Baker Says MA Residents Should Rethink Holiday Plans: Patch PM

MASSACHUSETTS — It's Tuesday, Dec. 15. Here's what Patch has been covering in Massachusetts today:

With polls showing 30 percent of Massachusetts residents planning to celebrate the holidays with people outside their household, Gov. Charlie Baker urged them to cancel or postpone those plans in his coronavirus update Tuesday.

"I would really ask you and urge you to, first of all, reconsider those plans," Baker said. "If you must....people should wear masks, they should open windows, they should use good hygiene, they should distance if they can, and follow the rules that have been put in place and proven to be effective."

The state Department of Health released holiday guidelines Tuesday, as it did before Thanksgiving. But the state has seen a sharp increase in coronavirus cases, deaths and positive test dates since then. On Tuesday, Baker blamed the spike on people who ignored those guidelines before Thanksgiving and said the spike had put the state's healthcare system under stress.

More Coverage On Patch:

• 6 MA Towns Split From State Rules, Roll Back Reopening Further
• Despite Coronavirus Surge, Most Boston Hospitals Have Space

Read the full story.

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Dave Copeland writes for Patch and can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).