>> Braude: TONIGHT ON "GREATER BOSTON": AS A STATE INVESTIGATION FINDS NEW YORK GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO GUILTY OF SERIAL SEXUAL HARASSMENT, STATE AND FEDERAL DEMOCRATS ARE CALLING FOR HIM TO RESIGN.

FORMER MASSACHUSETTS GOVERNOR DEVAL PATRICK JOINS ME ON THAT, VOTING RIGHTS, THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN, AND HIS NEW ROLE ADVISING THE WHITE HOUSE AND CONGRESS ON THE PROS AND CONS OF EVOLVING TECHNOLOGY.

THEN, LATER, TOWN MANAGER ALEX MORSE WITH THE LATEST ON PROVINCETOWN'S NATIONALLY-WATCHED COVID OUTBREAK AND WHAT THEIR NUMBERS REALLY SHOW ABOUT VACCINE EFFICACY.

AND, FINALLY, IT'S NOT JUST BOSTON, SOMERVILLE HAS A MAYORAL CAMPAIGN UNDER WAY, TOO.

ADAM REILLY WILL BREAK IT DOWN.

♪♪ >> Braude: AFTER NEARLY FIVE MONTHS OF INVESTIGATION, THE NEW YORK ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID TODAY THAT GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO DID SEXUALLY HARASS 11 WOMEN AND BROKE STATE AND FEDERAL LAW IN THE PROCESS.

>> GOVERNOR CUOMO SEXUALLY HARASSED MULTIPLE WOMEN, MANY OF WHOM WERE YOUNG WOMEN, BY ENGAGING IN UNWANTED GROPING, KISSES, HUGGING, AND BY MAKING INAPPROPRIATE COMMENTS.

GOVERNOR CUOMO'S ADMINISTRATION FOSTERED A TOXIC WORKPLACE THAT ENABLED HARASSMENT AND CREATED A HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT WHERE STAFFERS DID NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE COMING FORWARD WITH COMPLAINTS.

NONE OF THIS -- NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN ILLUMINATED IF NOT FOR THE HEROIC WOMEN WHO CAME FORWARD.

I BELIEVE THEM, AND I THANK THEM FOR THEIR BRAVERY.

>> Braude: THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ALSO SAID HER WORK HERE IS DONE, AND SHE DOESN'T PLAN TO BRING ANY CRIMINAL CHARGES.

OF COURSE, FOR HIS PART, GOVERNOR CUOMO WENT ON TV A FEW HOURS LATER TO AGAIN DENY ALL OF THE ALLEGATIONS.

>> I WANT YOU TO KNOW DIRECTLY FROM ME THAT I NEVER TOUCHED ANYONE INAPPROPRIATELY OR MADE INAPPROPRIATE SEXUAL ADVANCES.

THE FACTS ARE MUCH DIFFERENT THAN WHAT HAS BEEN PORTRAYED.

AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE USING THIS MOMENT TO SCORE POLITICAL POINTS OR SEEK PUBLICITY OR PERSONAL GAIN, I SAY THEY ACTUALLY DISCREDIT THE LEGITIMATE SEXUAL HARASSMENT VICTIMS THAT THE LAW WAS DESIGNED TO PROTECT.

>> Braude: MY NEXT GUEST'S TERM AS THE GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS OVERLAPPED CUOMO'S.

DEVAL PATRICK IS NOW CO-CHAIR OF THE NEW FUTURE OF TECH COMMISSION, WHICH WILL ADVISE THE WHITE HOUSE, CONGRESS, AND OTHER FEDERAL LEADERS.

>> Braude: DEVAL PATRICK, IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

>> GOOD TO BE WITH YOU, JIM.

HOW ARE YOU?

>> I'M WELL, THANK YOU.

WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN TO ANDREW CUOMO?

>> WELL, HE HAS TO MAKE THAT DECISION, OBVIOUSLY.

MAYBE IT IS NOT OBVIOUS -- I WANT HIM TO SUCCEED, BUT THESE ARE VERY, VERY SERIOUS CHARGES AND FROM A VERY CREDIBLE SOURCE, AFTER WHAT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN AN INCREDIBLE INVESTIGATION.

I THINK THERE DOES HAVE TO BE A RECKONING.

IF MY OPINION COUNTS FOR ANYTHING, HE'LL TAKE THESE ALLEGATIONS SERIOUSLY AND NOT DISMISS THEM OUT OF HAND.

AND HE AND HIS POLITICAL TEAM, AND THE OTHER DEMOCRATIC LEADERS IN NEW YORK, WILL HELP SORT OUT WHAT THE NEXT STEPS SHOULD BE FOR HIM AND FOR THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR.

>> Braude: WHAT WOULD TAKING THEM SERIOUSLY MEAN IF IT WERE NOT RESIGNATION?

>> WELL, I THINK THERE -- LOOK, THERE ARE, I'M SURE, THINGS SHORT OF RESIGNATION.

I THINK THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE WOMEN WHO MADE THESE ACCUSATIONS, WHICH ARE NOW MORE THAN ACCUSATIONS, THEY'VE BEEN INVESTIGATED AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY ANOTHER CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER AFTER STUDY, HE HAS TO GOT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THOSE ARE TRUE FEELINGS THAT PEOPLE HAVE, WHETHER HE INTENDED TO CAUSE THOSE FEELINGS OR NOT.

THEY ARE FEELINGS AND EXPERIENCES THAT PEOPLE HAVE HAD, THAT WOMEN HAVE HAD, AND THEY HAVE TO BE TREATED RESPECTFULLY.

AND I THINK THEY HAVE TO BE BELIEVED.

AGAIN, WHETHER HE INTENDED TO CAUSE THOSE REACTIONS OR NOT.

>> Braude: IF RELEVANT DISTRICT ATTORNEYDISTRICT ATTORNEYS IN AL BANALBANY BELIEVE WHAT THEY READ, IS THERE ANY REASON WHY THE GOVERNOR SHOULD NOT BE CRIMINALLY PROSECUTED?

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE CRIMINAL LAWS ARE IN NEW YORK, BUT I THINK HE MAY WELL BE EXPOSED TO CIVIL LAWSUITS.

THAT'S A DIFFERENT QUESTION THAN WHAT YOU ASKED.

>> Braude: I MENTION THE A MINUTE AGO THAT YOU ARE CO-CHAIRING THIS TECH COMMISSION, AND I ASSUME ONE OF THE ISSUES YOU'RE ADDRESSING IS THE PROLIFERATION OF MISINFORMATION, AND THE PRESIDENT, AT LEAST FOR A MOMENT, SAID THAT Facebook WAS KILLING PEOPLE.

WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THIS ISSUE AND WHAT SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT?

>> THIS IS A REAL LIVE, AND CURRENT EXAMPLE, OF MANY THAT WE HAVE HEARD ABOUT IN THE DOZEN OUR MORE TOWNHALLS WE HAVE DONE AROUND THE COUNTRY, AND FROM LEADERS IN THE INDUSTRY, FROM THE BIGGEST COMPANIES TO THE SMALL ONES, TO ACADEMICS AND ADVOCATES AND SO ON, THE AMOUNT OF PROLIFERATION OF MISINFORMATION AND HOW IT GETS AMPLIFIED -- THAT'S A SEPARATE BUT VERY COMPONENT OF ALL OF THIS -- IS A SERIOUS ISSUE FROM A PUBLIC HEALTH CONTEXT, AND AS YOU MENTION THE IN COVID RIGHT NOW, TO -- RIGHT UP TO AND INCLUDING THE PRESERVATION OF OUR DEMOCRACY.

AND I THINK THERE ARE WAYS IN WHICH -- AND WE'VE BEEN GATHERING LOTS OF IDEAS ABOUT HOW TO ADDRESS THIS, NOT JUST IN TERMS OF THE CONSEQUENCES, BUT HOW THE PREVENT IT FROM PROLIFERATING IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> Braude: ONE OF THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE TALK A LOT ABOUT IS SECTION 230 OF THE COMMUNICATIONS DECENCY ACT, WHICH IS, ESSENTIALLY FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW, A LIABILITY SHIELD FOR BIG TECH, THAT THEY CAN'T BE HELD LIABLE FOR WHAT USERS POST ON THEIR PLATFORMS.

CANDIDATE JOE BIDEN TOLD THE "NEW YORK TIMES" EDITORIAL BOARD IN THE MOST EMPHATIC TERMS, 230 SHOULD BE EVOKED, WHICH RAISES LOOT OF CONCERNS LOT OF CONCERNS IN TERMS OF FREE SPEECH.

WHERE ARE YOU ON THAT?

>> WE'RE WORKING OUR WAY THROUGH THAT.

AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, WE'VE HEARD THAT FROM ALL SORTS OF FOLKS, FROM ALL SORTS OF POLITICAL BACKGROUNDS.

INTERESTING, I THINK SOME OF THE OPINION WE HAVE GATHERED, NOT JUST FROM THE INDUSTRY, IS WHETHER MAKING TECH PLATFORMS OR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS LIABLE FOR THE MISINFORMATION THAT OTHER PEOPLE PLACE ON THEIR PLATFORMS ACTUALLY GETS AT THE PROBLEM.

THE PROBLEM MAY NOT BE JUST THE MISINFORMATION.

THAT'S ITS OWN ISSUE, JIM.

I DON'T MEAN TO DIMINISH IT, BUT IT IS THE AMPLIFICATION OF THAT MISINFORMATION THROUGH THE ALGORITHMS SOMETIMES USED BY SOME OF THE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS, AND UNDERSTANDING WHAT THOSE ARE AND HOW THEY KICK IN, AND WHY THEY KICK IN, HAS BEEN A BIG PART OF MY OWN EDUCATION IN THIS.

>> Braude: LET'S TALK ALSO ABOUT SOMETHING I'M SURE YOU'RE ADDRESSING, IS ACCESS OR LACK OF ACCESS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.

LET ME QUOTE YOU TO YOU, IF I MAY.

WERE YOU GOVERNOR 10 YEARS AGO WHEN YOU SAID EXPANDING BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS TO UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IS AS IMPORTANT TO THE ECONOMY AS INVESTING IN SCHOOLS, INFRASTRUCTURE AND BRIDGES.

IT $1 TRILLION INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN INCLUDES ALL OF THOSE, INCLUDING $65 BILLION, I THINK IT IS, FOR EXPANSION OF BROADBAND ACCESS.

DOES THAT THOROUGHLY ADDRESS THE DIGITAL DIVIDE ISSUES YOU'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR A LONG TIME?

>> IT DEPENDS.

IT REALLY DEPENDS.

THE REASON I SAY THAT IS BECAUSE THE ISSUES AREN'T THE SAME IN EVERY PLACE.

MEANING RURAL COMMUNITIES AND THE ACCESS ISSUES THAT FOLKS WHO LIVE A DISTANCE FROM EACH OTHER IN PARTS OF THE WEST, OR MIDWEST, OR, FRANKLY, EVEN IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS, ARE NOT THE SAME ACCESS ISSUES THAT POOR PEOPLE IN URBAN COMMUNITIES FACE.

THEY ARE ALSO ACCESS ISSUES, BUT ACCESS IS SOMETIMES THE AVAILABILITY OF THE BASIC SERVICE.

AND IN OTHER CASES, IT IS THE AFFORDABILITY OF THE SERVICE.

AND JUST WHAT THAT SERVICE SHOULD BE IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS WILL VARY AS WELL IN TERMS OF WHAT THE ADAPTABILITY OF TECHNOLOGY CAN BE OR WILL BE.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO SORT THAT OUT AS WELL.

I'LL TELL YOU, THAT'S A -- I THINK THE BASIC PREMISE, TO GO BACK TO YOUR QUOTING ME TO ME, IS STILL THAT, AND SOMETHING THAT ALL OF US WORKING ON THIS SHARE.

WHICH IS THAT NOW ACCESS TO HIGH-SPEED INTERNET IS NOT A LUXURY, RIGHT?

IT IS NOT ABOUT ENTERTAINMENT.

IT IS NOT ABOUT ENTERTAINMENT ALONE; IT IS ABOUT EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE AND COMMERCE, AND YOU'RE ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LARGER CIVIC AND ECONOMIC LIFE OF YOUR COMMUNITY AND OF THE COUNTRY AND OF THE WORLD.

SO THAT HAS TO BE HOW WE THINK ABOUT NOT JUST THE DESIRABILITY, BUT THE CRITICALITY OF ACCESS.

>> Braude: WHEN WILL THE REPORT COME OUT OF THIS GROUP YOUR CO-CHAIRING?

>> IN THE FALL.

WE'RE PROBABLY LESS THAN A COUPLE MONTHS AWAY.

WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO TO GET TO CONSENSUS YET.

>> Braude: PEOPLE WATCHING, I'M SURE KNOW THE SUPREME COURT DECISION IN THE ARIZONA CASE, A RULING THAT TWO VOTING RESTRICTIONS IN PARTICULAR IN ARIZONA LAW HAS LIMITED -- I DON'T KNOW IF LIMITED WAS THE WORD, BUT THEY ESSENTIALLY SAID LIMITED IMPACT ON MINORITIES WAS THEIR CONCEPT.

WE ALL KNOW THAT THE "FOR THE PEOPLE ACT" IN THE JOHN LEWIS VOTING RIGHTS ACT APPEARS STALLED IN THE CONGRESS.

HOW SERIOUS -- WHAT DOES THIS MEAN -- A LOT OF PEOPLE BELIEVE THE SUPREME COURT WAS SENDING A MESSAGE TO OTHER STATES TO SAY, GO FOR IT.

YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH WHAT ARIZONA IS DOING, TOO.

SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE FUTURE OF DEMOCRACY, AND IS THERE AN ANTIDOTE IF CONGRESS CAN'T GET ITS ACT TOGETHER?

>> I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT TO ASK WHAT THIS MEANS.

AND BY "THIS," I WOULD TAKE IT UP A NOTCH, IF YOU WILL.

BECAUSE I THINK THE QUESTION BEFORE US IS: DO WE MEAN TO HAVE A PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY?

DOES THIS NOTION OF GOVERNMENT OF, BY, AND FOR THE PEOPLE REALLY MEAN ANYTHING AT ALL?

AND WE'VE CONFRONTED THAT QUESTION AT DIFFERENT TIMES IN OUR HISTORY.

AND I THINK WE ARE CONFRONTING IT IN AS PROFOUND A WAY RIGHT NOW.

I'LL LEAVE ASIDE THE PARTISAN JABS, YOU KNOW, THE NOTION THAT THE REPUBLICANS, I THINK, HAVE DECIDED THAT THEY CAN'T WIN A FAIR FIGHT, AND SO THEY HAVE TO JIGGER THE SYSTEM AND ENGINEER OUTCOMES IN ORDER TO BE COMPETITIVE.

IT'S BEYOND THAT AT THIS POINT.

>> Braude: HOW SO?

HOW IS IT BEYOND THAT?

>> BECAUSE IT IS REALLY -- THE QUESTION TODAY IS: ARE WE GOING TO HAVE A CONTEST OF IDEAS OR JUST A CONTEST OF TACTICS?

AND WHAT YOU SEE IN STATES IS BLATENT.

BY THE WAY, IN MANY STATES WHO WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO THIS BUT FOR THE SUPREME COURT'S DECISION IN 2013, GUTTING THE PORTION OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT THAT REQUIRED THEY GET PRE-APPROVAL BEFORE DOING IT.

AND IN THAT DECISION, THE COURT SAID, WELL, WE DON'T NEED THAT PRE-APPROVAL.

WE DON'T NEED THAT SYSTEM ANYMORE BECAUSE TIMES HAVE CHANGED.

AND NOT 15 MINUTES AFTER THAT DECISION DID STATES GO BACK TO THE SAME GAMESMANSHIP, MODERNNIZED IN SOME CASES, BUT MOTIVATED BY THE SAME REASONS.

>> Braude: THE JOHN LEWIS ACT WOULD, IN FACT, REVERSE THAT DECISION WRITTEN BY JOHN ROBERTS.

BUT IS THERE AN ANTIDOTE?

IF CONGRESS DOESN'T ACT, WHAT IS IT?

>> I THINK THERE ARE A COUPLE OF ANTIDOTES.

I DON'T THINK THIS FIGHT IS OVER BY ANY MEANS.

FIRST OF ALL, THERE IS MOVEMENT IN THE CONGRESS.

IT IS NEVER FAST ENOUGH OR FAR ENOUGH FOR MY TASTE, BUT THERE IS MOVEMENT.

AND WILL IS SOME ENCOURAGEMENT THAT WE'RE HEARING FROM THE WORK IN THE HOUSE IN RESPONSE TO SIGNALS THAT SENATOR MANCHIN HAS BEEN SENDING.

I DO THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CONFRONT THE QUESTION OF THE FILIBUSTER RULE AND IT IS WELL TIME TO DO THAT.

MEANWHILE, WE'VE GOT TO ORGANIZE AT THE GRASSROOTS.

WE HAVE TO OVERWHELM THE OBSTACLES THAT ARE BEING PUT UP IN FRONT OF PEOPLE.

AND, BY THE WAY, THESE OBSTACLES HAVE A PARTICULAR, AND ARE OF A PARTICULARLY IN INSIDIOUS IMPACT ON BLACK AND BROWN VOTERS, BUT THEY HAVE AN IMPACT ON ALL VOTERS, ESPECIALLY VOTERS WHO ARE POOR, ESPECIALLY VOTERS WHO LIVE IN RURAL COMMUNITIES OR WHO DON'T PARTICIPATE OFTEN.

AND THE ISSUE GOES SO MUCH FURTHER, JIM, THAN THE QUESTION OF I.D., RIGHT?

THERE IS SOME FORM OF IDENTIFICATION REQUIRED IN EVERY ONE OF THE 50STATES ALREADY.

THE QUESTION, IT SEEMS LIKE, IS BEING ABLE TO OVERTURN A VOTE THAT HAS BEEN CERTIFIED BY INDEPENDENT ELECTORS, IF A REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE DECIDES WE WOULD RATHER HAVE A DIFFERENT OUTCOME.

THAT IS A VERY DANGEROUS UNDERMINING OF OUR DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES.

>> Braude: BEFORE YOU GO AWAY, ARE YOU GOING TO BARACK OBAMA'S 60th BIRTHDAY PARTY IN THE VINEYARD?

>> YES, I GUESS SO.

WE HAVE GOTTEN OUR TESTS AND ALL OF THAT.

>> Braude: YOU'RE GOING TO WEAR A MASK, I HOPE?

>> I'M GOING TO DO -- YOU KNOW, IT IS HARDER TO GET INTO THIS PARTY THAN IT WAS TO GET INTO THE WHITE HOUSE.

THERE ARE SO MANY LAYERS OF CARE TAKEN.

AND I THINK THAT THE PUBLIC HEALTH CIRCUMSTANCES DEMAND JUST THAT.

>> Braude: ENJOY THE WEEKEND.

DEVAL PATRICK, IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU, JIM.

TAKE CARE.

>> Braude: NEXT UP, PROVINCETOWN MADE NATIONAL HEADLINES FOR ALL THE WRONG REASONS LAST MONTH WHEN COVID CASES SPIKED IN THE DAYS AND WEEKS AFTER THE FOURTH OF JULY, INCLUDING AMONG THE VACCINATED, THANKS IN LARGE PART TO THE EXTREMELY INFECTIOUS DELTA VARIANT.

>> NO VACCINE IS 100% EFFECTIVE, AND SO YOU CAN EXPECT BREAKTHROUGH IN INFECTIONS.

WE'VE ALREADY SEEN THAT FROM THE EXPERIENCE IN MASSACHUSETTS, IN PROVINCETOWN.

>> THERE WERE 346 CONFIRMED CASES OF COVID-19 IN PEOPLE WHO WERE FULLY VACCINATED.

THIS NEW FINDING, COMBINED WITH DATA FROM OTHER OUTBREAK INVESTIGATIONS AND SURVEILLANCE STUDIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WAS CRITICAL IN OUR DECISION TO UPDATE OUR GUIDANCE FOR THOSE WHO ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

>> Braude: THAT UPDATED GUIDANCE, OF COURSE, RECOMMENDS THAT FULLY VACCINATED INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN COVID HOTSPOTS CONTINUE TO MASK INDOORS AFTER STUDIES ABOUT THE DELTA VARIANT SHOW THAT THE VACCINATED CAN CARRY JUST AS MUCH OF THE VIRUS IN THEIR BODIES AS THE UNVACCINATED.

BUT THE C.D.C.

DIRECTOR SAYS THE PROVINCETOWN OUTBREAK ISN'T ALL BAD NEWS.

>> IN ALL OF THIS, THERE IS STILL GOOD NEWS: OUR VACCINES ARE WORKING TO PREVENT SEVERE ILLNESS, HOSPITALIZATIONS, AND DEATH.

>> Braude: AND NOW PROGRESS IS BEING MADE.

TOWN MANAGER ALEX MORSE JOINS ME NOW.

>> Braude: ALEX, GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU, JIM.

>> Braude: WHEN I SPOKE TO YOU A FEW WEEKS AGO, IN THE LAST FEW DAYS, YOU SAID, QUOTE, "WE'RE WELL ON OUR WAY TO CONTAINMENT."

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> THAT IS CERTAINLY THE CASE HERE IN PROVINCETOWN.

WE PEAKED AT OVER 15% POSITIVITY RATE ON JULY 15th, AND NOW OUR FIVE-DAY IS AT 4.7, AND WE DIPPED DOWN TO 3.3 AS OF FRIDAY, AND RIGHT NOW WE ONLY HAVE 56 ACTIVE CASES IN PROVINCETOWN.

THAT IS CERTAINLY GOOD NEWS.

>> Braude: WHAT DID YOU DO TO GET THERE?

>> A FEW THINGS.

NUMBER ONE, WE RECOGNIZED THERE WOULD BE A SPIKE FOR THREE FOR FOUR WEEKS FOLLOWING THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF JULY, AND THE IN BASE PERIODINCUBATION PERIOD AND RECOVERY TIME.

AND BOTH THE ADVISORY AND INDOOR MASK MANDATE OVER THE LAST TWO WEEKS HAS ALSO HELPED.

I'VE BEEN CONFIDENT IN SAYING THAT IN THE LONG-TERM, IT IS REALLY ABOUT VACCINATION, OUR WAY OUT OF THIS, BUT WHEN YOU HAVE A SPIKE, LIKE WE SAW IN PROVINCETOWN, INDOOR MASKING IN THE INTERIM IS GOING TO HELP AS WELL.

THE LAST THING I WOULD SAY, AS THE C.D.C.

HAS SAID, THIS IS A POSITIVE STORY IN MANY WAYS.

ABSENT THE VACCINE, THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN AN INCREDIBLY DIFFERENT, DANGEROUS SITUATION, AND WE HAVEN'T SEEN SEVERE ILLNESS AND A SPIKE IN HOSPITALIZATIONS, AND WE'VE SEEN ZERO DEATHS OUT OF NEARLY A THOUSAND CASES IN THE CLUSTER.

IT IS A TESTAMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY IN THAT WE ARE A VERY PUBLIC HEALTH-CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY THAT TOOK CONTACT TRACING SERIOUSLY AND TESTING SERIOUSLY.

>> Braude: I WANT TO RETURN TO WHAT ROCHELLE WALENSKY SAID IN A SECOND.

YOU SAID YOUR COMMUNITY TOOK IT SERIOUSLY.

BUT THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE IN TOWN DURING THIS WERE NOT RESIDENTS OF THE TOWN.

THEY WERE PEOPLE COMING TO PROVINCETOWN.

WE THEY MOSTLY RESPECTFUL OF THE RESTRICTIONS THAT YOU PUT IN PLACE, UNLIKE SOME OF THE HORROR STORIES WE'VE HEARD FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY?

>> YES.

I THINK, NUMBER ONE, THE REASON WE EMERGED FROM THIS STRONGER AND SAFER IS BECAUSE WE'RE ONE OF THE MOST VACCINATED COMMUNITIES IN THE STATE AND IN THE COUNTRY.

AND, FOR THE MOST PART, MOST OF OUR VISITORS ARE VACCINATED AS WELL.

THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF JULY, WE HAD NO INDUSTRY RESTRICTIONS.

WE WERE FOLLOWING C.D.C.

GUIDANCE.

VISITORS OR RESIDENTS, NO MATTER WHAT FOLKS WERE DOING, IT WAS IN ACCORDANCE TO THE GUIDANCE.

AND THE FOR THE MOST PART, THERE HAS BEEN COMPLIANCE, AND WE APPRECIATE THAT.

WE WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THEY CAN COME HERE, BUT BRING A MASK, BE VACCINATED, AND GET TESTED IF YOU DON'T FEEL WELL.

TO FULLY ENJOY THE PROVINCETOWN EXPERIENCE, YOU NEED TO BE VACCINATED.

>> Braude: SPEAKING OF BEING VACCINATED, I'M SURE YOU KNOW THE GUY WHO RUNS NEW YORK CITY, MAYOR DE BLASIO, SAID YOU MUST BE VACCINATED TO ENTER AN INDOOR DINING FACILITY, A CONCERT, A GYM.

ARE YOU CONTEMPLATING THOSE KINDS OF THINGS, AND IF YOU'RE NOT, WHY DON'T THEY MAKE SENSE EVERYWHERE?

>> I THINK IN THE LONG-TERM IT DOES MAKE SENSE.

WHAT I WOULD SAY TO THAT, PROVINCETOWN CAN'T DO THIS ON ITS OWN.

EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE ONE OF THE HIGHEST VACCINATION RATES AND SOME BUSINESSES ARE DOING THIS, WHAT WE SEE IS SOME OF THE BIGGEST DRIVERS TO GET PEOPLE TO BE VACCINATED ARE DECISIONS THAT NEED TO BE MADE ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

WE LOOKED AT DATA OVER THE WEEKEND THAT SAID IF IT WAS REQUIRED TO FLY, THAT YOU NEED TO BE VACCINATED TO FLY, PEOPLE WOULD BE 40% MORE LIKELY TO GET THE VACCINE, AS OPPOSED TO 10% MORE LIKELY IF THEY GOT $100.

I WILL SAY LOCALLY WE ARE EXPLORING A PROGRAM WITH THE BOARD OF HEALTH FOR TWO THINGS: THAT BUSINESSES CAN GET A CERTIFICATION FROM OUR BOARD OF HEALTH THAT THEY REQUIRE 100% OF THEIR STAFF MEMBERS TO ARE VACCINATED.

AND THEY CAN GET ANOTHER CERTIFICATE FROM THE BOARD OF HEALTH IF THEY ARE REQUIRING VACCINATION FOR ANY CUSTOMER OR PATRON THAT GOES INTO THEIR BUSINESS, AND THEY CAN PUT THAT ON DISPLAY.

BECAUSE THERE ARE RESIDENTS AND PATRONS THAT ARE CONCERNED.

>> Braude: HOW HAS THIS AFFECTED BUSINESS?

THIS IS THE MOST CRITICAL TIME OF THE YEAR FOR COMMERCIAL STREET AND BEYOND?

>> IT HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE, TO BE HONEST.

JUNE WAS WHEN MANY OF OUR BUSINESSES HERE IN TOWN HAD EVER, WHICH WAS A REALLY GREAT SIGN OF A COMEBACK.

THE LAST TWO WEEKS OF JULY WERE A BIT OF A CHALLENGE.

THEY'RE SLOWER THAN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS HISTORICALLY.

WE'RE HOPING TO SEE A REBOUND IN AUGUST.

WE'RE TELLING PEOPLE, KEEP COMING TO PROVINCETOWN, BUT BE SAFE AND YOU CAN LEAVE SAFE.

WITH THE NUMBERS DECLINING SO SHARPLY, I BELIEVE THAT MESSAGE IS STARTING TO GET OUT.

>> Braude: CAN YOU TOUCH FOR A MINUTE ON WHAT DR. ROCHELLE WALENSKY SAID, THAT THE MORAL OF THE STORY IS THAT VACCINATIONS WORK.

WHAT EXPLICITLY DID SHE MEAN?

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT OUR CASES, AND PEOPLE SAW THIS NUMBER OF 90O00 OR SO CASES, NOT A SINGLE DEATH, ONLY SEVEN HOSPITALIZATIONS, AND OF THOSE WHO TESTED POSITIVE, INCREDIBLY MODERATE AND MILD SYMPTOMS, WHO ARE NOW IN RECOVERY, AND NOW WE ONLY HAVE 56 ACTIVE CASES.

WHITE HOUSE HAVE BEENIT WOULD HAVE BEEN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SITUATION IF THERE WERE NOT FOR VACCINES.

WE HAVE TO LIVE WITH THE VIRUS, MANAGE THE VIRUS, AND MITIGATE ITS IMPACT.

THAT WILL BE INCREDIBLY USEFUL MOVING FORWARD.

>> Braude: ALEX, WHEN I SPOKE TO YOU A FEW WEEKS AGO AND THINGS WEREN'T SO GOOD, YOU LOOKED INCREDIBLY CALM.

THREE WEEKS LATER, YOU LOOK INCREDIBLY CALM.

IS THAT WHO YOU ARE?

OR WHAT'S THE DEAL?

>> I WOULD SAY THAT'S WHO I AM.

THAT'S WHO I AM.

I THINK MY EXPERIENCE OVER THE YEARS HAS CERTAINLY HELPED.

THINGS COME AND GO, AND PARTICULARLY AS A POLICY AND PUBLIC OFFICIAL HERE IN TOWN, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO STAY CALM AND TO BE CONFIDENT AND FOLLOW THE DATA AND SCIENCE AND SURROUND YOURSELF WITH GOOD PEOPLE.

AND I'VE BEEN GRATEFUL TO HAVE FOLKS HERE IN PROVINCETOWN TO DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS WITH, WITH MUNICIPAL ACCOUNT, OR BOARD OF HEALTH, OUR SELECT BOARD -- EVERYONE HAS BEEN WORKING TOGETHER WITH PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY IN MIND.

I'M LUCKY TO IS A GREAT TEAM HERE AND GRATEFUL TO BE HERE AND THANKFUL ON THE MEND.

>> Braude: I WISH I COULD BORROW SOME OF THAT CALM.

ALEX, THANKS SO MUCH FOF YOURFORYOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Braude: BOSTON IS CURRENTLY IN THE MIDST OF HISTORIC MAYORAL RACE.

THAT CONTEST HAS ATTRACTED PLENTY OF ATTENTION LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY, BUT IT'S JUST ONE OF SEVERAL MAYORAL UPHEAVALS HAPPENING IN MASSACHUSETTS.

LONG TIME INCUMBENTS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH ARE BOWING OUT, WITH SOME CITING COVID FATIGUE AS THEY HEAD FOR THE EXITS, WITH AN INCREDIBLY VARIED ARRAY OF WOULD-BE LEADERS VYING TO TAKE THEIR PLACES.

FROM NOW THROUGH ELECTION DAY, WE'LL BE TAKING A LOOK AT SOME OF THE MORE NOTEWORTHY CONTESTS.

TODAY, ADAM REILLY STARTS WITH SOMERVILLE.

>> Reporter: SOMERVILLE'S DEMOGRAPHICS HAVE BEEN CHANGING FOR A WHILE, WITH LATINO, ASIAN, AND BLACK RESIDENTS MAKING UP MORE OF THE CITY'S 80,000 RESIDENTS.

BUT SOMERVILLE'S MAYORS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN WHITE, A STREAK THAT COULD END THIS FALL.

>> UNTIL WE HAVE A GOVERNMENT THAT REFLECTS A POPULATION, WE SHOULD NOT BE TALKING ABOUT ISSUES OF RACIAL JUSTICE, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, OR EQUITY.

SO THAT'S WHY I'M RUNNING.

>> Reporter: WILL MBAH GREW UP IN CAMEROON AND WENT TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE GRAD SCHOOL IN SWEDEN BEFORE MOVING TO MASSACHUSETTS.

IN 2017, TWO YEARS AFTER BECOMING A U.S. CITIZEN, HE WON A SPOT ON SOMERVILLE'S CITY COUNCIL.

HE CITES HOUSING COSTS AS THE CITY'S BIGGEST CHALLENGE.

>> HAVING MOVED SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO RISING RENT, IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S VERY PERSONAL TO ME.

CURRENTLY, WE HAVE 20% AFFORDABILITY IN TERMS OF NEW DEVELOPMENT, BUT WE SHOULD EXPAND IT.

WE SHOULD DEMAND MORE!

>> Reporter: THE DAYS WHEN SOMERVILLE WAS AN AFFORDABLE ALTERNATIVE TO CAMBRIDGE ARE LONG GONE.

realtor.com PUTS THE MEDIAN LIST PRICE FOR HOMES HERE AT JUST UNDER A MILLION DOLLARS.

STILL, MARY CASSESSO SAYS DEMANDING MORE FROM DEVELOPERS IS THE WRONG WAY TO GO.

>> WE HAVEN'T LIVED WITH THE 20 PERCENT LONG ENOUGH.

I THINK IF WE COMPLIMENT THAT WITH NEW CREATION AND NEW OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, LET'S START THERE.

>> Reporter: CASSESSO IS A SOMERVILLE NATIVE WHO'S WORKED FOR THE CITY, THE STATE, AND CAMBRIDGE HEALTH ALLIANCE.

SHE PREFERS PERSUASION TO ULTIMATUMS, AND SAYS THAT'S HOW SHE'D GET SOMERVILLE'S CORPORATE NEWCOMERS TO FIND JOBS FOR LOCALS.

>> I HAVE TO BELIEVE, AFTER THE PANDEMIC THERE'S MORE OF A SHARED SENSE OF WHAT IS NOT WORKING.

I'D DO ANYTHING FOR ANYONE WHO CALLS ON ME, ALWAYS, AND I FEEL PEOPLE WOULD DO THE SAME.

>> Reporter: THE THIRD CANDIDATE, KATJANA BALLANTYNE, HAS A SIMILAR IDEAL OF GOVERNMENT.

>> I AM VERY MUCH FOR INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP.

IT TAKES A BIT LONGER, BUT YOU GET BUY-IN.

IT CAN BE MESSY.

YOU GET BUY-IN, YOU GET SHARED PURPOSE, YOU GET ENTHUSIASM, AND YOU GET BETTER RESULTS.

>> Reporter: BALLANTYNE SPENT HER FIRST YEARS IN A GREEK ORPHANAGE AND HAS YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AT LOCAL NON-PROFITS.

SHE'S ALSO A CITY COUNCILOR WITH A KEEN INTEREST IN THE ENVIRONMENT.

>> I HAVE BEEN THE LEAD ON THINGS CLIMATE IN SOMERVILLE.

I PUT THE AMENDMENT IN THAT REQUIRES LEAD PLATINUM REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OVER 50,000 SQUARE FEET.

BOSTON DOESN'T DO IT.

CAMBRIDGE DOESN'T DO IT.

SOMERVILLE WAS THE FIRST.

>> Reporter: EACH OF THESE CANDIDATES QUALIFIES AS A PROGRESSIVE, BUT THE FOURTH ENTRANT IN THE RACE IS DIFFERENT.

>> IN 2016, I DID LIKE DONALD TRUMP, OKAY?

IN 2016, I LIKED JOE CURTATONE, TOO.

AS FAR AS JOE CURTATONE AND DONALD TRUMP, THAT'S WHY THEY PUT ERASERS ON PENCILS, TO ERASE THEIR MISTAKES.

>> Reporter: BILLY TAURO IS A TOW COMPANY OPERATOR, NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER, AND AUTHOR OF A 500-PAGE BOOK THAT CASTS SOMERVILLE AS A DEN OF CORRUPTION.

AS MAYOR, HE SAYS HE'D BRING BACK PARKING THAT'S BEEN SACRIFICED FOR BIKES AND BUSES AND NIX CURRENT MAYOR JOE CURTATONE'S PLAN FOR A SAFE-INJECTION SITE.

>> I WILL CLOSE IT DOWN ON DAY ONE.

I BELIEVE IN NOT ENABLING THESE PEOPLE.

GET THEM TREATMENT.

>> Reporter: IN A CITY WHERE TRUMP BARELY CRACKED 10% LAST YEAR, TAURO'S APPEAL MAY BE LIMITED.

STILL, HE'S GOT A KNACK WITH OLDER VOTERS, AND HIS SIGNS ARE EVERYWHERE, A REMINDER THAT SOMERVILLE ISN'T CAMBRIDGE JUST YET.

>> Braude: THE TRANSPORTATION OF SOMERVILLE WILL DEFINE OUTGOING MAYOR JOE CURTATONE'S LEGACY.

WHEN CURTATONE TOOK OFFICE IN 2004, HE WAS THE YOUNGEST MAYOR IN SOMERVILLE HISTORY.

NOW, NINE TERMS LATER, HE'S DONE THAT JOB LONGER THAN ANYONE ELSE IN THE CITY'S HISTORY.

>>> THAT'S IT FOR TONIGHT, BUT COME BACK TOMORROW.

WE'LL TAKE A DEEP DIVE INTO THE ISSUE OF THE VACCINE MANDATE.

IS IT NECESSARY, AND IS IT ETHICAL?

PLUS, I'LL TALK WITH LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS AND STATE OFFICIALS WHO HAVE ALREADY SIGNED ON TO THE IDEA FOR COSTUMERS AND THEIR EMPLOYEES.

THAT AND MORE, TOMORROW AT 7:00.

THANKS FOR WATCHING, AND PLEASE STAY SAFE.

Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org