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Gov. Charlie Baker speaks at a press conference on March 17, telling reporters that “without question, we are likely to have some very tough days ahead of us.” Photo by Sam Doran | State House News Service
On one hand, you have President Donald Trump and his delusional talk about packed churches on Easter, pushing to roll back newly minted coronavirus restrictions with all the patience of a toddler on a sugar high.
On other extreme, governors in California and New York have issued “shelter in place” rules that would have everyone in those states sitting on the couch all day long, glued to the latest coronavirus crisis news.
Even the Massachusetts Audubon Society and the Trustees of Reservations decided to bar the public from more than 170 different nature walks and woodland sites while state parks remain open.
The situation remains fluid but up until this paper’s deadline, Gov. Charlie Baker had held the line against pressure to have everyone in the state lock their own doors, shut the windows and pull down the shades.
Baker Walks a Fine Line
Baker’s cool, analytical approach can be frustrating when it comes to something like the state’s housing crisis or ridiculous and discriminatory local zoning rules that bar affordable housing.
But the governor’s calm, no–nonsense approach hits just the right notes amid the overload of emotion and fear generated by this deadly virus’ arrival on our shores.
Baker has managed to walk a fine line between the shutdownistas, who won’t be satisfied until every outdoor space is completely lifeless and the last vestiges of normal existence have been suppressed, and the heartless fools who argue we go back to whatever “normal” is at this point and sacrifice our elders in hopes of a quick economic fix.
Church services and other gatherings are wisely prohibited, seating areas at restaurants have bene removed or shut down, while non-essential businesses have bene ordered to take a break.
The state’s chief executive has wisely allowed for some badly needed breathing room for the local economy by allowing everyone from the local coffee shop to the big chains to continue to takeout service and deliveries.
A Stance That Stands Out
Baker’s stance on keeping the parks open for a completely stressed–out public to find some solace in also stands out in this crazed time.
His California counterpart, Gov. Gavin Newsom, announced a “soft closure” of state parks last week that involved cordoning off parking lots, ensuring access only to those living within walking distance.
The edict came after Californians supposedly threw caution to the wind on the sunny weekend before and “packed” the beaches, according to a CNN story.
The reality, at least from what can be seen from some of the photos, certainly shows lots of people walking along the beach, but also, in most cases, six feet or more space in between individuals or small clusters of families and friends.
Officials in New York City where, to be fair, the coronavirus has hit much harder than almost anywhere in the world, are contemplating shutting parks and playgrounds.
The only bright spot is the city may also shut down streets to traffic to compensate, with Gov. Andrew Cuomo noting “people want to walk. They want to go outside and get some air.”
What Science Says
Beyond the punitive effect of such shutdowns on beleaguered and exhausted public, such draconian measures are unsustainable over the long-term and likely to backfire as people eventually lose patience and push back.
More importantly, there is little evidence that a walk through the park or a hike in the woods is going to put you at serious risk for contracting the coronavirus, nor is it the kind of activity where the virus is able to spread among large numbers of people, provided some common sense is used.
The chances of picking it up from the outdoor air appears extremely low if you follow social distancing guidelines, according to Dr. Richard Serrao, an infectious disease physician with the VA Boston Healthcare System and a professor at the Boston University School of Medicine.
Sure, if you are jogging closely behind someone when they sneeze and you happen to race into the danger zone before the breeze does its work, there could be a problem, the good doctor told WBUR.
Serraro advises runners, walkers and others to be aware of anyone sneezing or coughing and to keep a healthy distance from strangers even beyond that prescribed 6 feet. (To provide some context, the World Health Organization has said standing within 3 feet of someone sneezing or coughing is particularly dangerous.)
Baker’s Experience Shows
Thankfully, Baker made it clear he is not a big fan of simply slapping on restrictions that may backfire in ways the shutdownistas probably haven’t contemplated.
And unlike that certain someone at the federal level who has been spouting off about coronavirus cures and other nonsense, Baker knows what he’s talking about when it comes to public health.
Baker cut his teeth in the late 1990s as the state’s health and human services chief, before going on to pilot Harvard Pilgrim through a harrowing bankruptcy crisis.
In recent days, the governor has made it clear that his stay-at-home advisory is not a shelter-in-place edict, and for good reason.
“[A shelter-in-place order] doesn’t make sense from a public health point of view, and it’s not realistic, especially if people need to get to work at essential businesses, or go to places like grocery stores, pharmacies, or hospitals or healthcare providers,” Baker said.
Scott Van Voorhis is Banker & Tradesman’s columnist; opinions expressed are his own. He may be reached at sbvanvoorhis@hotmail.com.
