星期一, 2月 28, 2022

波士頓市長吳弭建議撥款2700萬資助52個社區保存項目

MAYOR WU RECOMMENDS COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT FUNDING FOR 52 PROJECTS TOTALING MORE THAN $27 MILLION

This includes $14.6 million in affordable housing projects; $6.1 million in historic preservation projects; and $6.4 million in recreational use and open space projects
BOSTON - Monday, February 28, 2022 - Mayor Michelle Wu and the City of Boston Community Preservation Committee (CPC) today announced their recommendation of 52 projects, totaling over $27 million in grants through the Community Preservation Act (CPA) current funding round. Following the CPC's public hearing and vote and Mayor Wu's recommendation, the proposed projects have been filed with the Boston City Council for a vote of approval. Projects supported with Community Preservation Act funding must create or preserve affordable housing, historic sites, or open space and recreation. 

“The Community Preservation Act helps us invest in our communities by empowering residents and local organizations to put funding to important priorities across our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I am grateful to the Community Preservation Committee and all of the applicants for their commitment to expanding affordable housing, historic preservation and open space and recreation to benefit Bostonians across our city.” 

“Our residents, civic leaders, and community groups work tirelessly to make their neighborhoods better places to live, work and raise their families,” said City Councilor Michael Flaherty. “CPA funds allow for community driven, transformational change in our communities.  As Chair of the Council’s Committee on Community Preservation, I am excited to review the applications and see the impact all of these projects will have on our neighborhoods.”  

Including this funding round, when approved by the City Council, the City of Boston will have awarded over $119 million to support 245 projects across the City since residents voted to adopt the Community Preservation Act in 2016. Community Preservation Act-funded projects can be found in 23 neighborhoods. Of those supported since its creation, there have been 98 open space and recreation projects, 37 affordable housing projects, and 110 historic preservation projects. Mayor Wu previously announced some of these affordable housing projects as part of her investment of $40 million in new recommended funding to create and preserve over 700 income-restricted units of housing in Jamaica Plain, Dorchester, Chinatown, Hyde Park, and Roxbury.

The Community Preservation Fund was created following voters’ passage and adoption of the Community Preservation Act in November 2016. It is funded by a 1 percent property tax-based surcharge on residential and business property tax bills, which took effect in July 2017, and an annual state funding from the Massachusetts Community Preservation Trust Fund. The Mayor and Community Preservation Committee recommend funding use and the City Council must vote to approve. 

“With appreciation to the CPA staff, the Boston CPC is pleased to recommend 52 projects to Mayor Wu for funding consideration by the City Council under the leadership of Michael Flaherty, Council Committee Chair,” said Felicia Jacques, Chair of Community Preservation Committee. “This recommendation fully commits over 50% of funds to housing with the remaining funds supporting 42 historic preservation and open space projects.  These projects address a variety of uses and a bounty of worthy community projects spanning the city in virtually every neighborhood.”

After the Committee's review of applications received for Community Preservation Act funding, the following projects are recommended for grants. The proposals include 10 affordable housing, 25 historic preservation and 17 open space and recreation projects across 19 neighborhoods.

Affordable Housing: 10 projects, totaling $14,660,159

Chinatown -  288 Harrison Residence 
$2,000,000 to partially fund the creation of 85 affordable rental housing units for low-to-moderate income individuals and families in Chinatown with restrictions ranging from 30% to 80% Area Median Income (AMI).

Dorchester -  DMH Housing Harvard Commons 
$601,527 to partially fund the creation of supportive affordable housing for low-to-moderate-income individuals and families by funding the new construction of a four-unit building located on the Harvard Commons campus. All units will be reserved for the clients of the Department of Mental Health with units ranging from 30% to 50% Area Median Income (AMI).

Dorchester -  Hamilton at Mt. Everett 
$1,500,000 to partially fund the new construction of a four-story building with 36 one-bedroom apartments, designed for and available to individuals and couples 62 years and older. Supportive services will be provided on-site by Hebrew Senior Life. All apartments will be affordable to households with incomes at or below 60% Area Median Income (AMI).  

Dorchester - Talbot Commons II   
$1,000,000 to partially fund the creation of 42 affordable rental units on two vacant city-owned parcels. All units will be deed-restricted with units ranging from 30% to 60% Area Median Income (AMI). 

Jamaica Plain - Stonley-Brookley   
$1,975,000 to partially fund the creation of 45 mixed income-restricted homeownership units in a new development. Community Preservation funds will support the 32 affordable units ranging from 80% to 100% Area Median Income (AMI).

Jamaica Plain - 127 Amory Street
$2,000,000 to partially fund the creation of a 96-unit building that is 100% affordable with units restricted between 30% to 80% Area Median Income (AMI). This development continues the transformative redevelopment of the Boston Housing Authority Amory Street campus.

Roxbury - Nuba Homes 
$1,500,000 to partially fund the creation of a 49 unit mixed-income affordable homeownership building on the BPDA-owned Parcel 8. Community Preservation Funds will support the 36 affordable  homeownership units ranging from 60% to 100% Area Median Income (AMI).

Roxbury - Nubian Ascends Artist Housing 
$1,083,632 to partially fund the creation of a 15-unit mixed-income homeownership development with a preference for artists. Community Preservation Funds will support the ten affordable homeownership units at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI)

Roxbury - Bartlett Station Drive - F5 
$1,000,000 to partially fund the creation of a 44-unit affordable housing rental development for low-to-moderate-income individuals within Bartlett Station development. All apartments will be affordable to households with incomes ranging from 30% to 80% Area Median Income (AMI). 

Roxbury - 2085 Washington Street (Parcel 10) 
$2,000,000 to partially fund the creation of a 10-story rental and homeownership building on a gateway corner in Nubian Square, the final phase of the redevelopment of Parcel 10. Community Preservation funds will support the 64 units of affordable rentals ranging from 30% to 80% Area Median Income (AMI). 

Historic Preservation: 25 Projects totaling $6,141,357

Allston-Brighton - St. Luke’s and St. Margaret’s Church 
$500,000 for masonry and roofing repairs to the 1914 building complex, the first phase of a reimagining of the landmark.

Back Bay - Boston Architectural College 
$495,000 for masonry and window restoration of 951 Boylston Street of the Boston Architectural College flagship building.

Back Bay - Community Church Boston 
$100,000 for the roof replacement of the five-story storefront building, home to the Community Church.

Beacon Hill -  Nichols House Museum 
$72,400 for exterior restoration of original features and shutter restoration of the women's history museum.

Beacon Hill - Beacon House
$350,000 for exterior masonry restoration of the affordable housing for 117 elders and people with disabilities.

Beacon Hill -  The Vilna Shul 
$275,000 for the restoration of the failed front plaza at Vilna Shul, Boston's Center for Jewish Culture.

Boston Harbor Islands - The Boston Harbor Islands Archaeological and Climate Change Impact on Native History
$250,000 to preserve the archaeological sites and artifacts of the Boston Harbor Islands. These funds will preserve the existing archaeological collections excavated from the islands and conduct new collaborative community archaeological surveys to preserve the archaeological sites most at-risk to erosion caused by climate change.

Charlestown - USS Constitution Museum 
$20,000 for the relocation of the mechanical system above flood-level to protect the Museum’s site and collections.

Charlestown - Charlestown Working Theater 
$75,000 for structural stabilization of the foundation of the former Boston Fire Station turned community theater.

Chinatown - 95 Hudson Street 
150,000 for the masonry restoration and structural repairs to the permanently affordable rowhouse.

Citywide - Boston City Archives 
$78,000 to digitize the City of Boston 1920 women's voter registrations ledger books for public records.

Dorchester - Global Ministries Christian Church 
$200,000 for roofing and drainage repairs, and the construction of a new accessible entrance to the 1889 shingle-style building.

Dorchester - Greater Love Tabernacle Church 
$449,107 for the rehabilitation of the exterior of the 1924 masonry structure, as well as an entrance accessibility project. Work includes masonry, window and drainage repairs, and accessibility entrance structure.

Dorchester - William Clapp House 
$61,000 for critical structural masonry repairs at the William Clapp House to protect the museum’s collections and exhibits. 

Downtown - World Ocean School - Schooner Roseway 
$360,000 to rehabilitate and restore the framing and ballast of the historic 1925 vessel, allowing it to continue to function as an educational space for primarily under-resourced students in the Boston area.

East Boston - Bennington St. Cemetery 
$67,000 to repair and repoint the 1837 historic Harmony Street cemetery cobblestone wall and fencing.

East Boston - Nantucket Lightship LV-112
$250,000 to repair interior elements of historic 1936 lightship critical to the museum vessel’s structural integrity.

Jamaica Plain - Hope Central Church
$100,000 to restore windows and remove foundation vegetation to improve energy conservation of the 1936 structure as part of a phased program of envelope repairs to the complex.

Kenmore-Fenway - Huntington Theatre 
$100,000 to restore and repair character-defining elements of the 1924 theatre entrance, including doors, balconies, balustrades and masonry.

Roxbury - Dr. Marie E. Zakrzewska Building  at the Dimock Center 
$1,000,000 to complete the restoration of the historic 1872 Dr. Marie E. Zakrzewska Building, including critical structural repair, window restoration, roof and dormer repair, and strengthening of the porte cochere. This work will complete the reuse of the structure as an in-patient substance abuse disorder treatment center for men.

Roxbury - First Church Roxbury 
$343,000 to repair and restore the west entry of the 1804 meetinghouse and construct an accessible ramp to adaptively reuse the former church sanctuary as a community meeting and arts space.

Roxbury -  Twelfth Baptist Church
$161,850 for roof repair to the historic 1873 Twelfth Baptist Church in Roxbury.

South Boston - Congress Street Fire Station-Boston Fire Museum 
$327,000 for continued critical structural repairs to the masonry facade and parapet walls and reinforcing interior structural timbers of historic 1891 Fire Station.

South End - South End Historical Society-Francis Dane
$300,000 to repair, and restore cast-iron ornament, brownstone masonry, and an oriel bay window at the 1858 South End Historical Society headquarters building.

West Roxbury - Restoration of Westerly Burying Ground 
$57,000 for the restoration of front wall, fence and gate, as well as the restoration of interior cast iron plot fence, and resetting and repair of gravestones at the 1683 Westerly Burying Ground.

Open Space & Recreation: 17 projects totaling $6,404,338

Beacon Hill - Charles River Esplanade 
$18,810 for a multi-year improvement project to plant approximately 50 trees on the Esplanade from 2022 to 2023.

Charlestown - Warren Prescott School
$1,000,000 to restore and redesign the decades-old Warren-Prescott K-8 school play structure and outdoor play-space, which serves as the primary playground for over 500 public school students.

Citywide - Boston Open Space Acquisition Fund 
$1,300,000 for the Boston Open Space Acquisition Fund, acquisition of real property interests in open space or land for recreational use.

Dorchester - Oasis at Ballou Farm 
$500,000 for capital improvements to Oasis on Ballou community farm to support growth of more healthy produce and create more access to the site for residents, student groups, and other community stakeholders.

Dorchester - Martin Richard Dorchester Field House - Outdoor Recreational Space 
$500,000 to develop a fun and vibrant park-like setting around a new 75,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art youth development field house that will include gardens, playscapes, exercise and event space, trees, and permanent plantings.

Dorchester - Codman Burial Ground Park 
$350,000 for private cemetery, owned by the Second Church will rehabilitate an existing but underused greenspace and create a neighborhood park that offers educational, recreational, contemplative and artistic uses.

Dorchester - Garden at Magnolia 
$94,961 the continued construction to help complete a new community garden, lawn, perennial beds, and children's garden in Uphams Corner. 

East Boston - 6 Chelsea Terrace Secret Garden 
$225,000 for the creation of recreational space, funding critical improvements to a blighted lot to make it a functional community garden with seating and a public path.

Hyde Park - Sherrin Woods Trailhead and Wetlands 
$250,000 for the rehabilitation and restoration of the degraded portions of the property at the Sherrin Street entrance, street side, and adjacent wetland buffers. 

Mattapan - Edgewater Food Forest
$104,369 for the  creation of a new community food forest on a vacant 11,816 SF property for active and passive recreational use including the development of a community garden, trails, and park space.

Mattapan - Cote Village Playground
$226,808 for the creation of a new public playground in the new Cote Village 76 units affordable and workforce housing development.

Mission Hill - Evans Way Footbridge Restoration 
$650,000 for the restoration and rehabilitation of the Evans Way footbridge, funding capital improvements and extraordinary repairs. The bridge will invite the public to discover and explore the many recreational, natural and cultural amenities of the Back Bay Fens.

South Boston - Barnard Place Park
$34,390 for the continued capital improvements to help complete a new small neighborhood park in South Boston to make it functional and secure for local residents. Work includes installation of irrigation and solar security lighting.

South Boston - Christopher Lee Playground - Little League Field 
$650,000 for the rehabilitation and restoration to the Christopher Lee Playground little league field. Capital improvements include new irrigation and drainage, benches, batting cage, and chain link fence.

South Boston - Boston’s Children’s Museum 
$100,000 for the rehabilitation and restoration improvements on the museum’s property by replacing failed planking at the Boston Harborwalk, to ensure that the walkway is a safe environment for the public and Museum visitors.   

South End - Crite Park
$250,000 to transform long-neglected property into a vibrant community park, the site will memorialize the late Allan Rohan Crite, an internationally acclaimed African American artist and longtime South End resident. 

West Roxbury - Sophia Snow Place
$150,000 for the Preservation and restoration of native plantings around the certified vernal pool located in Allandale Woods to protect this Boston's Urban Wild and create a bridge to increase accessibility to the future healing garden.

波士頓市長吳弭提案 限制針對性住宅區抗議時間 9AM-9PM

MAYOR WU FILES ORDINANCE REGARDING TARGETED RESIDENTIAL PICKETING

Ordinance seeks to protect the quality of residential life in Boston

 

(Boston Orange 整理編譯) 波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) (28) 日提案制定新法令,限制針對個別居民的住宅區抗議時間為早上9點至晚上9點。

            過去這二個多月來,吳弭位於羅森岱爾 (Rosendale)的家門口,幾乎每天早上7點一過,就有抗議打疫苗、戴口罩規定者,拿著擴音機抗議。不只她們一家人不堪其擾,她的鄰居民也感到很無奈。

            吳弭在遞案聲明中表示,波士頓一向有著不平則鳴的傳統,維持並保護人們發聲的權利,奮力支持以保持民主茁壯很重要,但在國家政治分歧的時刻,我們不能讓騷擾及仇恨恆毅社區成為常態。波士頓必須不僅以大膽及緊急政策為模範,更要包容,賦能政治。

            違反新抗議法令者,將被罰款。初犯罰100元,再犯罰200元,第3次以及更多以上次數罰300元。

BOSTON - Monday, February 28, 2022 - Mayor Michelle Wu today filed an Ordinance Regarding Targeted Residential Picketing, adding parameters to protect the health and well-being of residents in our neighborhoods against targeted harassment. Targeted residential picketing means picketing, protesting, or demonstrating, with or without signs or sound amplification, that is specifically directed towards a particular residence or one or more occupants of the residence, and which takes place before or about the targeted residence. The ordinance would restrict targeted residential picketing only between the hours of 9:00pm and 9:00am, and would not affect marches or protests passing through residential areas that are not targeted at a particular home.

 “Boston has a strong legacy of activism, and it’s important to uphold and protect the ability to speak out and advocate fiercely to keep our democracy strong,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “But in a moment of divided national politics, we can’t normalize the harassment and hate spilling over into our communities. Boston must model not only bold, urgent policies, but also inclusive, empowering politics.” 

 “This ordinance will add to our existing laws to stop harassment of residents in their private homes, while respecting the right to protest,” said Acting Commissioner and Superintendent-in-Chief Gregory P. Long. “People have a right to privacy and peace in their homes.” 

 The City of Boston is committed to the First Amendment right to protest, while protecting residents’ privacy and the quality of residential life. Targeted residential picketing that occurs late at night or early in the morning increases the intrusion on the privacy and sanctity of the home, and is particularly harassing and detrimental to the sleep and well-being of families, including seniors and families with children.

 The ordinance would protect any targeted residence, not just elected officials’ homes. The U.S. Supreme Court case that affirmed such protections, Frisby v. Schultz, upheld a local ordinance in Wisconsin created after anti-abortion protesters consistently targeted doctors who performed abortions, by repeatedly picketing outside their homes. The framework proposed for Boston would restrict targeted residential picketing only at night and in the early morning. The order will complement existing prohibitions against excessive noise, disturbing the peace, and blocking of streets and sidewalks through these clear guidelines around targeted residential picketing.

 “Public protests at people’s homes must have reasonable limits. These demonstrations are not only causing stress to the families of elected officials, it is also hurting their neighbors, many of whom are seniors, persons with disabilities, veterans and young children,” said Boston City Council President Ed Flynn. “Now is the time to come together as a city and country to treat each other with empathy, respect and dignity.”

Lydai Edwards 針對能源環保提波士頓家規法案

Lydia Edwards files legislation to promote environmental justice in Boston, empower city to halt certain projects including proposed electrical substation 


Home Rule Petition would give city authority to enforce environmental rights in Massachusetts constitution, remove exemptions for utility companies in zoning review


(Boston) Today, Lydia Edwards announced legislation in the Boston City Council to secure the environmental rights of Boston residents and ensure the city has adequate safeguards against impactful energy and industrial projects. Ms. Edwards’ council district and home neighborhood of East Boston are burdened by air pollution, a lack of tree canopy and open space, and climate impacts such as flooding and sea level rise–factors made worse by the irresponsible siting and expansion of certain energy and industrial facilities.


“Residents of the City of Boston have repeatedly been denied environmental rights which are fundamental to our state constitution,” said Lydia Edwards. “Where justice has been denied, we will legislate new protections and safeguards for residents against energy companies that have abused their power for too long.”


“We at GreenRoots have firsthand knowledge of how utility companies ignore communities and fast track processes,” said John Walkey of GreenRoots. “This necessary tool will center community and environmental justice.”


“ACE fully supports changing the way the city does business with utility companies,” said Dwaign Tyndal of Alternatives for Community and Environment. “The legislation allows us to create a just system that centers people, planet and a green future.”


“The East Boston community deserves to have their voices heard,” said Staci Rubin, Vice President, Environmental Justice at Conservation Law Foundation. “Officials have repeatedly ignored the fact that residents overwhelmingly oppose the Eversource project in their neighborhood. Senator Edwards is absolutely right to continue to push for environmental justice for East Boston.”

An Act to Secure Environmental Justice in the City of Boston, a home rule petition, would make three targeted changes to Boston’s Zoning Enabling Act. The legislation would:

  • Empower the Building Commissioner of the City of Boston to enforce state constitution and law by issuing a stop work order to projects that violate legally established environmental rights

  • Remove a current exemption for utility companies from complying with Boston’s zoning code in the future

  • Direct the Boston Zoning Commission to establish clear rules for zoning review of energy projects


In November 2021, more than 83% of voters in Boston’s municipal election opposed the proposed East Boston substation in a non-binding ballot question. Analyses from scientific and environmental organizations have shown clean energy alternatives could meet the energy needs of East Bostonians, reduce utility costs and mitigate environmental justice issues. Certain state approvals for the project are under appeal


Ms. Edwards is filing the home rule petition as a city councilor and will seek local passage prior to her conclusion of service on the council. Lydia Edwards was inaugurated into the Massachusetts Senate in January 2022.

星期五, 2月 25, 2022

CDC出新防疫建議 麻州危險性低可不戴口罩 地方政府有自決權

           (Boston Orange)



MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF JAKE LACEY AS THE NEIGHBORHOOD LIAISON FOR WEST ROXBURY; MICHEL DENIS APPOINTED AS THE LIAISON FOR THE HAITIAN COMMUNITY

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF JAKE LACEY 
 AS THE NEIGHBORHOOD LIAISON FOR WEST ROXBURY; MICHEL DENIS APPOINTED AS THE LIAISON FOR THE HAITIAN COMMUNITY
Jake Lacey
Michel Denis
BOSTON - Friday, February 25, 2022 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced the appointment of Jake Lacey as the West Roxbury liaison and Michel Denis as the liaison to the Haitian community in the Office of Neighborhood Services (ONS). They will serve as the primary contact for constituents and businesses looking to connect with the Mayor's Office, and will facilitate the delivery of services in collaboration with City departments. 

“The Office of Neighborhood Services is key to achieving our goal of getting City Hall out of City Hall and into our communities,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Jake Lacey and Denis Michel are passionate public servants who will serve as important connections to West Roxbury and Boston’s Haitian community.” 

Jake Lacey previously worked at City Year as a Corporate Partnership Manager where he facilitated partnerships with local companies dedicated to education equity. He brings to the role a passion for ensuring that programs and services are accessible to all residents. Lacey is also an AmeriCorps alumnus, having worked as a Student Success Coach with City Year Philadelphia and a Volunteer Project Coordinator on City Year’s Care Force. He thrives when working with community members to create opportunities for impact-driven volunteer work. Lacey received a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration at the University of Wisconsin and is pursuing a Master in City Planning at Boston University.  

“I am honored to join the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services to support West Roxbury,” said Jake Lacey. “I know how dedicated the residents of West Roxbury are to their community. I look forward to serving this dynamic neighborhood and contributing to their long history of community engagement.” 

Jake enjoys hiking, biking and exploring Boston’s neighborhoods.

Michel Denis was born in Bel-Air, a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He migrated to the US as a teenager and went on to earn an associate degree in Fine Arts at Bunker Hill Community College and a bachelors in Political Science at Lesley University. He currently serves as the Director of a non-profit organization called ITIAHaiti, whose mission is to revive Haitian culture while coaching youth to build their leadership through arts. 

“I am thrilled to work for Mayor Michelle Wu’s administration as the liaison to the Haitian community,” said Michel Denis. “I am committed to serving my community and connecting them to the services and resources the City of Boston has to offer.” 

Denis is an avid reader, writer, and poet. He enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends.

ABOUT THE MAYOR’S OFFICE OF NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES

The Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services (ONS) encourages, facilitates and maximizes citizen input and participation through service requests, neighborhood meetings, mailings, and emergency responses. To report non-emergency issues to the City, residents are encouraged to connect with BOS:311 by dialing 3-1-1 or by downloading the free BOS:311 app on iOS or Android platforms.

波士頓停車位 一個75萬元?

               (Boston Orange 編譯) 天價! 一個波士頓市內的停車位,給價75萬元? 華爾街日報和波士頓環球報稱,一對波士頓夫婦在出售公寓時,有人出價75萬元要買他們的其中一個「代客駕車」停車位。

              華爾街日報登出了這對夫婦的姓名,68歲的Douglas Reeves59歲的Amy Reeves。他們倆在出售4000平方呎,號稱有4個睡房,以及查理市河及公共公園美麗景觀的公寓,要價1050萬元。

              波士頓市的評估記錄顯示,Reeves家位於Beacon100號的公寓,估值680萬元。

              至關重要的是,這豪華住宅包括不只一個,而是兩個有遮棚,有人代為停車的車位。華爾街日報稱,Amy Reeves還說,他們拒絕了潛在買家的僅一個車位就75萬元的出價。

              不過,波士頓市搶手停車位售價6位數,倒也不是史無前例。

              波士頓環球報9月時曾經報導,Campion及公司出售西布魯克蘭街201號的一個停車位時,開價375000元。

              2015年時,Beacon HillBrimmer街停車場的一個停車位,曾有過65萬元的上市價格。2013年,麻州大道 (Commonwealth Ave.)298號的一對前後串聯停車位,以56萬元出售。2009年時,麻州大道48號的一個停車位也賣了30萬元。

              去年秋天,後灣區Beacon293號一個停車位在Realtor.com上的開價也有229千元。

對那些沒錢買停車位的人來說,在冬天暴風雪來時,用物件佔位子是他們最喜歡用的策略。129日大風雪時,各種佔位子物件就蜂湧而出。在某些社區,這是非常有爭議的話題。佔位子物件在暴風雪緊急狀況取消後48小時必須移除,但經常是限期到後仍然留在那兒。

佔停車位也引發許多故意破壞罪案。波士頓警察局在暴風雪停止後的頭幾天,就收到人們舉報的好幾宗故意破壞案。131日時,一位女士把垃圾桶移開,把車停進南端華盛頓街旁的Mystic街的一個停車位,等她辦完事回到車那兒時,她發現一張字條,還有左前輪的車胎被割破了。23日凌晨2點,一名受害者也向警察舉報,他的車被人故意破壞了。

美國聯邦疾病防治中心今日可能宣佈放寬戴口罩規定

(Boston Orange 綜合報導) 美聯社 (AP)和紐約時報 (NY Times) ,以及英國的每日郵報(Daily Mail)相繼報導,拜登(Biden)政府週五 (25) 將大幅度放鬆戴口罩以防新冠病毒傳染的規定,意味著美國政府將不再忠告人民,進入公共室內場所要戴口罩。

                 美聯社表示,這消息是2名熟悉內情者,在拜登政府正式宣佈之前,匿名透露的。

                疾病防治中心 (CDC)週五會宣佈更改用來決定是否建議戴口罩的衡量標準,把從新冠病毒確診率來看的做法,改成更全面來看新冠病毒對社區的風險有多大。

              在目前的指導原則下,建議居住在傳染率高或傳染量大社區中的人戴口罩,根據最新數據來看,那大約是美國95%的地區。

             新的衡量標準,仍然會考慮個案數,但也會把住院數,以及自新冠病毒奧米克戎(Omicron)變種出現以來已大幅度改善的地方醫院能量考慮進去。奧米克戎病株的傳染力更高,但指數顯示和之前病株相比,造成的病情,尤其是對那些已完整接種,或打了加強劑疫苗的人來說,沒那麼嚴重。

               以現有數據來看,在新的指導原則下,絕大部分美國人將不再是居住在建議室內戴口罩的地區。

               這新政策是在拜登政府從重心放在防止新冠病毒造成嚴重疾病及死亡轉移為所有感染病例,在因應病毒成為流行病之際策略的調整後新階段。

             在為因應冬天時奧米克戎病例大幅上升而規定室內戴口罩的美國各州,現在因為全國的病例數陡降,幾乎都已經放鬆規定之際,拜登政府做出了這一改變。有些州已完全取消了戴口罩的規定,有些州則仍然規定學校及醫療場所戴口罩。

             聯邦疾病防治中心的指導原則對美國聯邦政府的在公共交通工具中戴口罩的規定會有何影響還不得而知。

             聯邦疾病防治中心主任Rochelle Walensky曾經說,正在訂定改變。他上星期在白宮簡報中說,必須把醫院能量作為重要的額外考量晴雨表。醫院必須能夠照顧有心臟病、中風的病人。急診部門不能夠應付不過來的得讓有緊急情況病人排隊等候。

             不過在聯邦疾病防治中心何時會宣布任何改變上,他拒絕給出特定日期。