Virus follow-up – mayors/town managers tell Gov. this PM to close all schools, Gov. hears, & closes all schools

Good afternoon, Mayors and Managers:

As a reminder, we are talking tonight at 5pm. If you have questions during the call, please email jcurtatone@somervillema.gov

Web log-in:
Audio-only call-in:

Please see below for a second sign on letter that Mayor Curtatone plans to send to Governor Baker, which several members of the Metro Mayors and North Shore Coalitions have already signed. Please take a look and let me know if we can also add your name. Mayor Curtatone plans to raise this on the call tonight as well, so there will be an opportunity to discuss it.

Best,

Lizzi

SECOND LETTER TO GOVERNOR BAKER

Dear Governor Baker:

 

Thank you for your continued leadership during these uncertain times. We are grateful that you have set up an emergency response center to disseminate information and help, and we are eager to continue working with you to offer guidance and assistance to our cities and towns across the entire Commonwealth.

 

Over 200 communities have now closed their schools for at least two weeks. We applaud these municipalities for making such difficult decisions, as we know that school closures come with a host of impacts on our communities. But scientists and medical experts continue to warn us that for school closures to be effective at stemming the spread of coronavirus, all of the schools in the Commonwealth must close. We ask you to immediately make these closures mandatory for all schools and early education centers across the Commonwealth.

 

We also seek your support and guidance on an emerging set of financial and logistical issues that affect our ability to fight the virus and to overcome this crisis, including ways to address child care for essential personnel and health care workers.

 

Scientists and medical professionals continue to urge that residents remain at home so we give our hospital and health systems the best chance of treating existing patients and reducing the risk to vulnerable individuals. Unfortunately, this means that we must consider additional closures to further limit spread of the virus. Experts have explained that time is running out to prevent an irreversible strain on our healthcare system and significant loss of life. If we cannot make these decisions as a state, individual communities may declare states of emergency and independently take stronger action. This is far from ideal because it could serve to generate panic and confusion among our residents. In order to ensure statewide consistency and follow recommended public health guidelines, you and your Administration may need to require extensive closures, including gyms, parks, health clubs, and places of worship. Restaurants and food establishments should immediately shift to take out and delivery options only.

 

By way of this communication, we are requesting that you meet virtually with a delegation of mayors and managers at your earliest convenience to discuss these issues. Maximizing the sharing of information and perspectives can only lead to better decision-making.

 

Please continue to keep us updated and let us know how we can be helpful in addressing this issue together.

 

Sincerely,

 

Joe Curtatone

Mayor of Somerville

 

Adam Chapdelaine

Town Manager of Arlington

 

Michael P. Cahill

Mayor of Beverly

 

Louis A. DePasquale

City Manager of Cambridge

 

Thomas G. Ambrosino

City Manager of Chelsea

 

Dr. Yvonne Spicer

Mayor of Framingham

 

Thomas M. McGee

Mayor of Lynn

 

Gary Christenson

Mayor of Malden

 

Paul Brodeur

Mayor of Melrose

 

Ruthanne Fuller

Mayor of Newton

Brian Arrigo

Mayor of Revere

 

Kimberley Driscoll

Mayor of Salem

 

Austin Faison

Town Manager of Winthrop

 

 

 

cc:        Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito

Secretary Marylou Sudders