Governor Charles Baker and Public Health Commissioner Dr. Monica Bharel issued a series of orders on early education and childcare and the healthcare system today.
Early Education and Family Childcare Providers Ordered Closed
Governor Baker issued an Executive Order today that closes all early education centers and family childcare providers on Monday, March 23 to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) also issued emergency procedures to exempt Emergency Child Care Programs.
Families who work in healthcare and safety will be given priority access to these emergency childcare programs. Vulnerable children will also be given priority access. Additional space will be used for those who must go to work but aren’t emergency personnel.
In a press briefing early Wednesday evening in Worcester, Director of Worcester Public Health Dr. Michael Hirsh credited the governor for making this decision in a timely manner. He said that while children of typically do not suffer symptoms from the virus, they can be carriers. He indicated new data is indicating that fecal matter can be an effective method of spreading the virus, making diaper changes a significant risk.
Readying the Healthcare System
Massachusetts Commissioner of Public Health Monice Bharel issued three orders today.
The first relaxes administrative requirements so physicians assistants who typically work on elective surgeries can be re-assigned to other areas of the hospital and work under a different supervising physician. Elective surgical procedures have already been cancelled by a previous order from the Governor.
The second order allows pharmacists to administer medications for treatment of opioid use disorder that would typically be administered by a nurse. This is in response to the expected demands to be put on nurses as COVID-19 cases grow.
The third order requires that all Local Board of Health disclose the address of those diagnosed with COVID-19 to the official in charge or emergency calls in their jurisdiction. Only the address is revealed. All other information is kept confidential.
In another action by the Governor, he signed an emergency order that extends occupational and professional licenses of those in good standing for 90 days. This action prevents licenses from lapsing during the ongoing crisis.
Photo credit: “Governor Baker Commemorates 9/11 Anniversary 09.11.18” by Office of Governor Baker is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
