Boston.com readers to Charlie Baker on loosening of restrictions: No thanks
“I'm not going anywhere until everyone who wants to be vaccinated is.”
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On Monday, Massachusetts entered Phase 3, Step 2 of Gov. Charlie Baker’s COVID-19 pandemic reopening plan, meaning restaurant capacity limits have been lifted (as long as tables remain 6 feet apart), and indoor performance venues are allowed to open at half capacity, with a maximum of 500 people. And on March 22, fans will be allowed back into stadiums, arenas, and ballparks at 12 percent capacity as the state starts into Phase 4.
What do Boston.com readers have to say about these loosened restrictions? For a good many of them, it’s: “Thanks, but no thanks.”
“This plan does not seem well thought out,” responded Ashley of Boston to our poll gauging people’s comfort level at attending different venues as they open up more widely. Richard of Bedford, meanwhile, said that Gov. Baker “should focus on getting the vaccine to the cities, towns and medical facilities and less on opening up businesses long before it can be done safely.”
It’s a view that has been shared by some medical professionals, who feel the vaccine rollout needs to be further along before venues get more crowded.
In total, 38% — by far the largest chunk of the more than 1,800 respondents — answered “none of the above” to the question, “Which of these venues would you visit as restrictions lift?” And of the people who said they would be taking advantage of the relaxed rules, most — 19% — chose outdoor stadiums and ballparks as the place they’d most be willing to risk venturing. Other responses included:
- Restaurants: 12%
- Indoor arenas: 11%
- Theaters: 10%
- Indoor recreation (paintball, escape rooms, etc.): 8%
But the people who were willing to head out again did have some specific events they’re looking forward to as the restrictions lift this spring, including Opening Day for the Red Sox; the Brimfield Antique Flea Market; “Black Widow” on the big screen; and “My wedding!”
Below are some reasons as to why people won’t be checking out these venues, along with what others are looking forward to this spring and summer.
Responses are edited for length and clarity.
Here’s why some readers are going to wait longer before going to any of these places:
“None yet. We should ONLY lift restrictions when the vaccination rate gets above 50% in the state and daily cases drop to 100 cases a day and positivity rate under .5%. The only reason we are opening up now is for business and political pressure, nothing else. Big mistake. Wait until April 1 and then evaluate the data.”
“Nothing until the number of people vaccinated has greatly increased. I strongly disagree with the rapidity of Gov. Baker’s reopening plan.”
“Not until herd immunity. Vulgar otherwise, besides unsafe.”
“There are none. There are all those variants making their way here. It’s too risky. And even when people get vaccinated, they need to develop immunity which can take 2-4 weeks after the second dose.” — Elizabeth, Boston
“I’m not going anywhere until everyone who wants to be vaccinated is.”
“None, nothing — not until most people have been vaccinated. Baker’s handling of the vaccination program is horrible. He should focus on getting the vaccine to the cities, towns and medical facilities and less on opening up businesses long before it can be done safely. A lot of the deaths in this state are because of his poor handling of COVID-19.” — Richard, Bedford
“Not until state vax levels exceed 60-70%.”
“Charlie Baker is putting lives in danger and should be recalled for his actions.”
“No, this is shortsighted and just increasing the chance that one of the more infectious, deadly or vaccine-resistant variants takes hold in our population. This is foolish and I am really looking forward to voting against the Baker administration in the next election.”
“Nothing until all high schools are open full time and teachers and more people have been vaccinated!”
“Once I am fully vaccinated, outdoor family BBQs will be the extent of socialization until 2022.”
“I work in a restaurant. We have no access to the vaccine, but they are lifting all capacity restrictions. This plan does not seem well thought out.” — Ashley, Boston
“I just don’t feel the pandemic is under control enough, and the governor’s announcement was to deflect attention away from the ineffective vaccine rollout.” — Lou, Belmont
“No, this all seems very premature especially compared to the lower number of new cases we had this summer with tighter restrictions. Coupled with the new New York, Britain, and South African variants emerging in the U.S., this seems like a risky PR stunt.”
“No, I will keep doing what I have been doing for a whole year now. Supermarket and personal needs, no indoor dining, no indoor anything. When they announce these things, people just assume the coast is clear and it is not clear by a long shot. I cannot wait to go out to eat and sit down in a restaurant, but that day is a long way off.” — Joyce, Somerville
“I’ll wait until more have been vaccinated or to make sure there is no significant uptick in new cases before engaging in these activities. It would be pretty stupid to waste all the safety measures we have taken up to this point in a rush to get back to normalcy.”
“The smart focus would be to encourage outdoor activities, which includes allowing [unrestricted] interstate travel in New England. When we open TD Garden for people to watch the Bruins indoors, but people can’t easily travel to N.H. to ski outside, we clearly are following money and not science.” — Kurt, Boston
“I am a Democrat who has liked Baker so far, but this seems like something I would expect from a Republican: Business being prioritized over worker and public safety. I hope I am wrong…”
Here’s what other readers are looking forward to as restrictions lift:
“Brimfield Outdoor Antique Market, maybe in May, because it is outside. Ride a trolley in Ogunquit if in open air.” — Kathy, Salem
“I am willing to attend anything I have an interest in, especially a Red Sox game. It’ll stink to still have to wear a mask which I’m sure will still be happening for a bit longer (can’t wait to burn these things) but just to be out and about will be awesome! Can’t wait. A year is a LONG time. If you don’t feel comfortable, please stay home and let the rest of us get on with life.” — Kristen, North Shore
“My wife and I are hockey fans, and would love to see the Bruins in person at TD Garden. However, until we’re both fully vaccinated, we’d probably feel more comfortable going to Fenway for a Sox game and anything else outdoors.”
“My wedding!”
“Thomas Rhett concert on June 4 at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion.”
“Lauren Daigle concert but not until I’m vaccinated and COVID numbers and risk is way down.”
“I’m hoping to have my wedding later this year that was postponed last year. I’m also hoping to go to a Red Sox game this summer.”
“Baseball games. I would love to go to a movie theater, but it’s too soon. Some of them are filthy to begin with. Cloth seats hold in germs and mites for years. People put their heads and hair against the backs of their seats and can leave all kinds of stuff there to infest the seat and the next person who uses it. Are they really going to disinfect every seat between all movies? I doubt it!”
“Live music at the Pavilion on the water!”
“Fenway concert in September. Only if social distance and masks still applied.” — Marie, Middleborough
“ALL OF THEM, this is insanity, let the people make their own decisions. “
“NKOTB at Fenway Park.”
“Looking forward to a few concerts that were rescheduled from last summer!” — C.J, Lowell
“Weddings that were postponed from last year!” — Laurie, Pittsfield
“Motley Crue at Fenway Park.”
“Wake Up the Earth festival in Jamaica Plain.” — Liz, Roslindale
“Lady Gaga at Fenway on Aug. 7.” — Janice, Waltham
“Phish fall tour.”
“Seeing ‘Black Widow’ on the big screen.”
“MACNA (Marine Aquarium Conference of North America) 2022, Boston Flower Show 2022, college/NBA games 2021/2022, Saint Patrick’s Day 2022.”
“Guns & Roses at Fenway Park.” — Neal, Winthrop
“I’d love to see my mom on Mother’s Day.” — Ann, East Boston
“Son #2’s wedding — October 2021; son #1’s wedding — May 2022; son #3’s wedding — August 2022. Right now I’m praying that things will be ‘normal enough’ so these events can take place on schedule. I’m also planning to schedule my own wedding hopefully later in 2022.” — Diane, Andover
“None that I can think of! Oh! My Wareham Garden Club meetings!”
“I hope I’m lucky enough to score home opener tickets for the Sox.” — George, Cambridge
“Dave Matthews Band at Xfinity Center in Masnfield.” — Michael, North Reading
“I am hoping my daughter, a senior in high school, can have an outdoor prom and graduation. And I’d like to be able to get back to small, outdoor gatherings without masks and have the freedom to travel, as long as it is safe to do so.”
“Hoping to run the Boston Marathon this year on Oct. 11, 2021.” — Amy, Westfield
“Can’t wait to see the Dropkick Murphys again when it’s safe.” — Corinne, Woburn
“My daughter’s graduation from high school.” — Gerrit, Swampscott
Boston.com occasionally interacts with readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be read as an unscientific gauge of readers’ opinion.
Note: This post has been edited to reflect the table distance requirements at Massachusetts restaurants.
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