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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今晚(4/27)8點，WCVB波士頓第5號電視台將撥出一集「亞美聲音(Asian American Voices)」，邀請麻州眾議員陳德基(Tackey
Chan)，正在競選波士頓市長的波士頓市不分區市議員吳弭(Michelle Wu)，亞美社區發展協會(ACDC)主任劉安琪，以及曾任全美亞裔律師協會會長，長年關心波士頓華埠的律師李保華來討論亞裔處境。
美國民權顧問委員會麻州分會(The Massachusetts Advisory Committee to the
United States Commission on Civil Rights)，也將在5月6日美東時間的下午2點，舉辦一場WebEx:網上會議，https://tinyurl.com/533t9psj，討論社會中的反亞裔仇恨犯罪事件。該會指出，一個仇恨及極端主義中心最近發表的一份報告指出，在2020年內，美國有16個大城市儘管總體仇恨犯罪率降低了7%，反亞裔仇恨犯罪卻增加了150%。該會將在會議中開放各界表達意見。
美國境內從去年三月開始出現”反亞裔仇恨(Anti-Asian Hate)”浪潮。起初亞裔民眾似乎秉持亞裔”沉默是金”的傳統，起初只在網路上輾轉相傳亞裔無故遭遇粗言暴語，甚至暴力襲擊的視頻片段，靜靜提醒各人親友出門小心，直到亞特蘭大槍擊案造成6名亞裔女性死亡，逮捕嫌犯的警察竟然在記者會上說嫌犯那天心情不好(He had a bad day)，全美各地亞裔終於忍不住站了出來，上街遊行。不過遊行時的申訴，很是溫文，只說”停止仇恨亞裔(Stop
Asian Hate)。在陸續仍不斷有亞裔遭遇攻擊事件傳出後，近來已有更多亞裔關注該怎麼做，才能改變這狀況。
AG HEALEY SECURES
$89,000 FOR STUDENTS FROM ONLINE FOR-PROFIT CODING BOOTCAMP TO RESOLVE CLAIMS
OF HIGH-PRESSURE ENROLLMENT, FAILING TO PROVIDE PROPER DISCLOSURES
BOSTON
— Attorney General Maura Healey has secured $89,000 in payments to students
from an online for-profit school offering coding bootcamps to resolve
allegations that the school used high pressure enrollment tactics and failed to
provide proper disclosures about the program, in violation of the AG’s
For-Profit School Regulations.
The Assurance of
Discontinuance,
filed on Monday in Suffolk Superior Court against Flatiron School LLC
(“Flatiron”), alleges that between March 2016 and February 2020, Flatiron
violated the state’s for-profit and occupational school regulations designed to
curb deceptive and unfair practices and increase protections for prospective
students. Under the terms of the settlement, Flatiron will pay $89,000, which
will provide relief to students harmed by the school’s alleged illegal
practices.
“We have strong regulations in place to protect students from abusive and
deceptive practices by for-profit schools,” said AG Healey. “Students looking
to make informed decisions about their education should not be met with high
pressure enrollment tactics and inadequate information about programs. We are
pleased that with this settlement, students harmed will receive some relief.”
Flatiron is a private for-profit educational institution offering online and
on-campus training programs like Software Engineering and Data Science,
although they do not have a physical location in Massachusetts. “Coding
bootcamps” are intensive coding programs, usually lasting 9-12 weeks, which
help students looking for a career in web development.
According to the AG’s settlement, Flatiron
failed to make certain disclosures to consumers and prospective students at
least 72 hours prior to entering into enrollment agreements. Under the AG’s
regulations, both brick-and-mortar and online schools are required to disclose
– in their advertisements, website and recruitment literature – accurate and
readily comparable information about tuition and fees, employment statistics,
graduation rates, and program completion time.
Flatiron is the most recent online
bootcamp to be held to account for violations of the AG’s for-profit school
regulations. Previously, the AG’s Office settled with the StartUp Institute, recovering over
$300,000 in relief for students harmed by the company’s alleged unfair and
deceptive practices.
Addressing fraud and abuse in for-profit school and student lending industry
has been a top priority for AG Healey since taking office. The AG’s Office has
taken predatory schools to court, changed the practices of student loan servicers,
gone after unlawful student loan “debt relief” companies, and helped student
borrowers find more affordable repayment solutions through AG Healey’s
first-in-the-nation Student Loan
Assistance Unit.
Massachusetts students who
are looking for help or information should call the AG’s Student Loan
Assistance Unit Helpline at 1-888-830-6277.
The Flatiron investigation and settlement was handled by Lilia DuBois and
Andrew Labadini of AG Healey’s Insurance and Financial Services Division.
MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES UPDATES TO CITY OF
BOSTON’S REOPENING GUIDANCE
Modified and delayed guidance of the
latest phase of Reopening Massachusetts plan will allow the City of
Boston to prepare for industry-specific needs
BOSTON - Tuesday,
April 27, 2021 - Mayor Janey today announced that the City of Boston will
move into a modified version of the state’s current phase of the Reopening
Massachusetts plan, effective Friday, April 30. The City of Boston will delay
most of the state’s reopening guidance announced today by three weeks, in
an effort to accommodate the unique preparations needed by the City. In
late March, the City announced that it would not move forward with
additional reopening steps until the citywide positivity rate remained at
or below 2.75 percent for two consecutive weeks. It is currently at 3.6
percent. However, given improved trends in the positivity rate and other
COVID-19 public health metrics, the City will move cautiously to advance
reopening efforts. The latest modified update will support Boston’s
economic recovery as COVID-19 health metrics continue to improve. All
reopening guidance will be subject to current COVID-19 public health
data.
As of April 20,
2021, 33.1 percent of Bostonians are fully vaccinated; 55.1 percent have
received at least one dose. The citywide community positivity rate
continues to decrease, dropping to 3.6 percent, with three neighborhoods
slightly above the 5.0 percent threshold (East Boston, Dorchester and
Roslindale). New positive tests in the City of Boston decreased by 34
percent over the past week, averaging 144 new positive tests per day. The
percentage of available adult ICU beds remains stable, and the percentage
of non-surge ICU beds continues to be below the City’s threshold. Boston
has had two reported deaths in the past week.
“In every aspect
of Boston's reopening, we will take the right measures, at the right
time, to protect our people and businesses,” said Mayor Janey. “As we
look ahead to better days, we must remember that the COVID-19 pandemic is
not over. Reopening our economy does not remove our personal and
collective responsibility to remain vigilant. Thank you to all Bostonians
for your continued efforts and cooperation as we reopen our city.”
Effective Friday,
April 30, the City of Boston will align with Commonwealth’s updated Face
Coverings Order. This states that face coverings will be required at all
times at indoor and outdoor venues and events, except when eating or
drinking. Face coverings are recommended to be worn both inside and
outside during small gatherings at private homes. Face coverings are not
required outside in public spaces when individuals are able to remain at
a safe distance from others.
Also effective
April 30, public gatherings in Boston may increase to 100 people indoors
and 150 people outdoors, in alignment with the Commonwealth's previously
announced limits. In Boston, all private gatherings and events in private
residences will remain subject to current capacity limits of 10 people
indoors and 25 people outdoors. However, public and private gathering limits
will increase to 200 people indoors and 250 people outdoors on June 19 in
Boston, three weeks after the higher limits go into effect in other parts
of the Commonwealth. The City of Boston and the Boston Public Health
Commission will continue to closely monitor public health data and adjust
reopening plans as necessary.
The City of Boston
will align with the Commonwealth’s updated guidance for indoor and
outdoor stadiums, arenas and ballparks, allowing capacity to increase to
25 percent, effective May 10.
The City of Boston
plans to allow the following industries to reopen or resume June 1,
subject to certain capacity limits and safety measures, three weeks after
the Commonwealth will allow for their reopening in other parts of the
state:
·Road
races and other large, outdoor organized amateur or professional group
athletic events
·Youth
and adult amateur sports tournaments for moderate and high-risk sports
·Singing
indoors at performance venues, restaurants, event venues and other
businesses, subject to the Commonwealth’s Theater and Performance Venue
guidance
The City of Boston
plans to allow the following industries to reopen or resume starting June
19, subject to certain capacity limits and safety measures, three weeks
after the Commonwealth will allow for their reopening in other parts of
the state:
·Street
festivals, parades and agricultural festivals, at 50 percent capacity
·Bars,
beer gardens, breweries, wineries and distilleries for seated-service
only, subject to a 90-minute table limit, and no dance floors.
·Food
will no longer be required with alcohol service, and 10 people can be
seated at a table.
If public health
metrics support continued safe reopening in Boston, effective August 22,
industry restrictions will be lifted, and 100 percent capacity will be
allowed for all industries. This would be three weeks after the
Commonwealth takes this step in other parts of the state. Remaining Phase
Four, Step Two industries and businesses, including dance clubs and
nightclubs; saunas, hot tubs, steam rooms, and health clubs; and ball
pits, would be allowed to reopen on August 22 in Boston. All businesses
will be expected to adhere to ongoing safety guidance, and mask wearing
will continue to be required indoors.
All of this guidance
is subject change based on evolving COVID-19 public health metrics. For
more information about reopening in Boston, visit boston.gov/reopening. For more information about the state’s
reopening plan, visit mass.gov/reopening.
Baker-Polito
Administration Announces Plans for Continued Reopening
Face Coverings Order
to be Relaxed for Some Outdoor Settings
BOSTON – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration
announced that Massachusetts will reopen some outdoor Phase 4, Step 2
industries effective May 10th and put plans in place for further
reopening on May 29th and August 1st. The Administration
continues to take steps to reopen the Commonwealth's economy with public health
metrics continuing to trend in a positive direction. This includes drops in
average daily COVID cases and hospitalizations. Massachusetts remains first in
the nation for first vaccine doses and total doses administered per capita,
among states with more than 5 million people. The Administration will also
relax the Face Coverings Order for some outdoor settings, effective April 30th.
Phase
IV, Step 2 Industries and Gathering Changes:
On March 22, Massachusetts
loosened capacity restrictions and advanced to Step 1 of Phase IV of the
reopening plan. Since then, case rates dropped by 20%. The positivity rate has
dropped to the lowest levels recorded since last summer.
Effective Monday, May 10th:
Large venues such as indoor
and outdoor stadiums, arenas and ballparks currently open as part of Phase 4,
Step 1 at 12% will be permitted to increase capacity to 25%.
The Commonwealth will reopen
some outdoor Phase 4, Step 2 industries including amusement parks, theme parks
and outdoor water parks that will be permitted to operate at a 50% capacity
after submitting safety plans to the Department of Public Health.
Road races and other large,
outdoor organized amateur or professional group athletic events will be
permitted to take place with staggered starts after submitting safety plans to
a local board of health or the DPH.
Youth and adult amateur
sports tournaments will be allowed for moderate and high risk sports.
Singing will also be
permitted indoors with strict distancing requirements at performance venues,
restaurants, event venues and other businesses.
Effective May 29th:
Subject to public health and
vaccination data, gathering limits will increase to 200 people indoors and 250
people outdoors for event venues, public settings and private settings.
Subject to public health and
vaccination data, additional Phase 4, Step 2 industries will be permitted to
open including:
Street
festivals, parades and agricultural festivals, at 50% of their previous
capacity and after submitting safety plans to the local board of health.
Bars,
beer gardens, breweries, wineries and distilleries, will be subject to
restaurant rules with seated service only, a 90 minute limit and no dance
floors.
Subject to public health and
vaccination data, the restaurant guidance will be updated to eliminate the
requirement that food be served with alcohol and to increase the maximum table
size to 10.
Effective August 1st:
Subject to public health and
vaccination data, remaining industries will be permitted to open including:
Dance
clubs, and nightclubs
Saunas,
hot-tubs, steam rooms at fitness centers, health clubs and other
facilities
Indoor
water parks
Ball
pits
All industry restrictions
will be lifted at that time, and capacity will increase to 100% for all
industries, with businesses encouraged to continue following best practices.
The gathering limit will be rescinded.
Depending on vaccine
distribution and public health data, the Administration may consider
re-evaluating the August 1st date.
The Department of Public Health will also continue to
issue guidance as needed, including guidance to still require masks indoors.
Face Coverings
Order:
Effective April 30th,
the Face Coverings Order will be relaxed for some outdoor settings.
Face coverings will only be
required outside in public when it is not possible to socially distance, and at
other times required by sector-specific guidance.
Face coverings will still be
required at all times in indoor public places. Face coverings will also
continue to be required at all times at events, whether held indoors or
outdoors and whether held in a public space or private home, except for when
eating or drinking.
At smaller gatherings in
private homes, face coverings are recommended but not required. The $300 fine
as an enforcement mechanism will be eliminated.
CITY OF BOSTON AND PARTNERS TO BRING JOB
FAIR SERIES TO INCARCERATED AND RETURNING CITIZENS
Virtual events will include participants
from Suffolk County Jail, Suffolk County House of Correction
BOSTON - Tuesday,
April 27, 2021 - As part of the City of Boston’s efforts to reintegrate
returning citizens into the community, Mayor Kim Janey today announced avirtual job fair series designed to help current or formerly
justice-involved individuals access job openings, educational
opportunities, job search skills, and other critical resources. The
events, held throughout May, are organized byMassHire Downtown Boston Career Center, theSuffolk County Sheriff’s Department,BeProximate, andProject Opportunity, a City initiative that works to create
equitable opportunities for residents with criminal records (CORIs).
“Each year, more
than 3,000 people return to Boston upon their release from
incarceration,” said Mayor Janey. “These returning citizens deserve the
opportunity to create a fresh start and make positive contributions to
their community. But that transition depends on our support. A second
chance begins with a job prospect, an education pathway, the critical
resources for daily living – exactly the things this job fair series
promotes.”
In a
first-of-its-kind collaboration, series partners have worked together to
ensure that inmates at Suffolk County Jail and Suffolk County House of
Correction can participate in the virtual events. Both facilities are
operated by the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department.
“We know that
good, sustainable employment is one of the critical elements for the
success of anyone returning to society from incarceration,” said Sheriff
Steven W. Tompkins. “This is why we offer many different skills-building
and job preparedness training programs for the men and women in our care
and custody. Unfortunately, the CORI continues to be an obstacle for many
returning citizens seeking employment, so access to resources and
opportunities like these is extremely important.”
“At MassHire
Downtown Boston Career Center, we recognize the significant barriers to
employment faced by returning citizens and individuals with CORIs,” said
Doreen Treacy VP of Career Services at MassHire Downtown Boston. “We are
committed to helping reduce these barriers by equipping jobseekers with
the tools they need and connecting them to hiring events and
resources.”
The event series
is free and open to all Massachusetts residents, but requires
participants to register attinyurl.com/JobEdFair. The schedule of events is as follows:
·Why and How to Create a Resume: Tuesday, May 4, 1-2:30 p.m.
·Interview Basics: Thursday, May 6, 1-2:30 p.m.
·Job Fair Prep: Tuesday, May 11, 1-2:30 p.m.
·Job Fair: Wednesday, May 19, 1-2:30 p.m.
·Education/Resource Fair: Friday, May 21, 1-2:30 p.m.
The job fair will
feature Amazon, Flour Bakery, Greater Boston Food Bank, Monroe Staffing,
VPNE, and Whole Foods Market, with more employers to come.
Mayor Janey has
proclaimed the final week of the series, May 17 - May 21, – which
culminates in the job fair and education/resource fair – “Second Chance
and Reentry Week” in Boston. The week will includean exhibit and panel discussions organized by BeProximate to advocate for
the support of returning citizens. Speakers will include Suffolk County
D.A. Rachael Rollins, Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins, and
State Rep. Liz Miranda.
“In the City of
Boston, cross-sector fertilization drives social innovation to address
both citywide and neighborhood-specific needs,” said BeProximate founder
Diana Saintil. “However, we must extend our politics beyond our personal
proclivities to devise cross-sector solutions to address the most salient
reentry challenges in housing, employment, health, and education for
returning citizens. We must BeProximate to people with empathy. Proximity
with apathy is too great a threat to transformational change.”
In addition to
promoting career development opportunities, the event series also extends
the outreach of Project Opportunity, a collaboration of the Mayor’s
Office of Workforce Development, the Mayor’s Office of Public Safety, the
Mayor’s Office of Returning Citizens, and SOAR Boston. Project
Opportunity connects residents with free legal consultation to review the
potential for sealing or expunging their CORIs. The City of Boston pays for
the cost of accessing a CORI, while partnerLawyers Clearinghouse provides legal consultation and full
representation if an individual’s record can be sealed or expunged.
The job fair
series also supports the mission of the Mayor’s upcoming 2021 Summer
Violence Prevention Plan. The Plan develops a framework to scale up
prosocial activities, strengthen intervention efforts, ensure
neighborhoods are supported and connected to resources, expand
intentional outreach and engagement for specific populations, and provide
positive activities and community engagement in public spaces.
AFTER OUTAGE, AG
HEALEY REMINDS PUBLIC OF ADDITIONAL TIME TO GET VEHICLE INSPECTIONS AND RIGHTS
UNDER LEMON AID LAW
With
Reopening of Vehicle Inspection Stations after Outage, AG Urges Consumers to
Get Inspections as Soon as Possible
BOSTON – Now that the RMV’s
vehicle inspection stations are back online after an outage caused by a malware
attack, Attorney General Maura Healey is encouraging affected
consumers to obtain their inspections as soon as possible and reminding them
they have additional time to exercise their vehicle return and refund rights under
the state’s Lemon Aid Law. The AG’s advisory reminds
consumers that the extension applies to consumers who purchased cars between
March 23, 2021, and April 16, 2021, and impacted consumers have until April 30,
2021, to get their inspection stickers.
“In light of this unexpected
complication at the RMV, we want to make sure that consumers have the
information they need to fully exercise their rights when buying a car, and to
put auto dealerships on notice about their legal obligations in this
unprecedented situation,” said AG Healey. “We don’t want consumers to be stuck
with a defective vehicle through no fault of their own, and we encourage them
to contact our office if they have questions.”
The Massachusetts Lemon Aid Law
allows consumers to return a purchased vehicle and obtain a refund if it fails
inspection within seven days from the date of sale, and the cost of repairs is
more than 10 percent of the purchase price. Consumers then have 14 days from
the date of sale to return the vehicle and provide the seller with a statement
detailing why the vehicle failed inspection, as well as include an estimate of
the cost of repairs.
However, because of the inspection
station outage, some consumers were left unable to meet the seven-day
inspection deadline articulated in the Lemon Aid Law, which then impacts their
ability to return a vehicle that fails inspection within 14 days of purchase.
Around March 30, 2021, the RMV’s vehicle inspection stations
went offline following a malware attack on their vendor’s system. As a result,
consumers who purchased a vehicle between March 23, 2021, and April 16, 2021,
had inspection stickers expiring in March or April 2021, or were in a 60-day
retest period following a failed inspection, were unable to obtain inspections
or reinspection in accordance to Massachusetts law. Most public vehicle
inspection stations went back online beginning on April 17, 2021.
To accommodate
consumers impacted by the vehicle inspection stations going offline, the RMV
has allowed for the following grace periods:
If youpurchased a vehicle
between March 23, 2021 and April 16, 2021: You have until April 30,
2021, to obtain an inspection sticker.
If your inspection
sticker expired in March or April 2021: You have until May 31, 2021, to obtain an inspection
sticker
If you are in a 60-day
retest period:
You will receive one extra day for each day the system was offline.
AG Healey advises
consumers who purchased cars and were impacted by the inspection station outage
to get their inspection as soon as they can, and on or before April 30, 2021.
If needed, consumers should exercise their rights under the Lemon Aid Law as
quickly as possible.
The AG’s Office also wants to
remind auto dealerships of their legal obligations in sales transactions under
the Lemon Aid Law and the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act. Accordingly,
auto dealerships should use the RMV’s grace period for affected consumers and
allow consumers 14 days from the date of their inspection to exercise their
rights under the Lemon Aid Law, should a consumer’s vehicle fail inspection
within the RMV’s grace period.
For more information about the
outage and the RMV’s grace periods for vehicle inspections please see the RMV’s
press
release and vehicle check webpage.
The AG’s Office urges those
with concerns about their Lemon Aid Law rights to contact the office’s consumer
hotline at (617) 727-8400 or
file a complaint
online.
