COVID

Almost 2,500 readers responded: Here’s what they thought about the need for more COVID-19 restrictions

"Strictly enforce fines and arrests for people who don't wear masks in public."

Indoor dining is one possible target of further COVID-19 restrictions. David L Ryan/Globe Staff

By Peter Chianca and Emily Turner

2 minutes to read

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With coronavirus cases rising quickly in Massachusetts, Gov. Charlie Baker is under pressure in some quarters to impose further restrictions on residents — and may do that as soon as this afternoon, when he’s scheduled to address the commonwealth with an update on the reopening plans.

With that in mind, we asked Boston.com readers whether they thought new restrictions and resources were a good idea. Judging from the reactions of the almost 2,500 people who responded to our unscientific poll over just a few hours, the general answer is a definitive “yes.”

In fact, some are questioning what’s taking so long: “Why we didn’t shut down schools, restaurants, and businesses in November and December when Fauci, Redfield, and the CDC have telegraphed for months that Thanksgiving to Christmas would be the ‘darkest’ winter yet is beyond anyone’s comprehension,” commented one reader.

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In total, a full 63% of respondents thought it was well past time for the state to step in to a greater extent than it has since the governor’s phased-in reopening plan kicked off last May.

But how should the state respond? Asked to choose their top choices, here’s how readers felt the restrictions and resources should break down.

It’s worth noting that every single “yes” vote believes schools should be fully remote; and majority (63%) of “yes” votes believe gatherings outside your own household should be banned. As for the “Other” restrictions and resources people would like to see, here are some of the suggestions readers offered:

  • “State-level stimulus checks and/or reduction in rent and property tax.”
  • “Full mask mandate.”
  • “Stop evictions, provide additional funding to businesses that have to be closed, provide a wage top-off for essential workers, provide free testing statewide.”
  • “PPP funding.”
  • “Install UV sanitizers and real HEPA in HVAC for buildings and mass transit.”

Here are some of the comments and suggestions on potential additional restrictions from Boston.com readers:

Responses have been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.PRO:

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“Strictly enforce fines and arrests for people who don’t wear masks in public.”

“Complete shut down. No one in or out [of] their homes. Call in the national guard to do a supply drop to families. Complete 2 week shutdown.”

“Keeping non-essential businesses open is taking the choice out of the hands of those of us trying to do the right thing. We and our loved ones shouldn’t suffer because we don’t get a choice to stay home because unnecessary retailers, salons, etc. are allowed to remain open. It’s frustrating and utterly disheartening.”

“Shut the f*** down, the longer you wait the more cases spread.”

“The numbers went up as soon as schools went back, kids don’t understand the seriousness of this, we should move to 100% remote learning for children to stem the spread of the virus.”

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“He should just abandon ship.”

“New rules won’t help if people already aren’t following the existing ones.”

“Gov Baker is doing the right thing. We need to treat the sick and keep death rates continually low to decrease as cases rise.”

Sometimes we ask our readers to tell us what they think. These results are based on some readers’ opinions and are not scientific.

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