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From YouTube: COVID-19 Media Availability 5/6/20
Description
Mayor Walsh hosts a media availability to discuss updates relating to COVID-19.
A
Thank
you
for
being
here
this
morning.
The
latest
numbers
I,
don't
have
today's
updated
numbers
yet,
but
these
are,
as
of
yesterday,
Massachusetts
recorded
seventeen
thousand
two
hundred
seventy-one
cases
of
kovat
19.
That
was
an
increase
of
eleven
hundred
and
eighty
four
from
the
day
before
the
deaths
total
in
Massachusetts.
As
of
yesterday
4212,
it's
up
122
from
the
day
before
the
case
is
here
in
Boston
we
surpassed
10,000
cases.
A
We
have
ten
thousand
two
hundred
forty
one,
that's
up
from
the
day
before
of
164
actually
surprised
to
two
days
ago,
and
the
debts
in
Boston
are
449
up
by
seven
from
the
previous
day.
Our
thoughts
and
prayers
are
certainly
with
everyone.
Who's
struggling
with
this
virus
with
family
members
that
are
sick
or
suffering
in
the
hospital,
and
also
the
families
who
lost
loved
ones.
I
thoughts
and
prayers
go
out
to
you.
Our
actions
I
focus
on
getting
everyone
the
care
and
support
they
need
and
safety
they
need.
A
The
Boston
home
Medical
Center
has
treated
166
has
treat,
is
treating
166
patients
81
on
the
respite
side
in
85
on
the
hospital
side,
all
together
since
Boston
Hope
was
opened.
Nearly
600
substitute
kovat
patients
have
been
treated
at
Boston
hope.
That's,
allowing
hospitals
to
dedicate
more
beds
to
intensive
cares
and
I
want
to
thank
all
the
folks
that
are
helping
us
in
that
situation.
A
In
fact,
the
kovat
patients
in
Boston
ICU
generally
gradually
going
down
overall
a
city's
average
of
new
cases
has
leveled
off
a
bit
we're
seeing
some
indications
that
they're
going
down
we're
seeing
that
we're
moving
in
the
right
direction,
and
a
lot
of
that
is
because
of
the
precautions
that
we're
taking.
But
the
curve
is
slowly
bending
we're
only
beginning
towards
where
we
need
to
be
and
we're
asking
people
to
understand
that
we
still
have
a
long
way
to
go
before
we
can
safely
launch
a
recovery
plan.
A
We
were
working
every
day
to
build
that
plan
with
the
state
with
other
cities
and
towns
in
the
car
wall,
with
our
industries
and
our
communities
here
in
Boston,
our
goal,
our
healthy
reopening
and
an
equitable
recovery.
There's
only
there's
only
the
only
way,
we're
gonna
get
to
that
point.
It's
by
staying
focused
on
physical,
distancing
and
safe
practices
that
allows
us
to
slow
the
spread
of
the
virus
one
day
at
a
time.
A
The
state
order
on
face
coverings
goes
into
effect.
Today,
we've
had
an
advisory
in
place
for
a
while
in
Boston,
and
most
most
of
us
have
it
down.
Whenever
you
leave
your
home,
you
should
be
wearing
a
face
covering
if
you
remove
it,
for
whatever
reason
we're
asking
you
to
put
it
back
on
when
you,
when
you
take
it
off
whether
it's
the
packing
our
groceries
or
what
have
you
we're
asking
people
to
cover
your
nose
in
your
mouth?
A
Not
just
your
mouth,
but
your
nose
in
your
mouth
and
when
you're
near
or
anywhere
near
other
people,
or
ask
you
to
make
sure
that
you
have
the
face
covering
on
that's
what
the
protections
for
and
that
protects
you
and
other
folks
from
people
that
might
have
beacon
carrying
the
virus.
The
state
policy
allows
fines
for
non-compliance.
I've
heard
many
questions
about
this
and
what
Boston's
going
to
do?
A
Certainly
we're
looking
at
the
situation,
but
we've
heard
and
witnessed
and
read
situations
in
other
parts
of
the
country
where
enforcement
has
been
uneven
or
even
inequitable
in
communities
of
color
I
want
to
assure
the
residents
of
the
city
of
Boston.
The
purpose
of
our
guidelines
is
to
empower
and
keep
your
families
and
your
community
safe.
Our
approach
is
to
support
you
not
to
punish
you,
especially
if
you're,
already
financially
struggling
I
also
want
to
let
the
disability
disability
community
know
that
we
are
also
aware
of
your
concerns
and
committed
to
supporting
you.
A
The
state
order
includes
exemptions
for
those
who
have
breathing
challenges,
those
who
rely
on
lip-reading
to
communicate
and
those
are
certain
mental
health
diagnoses.
If
anyone
needs
help
finding
or
making
a
face
covering,
please
we're
asking
you
to
call
3-1-1
focus
for
compliance
will
be
on
we'll
be
building
on
we're
public
the
public
visits.
Mostly,
we
want
to
make
sure
that
everyone
inside
a
grocery
store,
for
example,
has
their
nose
and
mouth
covered,
both
as
walk
going
in
their
shopping.
Any
store
that
is
open
should
be
requiring
this.
A
So
when
you
see
these,
if
you
could
take
a
chance
to
take
a
look
at
these
and
read
these
these,
these
signs
today,
I'm
also
going
to
update
and
provide
some
updates
on
our
plan
to
expand
Cova
testing
in
the
City
of
Boston
relief
for
small
businesses
and
veterans
and
our
food
access
for
residents
of
Boston
I'm
gonna
stop.
By
outlining
our
expanded
testing
testing
gets
individuals,
the
Kea
they
need
to
get
well
and
to
avoid
passing
on
the
virus.
It
allows
our
public
health
experts
to
track
the
outbreak
and
inform
our
response.
A
Testing
also
plays
an
essential
role
in
our
progress
towards
recovery.
It
provides
the
data
that
we
need
to
move
forward
in
a
phased
reopening.
Public
Health
models
tell
us
the
more
testing
we
can
do.
The
more.
We
can
reduce
our
positive
infection
rate
and
give
us
the
data
and
the
confidence
that
we
need
to
move
forward
safely.
We
have
significant
increased
tests
in
Boston
last
week,
working
with
our
hospitals
working
with
our
community
health,
centers
and
investments
with
the
Boston
resiliency
funds.
A
Today,
I
can
share
our
commitment
to
meet
a
new
testing
benchmark
and
our
strategy
to
get
there.
Our
goal
in
the
coming
weeks
is
to
reach
at
least
1500
tests
per
day
in
the
city
of
Boston
before
last
week,
we're
testing
less
than
half
that
rate
and
even
after
a
significant
increase
last
week
we
are
still
hundreds
of
daily
tests
short
of
the
1500
mark.
So
we
certainly
have
some
work
to
do,
but
we
have
a
plan
to
get
there
we'll
be
launching
a
multi-pronged
approach.
A
First,
we're
going
to
keep
expanding
testing
at
community
health
centers.
The
Boston
resiliency
fund
is
dedicated
over
a
million
dollars
to
expanding
testing
across
at
access
to
community
health
centers
in
neighborhoods
all
across
the
city
of
Boston,
starting
at
signing
in
our
most
severely
impacted
communities.
This
week
we're
moving
forward
with
testing
at
two
centers
in
Jamaica
Plain
and
one
Center
in
Charlestown.
Overall,
our
goal
is
to
increase
testing
by
50
percent
across
all
of
our
health
centers
within
the
next
month,
while
at
the
same
time
expanding
our
partnerships
with
the
hospitals.
A
Second,
we
are
going
to
expand
mobile
testing
capacity
in
the
city
of
Boston.
This
will
help
us
fill
gaps
for
certain
neighborhoods
and
in
environments
where
the
risk
of
transmission
is
the
highest,
we'll
launch
that
work
this
month
with
a
goal
of
testing
at
least
150
people
per
day,
and
that
van
will
be
operational
six
days
a
week.
Third,
we'll
conduct
surveillance
testing
for
groups
at
risk
of
faster
spread
and
more
severe
impact.
That
means
testing
everyone
in
a
select
population
to
monitor
infections
and
provide
response
over
time.
A
We
started
with
universal
testing
for
our
homeless
community
here
in
the
city,
which
will
soon
be
completed.
We
then
began
universal
testing
for
higher
high
other
impacted
populations
and
sites,
including
our
first
responders.
Ultimately,
the
goal
is
to
repeat
repeat:
testing
for
key
populations
and
locations
on
a
rotating
basis,
as
we
reopen
in
the
recovery
most
falling.
We're
also
continuing
the
antibody
testing,
which
is
key
to
understanding
the
path
of
the
virus.
A
This
week,
Mass
General
Hospital
completes
testing
and
our
thousand-person
study
will
have
the
data
to
share
next
week
after
that,
we'll
move
forward
with
antibody
testing
for
first
responders
and
other
key
populations
in
the
city
of
Boston,
as
we
move
forward,
we're
going
to
be
in
conversations
with
the
state
on
testing
resources
and
also
to
advocate
for
measures
like
testing
capability
in
primary
healthcare
settings
and
broader
the
criteria
to
allow
more
people
to
get
tested.
In
all
of
this
work,
we'll
prioritize
equity.
A
With
the
target
outreach
across
communities
in
multiple
languages,
you
can
continue
to
get
up-to-date
information
on
maps
for
testing
and
go
to
Boston
gov,
slash
coronavirus
or
you
can
call
3-1-1.
We're
also
want
to
remind
everyone,
please
remember,
to
call
ahead
to
be
screened
or
scheduled
for
an
appointment,
don't
just
walk
into
the
health
center
in
your
area.
That
has
one
make
sure
you
call
ahead
as
we
work
to
get
into
a
position
to
begin
reopening,
we're
also
working
to
support
our
residents
through
various
disruptions
and
hardships.
A
This
crisis
has
been
causing
people
and
I
have
some
updates
on
financial
relief.
As
we
all
know,
small
businesses
are
the
backbone
of
our
neighborhoods
and
our
economy.
Here
in
Boston,
they
represent
many
people's
livelihoods,
I'm
grateful
to
the
owners
and
employers,
employees
of
our
small
businesses
for
the
work
they
do
and
the
resilience
that
they
have
shown.
Today
we
are
dedicated
to
providing
relief,
effectively
efficiently
and
equitably
to
all
of
those
businesses.
A
We
have
long
established
equity
focus
and
small
businesses
and
financial
empowerment
policies,
and
we
have
a
team,
that's
engaged
on
the
ground
online
with
the
needs
of
our
neighborhood
businesses.
We
started
with
a
two
million
dollar
fund
for
our
small
business
relief
fund.
We
use
that
to
provide
grants
to
561
small
businesses
that
are
impacted
by
the
co
V
pankova
pandemic.
A
It
might
be
technical
support
relief.
We're
asking
you
to
contact
our
office
of
small
business.
I
can
also
announce
a
new
partnership
today
to
unpublish
small
local
businesses
to
provide
food
to
residents
in
need.
Commonwealth
kitchen
is
a
non-profit
here
in
Boston
that
helps
local
food
businesses
launch
and
grow
they're
a
longtime
partner
to
the
city.
They
had
to
adjust
their
operations
in
March.
A
We're
going
to
support
this
program
with
significant
grant
from
the
Boston
resiliency
fund,
as
well
as
a
partnership
with
our
office
of
Economic
Development
Commonwealth
kitchen
has
been
there
for
our
most
vulnerable
communities.
We
are
happy
to
support
them
in
this
work,
support
more
of
our
locally
owned
businesses
and
expand
our
food
resources
for
people
who
need
him.
In
total,
the
Boston
resiliency
find
has
raised
over
twenty
nine
point,
four
million
dollars
from
nearly
fifty
five
hundred
donors.
We
have
now
distributed
over
sixteen
million
dollars.
A
More
than
half
of
that
has
gone
to
food
and
basic
needs
for
children,
families
and
seniors,
and
millions
more
to
vulnerable
populations.
Frontline
responders
Intex
testing
access
for
meal
sites
impede
families.
Looking
for
meal
sites,
we're
asking
you
go
to
food
resources,
the
food
resource
section
on
the
Boston
gobbler,
oh
no
virus
website,
it's
Boston,
gov,
slash
coronavirus
or
call
3-1-1.
A
special
word
for
our
military
veterans
and
Families
our
Veterans
Service
office
is
fully
operational
in
the
FEU.
A
It
can
also
include
a
monthly
assistance-
medical
reimbursements,
as
well
as
emergency,
help
paying
bills
veterans
and
their
families
can
apply
on
our
website
at
Boston,
gaveta
ins
or
you
can
reach
out
to
the
guidelines
by
calling
six
one
seven
to
401
vets
at
six
one,
seven,
two,
four
one:
that's
a
few
reminders
before
I
wrap
up
one
of
them.
If
you're
having
a
medical
emergency,
we're
asking
you
to
please
call
three
911,
911,
EMTs
and
hospitals
can
treat
you.
A
They
have
the
capacity
and
they
have
the
ability
they
are
safe
and
they
are
there
for
you.
Second
you.
Secondly,
please,
when
you
discard
your
gloves,
mask
or
face
coverings,
do
it
properly
I'm,
still
hearing
reports
of
gloves
and
masks
on
streets,
including
outside
meal
sites,
in
grocery
store
parking
lots?
This
is
not
sanitary
and
it's
not
fair
for
those
who
have
to
clean
them
up.
I
mean
last
day,
I
want
people
to
remember
to
fill
out
the
US
census
form
I
talked
about
the
federal
funds
that
we
are
using
to
support
small
businesses.
A
They
also
a
true
for
programs
that
serve
children,
seniors
veterans,
renters
and
many
other
needs.
The
federal
role
may
even
grow
more
important
as
we
move
through
this
crisis
into
recovery,
those
funds
to
get
distributed
based
on
population.
So
you
have
to
get
counted
to
get
a
fair
share.
It
only
takes
a
few
minutes
to
fill
out
the
form
that
you
get
in
the
mail.
You
can
do
it
online
at
my
2020
census,
gov,
that's
my
2020
census,
gov,
it's
safe
and
it's
secure
for
everyone
to
fill
out.
A
I'll,
conclude
conclude
as
usual
with
some
thank-yous.
Earlier
today
we
had
an
f15
fly
over
by
the
Massachusetts
National
Guard
today
for
our
health
care
workers,
I,
don't
know
if
I
can
say.
Thank
you
as
dramatically.
Is
that
what
I'm
gonna
try
today
marks
the
start
of
National
Nurses
Week
and
today
is
National
Nurses
Day?
No
one
is
working
harder
than
our
nurses
right
now
and
no
one
is
more
indispensable
to
our
community
in
to
our
country,
the
nurses,
right
now
great
compassion,
health
care
depends
on
great
professional
nursing.
A
Thank
you
via
great
service.
I
have
one
question:
I
believe
that
was
submitted.
I'll
take
this
I'll.
Do
this
question
and
then
I'll
open
up
for
questions
from
the
reporters
that
are
here.
The
question
comes
from
Catherine
Carlock
from
the
Boston
Business
Journal,
it's
a
two-part
question.
What's
the
latest
update
on
a
slow
reopening
of
Boston's
construction
industry?
Are
there
any
specific
projects,
the
types
of
construction
you
consider
allowing
to
move
forward
before
others?
The
latest
update
on
our
construction
industry
is
that
all
active
work
is
still
currently
limited
to
essential
projects.
A
The
demonstration
at
the
Statehouse
yesterday
about
reopening
the
economy
certainly
I
see
everyone's
point.
You
know
as
mayor
the
City
of
Boston
said
this
several
times
when
you
close
the
economy,
it's
detrimental
to
a
city
and
it's
damaging
to
our
budget
here
at
City.
Hall
is
like
it's
damaging
to
many
other
cities
and
towns
and
there's
nothing
more
than
I'd
like
to
have
happen,
or
the
government
or
other
town
managers
and
city
to
see
councilors
and
mayor's
around
the
Commonwealth
around
the
country.
A
A
B
A
Long,
the
question
is:
will
they
be
tolerating
the
city
as
long
as
they
do
in
a
respectful
manner
and
they
don't
disrupt
people's
live
livelihoods
and
don't
don't
cause
a
public
safety
issue?
Of
course,
that
I
mean
people
have
a
right
to
demonstrate
if
they
choose.
We
just
asked,
and
yesterday
was
calm,
I
mean
it
certainly
wasn't
some
of
the
image
that
I
saw
around
the
country.
You
know
it
seemed
it
seemed
pretty
calm
people
it
signs
and
people
expressing
their
opinion.
I
appreciate
that
I
just
asked
them
as
they
think
of
as
they're.
A
B
A
The
question
is:
if
there's
a
ban,
if
there's
a
ban
on
gathering
at
ten
people,
does
that
call
it
does
that
basically
refer
to
folks
gathering
outside
it's
a
recommended
ban?
It's
an
invite
a
recommended
advisory,
the
governor
put
down.
So
it's
I,
don't
believe
it's
mandated.
It's
a
recommendation
for
people
to
keep
themselves
safe
from
from
people
who
might
have
the
virus
or
people
might
be
that
don't
have
the
virus,
but
it
carries
of
the
virus.
So
that's
that's
what
the
recommendation
at
the
stay
at
home
owners
in
advisory.
A
Yeah
and
the
playgrounds
are
closed,
so,
if
they're
in
a
playground
or
they're
in
a
place,
that's
close.
That's
a
different
situation.
These
ones
are
on.
If
I
saw
correctly,
they
were
in
front
of
the
State
House
on
Beacon
Street
on
a
public
street
or
public
space
is
different
when
you,
when
you're
on
it,
if
you're
going
to
do
a
demonstration
in
playgrounds
or
a
park,
you
need
to
apply
for
a
permit.