Baker's announcement is at 11 a.m.

By adamg on Mon, 05/18/2020 - 9:03am

You know which one. Watch.

Free tagging:

Charlie Baker

Covid-19

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Comments

Won't matter much

By BostonDog
Mon, 05/18/2020 - 9:51am

There's been some interesting studies of cell phone data that shows irrespective of the Government's directives, people have been mostly staying home. This is true in all states, even the ones that never "closed".

My own employer is planning a very, very slow return coupled with a number of sensible restrictions and this would be true even if Baker eliminated all stay-at-home orders today. Most businesses aren't eager to get taken out by the virus so they'll limit operations even if formally allowed to return usual business. Life won't return to "normal" for a long time, irrespective of what Baker (or Trump, etc) might want.

Conversely, even if Baker would claim MA is "closed" for another few weeks, he'll have a hard time getting as many people to listen. Auto traffic has been picking up on the roads. After two months, people are going to slowly start resuming their social gatherings with or without permission. Thankfully, most people are going to be much more sensitive to staying home when ill and avoiding large gatherings.

We've had similar data for weeks (months?) from electrical usage

By jorf
Mon, 05/18/2020 - 10:38am

That there were significant changes before the SIP orders went nationwide. That story (people are generally responsible) undermines everyone's ability to get mad at others though, so generally flew under the radar. We just like to get paranoid (and police behavior) about others!

Similarly, outdoor transmission is extremely low, with the bulk (90% of cases) being indoors. So even running with a mask probably isn't doing a ton other than maybe calming those around you. https://slate.com/technology/2020/04/runners-masks...

Admittedly, a nerve often gets struck when a runner (or group of walkers) doesn't have the decency to make some space though.

So even running with a mask _

By ChrisInEastie
Mon, 05/18/2020 - 10:58am

So even ~~running with a mask~~ ___________ probably isn't doing a ton other than maybe calming those around you.

I'll agree with the running point overall (as someone who runs with a gaiter or bandana daily anyway). But I also think this kind of symbolizes a larger "screw you, I'll do what I want" mentality amongst a lot of people.

Also, the not making space thing drives me insane. I make it a point to go out of my way to make people who do this a little uncomfortable themselves.

Benefits to running/cycling with a mask

By SwirlyGrrl
Mon, 05/18/2020 - 3:54pm

Pollen relief.

The only reason we have masks in my house is because my son bought a case last year to filter out the pollen when he rides.

Definitely

By Don't Panic
Mon, 05/18/2020 - 11:09pm

I have mild hay fever and these paper masks are like a blessing.

What did Baker say?

but that's why people get so angry

By anon
Mon, 05/18/2020 - 11:53am

not because wearing your DIY non-medical old-tshirt mask is 100% effective against transmission - we all know it's not - but because wearing one is your way of saying to your neighbors "hi, I pay attention to the world around me, I know what's going on and I understand that I am part of a society and have to behave as such".

people get angry, and I think rightly so, because going out without a mask is, at best, advertising that you are completely clueless, and at worst giving a gigantic finger to everyone around you.

the rest of us have to half-suffocate on our daily walks and would love nothing more than to breathe freely, but we don't because we know we have responsibilities.

well

By MostlyHarmless
Mon, 05/18/2020 - 3:52pm

So even running with a mask probably isn't doing a ton other than maybe calming those around you.

[img]https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/homemade_masks.png[/img]

This in interesting read

By Parkwayne
Mon, 05/18/2020 - 11:21am

https://www.erinbromage.com/post/the-risks-know-th...

from a scientist.

On the opening, there are so many variables. In white collar jobs, there's I think a slight majority of folks who'd rather stay home than go in but some people, for example who live in small apartments or alone, who want to get back into their offices. On the employer side, if a company can effective run with a majority of staff at home, why on earth pay high rent for downtown/Cambridge office space? In manufacturing, it's a lot tricker. The firms I work with are moving towards staggered shifts to improve spacing, etc... along with more frequent sanitization, etc... but it's certainly harder to recoup productivity lost by a crew of production staff working in concert.