Hopeful But Nervous: What Health Experts Think About Mass. Reopening

Also: what to know about the plan, the expected timeline and what it means for each industry; expanded access to emergency daycare ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  [Donate [WBUR]]( [View in Browser](  [WBUR]( May 19, 2020 Good Morning Boston, ☀️ [Sunshine]( and cool. Highs 55-60. We learned a ton of information yesterday about Massachusetts' reopening plan, including how and when each phase is expected to roll out. Here are the must-know headlines on the local coronavirus outbreak from the past 24 hours: - Gov. Baker's four-phase plan relaxes the state's stay-at-home advisory, and allows a range of businesses — think retailers, hair salons and office buildings outside Boston — to reopen in limited capacities next week. Factories, construction sites and houses of worship are the first business locations to receive reopening green lights. [Here's the full reopening report.]( - [Six public health metrics]( determine when we move from one phase to the next. Each phase will last "at least three weeks," according to Baker. Meaning the timeline could change (or we could move back to earlier phases) depending on the data. - While telehealth will still play a big role in reopening the state, in Phase 1 hospitals and community health centers will be able to resume providing a [limited range of non-emergency, "high-priority" preventative services]( like immunizations, pediatric care and screenings. - Recreational cannabis stores will also be allowed to open for [curbside pickup]( starting May 25. - Wondering about restaurants, gyms, and retail stores? Not sure what the new advisory and reopening plan means for you? Read more of the key takeaways from Gov. Baker's plan below. - Coronavirus By The Numbers: The state reported 65 new deaths Monday due to COVID-19, bringing the statewide death toll to 5,862. State officials also reported 1,042 new cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 87,052. ([See our charts and map for a more detailed breakdown]( P.S.– Yesterday was a long and busy day so by 8 p.m. I was looking forward to one of my all time favorite comfort foods: Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream (eaten right out of the pint like it was intended). That's because in times of stress, many of us turn to familiar foods. For me, it's ice cream, warm chocolate chip cookies and the occasional glass of Cabernet Sauvignon. For you it may be the soup you always had when you were sick or the special treats you got for birthdays. Whatever it is, we want to know: what food is bringing you comfort during this stressful time? Tell us by replying to this email and your response may be shared. — Meagan McGinnes [@meaganmcginnes]( newsletters@wbur.org The Rundown [1.](url)[6 Things To Know About The Plan To Reopen Massachusetts]( At 29 pages and four phases, it's a pretty quick read — and a more productive use of quarantine time than binging Netflix (again). But if you're looking for something even quicker, here are answers to six questions you may have. [Read more.](   #%23%23[Twitter](  #%23%23[Facebook](    2. [Health Experts Are Hopeful But Nervous About Mass. Reopening]( They say they're wary of reopening too quickly, but that the restrictions in place are also having an impact on the state's health. [Read more.]( ➡️ Relief, Confusion, and Disappointment: [Mass. Businesses Owners React To Reopening Plan]( ➡️ Politics: [Local Leaders Offer Mixed Reaction To Mass. Reopening Plan]( 3. [Most Of The Space In Massachusetts Field Hospitals Went Unused. Now, Some Are Looking To Shut Down]( Take Boston Hope, the state’s largest field hospital erected inside the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Roughly 400 of 500 acute care beds sat empty during the pandemic’s peak in Massachusetts. [Read more.]( 4. [Mass. Expands Who Can Access Emergency Day Care As Businesses Reopen]( State health and early education and care officials are working on detailed guidelines about how child care providers can safely reopen in the weeks ahead, but many questions remain. [Read more.]( 5. [Mnuchin And Fed's Powell Set To Brief Senators On $2 Trillion Coronavirus Act]( Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin are expected to be pressed by senators about their stewardship of specific aspects of the approximately $2 trillion relief package at today's remote hearing. You can watch live at 10 a.m. at wbur.org. [Read more.]( Support the news Anything Else? - An important note for MBTA riders and commuters: The T won't return to full service until the final phase of the state's reopening plan. Here's [what services are expected to look like in each phase](. - Where arts and culture organizations fit into the reopening plan depends on the business and space. From drive-in movie theaters to art museums, [we break down all the opening guidelines for you here.]( - Looks like another month of take-out. Dine-in service for restaurants won't be allowed until Phase 2 – and bars will have to wait longer. The restaurant industry has [mixed feelings]( about it all. - When it comes to pandemic parenting advice, psychologist Marlene Major shares [in this commentary]( that teens can benefit from defining this moment for themselves. Younger kids, however, do better with structure. [WBUR] Your Daily Must Listen ['It Seemed Apocalyptic' 40 Years Ago When Mount St. Helens Erupted]( [Listen]( CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES [Get And Give Help: Your Guide To Navigating Coronavirus]( [Map & Case Count:]( Breaking Down Coronavirus Here In Charts [Town By Town:]( See Your Community's Reported Coronavirus Cases [Listen]( Make "Coronavirus, Briefly" Your Daily Audio Update Stay Informed: Get daily coronavirus updates in your inbox. 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