VOL. 124 - NO. 21 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, MAY 22, 2020 $.35 A COPY Mayor Walsh’s COVID-19 Update ... Case numbers: • Starting on May 26th: Other • As of Monday, May 18th, in work allowed by the state may Massachusetts: 87,052 cases resume. MMemorialemorial DDayay and 5,862 deaths. • Contractors must submit • As of Tuesday, May 19th, a COVID-19 Safety Plan before OObservedbserved Monday,Monday, MayMay 2525tthh in Boston: 12,050 cases, 588 returning to work. To help sites deaths, and 5,121 recoveries. meet this requirement, the City Updates on testing: has hosted virtual safety plan- • The Mayor provided an ning, as well as safety training update on Boston’s COVID-19 for inspectors, and produced testing progress, to provide a video guide along with other context for how the City moves reference materials. forward. • Already, nearly 2,300 safety • Last week, the citywide plans have been submitted, positive test rate was 13.9%. and the City has trained all This was a new low and brings our inspectional staff and sup- the city’s cumulative positive while monitoring the data at the plied them personal protective test rate to 27%, down 2 per- city and state levels. equipment. centage points from the week • The Public Health Emergency Re-opening offi ce spaces: before. The City has continued declared on March 15th in the • Under the statewide plan: targeted outreach and testing in City of Boston remains in place Offi ce spaces will be allowed to neighborhoods seeing the most until further notice. The same open with 25% capacity starting cases, and as a result, those applies to the guidelines for on May 25th. communities’ positive rates physical distancing and face • Boston’s approach: The City continue to go down. coverings, as well as the city- will take this step on June 1st. • The City also continues wide recommended curfew of • This timeline allows the to build a citywide strategy 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. City to work in collaboration for increased testing, which • The Mayor noted that Boston with building owners and includes an effort that starts is one of the most densely employers on safety plans next week to test all first populated cities in the country, that meet robust public health News Briefs responders. which is home to a very diverse standards. by Sal Giarratani • Overall, the data tells us population, and doubles in size • Every employer must create that we have been moving in as a regional workforce enters and implement plans for work- the right direction on new cases, its workplaces every weekday. places to minimize the spread Biden, the Invisible Man positive test rates, and hospital- Special precautions unique to of the virus, as outlined by the Joe Biden the presumptive Democratic nominee has ization for about 3 weeks. Boston will need to be taken State. barely been seen since going into social isolation. Every • He also said every data into account. • The City is creating guide- so often he pops out of isolation. His has the most trend gives a reason for cau- • The City will continue to lines for offi ces to follow, based anemic presidential campaign in history resting on a tion, in terms of how gradual focus on equity and meeting the on national best practices and single idea. HE IS NOT TRUMP! our progress is, how necessary needs of vulnerable communi- expert input. I saw him a few weeks back on Morning Joe our precautions have been, and ties, families with children, • These guidelines include over on MSNBC. Co-host Mika Brzezinski tried how much potential there is for seniors, and small businesses. shift scheduling, work-from- asking him questions about Tara Reade to which new outbreaks if we don’t keep • The Mayor thanked the home policies, physical spac- he didn’t remember much of anything. A useless doing the right things. Governor, his Administration, ing, PPE, cleaning protocols, interview! • He urged everyone to and the Re-opening Advisory ventilation, employee com- On Tuesday, May 12th, he showed up on Good continue: Board for their work on the munication, and more. These Morning America in another rare moment out of isola- • Staying home and work- statewide re-opening plan, and guidelines will be shared next th tion. Once again, he ended up playing a softball game ing from home as much as noted that the City had input week (week of May 25 ). with the host. He just kept staring into the camera say- possible — especially older into the plan and made sure Re-opening small businesses: ing pretty much nothing except once again I AM NOT residents and those at high Boston’s economy was under- • Under the statewide plan: TRUMP. Scary that he is the Democrats’ only hope to risk for illness. stood and our communities Retail stores are allowed to beat Trump. There has to be a secret agenda here. I • Washing your hands and were represented. open for curbside pickup on th think the Democrats are seeking a running mate who disinfecting surfaces. • He also noted that the City May 25 , as well as some ser- can replace him. I see a future for the 25th Amendment • Covering your face when submitted a letter from Boston’s vices, including hair care and at the moment. outside the home. COVID-19 Health Inequities car washes. If someone asks you the last time you have seen Implementing Phase 1 of the Task Force articulating the need • Boston’s approach: The City Biden, it was him nodding off via video link from his State’s Re-opening Plan in for a recovery that addresses is ready to help small busi- basement. Boston: the greater impacts felt in nesses create plans that not th st • On Monday, May 18 , the communities of color and low- only meet state guidelines, but Should Puerto Rico Become 51 State? Governor launched Phase 1 of a income communities. go beyond them. However, we Gov. Wanda Vazquez of Puerto Rico recently statewide re-opening plan. Re-opening construction: are also urging caution. announced that she will hold a nonbinding referendum • The Mayor stressed that re- • Under the statewide plan: • The Boston Transportation in November to decide whether Puerto Rico should opening does not mean, “back Construction can start the week Department has helped facili- become a U.S. State. to normal” — it means bringing of May 18th. tate safe curbside pickup for For the fi rst time, this vote will ask a single ques- caution and a commitment to • Boston’s approach: Boston essential businesses, and will tion: Should Puerto Rico be immediately admitted as stopping the spread of COVID- has a phased-in approach with expand that work as needed. a U.S. State. It is an answer that requires approval 19 into workplaces and com- comprehensive health and The City is also developing from Congress. munity spaces. safety requirements. creative public space solutions I support a YES vote. I grew up with Puerto Rican- • Boston will continue to meet • Starting this week (May for pedestrians in business Irish fi rst cousins who came from Rio Piedras near the needs of families, seniors, 18th): Work on schools, hospi- districts. (Continued on Page 9) and small businesses, as well tals, smaller residential proj- as continue to follow the science ects, and open-air construc- and public health guidance, tion can restart. (Continued on Page 8) THE POST-GAZETTE SATELLITE OFFICE, 343 CHELSEA STREET, DAY SQUARE, EAST BOSTON This offi ce is open on Tuesdays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Thursdays from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, for the convenience of our East Boston and North Shore clients and contributors Call 617-227-8929 for more information PAGE 2 POST-GAZETTE, MAY 22, 2020 Stirpe by Prof. Edmund Turiello John David McGee Nostra John David McGee of full impact of what he just Charlestown and Kittery, said hit you, and you started A weekly column highlighting some Maine, passed away on May to laugh uncontrollably. He of the more interesting aspects of our 10, 2020. loved traveling, exploring ancestry...our lineage...our roots. Loving father, committed international culture and friend, and dedicated cuisine, and was passionate restaurateur at Mamma about music and film. He MORE ABOUT THE VESTALS Maria in Boston’s North was dedicated to the game End, lost his struggle with of golf, often traveling to cancer, while surrounded by play tournaments with his family. friends throughout the U.S. John was the son of Harry and abroad. He was also and Mary McGee, born on a longtime member of the February 3, 1960, in Montreal, Weston Golf Club in Weston, Canada. He grew up playing MA. He was frequently seen hockey and was a lifelong fan, at Weston sneaking in a successfully hiding his closet few holes, just before dusk, support for the Canadiens with his ever present and from his loyal Bruins patrons. faithful Jack Russell Terrier, He attended Middlebury College in Vermont, Phantom following closely behind. He was also where he made lifelong friends, graduating a member of the York Golf and Tennis Club in 1982. in York, ME. On June 10, 1989, he married Laila Haddad of John was a generous, caring and charitable Boston. They made their home in Charlestown, member of his community, always giving MA and became the proud parents of two back through philanthropic efforts. As a daughters. Anyone who was around him for business owner and friend, he was known to more than 10 minutes soon learned that the help in whatever way he could when anyone sun rose and set on Zoë and Phoebe as far as needed it.