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So are we supposed to follow the science, or not?

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So are we supposed to follow the science, or not?

So are we supposed to follow the science, or not?
 
Should we be listening to our doctors? The CDC?
 
Earlier this week, the Massachusetts Medical Society joined other medical experts (plus the Globe’s editorial board) in advising the state to reinstate an indoor mask mandate, due to “an alarming upward trend” of cases and hospitalizations that is straining the state’s health care system.
 
The CDC also says everyone in Middlesex and Norfolk Counties (that's us) should wear a mask in public, indoor settings. Then yesterday, a group of state lawmakers, led by Needham state Sen. Becca Rausch, joined in, asking for a return to the mandatory masks, as part of a “Massachusetts COVID-19 Action Plan” that was endorsed by more than 120 public health and medical experts and 30 community organizations.
 
"The experts have spoken and we should listen to them," said Rausch.
 
But so far, Gov. Charlie Baker has said he has “no plans” to bring back the statewide mask mandate, even as Rhode Island just joined the growing list of states to reintroduce indoor mandates.
 
Of our four Charles River Chamber communities, only Newton currently has an indoor mask mandate. (The Globe has a map showing other communities here),
 
RAM: Let businesses decide
Put the Retailers Association of Massachusetts in the column of those opposed to a renewed statewide mask mandate.
 
“Choice should prevail, because no one store, restaurant, etc., are the same,” RAM President Jon Hurst told State House News.
 
“The views of employees, customers, the size of your facility, the average time of customers in your establishment; it’s all over the map. The small business owner knows better than government, particularly one year into vaccinations, and nearly two years into restrictions and public messaging that has cut sales AND raised costs.”
 
Hurst said any new COVID-19 restrictions must be accompanied by tax cuts, grants, health insurance premium cuts, or other benefits for business owners.
 
I'd be interested in hearing if you agree.
 
Most are forgiven…did everyone else forget?
More than 9 million of the 11.4 million businesses and nonprofits nationwide that received a Paycheck Protection Program loan in 2020 or 2021 from the SBA have applied for forgiveness, the agency announced this week.
 
Those borrowers who have not met their deadline to apply for forgiveness are now required to pay back the loans with interest. 
 
After 60 days, PPP lenders holding delinquent loans can submit those loans to the SBA for purchase, and the lenders will be made whole, according to Andy Medici at the Business Journals.
 
Two other SBA programs, the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program and the $10,000 Targeted EIDL Advance cash grants, expire Dec. 31. Applications up until that deadline will continue to be processed until the agency runs out of money.
 
Build Back Better could fund some new SBA programs
Meanwhile, the Build Back Better legislation slowly crawling through Congress, could offer some new small business funding, Medici adds.
 
The SBA would get billions of dollars in fresh funding to bolster existing loans and grants and create a slew of new programs. The legislation would also create universal preschool, extend a child tax credit and provide hundreds of billions of dollars to combat climate change, all depending, of course, on which side of the bed Sen. Joe Manchin wakes up on.
 
Another effort is underway to replenish the depleted Restaurant Revitalization Fund.
 
We're also hopeful some of that just signed $4 billion state bill using ARPA and excess tax revenue might fund some business relief efforts.
 
As you wait on Congress and the Commonwealth, here's some other grant and low interest loan options that may be helpful.
 
Other Need to Knows
 
  • Have questions about how to get a COVID test in Massachusetts? WBUR has this guide.
 
  • Reminder that NewMo, a Newton-sponsored on-demand ride sharing service, makes getting around Newton easier, faster and more sustainable via an app. The public cost of a ride is $2. Businesses and other organizations also have the option to cover the cost of rides for employees or customers.  First five trips are free.  Details.
 
  • The start of next year's baseball season may be in jeopardy, but the turnstiles will be turning again at Fenway Park when it is expected to reopen in January as a COVID-19 booster clinic. (State House News)
  • Each night during December the Prudential Tower in Boston shines bright to celebrate local Boston-area organizations. Earlier this month, Watertown’s Perkins School for the Blind lit up the Back Bay in blue, in honor of International Day of Persons with Disabilities. (Watertown News).
Jingle and mingle in Needham tonight
The Needham Women’s Club is partnering with several chamber members tonight (Thursday) from 6-8 p.m. for the Jingle Mingle Shop, a way for you to shop local, donate to the Community Council of Needham, and enjoy a special holiday sip at Latina Kitchen & Bar after the shopping stroll. Details.
 
Also, you have until Dec. 24 to participate in our Needham Holiday Passport program, a collaborative effort between retailers, restaurants, the town and the chamber designed to encourage shopping and dining locally for the holidays.
 
Collect stamps from any three establishments listed here and you’ll qualify to be entered into a prize drawing. Add bonus stamps for more chances to win. 
 
?Check out this video to learn more.
 
Need health insurance?
Many of our smallest business have found that the Massachusetts Health Connector offers the best options. Learn more here, or attend a webinar today (Dec. 16) at 2 p.m. offered by the Mass Small Business Development Center.
 
 
It’s not your imagination, restaurant menus are shrinking
Increasing food costs and staffing shortages are leading to many restaurants to limit the number of items they’re offering, reports the Wall Street Journal.
 
This year, 60% of restaurants reported reducing their menu size, according to a food industry market research firm that studied more than 4,800 menus nationwide.
 
Fine-dining establishments were hit especially hard, with the number of items declining 23% over 2021.
 
Today’s restaurants are focused on reining in appetizer and dessert offerings, the Journal adds, while operators brace themselves for the prospects of high food prices and staff shortages for many months to come.
 
“Heading into a second pandemic winter, restaurants are grappling with a host of challenges: lack of funds, the new Omicron variant, temperamental guests ready to get back to normal life, supply chain issues, and an eerily quiet downtown,” adds Kara Baskin at the Globe.
 
 
 
Oh, and by the way, considering the inflated cost of everything these days, am I the one who thinks $500 million for this is a steal?
 
?That’s today’s Need to Knows unless you need to know about eye drops that might be able to replace your reading glasses.
 
Be back tomorrow.
 
Greg Reibman (he, him)
President
Charles River Regional Chamber
617.244.1688
 
 
 
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