Essential workers—from healthcare to transit to grocery workers—are risking their health to continue to serve the Commonwealth. But they, along with communities of color and nursing home residents, are bearing the worst brunt of the COVID-19 epidemic. However, none of these groups are represented in Governor Baker's Advisory Board for reopening the Massachusetts economy, which includes only 17 members, more than half of which are corporate executives. Only 3 are health experts. This imbalanced Board cannot be counted on to offer an adequate reopening plan. 

Baseline measures for reopening must ensure public health is protected with:

• Statewide, enforceable SARS-CoV-2 workplace health and safety standards to provide stringent health and safety protections for all workers that are designed with meaningful input by workers and unions and informed by science.

• A planned and detailed system of screening, testing, contact tracing, proper isolation and epidemiological surveillance.

• A voice on the job for workers, and guaranteed job protection for those working and for those whose work was reduced, suspended or eliminated because of the COVID-19 crisis.

In addition, childcare and school reopening plans must involve families, communities and workers; emphasize equity; and protect against de-funding, dis-investment and privatization. 

We call on the Governor to follow these guidelines in any reopening plan and ensure that all ongoing discussions of Massachusetts' COVID-19 response and recovery include robust representation of labor, communities of color, seniors, and public health experts from across the state.