<p>In his daily press briefing Monday, Gov. Charlie Baker was vague about whether the state would help rescue the financially struggling Steamship Authority.</p>
Gov. Charlie Baker said Monday he would decide later in the week about whether to extend the statewide stay-at-home order. And in his daily press briefing, the governor was vague about whether the state would help rescue the financially struggling Steamship Authority.
The stay-at-home order, which closed all non-essential businesses, is set to expire May 4.
But with case numbers still high, the order is widely expected to be extended. “We believe it’s important for us to create some clarity around this . . . and you’ll hear from us later this week on that,” the governor said. “The trend data remains reasonably high.”
All six Island towns instituted their own, stricter stay-at-home orders that included bans on construction and landscaping in late March. The first phase of guidelines to relax those orders came into effect on Monday, allowing one and two-man crews to get back to work.
During the briefing Governor Baker also responded to a question about whether the state had plans to help the SSA. Ten days ago boat line general manager Robert Davis wrote a letter to the governor urgently seeking a bailout to help stem steep financial losses during the pandemic.
The SSA is a state-chartered ferry line that operates without subsidy. In the event of a deficit, the boat line’s enabling legislation provides for the state treasurer to provide funding that would later be repaid by taxpayers in the port communities.
The boat line has not had a deficit since 1962.
But on Monday Governor Baker said the state had limited jurisdiction over the SSA.
“The Steamship Authority is basically not an entity that we have jurisdiction over, for all intents and purposes,” the governor said. “And I believe most of their rule-making and regulatory oversight is federal. And I do know that this is a conversation that is going on currently with a number of similar entities with the federal government to determine whether or not there is a role for the feds to play there. The states, as a general rule, do not have jurisdiction, funding, anything to do with organizations like that, but the feds do.”
Since Mr. Davis wrote his letter, the boat line learned that it is already in line to receive $12 million in federal money, a combination of coronavirus relief and transportation grant funding. Over the weekend, Cong. Bill Keating announced that the funding would be expedited and arrive within the next two weeks. The money is expected to cover projected operating losses through July.
In a statement issued Monday afternoon, the boat line appeared to correct Governor Baker’s remarks while at the same time thanking him.
“As a public instrumentality of the commonwealth, the Steamship Authority falls under the jurisdiction of both state and federal authorities on a variety of matters,” the statement said. It continued:
“We have been working closely with the commonwealth, including calls today with officials from the executive office for administration and finance and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. We have also been engaged with our federal congressional delegation and are grateful for their willingness to explore various financial relief options and potential opportunities. We are also thankful to Governor Baker, and all of those in his administration, for their attention to our unique issue, and look forward to more productive discussions to come as the full impact of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic unfolds.”
Meanwhile, confirmed cases of Covid-19 on the Vineyard continued to hold steady at 16 for the third day in a row Monday, after no new cases were reported over the weekend.
Hospital officials also confirmed Monday that an early Saturday morning Coast Guard medical helicopter evacuation from the hospital was not pandemic related.
Hospital spokesman Katrina Delgadillo said a patient who had been hospitalized with Covid-19 was discharged in stable condition over the weekend, clarifying that the helicopter evacuation was for a different patient.
“The Coast Guard transfer was not Covid related,” Ms. Delgadillo wrote in an email to the Gazette.
Daily testing updates from the hospital include the number of patients currently hospitalized with the virus, but do not include information about patient discharges or medical transfers off-Island.
The hospital’s current policy is to transfer critical coronavirus patients to Boston whenever possible in an effort to protect its limited bed capacity. The hospital has three ICU beds and two ventilators.
The previous three Covid-19 hospitalizations on the Island resulted in medical transfers to Boston. Two were performed by Boston Medflight helicopters; the third was a maternity patient who was transferred to Boston via ground transport.
On Monday, the daily update from the hospital said that as of 10:30 a.m., it had conducted 365 tests, with 348 negatives, 16 positives and one pending.
Statewide, case numbers continued to trend high Monday, with 1,524 new cases and 104 new deaths, pushing the death toll past the 3,000 mark.
Comments
Time to get back to normal
BS Oak BluffsTime to get back to normal with precautions for the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions. 99.2 % of the deaths in NY are those with pre-existing conditions. 56% of the deaths in Mass were residents of nursing homes. We've identified the vulnerable population and have prepared our hospitals for any additional influx. Even before this virus happened just leaving your home on any given day was a roll of the dice. Life is uncertain yet poverty is far more deadly than this virus.
Agree, economy needs to be
Mark EdgartownAgree, economy needs to be reopened. Doesn’t matter how long we stay inside if there is no economy to come back to; 26mm Americans have already lost their jobs and will only worsen if we sit at home.
There isn't a statewide stay
MVThere isn't a statewide stay at home order, it is an advisory. Please correct this, it is completely wrong.
Where are all their masks?
OB RNWhere are all their masks?
I know, first thing I noticed
Essential worker Oak BluffsI know, first thing I noticed. What is the aversion to wearing a mask to protect them and everybody else?
8 people with masks on. 8
Dan Ob8 people with masks on. 8 people without masks.
So now the SS is potentially a hazard. Should be mandatory masks when riding.
18 people, including SSA
Concerned WT18 people, including SSA workers... 9 with masks and 9 without. SSA workers should ALL be required to wear masks. People need to be educated.
I agree! They should all have
Cheryl VermontI agree! They should all have mask on! Especially being a small island
These passengers apparently
fact checker edgThese passengers apparently are NOT practicing the "social distancing" that requires 6 feet separation. No mask, no separation, no consideration for the rest of the population. Its been noted that the NYC subway system with people crammed inside was the major factor with the spread of disease. The boat will be the next petri dish if the SSA does not enforce the 'social distancing' rules..
The SSA Must REQUIRE masks &
Christine SengekontacketThe SSA Must REQUIRE masks & social distancing on all boats. I would make this a contingency before they get any bailout money.
A mask is only functional if
Eben Elias WTA mask is only functional if worn /cared for properly - no facial hair which could prevent proper seal around mask, using only one strap when two are required, crunched up under chin or stretched on top of head when not in use, hung on rear view mirror with defroster on ( blowing who knows what where ). The list can go on.
True, especially as regards
Alison Case WilliamstownTrue, especially as regards the mask protecting the wearer from infection. But for protecting others from the wearers infection (bearing in mind that many infections are asymptomatic) even a badly worn mask makes a huge difference.
And here comes the virus
John M TisburyAnd here comes the virus riding on the backs of all those coming to the island without a care in the world. People can be clueless. Wear a mask! So infuriating. And of course the steamship authority is out of touch - AGAIN.
Agreed. Not a good photo to
Outside Observer Off IslandAgreed. Not a good photo to show the world how the Vineyard is trying to control the virus. SSA employee is not wearing a mask. Should be mandatory for all employees as well as travelers unless they stay in their vehicles. Come on man!!!!!
Agree with comments regarding
Serious Concern West TisburyAgree with comments regarding our island community’s safety. Masks and social distancing should be a minimum requirement of passengers walking off of the ferry. Other countries impose fines to enforce this. Why undo what we have been striving to do and giving up to help secure our health, safety and lives. A picture’s worth a thousand words as they say. This needs to be addressed.
Why has there been little to
Ted EdgartownWhy has there been little to no lay offs furloughs for Government workers?
The steamship doesn't even
Islander80 ChilmarkThe steamship doesn't even provide protective gear for its own employees. It's certainly not going to enforce anything on the passengers. All Davis cares about is his power and his paycheck.
Anybody reading this article
Sue EdgartownAnybody reading this article should post a comment on the outrageous disregard by the Steamship Authority not making masks mandatory. Signs in parking lots, on the boats, etc. suggesting masks be worn at all times. It’s small chinks in the armor that can bring down the island.
Dear Fact Checker and BS,
Douglas Korves AIA Always in IslandDear Fact Checker and BS,
When you “note” and “quote” percentages like 99.2% of deaths are pre-existing conditions, annotate your source. Otherwise, Statements like the subway was the main source of the Covid spread are wrong.
Not even half the deaths of Covid-19 in New York are pre-existing conditions.
The reasons for Covid-19 in NYC are: 1.) it is the major connecting point of International flights from around the world. 2.) it has an intense density of people in the metropolitan region, 30 million from 3 states who cross pollinate daily on multiple transportation systems. 3.) there are anywhere from 300,000 - 400,000 tourists everyday and an additional 250,000 in and out business travelers. 4.) between the all those people and 8.5 million residents and commuters for work, only 3 million use the subways every day. 4.) nobody understood this virus and still there is insufficient testing and thousands of people with what was thought to be the flue walked into medical offices and were discharged from Dec through March.
The Vineyard is blessed to have Covid come to your shores after America learned the hard way for: being unprepared, having myopic leadership, Political denial and hysteria fear to shut down large economic sectors of the country.
That fear to shutdown the economies and the resultant will be felt on Island this summer and fall. The Vineyard is blessed that you have learned from the world’s mistakes. You have the luxury of MED-evading the infected off-Island, and the refuge of open spaces, and the perspective of an island viewpoint to protect you.
Although it was a movie and the shark only ate 5 people, do not repeat Jaws. We all need distance, wear masks, wash hands, stay off the beaches, have a broad and patient view, and be nice to each other. Oh! Stay out of the water.
So - not only one of the
West Tisbury RNSo - it's Day 1 and not only one of the Steamship workers (which passengers are passing within 6 feet) is unmasked, half the workers are as well while not maintaining the safe distancing rule.
SSA, you have a responsibility to provide a safe means of transport, particularly when you ask for taxpayer dollars to bail you out. Stop crying for money when you're not willing to be part of the solution to keep our island safe and the boats running. This is a perfect picture of your lack of concern for the health of others. Reliable Market and Cronigs can figure it out, but you can't? And you expect a bail out?
It is outrageous to see a
Up Islander AquinnahIt is outrageous to see a photo clearly showing a lack of social distancing, lack of mask wearing of off island workers arriving after we have all endured stay at home orders and have been unable to work. Selfish and stupid yes, but where are the authorities, what is the enforcement capability of the Steamship Authority. For years after 9/11 the State Police are often posted at the dock. This cannot be allowed to continue.
That picture is worth a
T Bone Oak BluffsThat picture is worth a thousand or more words. The SSA claims to be our lifeline. It looks more like the COVID Expressway.
Agree, what the heck! Wake up
Essential worker Oak BluffsAgree, what the heck! Wake up people! The virus will be here in record numbers in two weeks. so stupid.
And so it begins. Note the
Linda cook EdgartownAnd so it begins. Note the date, and the count. I will be so curious to see the count in two weeks. How do you explain the double standard to kids when you say " Masks, gloves, social distancing, no school." But these grown-ups can rub elbows, NOT wear masks & gloves.? How can i explain to a teenager when i myself don't understand it.???
Add new comment