麻州府先撥500萬元資助地方市鎮公衛部門 將暫時放寬醫護人員進用

麻州州長查理貝克報告抗疫最新情況。(周菊子攝)

(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導)麻州的新型冠狀病毒”確診”病例，今(17)日跳升至218宗。州長查理貝克呼籲州民共體時艱，並宣佈將先撥發500萬元緊急經費給在第一線對抗病毒的地方市鎮衛生部門，另訂兩項緊急命令，舒緩醫護人員的進用。

查理貝克強調，他不會下令”就地庇護(Shelter in place)”，但力促州民為親人，鄰居，朋友著想，沒事別出門，一起度過這難關。州政府之所以會這樣嚴正以待，是因為這病毒傳染力太強。

星期一的時候，麻州的COVID-19確診病例有197宗。專家們說，這數字只是冰山一角，全州的實際總數可能要以千計。一但更多人能夠做檢測了，病例數就會跳升。

麻州公共衛生廳和商營實驗室總共已經做了1357宗檢測，麻州的檢測能量現在也已從每日200餘，增加到400多。

今日(星期二)，確診病例增加21，共218宗，其中102宗和百奧健(Biogen)二月在波士頓市召開的會議有關，22人是旅遊感染的，33人是在波士頓本地感染的，其餘的59宗還在調查中。這些確診者有21人已住院，145人未住院，52人還在調查。

麻州目前還無人因感染新冠狀病毒而死亡。

麻州公共衛生廳長Monica Bharel承認檢測的速度不夠快，但政府希望在增加檢測量的同時，也能兼顧安全。。

             在報告與新型冠狀病毒疫情有關的最新狀況時，麻州州長查理貝克宣佈，要先撥款500萬元，給地方市鎮的公衛部門。後續還會再撥款。

             麻州健康及人民服務卿Marylou Sudders表示，這500萬元將以”短表”形式，作為合約，交地方市鎮官員簽署，交回後，州政府就馬上撥款。

             她說波士頓市會得到金額最大的一筆款項，25萬元。未來數週，州府預期地方市鎮會送交他們有合理原因需要額外撥款的預算提案。

             查理貝克表示，他將和公共衛生廳廳長合作，發出命令，刪除官僚手續，以加快持牌醫護人員入行的速度，讓醫院得以更快增添人手。

             在記者會中，查理貝克強調，他不會下令要人們”閉關(Shelter in Place)”的守在家中。他勸人們要從可信賴的來源獲取資訊，查詢麻州的新型冠狀病毒疫情，就上州政府網站，mass.gov/covid19。

             據說，紐約州州長白思豪(Bill DeBlasio)星期二時表示，他考慮在未來48小時內下令人們”閉關”。

             查理貝克相信，受新型冠狀病毒影響，領取失業救濟州民的人數會大幅上升。州政府將努力盡快撥款給民眾。

             不過鑒於疫情的惡化，州政府將先盡力保護在第一線服務病人的醫護人員。

             查理貝克在上週末下令，從3月17日起，公私立學校停課三週，人們聚會不得多於25人，所有餐館、酒吧不准堂食，可外賣，麻州所有人的日常生活幾乎都瞬間改變。不過查理貝克強調，雜貨店，藥店還是可以照常開門營業。

             根據世衛組織(WHO)，全世界現有179,112宗確診案例，其中新增案例數為11,526，死亡人數新增425，總數已達7426。美國的確診病例為3503宗，新增1825宗，有58人死亡。

             美國疾病防治中心(CDC)的數據則是全美確診案例4226宗，其中3752宗還在調查，和旅遊相關的229宗，近距離接觸傳染的245宗。已有75人死亡。(更新版)

麻州COVID-19確診個案新增21 總數218 仍在查來源59

白宮呼籲全美在未來15天齊心協力降低COVID-19傳染率

The White House • March 17, 2020

🇺🇸 24 hours of all-American teamwork When President Trump took the podium at yesterday’s Coronavirus briefing, he asked Americans to unite behind a single goal. “We’re announcing new guidelines for every American to follow over the next 15 days as we combat the virus,” he said. And in just 24 hours, the selflessness and patriotism on display all across our great country has been astounding. The new guidelines released yesterday deliver a nationwide game plan. Each one of us has a role to play in stopping transmission of this virus. Simple steps taken now will have a massive impact down the road, saving many lives in the weeks ahead: Avoid crowds of more than 10 people   Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly   Work from home if that’s an option for you   Disinfect frequently touched surfaces   Isolate yourself if you feel sick   While every American does their part, the White House Coronavirus Task Force is coordinating a nationwide response to protect the health and safety of every community. 🎬 NEW: FDA is empowering states to expedite testing To cut red tape and avoid bureaucratic delay, “we are putting in place a policy for states to take responsibility for tests developed and used by laboratories in their states,” the President announced today. “States can set up a system in which they take responsibility for authorizing such tests and the laboratories will not engage with the FDA.” The President also announced that Medicare telehealth services will be dramatically expanded. “Medicare patients can now visit any doctor by phone or videoconference, at no additional cost, including with commonly used services like FaceTime and Skype—a historic breakthrough,” he said. Our seniors, as well as others most vulnerable to contracting the virus, shouldn’t have to travel to a doctor’s office or a hospital if another solution is available. Now, the extra fees typically associated with telehealth services have been removed. 🎬 WATCH: Medicare will dramatically expand telehealth services True to an “all-of-America” response to the crisis, President Trump is continuing to combine the full resources of the Federal Government with the innovation of America’s world-leading private sector. This morning, he spoke by phone with restaurant executives from the fast food industry, who intend to keep feeding their communities through drive-through, pick-up, and delivery service options in the weeks ahead. A few hours later, he held a phone call with industrial supply retailers and wholesalers to discuss how to ensure supply chains are able to meet the demands of healthcare providers, first responders, and the American people at this critical time. 🎬 WATCH: We applaud stores for creating seniors-only shopping times! In addition to public health concerns, President Trump understands the serious challenge this virus presents to American businesses, workers, and families. In addition to steps already taken, such as declaring a National Emergency to free up Federal resources, the Trump Administration is working with Congress on a significant economic stimulus plan to provide relief to American workers and industries. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin also shared today that President Trump has authorized the deferral of $300 billion in tax payments to the IRS, helping American workers and business affected by closings and other economic effects of the pandemic. “The world is at war with a hidden enemy,” President Trump tweeted. “WE WILL WIN!” 🎬 Relief for American workers, industries, and families is on the way! STAY INFORMED: For the next 2 weeks, we can all do our part Photo of the Day President Trump delivers remarks at a Coronavirus briefing | March 17, 2020

Amid Coronavirus Pandemic, a Model of Bipartisanship “This week, one of President Trump’s most outspoken critics, Gov. Gavin Newsom of California, said this about the president and his team’s response to the cruise ship in Oakland: ‘Every single thing [Trump] said, they followed through on. Every single thing. His administration—and it starts at the top, including the vice president—has been consistent,’” Reps. Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Brian Babin (R-TX) write. “What a fantastic report and an example of true public service. Both conservatives and liberals should look at that situation objectively and realize that in an era of total polarization in politics, two opposing executives put their differences aside to solve a crisis and save lives.” Click here to read more. MORE: Do your part—15 days to slow the spread! “It has been alleged by multiple officials of the Obama administration, including in The Post, that the president and his then-national security adviser, John Bolton, ‘dissolved the office’ at the White House in charge of pandemic preparedness. Because I led the very directorate assigned that mission . . .  I know the charge is specious,” Tim Morrison writes in The Washington Post. During a crisis, it’s more important than ever that journalists share accurate information about the Federal Government’s response. Yesterday, a member of The New York Times editorial board shared a partial quote from President Trump “with the explicit intent of misleading people,” Becket Adams writes in the Washington Examiner. By slashing red tape, “the president and his task force have changed the way we respond to viral and pandemic events . . . The strength of America lies in her ability to innovate and problem-solve. The best ideas and solutions come from a government and a private sector that come together for the common good,” Bradley Blakeman writes in The Hill.

15 days to slow the spread This afternoon, President Trump and the White House Coronavirus Task Force issued new guidelines to help protect Americans during the global Coronavirus outbreak. 🎬 President Trump: Taking action now will keep America ahead of the curve The new recommendations are simple to follow but will have a resounding impact on public health. While the President leads a nationwide response, bringing together government resources and private-sector ingenuity, every American can help slow the virus’ spread and keep our most high-risk populations safe: Listen to and follow the directions of your state and local authorities.   If you feel sick, stay home. Do not go to work. Contact your medical provider.   If your children are sick, keep them at home. Contact your medical provider.   If someone in your household has tested positive for the Coronavirus, keep the entire household at home.   If you are an older American, stay home and away from other people.   If you are a person with a serious underlying health condition—such as a significant heart or lung disease—stay home and away from other people. Today’s guidelines build on the CDC’s recommendations to help prevent spread of the virus. Americans should continue practicing strict personal hygiene, including washing hands regularly for at least 20 seconds at a time and wiping down surfaces in the home regularly. Even if you are young and otherwise healthy, you are at risk—and your activities can increase the risk of contracting the Coronavirus for others. Everyone can do their part. There’s no better way to protect your family and your community than by arming yourself with accurate, up-to-date information. A massive, unprecedented nationwide response President Trump declared a National Emergency in response to the Coronavirus on Friday, freeing up more than $42 billion in resources for states and localities. The emergency declaration will give healthcare providers on the front lines of this pandemic the flexibility they need to respond. President Trump continues to cut through every piece of unnecessary Washington red tape that may hinder response efforts, and he is continuing to make every Federal resource available to those who need it. “I know I speak on behalf of the President and our entire team when I say how grateful we are for governors all across the country and the seamless partnership that we have forged with them and with state health officials,” Vice President Mike Pence said yesterday. “We also want to express great appreciation to the American people. Not surprisingly, it is inspiring to see the way tens of millions of Americans are responding with compassion [and] with common sense.” Kay Coles James: President Trump’s declaration helps mobilize our nation 🎬 VP Pence: No higher priority than the health of the American people Photo of the Day President Trump, joined by Vice President Pence and members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, delivers remarks at a Coronavirus briefing | March 15, 2020 Trump’s Coronavirus National Emergency Declaration Allows US to Escalate War on Virus “History condemns generals who plan to fight the last war, rather than anticipate the challenges ahead. Effective leaders strive to get in front of the problem,” the Heritage Foundation’s James Jay Carafano writes for Fox News. “In his Rose Garden news conference Friday outlining the federal government’s next steps to get in front of the advancing coronavirus pandemic, President Trump was much more forward-looking than his critics.” Click here to read more. MORE: 'Moved quickly': Gov. Cuomo praises President Trump's Coronavirus response President Trump called out false reporting on Sunday about “a nationwide Wuhan coronavirus website that Google is creating in partnership with the federal government. Several news outlets erroneously accused the president of lying and misleading the public about the existence and scope of the project,” Bronson Stocking reports for Townhall. The Trump Administration’s proposal to waive the payroll tax is the best way to provide Americans with financial relief. “Members of Congress should put aside their partisan and ideological differences now and immediately pass this strategic initiative, or American workers and businesses will bear the brunt of any coronavirus economic pain,” White House Trade & Manufacturing Policy Director Peter Navarro writes for Fox News. FACT CHECK: Critics of President Trump falsely claimed that “the Trump administration gutted the National Security Council counter-pandemics effort. It did not. While the Trump administration has rightly reorganized the NSC away from the bureaucratic behemoth it became under the Obama administration, NSC bio-defense efforts have continued,” Tom Rogan writes in the Washington Examiner. Privacy Policy | Contact the White House | Unsubscribe