MA Coronavirus: President Trump Declares Disaster

MASSACHUSETTS — The new coronavirus has been declared a major disaster in Massachusetts. President Donald Trump on Friday approved Gov. Charlie Baker's request for the declaration, which allows federal assistance for recovery efforts in the state.

Funding will go to communities for protective measures and crisis counseling, among other resources. Baker said he filed for federal disaster assistance Thursday.

Also on Friday, officials announced 10 more people died of the coronavirus in Massachusetts and another 823 contracted the virus. A total of 35 people have died and 3,240 have been infected in the Bay State as of Friday.

Massachusetts joined a list of states and territories where disasters have been declared, including Missouri, Maryland, Illinois, New Jersey, North Carolina, Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and Guam.

At a news conference Friday, Baker said the economy "won't be up and running by Easter," a rebuke of Trump's desire to have the country reopened by April 12.

The state has been cracking down on slowing the spread of the virus. Baker said all people coming into Massachusetts from out of state should self-quarantine for 14 days. The advisory is not enforceable by law.

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