Framingham Hosting Pandemic Business Discussion

FRAMINGHAM, MA — City and business officials will host a forum on the local economy during coronavirus on Tuesday night. The meeting will happen about a week before an anticipated reopening of businesses across the state.

The roundtable will take place over Zoom beginning at 5 p.m. on Tuesday. Speakers include Mayor Yvonne Spicer, new Community and Planning Development Director Kevin Shea, and Downtown Framingham Inc. Executive Director Courtney Thraen.

Gov. Charlie Baker has said that Massachusetts businesses could begin to reopen as early as May 18 — but health officials have said it will be a gradual process. New Hampshire and Rhode Island have already begun to reopen after seeing positive downward trends in coronavirus hospitalizations.

In Framingham, coronavirus is still hitting hard. The city reported 10 new deaths between Friday and Saturday, bringing the pandemic total to 52. The total number of cases hit 1,224 on Saturday — that's a 32 percent increase from the case total reported last Saturday. There are 824 active cases in Framingham.

You can join the Zoom meeting on Tuesday through the city website. A video will also be available following the meeting. If you have questions for business leaders, email them to kmcfalls@framinghamma.gov before the meeting.