FOIA for Covid-19 Massachusetts (Office of the Governor - Massachusetts)

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, I hereby request the following records:

Office of the Governor
Attn: FOIA Officer and Charles Baker
24 Beacon Street, Room 280
Boston, MA

Dear FOIA Officer for Department of Public Health, and Governor Charles Baker:

Under the Freedom of Information Act and pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (950 CMR 32.00), I hereby request the following information:

1) All records of scientific laboratory tests, under a microscope, analyzing and identifying the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) virus from isolated samples extracted from a human being. This sample must be taken directly from a human being, where the patient sample was not first combined with any other source of genetic material or contamination.
2) All records of scientific laboratory tests, under a microscope, analyzing and identifying the COVID-19 delta variant (SARS-CoV-2) virus from isolated samples extracted from a human being. This sample must be taken directly from a human being, where the patient sample was not first combined with any other source of genetic material or contamination.

I am unable to find proof of the above. Please ensure your response includes the specific criteria requested above of laboratory tests, under a microscope, from isolated samples extracted from a human being.
Surely, the governor and/or his agents must have this information. I cannot see Governor Charles Baker signing EUAs (Emergency Use Authorizations) or implementing contact tracing, curfews, testing requirements, or mask mandates without having proof that a virus (or a variant of said virus) exists.

As per 950 CMR 32 (2), if any fees are assessed for these records, please provide an itemized estimate of these fees and wait for my approval before proceeding with the records request. However, I agree in advance to pay up to $75 for the records request, and no approval is needed for fees less than $75. Granting a fee waiver would greatly benefit the community, as disclosure of these records is clearly in the public interest.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by the recommendations of the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

I expect the request to be filled in an accessible format, including for screen readers, which provide text-to-speech for persons unable to read print. Files that are not accessible to screen readers include, for example, .pdf image files as well as physical documents.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Sara Cooke