Boeing extends Washington state production shutdown indefinitely

(Reuters) - Boeing Co said on Sunday it would extend the suspension of production operations at its Washington state facilities until further notice amid the coronavirus outbreak. The largest U.S. planemaker said on March 23 it would halt production at its Washington state twin-aisle jetliner factory as a temporary measure to help fight the outbreak of the respiratory disease. Production had been expected to resume early this week. Boeing declined to say when production could resume. It said the actions were “being taken in light of the company’s continuing focus on the health and safety of employees, current assessment of the spread of COVID-19 in Washington state, the reliability of the supply chain and additional recommendations from government health authorities.”

Boeing will stop paying about 30,000 production workers this week in Washington state after it previously doubled to 10 days the amount of paid leave it gave to production workers after the suspension. Employees can use paid time off, vacation and sick leave in the interim and will continue to get medical benefits. Boeing said on Sunday about 135 members of its 160,000-person global workforce had tested positive for the coronavirus. The Seattle Times reported that as of Friday, Boeing had 95 employees who tested positive for the respiratory disease in Washington state, up from 54 a week earlier. The newspaper said 14 of those work at the Everett widebody jet plant.

During the suspension, Boeing will implement additional health and safety measures, including “new visual cues to encourage physical distancing,” more frequent cleaning of work and common areas and staggered shift times. “We will take this time to continue to listen to our incredible team and assess applicable government direction, the spread of the coronavirus in the community and the reliability of our suppliers,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes Chief Executive Stan Deal. Boeing’s airline customers have deferred taking new aircraft and making pre-delivery downpayments, compounding a crisis over the year-old grounding of Boeing’s previously fast-selling 737 MAX jet after two fatal crashes. Boeing halted 737 production in January.

Boeing asked last month for at least $60 billion in U.S. government loan guarantees for itself and other American aerospace manufacturers to help the embattled industry withstand a coronavirus-related cash drain. Boeing said last week it would suspend operations at its Ridley Township, Pennsylvania, facilities until April 20 because of the outbreak. The site includes manufacturing and production facilities for military rotorcraft, including the H-47 Chinook, V-22 Osprey and MH-139A Grey Wolf.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-boeing/boeing-extends-washington-state-production-shutdown-indefinitely-idUSKBN21N0WT?il=0

Recommended 9 P.M. Curfew Issued for Boston, Residents Urged to Wear Masks

The city will also close all areas for recreational sports at city parks, including tennis and basketball courts

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh on Sunday issued a recommended curfew of 9 p.m. and asked all residents to wear a mask when leaving the house after the city saw its largest single-day increase in coronavirus cases. The recommended curfew extends through 6 a.m. each morning and applies to all residents except essential workers, the mayor said. People are encouraged to utilize delivery services as much as possible after 9 p.m.

Walsh said masks or face coverings should be worn anytime a person leaves the house, including on walks and trips to the grocery. Face coverings can include a cloth, scarf or bandanna and should cover a person's mouth and nose without restricting breathing, the mayor said. Face coverings should not be placed on children under 2 years of age or anyone who has trouble breathing, the city said in a press release. The guidance on masks was in line with new CDC guidelines released Friday. In addition, the city will close all areas for recreational sports at city parks, including tennis and basketball courts. Areas for walking and jogging would remain open. All playgrounds were shut down last month. The stronger guidance takes effect Monday morning and will remain in place until May 4.

The new guidelines come as Walsh on Sunday reported two additional deaths from COVID-19, bringing the city's death toll to 15. He also reported 259 new cases of the coronavirus – the city's biggest single-day increase – bringing Boston's total number of cases to 1877. Walsh said the city was in the early stages of a surge of coronavirus cases. "I cannot stress enough that the actions we take now through the next several weeks will help curb the spread of this virus, and save lives," Walsh said. "There is nothing that I won't do as Mayor of the City of Boston to protect our residents, and at this very critical time, we must do everything we can as Bostonians to protect one another. This is bigger than any one person - this is about the greater good of our people. Stay safe, stay inside, and let's get through this together."

Walsh also said people over 65 and those with underlying health conditions to take extra precautions, including refraining from taking walks or spending time outside "for the next few weeks" and exercising inside instead. Underlying health conditions include asthma, diabetes, heart conditions, kidney or liver disease or conditions that can cause a person to be immunocompromised, including cancer treatment and smoking.

Walsh said despite the current guidelines, many people could be seen playing sports and at local parks and playgrounds. Earlier Sunday, Walsh said his administration was considering measures such as an enforced mandatory curfew or stay-at-home order. "That's certainly something that's being discussed here at City Hall," Walsh told NBC10 Boston. "That's the last resort but we're headed towards that," said Walsh. "We're preparing for the next steps."

https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/coronavirus-in-boston-walsh-to-provide-update-to-response/2102827/

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Thinking downed planes, didn't go down by themselves..and then there is 911, wonder if EO is making them keep their distance. In addition what company will pick up the slack here.