sports pages. I’ve watched Brady religiously season […]
Posted inHealth Care
Ventilators are life-savers, but questions loom about survival rates
MASSACHUSETTS LEADERS AND hospitals are scrambling to make sure they have enough ventilators for an expected surge of critically ill coronavirus patients. Meanwhile, the state public health department has issued […]
Posted inHealth Care
Virus notes: Baker traces origins of crisis
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER on Thursday traced in broad terms the origins of the coronavirus outbreak in Massachusetts and suggested the state’s recovery will be a long, slow process. With the […]
Posted inHealth Care
Troubling signs at state elder care facilities
THE NUMBER OF CORONAVIRUS cases at the state’s nursing homes continued to mount dramatically on Thursday, amid troubling warnings from industry officials and explosive charges from the former head of […]
Posted inHealth Care
Baker allows foreign-trained doctors to practice here
THE BAKER ADMINISTRATION on Thursday announced several executive orders to support the health care workforce and expand its capacity, including easing licensing restrictions for foreign-educated doctors. One order allows graduates […]
Posted inHealth Care
Dr. Lee: At MGH, patients don’t die alone
This is the fifth conversation between Dr. Jarone Lee, a frontline critical care and emergency physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and associate professor at Harvard Medical School, and Dr. Paul […]
Posted inEconomy
Psychological, economic toll piling up
A PERFECT STORM of economic, social, and political crises brought on by coronavirus are battering Massachusetts residents. The economic devastation is spreading, with 20 percent reporting losing a job since the […]
Posted inHealth Care
Lynn workers offer solution to ventilator search
AS THE CORONAVIRUS surge begins, it’s unclear how many more ventilators are coming from the federal stockpile, and when they will arrive. The Federal Emergency Management Agency sent Massachusetts only 100 […]
Posted inThe Download
Lynn workers offer solution to ventilator search
As the coronavirus surge begins, it’s unclear how many more ventilators are coming from the federal stockpile, and when they will arrive. The Federal Emergency Management Agency sent Massachusetts only […]
Posted inOpinion
The cost of abandoning norms
FOR OVER THREE YEARS we have watched as President Trump flouted norms of policy, civility, decency, and rule of law. Unlike any president before him, Republican or Democrat, he ignores […]