BREAKING: Governor Baker has responded to our concerns and announced major steps to #ShutDownMASS. Your voice has made a difference.

The Boston Globe reports:

"Governor Charlie Baker announced Sunday that all bars and restaurants in Massachusetts would be shut down to on-premise consumption starting Tuesday through April 17, and banned gatherings larger than 25 people, in an effort to stem the coronavirus outbreak in the state.

"He also ordered a three-week suspension of all public and private schools, effective Tuesday through April 7. 

Baker said that bars and restaurants can continue to offer food for takeout or delivery, and noted that the order does not apply to grocery stores or pharmacies."

Thank you to the 11,000 people (and counting) who joined us in less than 8 hours to call on Governor Baker to act decisively to help slow the spread of coronavirus in Massachusetts - these actions will save lives. But let us be clear: while we are immensely grateful that Governor Baker is taking these critical and necessary steps, this is no time to celebrate. The coronavirus pandemic, and these new regulations, will have unprecedented and unpredictable effects on every one of us, and our collective work to support one another is just beginning.

The coming weeks and months will be especially difficult for our vulnerable neighbors and for working people and businesses whose livelihoods will be upended. We need far more aid and assistance from the State and Federal governments for working people and small businesses, and we need it quickly. Yet while government action is needed, we cannot wait - if you are able, please continue to support vulnerable neighbors and small businesses in our community in every way you can: gift cards, donations, mutual aid. 

There is also a critical need for a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures during this crisis - thank you to State Rep. Mike Connolly and Rep. Kevin Honan for filing HD.4935 last week, which would do just that - full details are here. 

I also want to send a special thank you Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone and City Council President Matt McLaughlin, who have shown tremendous leadership to coordinate a response at the municipal level in Somerville.

Thank you all  - we are in this together.