On April 15, 2020 the MBLLC sent a letter to the Governor requesting that he recognize communities of color as COVID-19 hotspots, increase accessible community based testing in these communities, and take a proactive approach to preventing further outbreaks in these communities.  The data has proven that this virus is disproportionately impacting communities of color and the situation unfolding in Chelsea, MA is a testament to that fact. The MBLLC remains committed to mitigating the COVID-19 impact on the communities we serve.

On Tuesday, April 14, 2020 the MBLLC joined the Asian Caucus in addressing bigotry arising during the COVID-19 era. Speaking on the joint statement below,  MBLLC Chairman Representative Carlos González (D – Springfield) noted, "Our Caucus categorically denounces discrimination in all its forms, and especially so in the Anti-Asian sentiment arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. This disease has no race or ethnicity, and as it indiscriminately ravages all of our communities, we must remain united against the bigotry that threatens to distract us from the true enemy.”

On Thursday, April 9, 2020 the MBLLC advocated for a pause in the Crisis Standards of Care guidance that the Department of Public Health (DPH) released to help hospitals determine who receives priority access to resources during the COVID-19 surge. Using comorbidities as a determinant, as was recommended in the guidance, would disproportionately impact minority communities. Common comorbidities include diabetes, a history of stroke, and more.
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The  MBLLC called for action through a letter to Governor Baker and also shared their concerns with the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association (MHA) as hospitals across the Commonwealth began updating their standards to align with those recently released by the DPH.

The MBLLC later coalesced other Senators and Representatives in a sign-on letter to the Governor reiterating the need for a change in the standards. Learn more about the original request  through letters and press release included below.

As of April 20, 2020, the Standards where updated as is summarized in this Boston Globe Article and as can be seen in full here.