NBC Boston: Long lines keep people waiting for pre-Christmas COVID testing
December 23, 2020 – "If you're going to travel, then getting tested is the right thing to do. Ultimately, though, the real news is we shouldn't be traveling." MMS President Dr. David Rosman said.
WBUR: Mass. long-term care facilities prepare for coronavirus vaccines after months of isolation and loss
December 22, 2020 – "Most of the nursing homes are trying to stagger (their vaccinations)," said Dr. Asif Merchant, Chair of the MMS Committee on Geriatrics.
CNBC: Sen. Warren introduces bill to provide free Covid testing for teachers, students and essential workers across U.S.
December 22, 2020 – "A strong national testing framework is a critical component of an optimal COVID-19 mitigation strategy, and we applaud U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren for her leadership in introducing this thoughtful
bill," said MMS President Dr. David Rosman.
WBUR: Health Care Leaders: It's The Most Wonderful, And Dangerous Time Of Year
December 21, 2020 – "Please stay home this holiday season, to ensure that next year is joyous and bright," MMS President Dr. David Rosman and other Massachusetts health care leaders said in a video.
WBUR: The Safe Communities Act isn’t only about immigration, it will protect public health
December 16, 2020 – "Cultivating trust in medical providers and public health officials protects us all, and is critical to fighting the pandemic," write MMS President Dr. David Rosman and Michael Curry, incoming President
and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers.
Eagle-Tribune: Contact tracing calls go unanswered
December 13, 2020 – "Contact tracing works best when the numbers are small, but it becomes an incredible challenge as a larger percentage of the population is exposed to COVID," said MMS President Dr.
David Rosman.
Radio Boston: The vaccine could arrive in Massachusetts by mid-December
December 3, 2020 – "We need to make sure (the people) who are most vulnerable, who have been known to be getting COVID at higher rates, die of it at higher rates, that they have access – easy, free, ready access –
to vaccines," said MMS President Dr. David Rosman.
Daily Hampshire Gazette: The people’s pediatrician: Jonathan Schwab named 2020 Community Clinician of the Year
November 26, 2020 – Schwab, a Northampton resident and the medical director for Northampton Area Pediatrics, was named the 2020 Community Clinician of the Year by the Hampshire District Medical Society, an honor once
bestowed upon his uncle as well.
WBUR: Let’s use the vaccine to make our health system more equitable
November 18, 2020 – "There’s almost no better opportunity to change how we deliver health care in this country, than with the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine," writes MMS President Dr. David Rosman.
Boston.com: Mass. Medical Society president says it is ‘past time’ for Congress to pass COVID-19 relief
November 13, 2020 – "It is past time for Congress to act and assure that our patients and all those who need care are supported and given every opportunity to access the vital resources they urgently need," MMS President
Dr. David Rosman said.
NBC Boston: College Students Weigh Risk of Traveling Home for Thanksgiving Amid COVID
November 9, 2020 – "What we need to do is just buckle in and do the hard thing, which is not go home for Thanksgiving," MMS President Dr. David Rosman said.
Boston.com: Leader of Mass. Medical Society pleads with residents to follow measures to prevent COVID-19 spread
November 6, 2020 – "Please be considerate of those who are risking their own lives to care for your loved ones," MMS President Dr. David Rosman said.
Boston Herald: As Massachusetts faces coronavirus second surge, doctor urges residents to make choices that ‘will save lives’
November 5, 2020 – "This coronavirus is not relenting and the choices you make will save lives or will cost lives," MMS President Dr. David Rosman said.
Boston 25 News: Gov. Baker mandated the flu shot for school kids. Could a COVID-19 vaccine, when available, be required too?
October 28, 2020 – MMS President Dr. David Rosman said would "absolutely" consider giving the COVID-19 vaccine to his children "so long as it goes through the channels that it’s going through now and is approved by
all the appropriate regulatory authorities."
Boston Herald: Massachusetts coronavirus data shows second wave: ‘It’s impossible not to be concerned’
October 26, 2020 – "As much as I love Thanksgiving with family, the way we show we love our families is staying home and caring about their health," MMS President Dr. David Rosman said.
NBC Boston: Revamped Coronavirus Risk Map: Mass. Up to 77 Communities in the Red
October 22, 2020 – "It matters that there’s a cluster anywhere because clusters are an opportunity for the disease to spread," MMS President Dr. David Rosman said.
Herald News: It’s crucial this year to get vaccinated against the flu
October 21, 2020 – "You can be certain that the location at which you receive your flu vaccination is using strict safety and cleaning protocols to protect you and other patients from exposure to any illness," MMS
President Dr. David Rosman said.
Wicked Local Waltham: Hospitals brace for ‘twindemic’ patient surge, but some families refuse mandated flu shot
October 20, 2020 – "As the health care system continues to work toward treating and mitigating COVID-19, flu vaccination will be a critical tool in our ability to cope with a lack of resources that will almost certainly
occur," MMS President Dr. David Rosman said.
MassLive: More than 70% of recent positive COVID tests in Massachusetts involve people under 50
October 16, 2020 – "Public health is more than just the number of cases," MMS President Dr. David Rosman said. "It’s people being able to work and thus have consistent housing and being able to have food and being
able to keep their kids in school."
Boston 25 News: COVID-19 fear kept many Americans from seeking care
October 7, 2020 – "Those lingering fears should be put aside and people should seek the care that they need," MMS President Dr. David Rosman said. "Hospitals are safe. Your doctor’s offices are safe."
Boston.com: The number of hospitalized coronavirus patients is on the rise in Massachusetts
October 5, 2020 – MMS President Dr. David Rosman warned that a surge in cases has "the potential to overwhelm and deplete our state’s health care resources and imperil the ability to keep children in school."
Boston 25 News: Cape Cod doctor who spent 7 years at Walter Reed knows firsthand the care President Trump received
October 5, 2020 – MMS immediate past president Dr. Maryanne Bombaugh previously served as the division chief of gynecology at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Boston Globe: Hospitals digging in for a long winter as coronavirus patients increase
October 4, 2020 – "We have serious concerns regarding daily individual positive test results that have doubled since the summer to approximately 3% and a sharp increase in daily new cases," MMS President Dr. David
Rosman said.
Worcester Business Journal: Worcester, Framingham remain in highest-risk category as virus cases rise
October 2, 2020 – "Efforts must be made to slow the spread of the virus and avoid an expected surge in cases accompanying a move of many activities back indoors with cooler weather." MMS President Dr. David Rosman
said.
WHDH: Baker announces transition to Step 2 of Phase 3 for low-risk communities effective Oct. 5
September 29, 2020 – "The combination of flu spreading as well as being indoors and spreading COVID, it really put us at a tenuous space right now," MMS President Dr. David Rosman said.
WBUR: Get a flu shot before the end of October, Mass. Medical Society urges
September 17, 2020 – "There are only so many ICU beds and we want to make sure we preserve them as best needed," MMS President Dr. David Rosman said.
Boston Globe: Should you send your child back to school? The expert consensus leans toward 'yes,' with caveats
September 13, 2020 – The MMS said it supported "the safe and equitable return of as many students, teachers, and support staff as possible to in-person school settings."
MassLive: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court to hear arguments on Gov. Charlie Baker’s COVID-19 executive orders
September 11, 2020 – The MMS and others argued in an amicus brief that the coronavirus pandemic counts as a "disaster" and "catastrophe" as it has strained the state’s health care system, killing thousands in its path.
MetroWest Daily News: Families of high school athletes face a decision: Should their children suit up during the coronavirus pandemic?
August 30, 2020 – MMS Vice Chairwoman of the Committee on Student Health and Sports Medicine Dr. Mary Beth Miotto said the decision to postpone football to February is a "wise decision for the time being," because more public health data is needed.
Worcester Telegram: Sutton mom among protesters defying flu vaccine mandate
August 29, 2020 – The new vaccine requirement has the support of several medical organizations, including the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association, the state chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the
Massachusetts Medical Society and the Worcester District Medical Society.
Lowell Sun: Our frontline heroes deserve better
August 23, 2020 – "Passing the Pandemic Production Act now – before another catastrophic spike in coronavirus cases – is imperative to preventing the additional loss of life," write Congresswoman Lori Trahan and
MMS President Dr. David Rosman.
Eagle-Tribune: Race for vaccine raises ethical dilemmas
August 23, 2020 – "We need to make sure that the (vaccine) trials are done in an ethical way, and that there’s diversity in who is getting it," said MMS President Dr. David Rosman.
Boston.com: Boston athletes filmed a PSA urging sports fans to wear masks
August 19, 2020 – In an effort to encourage people to wear masks as a protocol to prevent the spread of COVID-19, New England sports figures teamed up with the MMS for a #MaskUp video.
Boston Globe: Baker slows Mass. Reopening process, tightening restrictions on gatherings and restaurants
August 7, 2020 – "Things are moving in the wrong direction," said MMS President Dr. David Rosman, adding that Governor Charlie Baker is now "taking new steps to turn that back around."
Boston 25 News: Mass. joins multi-state agreement to buy 3 million rapid tests as testing delays persist
August 6, 2020 – "Rapid and equitable availability of testing, and rapid testing is incredibly important," MMS President Dr. David Rosman said.
Brockton Enterprise: Experts say act now or another COVID-19 surge is coming in Massachusetts
August 5, 2020 – "The positive test rate has been going up ever since around July 11," MMS President Dr. David Rosman said. "We need to respond to that."
WCVB: Gov. Baker warns rollback of reopening possible if COVID-19 spread increases
August 4, 2020 – "If the numbers get much higher than they are, it will be very difficult to turn this back around," MMS President Dr. David Rosman said.
Boston Globe: Experts urge rollback of reopening as COVID-19 cases rise in Mass.
August 3, 2020 – "The trajectory that COVID takes, it takes a while to get it turned around," MMS President Dr. David Rosman said. "Problems we’re seeing in August will resonate in September and October."
WCVB: Gov. Baker visits Pfizer to discuss vaccine work
July 30, 2020 – "People seem to think that perhaps there is magic to being outside and that if you’re outside you don’t need a mask, and it’s simply not true," MMS President Dr. David Rosman said.
Cape Cod Times: Cape health departments struggle with enforcing local, state COVID-19 regulations
July 29, 2020 – "People need to do the right thing," MMS President Dr. David Rosman said. "They can’t have these parties. They have to wear masks."
Boston Globe: Doctors uneasy about uptick in state coronavirus cases
July 27, 2020 – "We need to decide, as a community, how much we value being able to reopen schools. If that is a high priority, as I think it should be, we need to make sacrifices around that." said MMS President Dr.
David Rosman.
WCVB: Another COVID-19 cluster identified: 13 patients, 23 employees at Baystate Medical Center
July 27, 2020 – "We should respond sooner rather than later," MMS President Dr. David Rosman said about preventing another wave of COVID-19 in Massachusetts. "I’d rather be too early in our response than too late."
WHDH: Top MA doctor warns PPE shortage could happen again
July 21, 2020 – "Back to the old, fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me," said MMS President Dr. David Rosman. "The equipment needs to be there first, it needs to be there preemptively."
The Briefing: The public health crisis of racism in America
July 17, 2020 – "If you think about the people who are living in majority Black communities, they are three times higher rate of COVID, six times higher rate of COVID death, and both of those numbers are incredibly appalling,"
said MMS President Dr. David Rosman.
WGBH: The coronavirus pandemic could change the way America pays for health care
July 7, 2020 – "(If practices close) there may be no one on the Cape who is able to open their practice to them. So, they will lose access. And it will be incredibly problematic," MMS immediate past president Dr. Maryanne
Bombaugh said.
WBUR: Providers urge state to stock up on PPE for second wave
June 30, 2020 – "For medical practices right now, PPE is the utilities and although it's not what the state has done in the past, it's an important one," MMS President Dr. David Rosman said.
Newburyport News: Medical offices face reopening challenges
June 15, 2020 – "People are nervous to go back to their doctor," MMS President Dr. David Rosman said. "They may be worried about getting COVID-19 in health care settings, but in reality, you're safer going to the doctor than you are a grocery store."
WBUR: Close, sell, consolidate? Tough prognosis for some Massachusetts health care providers
June 11, 2020 – "We may end up folding, but right now we’re keeping our head above water,” MMS member Dr. Kate Atkinson said. “A lot of private practices could be in big trouble.
CommonWealth Magazine: Despite pandemic, health care jobs may be lost
June 10, 2020 – “We need to acknowledge the need for repair of a health care financing system that is leading to financial woes and bankruptcies in the midst of a health care crisis,” MMS President Dr. David Rosman
said.
Taunton Daily Gazette: Job losses sting usually stable health care sector
June 10, 2020 – “We have serious concerns about access and continuity of care for patients whose primary care provider are forced to consider consolidating or selling their practice or retiring,” MMS President Dr.
David Rosman said.
WCVB: Health system turns slowly back to preventative care under Massachusetts reopening plan
May 19, 2020 – "The expansion of medical practice must proceed in a collaborative manner among patients, physicians, policymakers, and all who engage with and comprise the health care system," MMS President Dr. Maryanne
Bombaugh said.
WBUR: Mass. reopening plan allows limited expansion of non-emergency health care services
May 18, 2020 – MMS commended the Baker administration for guidelines that "rightfully prioritize the safety of individuals above all, while increasing access to high-priority preventative care and other urgent procedures
and services."
CommonWealth Magazine: Telehealth is available, but no one’s calling
May 13, 2020 – If primary care and other medical practices don’t survive, "That would create a real issue of access, and when that occurs it will have all sorts of health ramifications," MMS President Dr. Maryanne
Bombaugh said.
Boston.com: Firefighters, paramedics concerned over using KN95 masks
May 4, 2020 – “It is not the gold standard,” MMS President Dr. Maryanne Bombaugh said about KN95 masks. “We know the N95 masks. We know how well they work, and what they filter, and the safety profile around them.”
Washington Post: In educated and affluent Massachusetts, coronavirus cases surged. The decline has yet to come.
May 1, 2020 – “I would say that as a state we are doing this right,” said MMS President Dr. Maryanne Bombaugh, citing the prevalence of testing in Massachusetts, including of asymptomatic people, as factoring into
the state’s relatively high infection levels.
Boston Herald: Massachusetts website helps front-line heroes find resources in coronavirus battle
April 30, 2020 – "While our health care workforce and first responders have fearlessly and selflessly answered the call to care for our critically ill patients, they are tired — physically, mentally and emotionally,"
said MMS President Dr. Maryanne Bombaugh.
MassLive: Caring for all patients during the COVID-19 outbreak
April 29, 2020 – "We do not want to see a widespread avoidance of medical care prompt yet another public health crisis within Massachusetts," write MMS President Dr. Maryanne Bombaugh and MHA President and CEO Steve
Walsh.
Salem News: Don't ignore your health during a pandemic
April 23, 2020 – "Please do not ignore your physical, mental and emotional health or forgo checking in with your physician or health care team out of fear of contracting COVID-19 in a health care setting," writes MMS
President Dr. Maryanne Bombaugh.
WBUR: Gov. Baker, Army Chief Of Staff Visit New 'Boston Hope' Field Hospital
April 18, 2020 – The Massachusetts Medical Society reminded patients that doctors and health care workers are available by phone, telehealth and in-person visits, and patients should be assured that safeguards are
in place in doctor's offices.
Worcester Telegram & Gazette: Army chief at Mass. field hospital: ‘We will defeat this virus’
April 18, 2020 – "Ensuring patient safety is our responsibility and our obligation in any and every interaction. We urge patients to never abstain from seeking care out of fear of contracting COVID-19," MMS President
Dr. Maryanne Bombaugh said in a statement.
Boston Globe: Medical workers share concerns about masks delivered by Patriots plane
April 12, 2020 – "It is not the gold standard," MMS President Dr. Maryanne Bombaugh
told the Boston Globe. "We know the N95 masks. We know how well they work, and what they filter and the safety profile around them. We know these (KN95) masks are different."
Boston Globe: Time to help house health care workers
April 3, 2020 – We need all hands on deck now. Empty rooms at hotels, casinos can serve those on the front lines of the state’s coronavirus outbreak.
Boston Globe: Near tripling of employee coronavirus infections in largest Massachusetts hospitals in past week
April 2, 2020 – Head of nurses association also says current worker infection numbers may understate the problem.
ABC6: Massachusetts asks for equipment donations and volunteers to join coronavirus fight
March 30, 2020 – The Baker-Polito Administration announced Sunday a new online portal where people can donate
personal protective equipment and sign up to volunteer to fight the COVID-19 outbreak in Massachusetts.
Boston Globe: Mass. opens online portal to manage protective equipment donations, sales
March 29, 2020 – Governor Charlie Baker said Sunday that his administration has created an online resource.
Boston Globe: Coronavirus Testing, Transparency Ramp up, but Still Lag Recommended Levels
March 16, 2020 – Coronavirus screenings have ramped up in Massachusetts, but testing supplies are still at a premium. MMS Past President Dr. Alain Chaoui told the Globe his medical practice began drive-through testing last Friday, but is running low on swab kits.
Boston Herald: Kids Should Have Virtual Playdates During Coronavirus School Closure
March 16, 2020 – Instead of get-togethers with friends, children should adhere to social distancing by having virtual playdates,
MMS President Dr. Maryanne Bombaugh told the Boston Herald.
MassLive: Gov. Baker Mandates Health Insurance Cover Telehealth Services
March 16, 2020 – A new mandate directs insurers to cover medically necessary telehealth services to limit hospital visits by patients with acute illnesses during the coronavirus outbreak.
WBUR: With School Closures, a Scramble to Get Food to Students in Need
March 15, 2020 – Efforts are underway to help the 300,000 students in Massachusetts that rely on free and reduced-price lunch programs during
coronavirus school closures.
WBUR: As Mass. Coronavirus Cases Top 100, State Asks To Expand Testing
March 13, 2020 – MMS president Dr. Maryanne Bombaugh stressed the need for COVID-19 testing that provides a result at the point of care in an interview with Morning Edition.
