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Statewide stay-at-home advisory to go into effect tomorrow but all 'non-essential' businesses ordered shut
By adamg on Mon, 03/23/2020 - 10:22am
Gov. Baker this morning ordered all "non-essential" businesses to shut at noon tomorrow.
"Essential" businesses and services that can remain open include:
- Healthcare and human-services providers (such as hospitals, clinics and group homes);
- Companies working on Covid-19-related medicines and vaccines or that provide or deliver services to them;
- Pharmacies and grocery stores and the companies that deliver to them;
- Liquor stores;
- Restaurants that provide takeout and delivery;
- Utility companies;
- Gas stations;
- Transit systems, ride-share companies, airports and airlines;
- Communications companies, IT support desks, network operations centers;
- Hotels;
- The media;
- Laundromats;
- Financial services that process and maintain transactions, including banks;
- Chemical companies;
- Defense contractors.
State Rep. Tommy Vitolo (D-Brookline) reports:
You can still move about, in car, door, MBTA, bike, RTA, scoot, stroll, and jog. Please maintain Social distance.
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Comments
door ?
"You can still move about, in car, door, MBTA, bike, RTA, scoot, stroll, and jog"
autocorrect?
I can't figure out what it is supposed to mean.
Needed to be done.
Needed to be done.
Really, not too much more that current situation, but any step is an improvement.
Should’ve been done weeks ago
Should’ve been done weeks ago. I guess that’s what comes of having a follower rather than a leader at the helm of this state.
The only effect this will
The only effect this will have is to increase panic.
This doesn't sound like a lockdown
or even a "stay at home".
What did you expect?
You want a lockdown that will literally close everything? Like no police, no fire department, shut down all hospitals, close all supermarkets and food places indefinitely (so we starve)? Not going to happen.
That's not how lockdowns work.
A stay at home order wouldn't shut down emergency services, this isn't the purge. If anything it makes emergency services job easier, the roads are clearer and it slows the spread.
No, something like if you are
No, something like if you are outside, in a group of 5+ people, you get questioned and you have to have a reason. If you are having a party, you get questioned. If you are at a playground, your kids are playing together with a bunch of other kids, and you're talking to other parents, you get questioned.
Question this
And if you do get questioned by the police, you only say one of two things--
"Am I being detained?"
If yes: "I have nothing further to say without a lawyer."
If no: Nothing, and walk away.
Not always the best thing to say....
Always depends on if you did or did not do something illegal...
no one suggested that
lockdowns done shut emergency services, groceries etc. They do however shut down Dunkin Donuts which Baker has seemed essential.
Those who are scared and terrified of catching the Coronavirus..
WOULD suggest literally shutting the world down, including all essential services. Their (lack of) thinking: it would guarantee to force every single person to stay home and discourage anyone from leaving their house for any reason, and this virus would die. Must have been watching the films "Contagion" and "28 Days Later" way too much.
No country ever shuts down emergency services and food even in its bleakest point of its history.
It is amazing how many people do not know what "essential needs" and "essential services" means. Freely ask anyone (friend, relative, co-worker, and such) to name the number one essential need we humans must have... and if he/she do not instantly say "food and water" or can't answer it at all, you should NEVER put your life in his/her hands.
Plainly Stated in the Order
Due to evolving spread of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, Governor Baker has directed the Department of Public Health to issue a stay at home advisory outlining self-isolation and social distancing protocols. Residents are advised to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel and other unnecessary activities during this two-week time period. Residents over 70 years of age or with underlying health conditions, who are considered at high risk when exposed to COVID-19, should limit social interactions with other people as much as possible.
The Baker-Polito Administration does not believe Massachusetts residents can be confined to their homes and does not support home confinement for public health reasons.
convenience stores, bodegas?
Anyone have an idea if this affects corner convenience stores, 7-eleven, etc?
I'm not sure what this really changes
from the current situation today.
Businesses
Except for essential operations noted - are shut down.
Update - apparently for now it's an "advisory" - not mandatory. So effectively yes, not much different from where we were.
Order/Advisory
My read was that the closure of non-essential businesses is an order but the stay-at-home announcement from the Dept. of Public Health is an advisory.
Ahh- thanks
That makes more sense.
Damned liberal media fake news (:-)).
(Just kidding - but the CNBC news was announced and updated - so kind of confusing as I think they just announced the stay at home advisory in their last update - your read is far more sensible).
Steveil, not seeing...
...an advisory. The EO reads, "Now, therefore, in order to minimize all unnecessary activities outside the home during the state of emergency, I hereby order the following:"
Did you see something different?
A lot of retail that hadn’t
A lot of retail that hadn’t already shut down will be forced to.
What's different?
My landlord decided this was a great time to bring in teams of painters and repair people. So glad that'll have to stop.
Not surprised
Bike shops were omitted if even considered. Other cities and states have classified bike shops as essential there is no reason Massachusetts with its abundance of bike Lanes and low traffic to not follow suit
I don't see liquor stores on the list
Just wondering for a friend.
Nevermind, I found it
"Workers supporting groceries, pharmacies and other retail, including farmers markets and farm stands, that sells food and beverage products, including liquor stores."
That's a relief.
For a moment I thought this was a serious stay-at-home effort.
Carry on everyone. Situation slightly off-normal.
Never give an order...
...that won't be obeyed by anyone.
Also, see detox above.
Some liquor stores deliver.
Some liquor stores deliver.
Keeping liquor stores open is
Keeping liquor stores open is a smart move. You do not want alcoholics to go into rapid detox and ending up in the hospital taking up valuable emergency resources from COVID19 patients.
Not just alcoholics!
Not just alcoholics!
We are telling millions of people they need to hole up in their small homes for weeks with nothing to do, to avoid all their friends and family who do not live with them and there is a possibility they are already infected but there are no hospitals available. I could not think of a better time to have a beer.
Wow
Only alcoholics enjoy and buy liquor. Whatever.
They are covered
On the full list.
Booze?
How are liquor stores an essential service?
Yesterday the narrow sidewalk in front of the liquor store near me was almost blocked by winos and teenagers hanging out. That's become the neighborhood hangout, apparently. I could barely squeeze by them, and they laughed at me (I'm old); they seemed to think the whole thing is a joke.
How is booze essential?
Alcoholism
Closing liquor stores would create another public health crisis. Addiction is no joke, especially when it comes to alcohol. Withdrawal can be deadly in extreme cases.
It's essential to my sanity
It's essential to my sanity to be able to have a glass of wine with all this going on! If you would prefer to not partake, then that's your prerogative.
"Spirits"
Alcohol has some anxiety reducing/calming effects that can help soothe oneself psychologically during a time of crisis like this. Hence why harder liquor is referred to as "spirits".
Someone has to think of the winos!
Sounds like a wonderful fairy tale.
You realize teenagers can't buy booze, right?
I don't see why the presence of teenagers has anything to do with your story, since they can't buy alcohol there's no reason to think that closing the liquor stores would cause them to disperse as opposed to just hanging around outside somewhere else.
THEY can't buy booze
Have teenagers given up on hanging around package stores trying to get an adult to buy them some booze? Have things changed so much?
As others have said
Alcohol withdrawal for alcoholics can be severe enough to kill them. I’ve seen someone with DTs. It’s scary
what about dispensaries?
anyone? anyone?
Medical dispensaries are "essential"
"Adult-use" dispensares (i.e., recreation pot shops), however, are not.
You sure?
I made a comment like that last week when the Brookline dispensary had 1000 millennials lined up cheek to crotch and got hammered out here. apparently lots of people on this site think that recreational marijuana is a necessity of life. /s :-)
One way to look at it.. A
One way to look at it.. A stoned society is a sedate and compliant society.
Rather have people stoned staring at a TV ordering delivery than milling about outside in groups.
Yeah, but....
They were milling about in LARGE groups waiting to buy the stuff!
the black market
is still alive and well and willing to deliver!
time machine
this comment is straight out of a early 90s dare commercial lol
I was at the shop in Salem
I was at the shop in Salem next to Walmart and they had it under control a few days ago. Tape all over the place for six feet between people. They had stantions in place and had people snaking around the parking lot. They even put up extra ropes inside to keep customers away from the staff. On top of all that they would not let you in without an order confirmation on your phone. I counted five staff members with masks and gloves outside.
I felt MUCH better about them then the chaos I saw as I drove past the supermarket and liquor stores. Insla , Insa, however you spell it are not a one shop thing and have done other openings so they seem to have a grasp on how to handle crowds. With them closed as of tomorrow I think the local super markets should hire their security people and have them run their lines.
I never liked Brookline, it was way too crazy busy with limited space.
No zoomers, boomers or Gen xers?
Sure, ok.
Dunks
It's included in restaurants, probably, but really, it should be categorized separately as an essential business.
Dunkin’s will be open. It is
Dunkin’s will be open. It is considered essential. Essential services are the services and functions that are absolutely necessary, even during a pandemic. They maintain the health and welfare of the municipality. Without these services, sickness, poverty, violence, and chaos would likely result. Ppl would go crazy without their Dunkin’ coffee
It might be easier
To list what _is_ shut down. I can’t figure it out.
Some places that have to shut
Toy and game stores. Recreational-only pot shops. Laser-tag places.
Craft stores, even those with God's own protection, have to close by noon.
Certain types of factories have to shut. Think furniture or sex toys (not that I know if we have any sex-toy factories, but, then, I didn't think we had any oil wells, either, but oil drilling is specifically listed as an "essential" service).
I also know people....
Who work in places where although all the employees have been home for a week, several managers go in to organize things from the central office. I’m guessing that means even they need to go home now...
My Office is Like This
Most of us had been working from home for the last couple weeks, but there were still a few departments coming in. Now we're all WFH.
DIY sex toy industry set to
DIY sex toy industry set to boom during COVID-19
Pot vs. Booze
Kinda funny that liquor stores can remain open, yet recreational pot stores have to close. Just shows how far we haven't come.
Devil's advocate
Preface:
You're right, but for a different reason.
The number of dispensaries is obviously extremely limited, in a state where packies/liquor stores are the only things that outnumber Dunks'. Lines were already insane when the state's workforce was actually going to work. Not only would these lines probably be even crazier now, the limited number of dispensaries creates "destinations" by default, which is not something we need right now.
Short of some insanely elaborate waiting area design/process that accounts for both cars and foot traffic, or Drizzly for weed, I can't think of a safe way to keep these open.
But this also feeds into the reason you're right. Just the sheer lack of locations and difficulty of opening one proves how far we haven't come.
But remember folks, it is legal to grow your own at home. Easier said than done in terms of acquiring what you need, I know. But...a lot of people have a lot of free time!
As an oldtimer who survived the drought of '91
If you can't network yourself to a hookup, well... work on your networking skills.
And if you can't remember the drought of '91-- YOU WEREN'T THERE, MAN!!!!
Besides alcohol withdrawal
Besides alcohol withdrawal potentially causing serious medical harm, most liquor stores will have at least a few regular food and beverage items for sale
People pass bongs and joints,
People pass bongs and joints, but they don't pass a pint of beer.
Good job. Truly what we
Good job. Truly what we needed was to crash the state economy even harder and induce even more human misery by ordering people to keep cooped up and isolated from each other even longer. I'm sure Connolly et al. will harangue the governor to extend it past the 7th. Who knew it'd be so easy to get people to roll over after relentless doomsaying in the local and national media.
Cuomo
Just remember what the NY governor said: "But if all of these measures save just one life, they are worth it."
The amount of alcoholism, drug addiction, and suicides that will ensue due to the economic (and literal) depression that are about to ensue don't count I guess.
The allowed size of indoor gatherings is reduced to 10
It had been 25. That part is an order, not an advisory.
Same thing in New Hampshire.
Same thing in New Hampshire. Not everyone is rolling over here.
Pet supplies?
Do you suppose “manufacturing and distribution of animal medical materials, animal vaccines, animal drugs, feed ingredients, feed, and bedding, etc.” includes places like Pet Smart, etc.? It’s under “animal agriculture” or something like that and doesn’t specifically mention pets, so it’s not clear if it only refers to livestock.
It's not under agriculture,
It's not under agriculture, it's under "other community-based essential functions":
They do dispense medicines
PetSmart does dispense pet prescriptions. If their pharmacies were closed, people who had prescriptions there would have to get their vet to transfer the script somewhere else. Also, pet food ...
It's pretty clear that pet
It's pretty clear that pet food stores shouldn't and aren't being forced to closed.
Connections
If you have any doubts as to how we all rely on a complicated network of support, take a look at the detailed list. Certainly opens my eyes. Reminds me of the illustrated books on how things work, including what goes on underground, below the streets, water and sewer. Then my thoughts go to inside the human body—circulatory system. And all the green shoots coming up and trees blossoming. Whole lot of stuff going on. Makes me happy to take a (careful) breath, sing (quietly), and reach out a (virtual) hand...
Good health and spirits to all!
Hardware stores? (and pet stores too)
EDIT: I should learn to read before I go posting:
Commercial retail stores that supply essential sectors, including convenience stores, pet supply stores, auto supplies and repair, hardware and home improvement, and home appliance retailers
They should be exempt
Commercial retail stores that supply essential sectors, including convenience stores, pet supply stores, auto supplies and repair, hardware and home improvement, and home appliance retailers
Just adding on for hardware stores
Confirmed at my local Home Depot that they will still be open. (as you stated "hardware and home improvement"). I assume Lowes will be open as well. Confirm their hours before you go because local HD is currently closing at 6 PM.
What about Bluebikes?
I consider them a transportation service, but the list seems to only include car rental, not bike rental. Any thoughts?
Don't forget the unessential essentials
Such as the housing rising near English High on Call Street. I walk past there and continue to see people working at the site.
That's some serious mental density.
Or
The housing on the Hyde Park Ave side of the tracks, just south of Forest Hills.
Didn't the city shut down construction?
We are in the process of foundation work to keep our house from collapsing. Homeworks is funding it. They called and told us the city has stopped all construction and will not be issuing permits. Our engineer is still coming out and poking around and working on drawings, but we can't do any work requiring permits, and Homeworks won't be letting our project go forward at this time.
Obviously the project you mention is already permitted, but it still sounds like they're supposed to halt construction:
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/03/22/business/construction-has-screech...
Less than ten
Construction sites with more than ten workers were halted. The project in question is almost certainly less than that.
Additionally, there is no expectation for work to stop in such a way that underway projects are left exposed to the elements to be both ruined and turned unsafe.
In these trying times it is very important to not post unsubstantiated garbage without even a cursory bit of research first.
Kind of off topic, but I've
Kind of off topic, but I've noticed a change in flight patterns coming into Logan. Evenings i have a nice view of the plans lining up to land and yesterday evening the sky seemed empty.
Anyone else?
I bet
Security and Safety personnel are on that list if you download it.
Apparently, despite the
Apparently, despite the language of the order, ALL biotech R&D is considered essential?
https://www.massbio.org/news/recent-news/ma-gov-baker-orders-all-non-ess...
bakeries?
Are bakeries restaurants? Or any different from a grocery store? What about other specialty food shops?
"Take out food"/ groceries
I'd assume a bakery or specialty food shop would be considered a "take out" place or grocery store. I'd call (also check their website and/or instagram page) to confirm they will be open.