We need Stay at Home order NOW. March 23, 2020

Greater Boston PSR is calling on the leaders of Massachusetts to issue a stay-at-home order to all citizens immediately.

Governor Charlie Baker should follow the example of governors in California, New York, Illinois and other states that have taken this admittedly extraordinary step in the name of public health.

Day-to-day life has already been massively disrupted across the nation by our collective efforts to prevent spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the respiratory illness COVID-19. Colleges, schools, restaurants and many businesses remain closed. Citizens across Massachusetts have curtailed their usual activities, and remain anxious and unclear about next steps.

Given the enormous energy already invested in this unprecedented effort to check the pandemic – it would be a terrible shame to see it spiral out of control in our commonwealth for want of the last (and arguably at this point the least difficult) remaining step, an immediate stay-at-home order. (Sometimes also known as a shelter-in-place order, this would include obvious exceptions for essential work, or obtaining essential needs such as food or medicine).

A stay-at-home order from government is a very solemn matter and we do not suggest it lightly. But it is also a step that must happen immediately for maximum effect.

• Please ask your newspaper to write an editorial urging Governor Baker to issue a “Stay at home” order immediately. Please ask your local television, radio and other news media to put out this same message.
• Please email Governor Baker asking him to issue “Stay at home” order by filling out this form here.

Matt Bivens, MD
Chair, Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility
Emergency Physician
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center & St. Luke’s Hospital

Regina LaRocque, MD, MPH
Board Member, Greater Boston PSR
Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Division of Infectious Diseases. Massachusetts General Hospital

Ira Helfand, MD
Board Member, Greater Boston PSR
Co-President, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War