人生一定要有的八個朋友：
推手(Builder)、
支柱(Champion)、
同好(Collaborator)、
夥伴(Companion)、
中介(Connector)、
開心果(Energizer)、
開路者(Mind Opener)、
導師(Navigator)。
chutze@bostonorange.com
*******************
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MAYOR WALSH, GREATER BOSTON REAL ESTATE BOARD, PROPERTY OWNERS ANNOUNCE
PARTNERSHIP TO IMPOSE MORATORIUM ON EVICTION PROCEEDINGS IN BOSTON TO PROTECT
RESIDENTS
BOSTON
- Saturday, March 14, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh, the Greater Boston Real Estate
Board and its entity the Massachusetts Apartment Association, and the
Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations today announced
they have created a partnership to impose a moratorium on evictions while
Massachusetts is under a state of emergency. These actions, in partnership with
property owners throughout Boston, are intended to protect residents during the
spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), which has prompted states of emergency at the
state and federal levels. Property owners are encouraged to implement a
moratorium on evictions that could be in effect for 90 days, with reviews every
30 days.
"Our
primary focus in Boston is protecting our residents and ensuring they are safe
and healthy as we work to stop the spread of coronavirus," said Mayor
Walsh. "Housing stability is crucial at this time, and I thank the Greater
Boston Real Estate Board and the property owners throughout our City for
working to minimize the disruptions to our residents during this challenging
time. Through these measures to protect residents, we will continue our work to
promote the wellbeing of every community in our city."
"The
Greater Boston Real Estate Board is urging its members to place a moratorium on
evictions in Boston. During this time, we know how vital it is to do our part
to minimize the anxiety and health risk to our tenants," said Greg Vasil,
CEO and President of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board. "This
moratorium could last up to 90 days, with decisions being reviewed every 30
days. The halting of evictions will apply to those who are directly impacted by
economic loss due to the coronavirus outbreak. We understand the pressure
residents are feeling during this crisis, and ensuring Bostonians have a safe,
stable home is always our goal."
The
following organizations support the moratorium: Trinity Financial, Winn
Residential, The Community Builders, and the Massachusetts Association of
Community Development Corporations.
In
addition, earlier this week, the City of Boston and the Boston Housing
Authority issued
lettersurging
housing courtto
reconsider non-essential evictions of residents. The Boston Housing
Authority is also moving to immediately suspend its filing and prosecution of
all Housing Court cases and matters with respect to its non-essential eviction
actions. This includes cases where the health and safety of others is not part
of the suit. It also includes all non-payment, no-fault cases, and
cause-related cases.
Baker-Polito Administration Launches
COVID-19 Response Command Center
New Cross-Agency Structure To Focus On
Responding To Disease, Supporting Communities & Residents
BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today
announced the creation of a new COVID-19 Response Command Center. Governor
Charlie Baker has asked Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders to
lead this cross-secretariat response to the outbreak of COVID-19 to compliment
the work that has been underway for weeks across state government to keep
residents safe and healthy.
The Command Center,
under the leadership of Secretary Sudders and reporting to Governor Baker and
Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, will be the Commonwealth’s single point of strategic
decision making and coordination for the Administration’s comprehensive
COVID-19 response.
“Our administration
has been working for weeks to address the outbreak of COVID-19, and the new
Response Command Center we are launching today is an important step in our
planning and preparedness efforts,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Led by
Secretary Marylou Sudders, this team of experts will focus solely on pushing
back against this disease and moving quickly to respond to the needs of our
communities and residents.”
“State government
has been committed to supporting communities and residents as the Commonwealth
works together to respond to the Coronavirus, and this new Command Structure
will help us further advance that mission,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito.
“This dedicated team will serve as a single point of decision-making for our
ongoing response as we continue to collaborate with partners to address this
rapidly changing situation.”
The Command Center
will have complete authority and discretion to tap whatever state funds are
necessary. This includes the $15 million recently appropriated by the
Legislature for Coronavirus.
The Command
Structure will enable expert teams to advance key initiatives including:
Working
to expand lab capacity for testing
Planning quarantine operations
Coordinating communication and guidance across government
Responding to the needs of our local boards of health
Monitoring supply chains
Identifying surge capacity in
the Commonwealth’s health network.
“By convening
decision-makers from key facets of state government, state government is able
to continue to ramp up our dedicated response to COVID-19,” said Secretary
Marylou Sudders. “This structure will build on the dedicated and continuing
public health response.”
The Command Center
will hold daily briefings with the Governor, key secretariats and agencies and
will communicate regularly with other stakeholders such as municipalities and
local boards of public health. The Command Center will work closely with
and support the Department of Public Health’s ongoing response in conjunction
with federal and local partners, and will include decision -makers from across
state government:
Executive
Office of Health and Human Services
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
Massachusetts Department of Transportation
MBTA
Executive Office of Education
Executive Office of Public Safety and Security
Executive Office of Technology and Security Services
Human Resources Division
The Command Center
will also facilitate coordination and communication with key stakeholder groups
like the CDC, FDA, cities and towns, the Legislature, local boards of public
health, and others.
The Administration
will continue to update the public on further developments and individuals are
encouraged to consult both the Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention websites for the most up to date information.
Roche Annual General Meeting 2020 to
take place under special conditions set by the authorities - electronic voting
strongly recommended
Annual
General Meeting on 17 March
2020 will take place as planned
under conditions set by the authorities in Switzerland
Roche
strongly advises against physical participation and recommends electronic
voting via the independent proxy
Despite
health measures participation will be at attendees’ own risk
Basel, 14 March 2020 -
Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today that, even under the new
federal guidelines on the COVID-19 situation (coronavirus), the Annual General
Meeting will continue to take place on 17 March in accordance with an exemption
provided for by the cantonal authorities Basel-Stadt.
Roche will comply with all federal and cantonal health protection requirements.
However, Roche continues to strongly advise all shareholders against physical
attendance at the Annual General Meeting, particularly people whose age or
pre-existing condition may make them more susceptible, as part of preventive
healthcare measures. Irrespective of health precautions taken, shareholders
attending the meeting do so at their own risk.
Instead of attending the meeting physically, Roche once again recommends that
shareholders use electronic remote voting and make use of the option to vote by
proxy. This can be done using the login details provided to shareholders who
have previously registered for the meeting.
MAYOR WALSH, SUPERINTENDENT
CASSELLIUS ANNOUNCE DISTRICTWIDE CLOSURE OF ALL BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BOSTON
- Friday, March 13, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Boston Public Schools Superintendent
Brenda Cassellius today announced the district-wide closure of all Boston
Public Schools for students, effective on Tuesday, March 17. At this time,
schools are expected to reopen on Monday, April 27, following April
vacation.
Schools
will be open for a regular school day on Monday, March 16 to allow the
flexibility needed to ensure a smooth transition that will allow for parents to
plan, students to gather belongings, and the distribution of any learning
materials that are ready for use at home. At this time, there is no known
public health risk facing the Boston Public Schools as a whole. The decision to
close schools is being made proactively to mitigate and contain the spread of
the virus, and follows the declaration of a national emergency that was
announced earlier today.
Should
the situation with coronavirus improve on a faster timeline than expected,
Mayor Walsh and Superintendent Cassellius will look into reopening schools
before April 27 if that is what is best for Boston's school communities.
"My
priority will always be to protect the health and safety of the residents of
Boston," said Mayor Walsh. "The decision to close schools was
extremely difficult to make and follows several days of robust planning to
ensure that we are still able to provide our students with the services they
need even with schools being closed. I want to thank Boston's principals,
teachers, and school leadership for their collaboration and input during a very
serious and quickly evolving situation to ensure that we are living up to our
commitment of putting the well-being of our school communities at the forefront
of everything that we do."
The
announcement of school closure is being shared immediately to give parents,
caretakers and families time to plan for childcare and other considerations
that may need to be made. Beginning on Wednesday of next week through Friday,
faculty and staff of each school will return to their respective buildings to
continue to work on learning materials so that students can continue to learn.
"I
will always measure every decision in child benefit. Today and always, their
health and safety, as well as that of our staff, and families, is our top
priority," said Superintendent Brenda Cassellius. "In collaboration
with Mayor Walsh and Health and Human Services Chief Martinez, BPS has been
actively developing a plan to support our community during this rapidly
changing situation. I am incredibly grateful to our teachers, school leaders,
custodians, food service workers, bus drivers, and all the staff at BPS for
their commitment to our children."
On
Sunday, Mayor Walsh and Boston Public Schools will communicate with school
communities and families with further plans on how to support students
and families during the closure, including details on picking up meals for the
students who rely on the daily free breakfasts and lunches BPS provides to
students. In addition, Boston Public Schools will be working with schools and
teachers to ensure learning materials are available for students to use at home
to the fullest possible extent possible.
"The
Boston School Committee thanks our 10,000 teachers, school leaders, and staff,
who will rise to the occasion to support our community in these times,"
said Michael Loconto, Boston School Committee Chairperson. "Working with
Mayor Walsh and our City's public services, our Boston Public Schools will
provide students with tools to maintain their education and return to school
ready to learn and achieve."
As of
Friday, March 13, there are 123 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts
and 25 in Boston. The Boston Public Health Commission will be providing
additional information as it is received from the Massachusetts Department of
Public Health. Visit boston.gov/coronavirus
for up-to-date information and answers to commonly asked questions.
On
Wednesday, March 11, the Boston Public Health Commission, in conjunction with
the Boston Public Schools, announced the closure of the three campuses of the
Eliot K-8 School after a non student member of the school's community tested
positive for COVID-19. The Eliot School will remain closed as part of the BPS
district wide closures.
To
protect Bostonians and their families from the spread of the virus, residents
are reminded to practice caution: wash your hands often with soap and water for
at least 20 seconds; use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60
percent alcohol; avoid shaking hands; cover your coughs and sneezes; clean and
disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces; and avoid close contact with
people who are sick. If you think you might be symptomatic, call your doctor or
311 to be connected to the Mayor's Health Line. Residents are also reminded to
practice social distancing: keep your distance from others (six feet apart); do
not take public transportation, taxis or ride-shares during this period; avoid
crowded places.
Additional details about the various plans to support students
throughout the closure will be distributed to families on Sunday
The MacDowell
Colony, 4/15/2020
Emerging and established artists may apply for the fall fellowship
program in the following disciplines: architecture, film/video arts,
interdisciplinary arts, literature, music composition, theater, and
visual arts. The fellowship includes exclusive use of a private studio,
accommodations, and three prepared meals a day for a period of two weeks
to two months.
National Endowment for
the Humanities, 5/15/2020
Challenge Grants strengthen the institutional base of the humanities by
enabling infrastructure development and capacity building. Funding
categories” capital projects and digital infrastructure. Max award:
$750,000. NEH will review a draft application if submitted by 4/3/2020.
Office for Victims
of Crime, 4/20/2020 to 5/11/2020
a) OVC expects to make 12 awards of $500K to help improve outcomes,
minimize additional trauma, and restore safety and security to older
adult victims of abuse and financial exploitation.
b) OVC expects to make 25 grants of $700K to support direct services to
children and youth who are crime victims as a result of the nation's
addiction crisis.
Additional grants are available.
Agricultural
Marketing Service, 5/11/2020
The Farmers Market Promotion Program funds projects that develop,
coordinate and expand direct producer-to-consumer markets to help
increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced
agricultural products by developing, coordinating, expanding, and
providing outreach, training, and technical assistance to domestic
farmers markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture
programs, agritourism activities, online sales or other direct
producer-to-consumer market opportunities. A 25% match is required.
Agricultural
Marketing Service, 5/11/2020
The Local Food Promotion Program supports local and regional food
business enterprises that engage as intermediaries in indirect producer
to consumer marketing to help increase access to and availability of
locally and regionally produced agricultural products. Grants can be used
for the planning stages of establishing or expanding a local and regional
food business enterprise or to improve or expand a food business that
supports locally and regionally produced agricultural products and food
system infrastructure by performing feasibility studies, market research,
training and technical assistance for the business enterprise
and/or for producers working with the business enterprise. A 25% match is
required.
Action for Healthy
Kids, 4/3/2020
Game On Grants support physical activity and nutrition initiatives. Game
On: Social Emotional Health Grants support schools serving military
families. Parents for Healthy Kids Grants support physical activity or
nutrition projects led in partnership with schools.
National Health
Service Corps, 4/23/2020
Scholarships are available to students pursuing eligible primary care
health professions training. In return, scholars commit to provide
primary care health services in Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Application webinar: 3/25/2020.
Ben and Jerry’s
Foundation, 4/15/2020
Grants of up to $25,000 will be awarded to advance social and
environmental justice and support sustainable and just food systems.
Priority strategies include community and ally outreach; leadership
development; constituent empowerment and decision-making; popular
education; root cause analysis; power analysis; campaign development;
mobilizing constituents and allies; coalition building; and direct
action.
Statement
from Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross on President Donald J. Trump's
Declaration of a National Emergency
WASHINGTON – President Trump continued his strong
leadership in the face of this crisis by declaring a National Emergency today
to make more resources rapidly available to continue fighting COVID-19. It is
this very leadership that has saved countless lives since the outbreak began.
We are
all grateful to the American companies that are stepping up and doing their
part to ensure the American public has access to the tests and supplies needed
to combat this outbreak. The Department of Commerce will continue to do our
part keeping America safe and healthy and supporting American businesses to do
the same.
For more information on
coronavirus, please visit: cdc.gov/COVID19.
Civil
Rights Leaders and California Official Discuss the 2020 Census and Census Data
Confidentiality
WASHINGTON –
Leading civil rights organizations and a California census official held a
telephone press briefing today to discuss the 2020 Census, protections around
census data confidentiality, and the work being done to encourage participation
across the country.
Beth Lynk, Census Counts campaign director, The
Leadership Conference Education Fund, said: "Everyone has
a part to play in the 2020 Census, and it's your right to participate. Filling
out the census brings money to our schools, health care to our families, and
political power to our communities. We deserve resources to make our
neighborhoods strong – that's why Census Counts is making sure everyone feels
comfortable getting counted in the census."
“We understand
some people are concerned about the confidentiality of their information and
they can be assured that no one can lawfully share any personal identifying
information from census responses,” stated John C. Yang, president and
executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC. “More
importantly, the Census Bureau and its employees are not allowed to share
personal census responses with ANY other government agency, government
official, or outside entity for any reason and we stand ready to hold them
accountable to the law.”
“We are still
dealing with a substantial amount of fear around the census, especially in the
Latino Community. In surveys conducted since the Trump Administration failed in
their attempt to add a citizenship question to the census, about half of
Latinos still thought it would appear on the form. This is a significant
concern for us,” stated Lizette Escobedo, director of National Census
Program for NALEO Educational Fund. “NALEO Educational Fund is doing
our part to ensure Latino communities across the country are equipped with the
facts about Census 2020 through our ¡Hágase Contar! (Make Yourself Count!)
Campaign and our toll-free bilingual hotline—877-EL-CENSO (877-352-3767). We
are working to ensure that every Latino in the country has the information they
need to count themselves and their family members.”
The threat of a
significant undercount of the Black community in the 2020 Census is greater
than ever. The National Urban League finds this premise completely
unacceptable considering the great damage this would inflict on the Black
community and our families,” stated Jeri Green, 2020 Census senior
advisor, National Urban League. “We have convened a 2020 Census Black
Roundtable coalition of national civil rights leaders, Black clergy, Black
immigrant advocates, state and local officials to align our mutual resources,
messaging and strategies for an accurate Black Count. Under the Urban
League's broader, 2020 Census Make Black Count campaign, we are fighting
collectively to ensure that the Black population loses no ground--political,
economic or civil rights as a result of the 2020 census. The stakes are too
high. We must Make Black Count in the 2020 Census.”
Lycia Maddocks, vice president of external affairs,
National Congress of American Indians, said: “While American
Indians and Alaska Natives historically have one of the highest undercount
rates of any group, the 2020 Census is our opportunity to empower our
communities to be visible. This census is critical to laying the foundation for
our people, our nations, and our future.”
“A complete and
accurate count of California’s population is essential for our future,” stated Ditas
Katague, director, California Complete Count Office 2020 Census.
“That’s why California is making an unprecedented investment to reach the
hardest-to-count Californians. California is a home for all, and everyone here
has a voice.”
The Leadership Conference Education Fund builds public
will for federal policies that promote and protect the civil and human rights
of all persons in the United States. The Education Fund’s campaigns empower and
mobilize advocates around the country to push for progressive change in the
United States. It was founded in 1969 as the education and research arm of The
Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. For more information on The
Education Fund, visit civilrights.org/edfund/.
More information about The Education Fund’s Census
Counts campaign is available at censuscounts.org.
