BPHC Shares Guidance on Preparing for COVID-19 and Other Common Respiratory Viruses As Children Return to School

 BPHC Shares Guidance on Preparing for COVID-19 and Other Common Respiratory Viruses As Children Return to School 

Free rapid COVID-19 testing kits available in all Boston neighborhoods  

BOSTON – September 1, 2023 – As Boston families get ready to send their children back to school, the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) is reminding everyone to be aware of the increase in COVID-19 cases and to prepare for cold and flu season. 

BPHC strongly recommends that families have COVID-19 rapid testing kits available at home and ready to use if anyone is feeling sick or if they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. Testing prior to returning to school is a good idea to protect others from infection. People may also consider getting tested before events when they will be around older adults or others at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19.  

In collaboration with nonprofits and community-based organizations, BPHC has created an expansive network of distribution hubs where residents can get free at-home rapid testing kits. There are distribution hubs for test kits in every Boston neighborhood. A full list of distribution hubs and hours of operation is available on BPHC’s website.   

BPHC also operates two standing clinics at the Bruce C. Bolling Building in Roxbury and City Hall that offer free COVID-19 vaccines, boosters, and rapid at-home testing kits which can be taken on site.  

BPHC is extending the hours of operation at its clinical site at the Bruce C. Bolling Building in Roxbury next week to support as many families and BPS employees as possible before the start of the new school year. For next week only, the clinic will operate from Tuesday through Saturday, from 12-6pm. Normal hours of operation (Thursdays-Saturdays from 12-6pm) will resume the following week. 

“Being prepared is one of the best strategies to protect ourselves and others as we begin to settle back into school and testing for COVID-19 if you are feeling sick or have been exposed is one of the best ways we can protect our classmates, colleagues, and family members,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health and Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission. 

 BPHC also strongly recommends that all families stay up to date with their vaccines for COVID-19, flu, and other diseases, such as pertussis, measles, and varicella. We recommend that everyone ages 6-months and older get their annual flu shot in September or October. Families should plan ahead and schedule flu shot appointments with their trusted health care providers or at a local pharmacy. 

The FDA and CDC are expected to issue approvals for updated COVID-19 vaccines and schedules in the coming weeks, and BPHC will provide recommendations after reviewing the latest guidance.  

In the meantime, everybody should take the following steps to protect themselves and their loved ones from getting sick with COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses by:  

·         Having COVID-19 rapid testing kits available at home to test if you have symptoms of COVID-19. 

·         Staying home when sick and wearing a mask if you are around others while ill or have to leave the house.  

·         Talking to your trusted healthcare provider about treatment if you test positive for COVID-19 or flu and are at high risk for severe disease.  

·         Wearing a well-fitting face mask, especially in crowded indoor settings and/or if you are at high risk of severe illness. 

·         Washing your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.  

·         Regularly disinfecting and cleaning high touch surfaces. 

Like many other parts of the country, Boston has seen increases COVID-19 rates over the past month. While the number of COVID-19 particles in the wastewater (948 RNA copies/mL on August 23) has held stable over the past two weeks, it remains higher than the beginning of the summer (247 RNA copies/mL on June 7). COVID-19-related hospitalizations have also increased since the beginning of August. As of August 26, there were a total of 69 new weekly hospitalizations in Boston. These increases are not cause for immediate concern but are important to be aware of with back-to-school season and cold and flu season approaching.  

麻州出現今年首例的東馬腦炎病毒 政府提醒人們預防蚊蟲叮咬

           (Boston Orange 摘譯) 麻州公共衛生廳 (DPH) 今 (1) 日宣佈，州府實驗室8月30日證實時，在屋斯特郡 (Worcester) 的Douglas和Southbridge，麻州發現了今年的第一宗含有東部馬腦炎病毒 (EEE) 蚊子。今年尚無人類或其他動物感染的個案。

            麻州公共衛生廳表示，這一發現，增加了屋斯特郡Douglas, Dudley, Southbridge, Sturbridge, Uxbridge，以及Webster等市鎮的東部馬腦炎病毒危險，達到中等程度。

            東部馬腦炎病毒是一種罕見，但具有潛在致命性危險的疾病，對所有年齡層的人都有影響。人類通常是經由蚊蟲叮咬而感染。2019年時，麻州有12宗東部馬腦炎病例，其中6人死亡。2022年時有5例人類感染病例，其中1例死亡。2021年麻州沒有東部馬腦炎病例。

            麻州公共衛生廳廳長Robert Goldstein博士表示，現在是東馬腦炎出現的晚期，危險程度應該不會上升得太快或太高，不過來自蚊子的疾病風險，可能持續到第一次嚴寒霜降，人們應該採取措施，預防蚊蟲叮咬。

            有疑慮的民眾，可洽公共衛生廳 617-983-6800。 

State Public Health Officials Announce Season’s First EEE Positive Mosquito Samples 

Residents urged to use bug spray when outdoors 

BOSTON (September 1, 2023) – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced that Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus has been detected in mosquitoes in Massachusetts for the first time this year. The presence of EEE was confirmed today by the Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory in mosquito samples collected on August 30 in Douglas and Southbridge in Worcester County. No human or animal cases of EEE have been detected so far this year.  

Today’s finding increases the risk level of EEE to moderate in the communities of Douglas, Dudley, Southbridge, Sturbridge, Uxbridge, and Webster in Worcester County.  

“After the EEE outbreak cycle that occurred in 2019 and 2020, there was no EEE activity in Massachusetts in 2021 or 2022,” said Public Health Commissioner Robert Goldstein, MD, PhD. “This is a late season emergence for EEE which should keep the risk level from rising too much or too quickly. However, some risk from mosquito-borne disease will continue until the first hard frost and people should take steps to prevent mosquito bites.” 

EEE is a rare but serious and potentially fatal disease that can affect people of all ages. EEE is generally spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. There were 12 human cases of EEE in Massachusetts in 2019 with six deaths and five human cases with one death in 2020. There were no human cases of EEE in Massachusetts in 2021 or 2022. 

“Transmission of EEE to a person late in the season can happen,” said Dr. Catherine M. Brown, State Epidemiologist. “Mosquitoes will be more active during warm and humid weather as we are forecast to have this weekend. I encourage everyone to use mosquito repellent when they are outdoors enjoying the last unofficial weekend of summer; you can also use clothing to cover exposed skin and if you notice that you are getting bitten, you should consider moving indoors.” 

Avoid Mosquito Bites

Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors. Use a repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient (DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-Menthane-3,8-diol (PMD)] or IR3535) according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. 

Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning in areas of high risk. 

Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin. 

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

Drain Standing Water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty unused flowerpots and wading pools and change the water in birdbaths frequently. 

Install or Repair Screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly fitting screens on all windows and doors. 

Protect Your Animals

Animal owners should reduce potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers such as buckets, tires, and wading pools – especially after heavy rains. Water troughs provide excellent mosquito breeding habitats and should be flushed out at least once a week during the summer months to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas. Horse owners should keep horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. Owners should also speak with their veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals and vaccinations to prevent WNV and EEE. If an animal is suspected of having WNV or EEE, owners are required to report to the Department of Agricultural Resources, Division of Animal Health by calling 617-626-1795, and to the Department of Public Health by calling 617-983-6800. 

More information, including all WNV and EEE positive results, can be found on the Arbovirus Surveillance Information web page at Mosquito-borne Diseases | Mass.gov, which is updated daily, or by calling the DPH Division of Epidemiology at 617-983-6800.

波士頓市9月份推出系列活動誌記國際關注藥物過量日

            (Boston Orange 摘譯) 波士頓市府8月31日發佈新聞稿，稱市長及波士頓市府誌記國際關注藥物過量日，向每一位失去家人、親友的人士誌上哀悼慰問，並重申將致力擴大拯救生命的相關醫療護理，減少損害的服務，並消除和濫用藥物，使用失調，以及過量所帶來的污名。

            波士頓市府表示，為誌記國際關注藥物過量日，以及9月1日開始的國際恢復月 (National Recovery Month)，入夜後波士頓市政府大樓將呈現紫色，藉以向因藥物過量死亡者致意。整個麻州的橋梁及政府樓宇，也將亮起紫色燈光，作為誌記活動的一部分。波士頓市也再次和麻州政府合作，在波士頓廣場上插起2萬面紫色小旗，以悼祭過去10年來因藥物過量死亡者。

            波士頓公共衛生局將於9月份內，和鄰里合作，在社區內舉辦多項活動，包括:

            麻州恢復日 – 9月26日在芬紐廳 (Faneuil Hall)舉辦全州性的慶祝恢復日

            恢復紀錄片系列 – 市長文化及藝術辦公室和波士頓公共圖書館合作，在9月份內放映3部紀錄片，並舉辦討論會。

            努比安廣場 (Nubian Square)工作小組舉辦恢復日 – 9月30日在波士頓公共圖書館洛士百利分館，邀講者舉辦講座，現場並提供食物。

            同性戀者防止藥物過量 (LGBTQ+OD) – 和市長辦公室的同性戀進步辦公室合作，為同性戀社區提供藥物量防範培訓

            關注創傷與支持 – 分享社交媒體上，引起關注，與藥物過量相關的創傷，以及因藥物過量死亡的創傷等內容，藉以為那些因藥物過量而失去家人、親友者，提供支援。

            日曆 – 提升全市的活動，持續一整個9月。

            波士頓共共衛生局在2022年內分發了15000劑納洛酮 (Narcan)給居民及社區夥伴。外展員工也每日堡由5劑。波士頓緊急救護服務 (EMS)在2022年內，回應了4245宗納洛酮相關的事故，為2181名患者提供了納洛酮。

麻州廣場22000面紫色小旗悼祭藥物過量死亡者

麻州以22000面子色旗幟誌記國際關注藥物過量日。 (周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導) 麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey) 和副州長Kim Driscoll等人，8月31日早上在插滿22000面紫色小旗的州政府大樓前波士頓廣場草坪，宣佈這天是麻州國際關注藥物過量日，希望更多人關注藥物過量對個人、家庭及社會所帶來的影響。

麻州州長Maura Healey (前左)把表揚狀發給梁安琪 (Kar-Kale Parenteau，前右)
以及其夫馬克的家人。麻州眾議員Adrian Madero(左三)是麻州眾議會
精神健康及藥物使用和恢復委員會主席。 (周菊子攝)

              麻州州長奚莉指出，有家人、親友因藥物過量致死而感覺的傷痛，常深沉的難以形容。這些家人親友，也需要人們的關注與安慰。她相信麻州有一名州議員，就是因為這樣的經歷才參選成為議員。她也向出席活動者中把逝去親人的照片，掛在胸前的人致意，指出就是這樣的紀念，也是一種動力。

 
             波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 8月31日也發表一份聲明，稱市府誌記這”國際關注藥物過量日”。

              根據麻州公共衛生廳 (DPH) 公佈的一份報告，在2022年內，麻州共有2357人因藥物過量之類的疾病，事故而死亡，是從2000年以來人數最多的一年，比2021年增加2.5%，約多57人。

麻州州長Maura Healey(左)和副州長Kim Driscoll準備頒發表揚狀。
(周菊子攝)

              這份報告並指出，若以族裔類別來分，黑人增幅最高，約增42%，若以人均比率來算，則是美國土著因藥物過量死亡的比率最高。若以地理劃分，屋斯特郡 ((Worcester County)增幅最高，達18%。Plymouth郡也增加了14%。

麻州州政府大樓前，在國際關注藥物過量日這天插滿了22000面紫色小旗。
(周菊子攝)

              波士頓市公共衛生委員會 (BPHC)今年稍早也公佈，2022年內，波士頓市內的藥物過量死亡率增加了7%，而且族裔差距加大，有30%為黑人，21%為西班牙裔，而造成這種現象的重要因素之一是有毒的藥物增加了。在藥物過量而死的個案中，約90%含有"芬太尼(Fentanyl)。

              根據WBUR做的扼要整理，在聯邦食品藥品管理局 (FDA)批准納洛酮 (Narcan)在店面出售後，包括Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS等藥店，下個月開始會在店內出售這可以逆轉藥物過量的鼻噴霧劑(Nasal spray)。

              麻州藍十字藍盾 (Blue Cross Blue Shield)也在8月29日宣佈，將免除納洛酮的共同付款 (Copays)，並免費提供納洛酮套包給該採用保險公司服務的企業，。

麻州議員

              哈佛大學防止藥物過量及教育學生會 (Harvard College Overdose Prevention and Education Students)和麻州參議員John Keenan合作，提出”在地鐵站提供納洛酮 (Narcan in MBTA)”計畫，並獲得奚莉政府2024會計年度預算撥給9萬5000元，在紅線地鐵站試辦。參與這計畫的Swathi Srinivasan，這天也到活動現場，感謝奚莉州長通過這一法案。

              國際關注藥物過量日組織在8月31日指出，僅只是去年，全美有11萬多人死於藥物過量，今年的主題是”認識到那些看不到的人 (recognizing those people who go unseen)”，因為在那十萬多個因藥物過量而死亡的人身後，有數以千、萬計的父母，子女，夥伴、朋友及社區人士深切哀傷。今年是非處方藥的逆轉藥物過量，例如Naloxone等用品獲得批准的第一年，美國健康及人民服務部 (HHS)去年在國際關注藥物過量日宣佈撥款7910萬元用於防止藥物過量，中央疾病防治局 (CDC)從2022年3月到2023年3月的全國重要統計系統 (NVSS)的報告，顯示有26州的藥物過量死亡人數減少了。其中有7州減少了10%以上，可見致力防範藥物過量是在發揮作用。

              在8月31日的活動中，麻州州長奚莉還頒發了一份表揚狀，給為經歷家人親友藥過量死亡者提供支援的”太陽會升起 (Sun will rise foundation)”，由丈夫馬克因藥物過量而死後，在該機構擔任同儕支持者的梁家琪 (Kar-Kale Parenteau)。

第22屆羅德島州龍舟賽暨台灣日訂9/2舉行

轉載自臉書

 【🇹🇼羅德島台灣日最大獎 華航及長榮航空來回機票送你遊台灣✈️！】

📣好消息！每年盛況空前的羅德島州龍舟賽暨 #台灣日 將於本周六（9月2日）舉行，並帶來多重好禮和美食要送給大家🎁。

當天除了精彩的 #龍舟比賽 🚣‍♂️外、還有趣味競賽、民俗技藝表演💃、台灣童玩、手工藝創作及台灣 #美食🥟🧋。今年活動獎項豐富，來參加趣味競賽就有機會獲得由 EVA Airways Corp. 長榮航空 及 China Airlines 中華航空 所提供的「美國-台北來回機票✈️」各1張。另外實力強勁、屢戰屢勝的波士頓台灣龍舟隊 Boston Taiwanese Boat Club BTBC Titans 將會在本次龍舟賽再度展現傲人的訓練成果💪，為台灣爭光👏👏👏

最後，走過路過千萬不要錯過！活動現場將會發送 特製‼️限量‼️本處吉祥物 #台灣黑熊 （A.K.A. #波熊🦞）愛台灣貼紙😍 絕對可愛！絕對限量！送完為止！

👇活動資訊看這邊👇

「2023年羅德島州龍舟賽暨台灣日節慶」

📆：9月2日（週六）9AM-4PM

📍：Festival Pier, Tim Healey Way, Pawtucket, RI 02860

【2023 Rhode Island Dragon Boat Races and Taiwan Day Festival are just Around the Corner】

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Boston (TECO-Boston) and the Rhode Island's Blackstone Valley  Tourism Council (BVTC) will co-host the 2023 #DragonBoat Races and #TaiwanDay Festival on September 2, 2023 from 9 am-4 pm at Festival Pier (Tim Healey Way) along the Pawtucket River in Pawtucket, #RhodeIsland. 

We invite you to join us in celebrating the Races and participating in such activities as fun contests, traditional Taiwanese arts and crafts exhibits, exciting performances, and great #Taiwanese #Food🥮🍱🍜.

There are some great #prizes to be won, too. Contest prizes include: ✈️One round-trip (U.S.-TPE) #airline ticket to #Taipei, #Taiwan provided by #EvaAir and #ChinaAirlines each, and small souvenirs courtesy of TECO-Boston. Don't forget to visit our booth to pick up free while supplies last! 

The Rhode Island Dragon Boat Races and Taiwan Day Festival, a much-anticipated annual event in Rhode Island, is now in its 22nd year and continues to attract even greater numbers of people each year from Rhode Island and beyond. It’s a wonderful opportunity to understand Taiwan’s rich cultural heritage and make new friends. For details, please refer to the links in the comment section.

22nd Annual Rhode Island Chinese Dragon Boat Races & Taiwan Day Festival September 2nd, 2023 9 AM - 4 PM  Festival Pier Pawtucket, RI Parking & Race Day Info Event Website Come for action-packed, all-day entertainment with exciting dragon boat races, cultural performances, authentic Asian cuisine, family-friendly activities, and the popular dumpling eating contests all along The Pawtucket River! Our races unique as they continue to use the fiberglass Taiwanese-style dragon boats gifted to us from the Republic of China (Taiwan) and incorporate the skill of flag-catching in each race. This event is made possible thanks to the Luke Charitable Foundation and is produced by Blackstone Valley Tourism Council to showcase Asian culture and reacquaint people to the rivers of Rhode Island's Blackstone Valley

Blackstone Valley Tourism Council | 175 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860

波士頓市2024青少年發展金150萬元 9/22前接受申請

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FUND GRANT OPPORTUNITY OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS The City of Boston will invest $1.5 million into community-based youth programming; take steps to immediately provide engaging activities and spaces for Boston’s young people

BOSTON - Thursday, August 31, 2023 - Today, Mayor Michelle Wu and the City of Boston’s Human Services Cabinet announced applications are now open for the 2024 Youth Development Fund (YDF), a grant program to support non-profit organizations that provide high quality, engaging programming for youth and young adults ages 14-24. The goal of this grant is to increase the variety of free youth programming in the City and provide a positive outlet for youth during out-of-school time. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on September 22, 2023. Additionally, to complement this work more immediately, the City of Boston will host weekend events throughout September starting this weekend for teens and young people with the goal of creating fun, safe, and exciting spaces for them to go. The City is connecting with parents of young people to ensure they know resources are available to engage their teens. "Boston’s nonprofits work tirelessly to serve Boston’s youth, and they deserve the support they need to carry out their missions,” Mayor Michelle Wu said. “I’m thrilled to announce that we have opened applications for the 2024 Youth Development Fund and look forward to partnering with organizations that help all of our young people connect, learn and explore in the City.”  “This grant program is a great opportunity for the city to partner with our youth-serving organizations to ensure that young people in Boston have fun, engaging programming available to them year-round,” said José F. Massó, Chief of Human Services. “We have seen excellent results from the YDF in past years and this year we are looking to add a capacity-building component for emerging nonprofit organizations that would benefit from this added support.” The City of Boston is looking to support organizations through three grants with the goal of helping to support both larger organizations and build capacity for smaller organizations: Emerging Leader Grants The Emerging Leader Grant will support organizations that have an annual operating budget of $75,000 or less and all awards will come with technical assistance and capacity building to help smaller organizations develop the skills needed to grow the program. These grantees will also be partnered with a mentor organization that can provide coaching in non-profit leadership.  Uplift Grants The Uplift Grants will be given to medium-size youth serving organizations - those with budgets between $76,000 and $200,000. Grants in this category will be a maximum of $20,000. Uplift grant recipients will be invited to join the Emerging Leader grantees in professional development training opportunities.  Sustaining Grants Sustaining Grants will be given to larger youth serving nonprofits with a proven track record of success in delivering high quality youth development programs. Grantees in this category will receive up to $30,000 and will be asked to participate as mentors for the Emerging Leader track recipients.    This year, the Youth Development Fund grants focus on five categories of programming that are consistent with Mayor Wu’s Connect, Learn, Explore commitment to providing opportunities for youth to explore and discover their passions. Organizations that present programming in the following areas will be prioritized:  Sports, including swimming and biking Gardening, urban farming, and culinary arts  Arts, including both visual and performing arts  Entrepreneurship and financial literacy In FY23, the YDF supported 57 grantees, including programming in every neighborhood that spanned sports, arts, academic support, after school programming, and entrepreneurship. Collectively, the 2023 YDF grantees served approximately 7,500 youth across Boston.  "Through the utilization of the City of Boston's Youth Development Fund, we have significantly extended our impact,” said Ruth Rollins, Executive Director of We Are Better Together Warren Daniel Hairston Project. “Our efforts have led to the augmentation of support for young girls, achieved through upgraded programming and trauma-informed care, alongside our collaborative work with their caregivers. We remain resolute in our dedication to fostering the potential of our youth; they personify the transformative change we ardently strive to accomplish.” ABOUT THE HUMAN SERVICES CABINET The Human Services cabinet oversees six departments that provide direct services to Boston residents: Boston Centers for Youth & Families, Boston Public Library, Age Strong Commission, Office of Youth Engagement & Advancement, Office of Returning Citizens and the Office of Veterans’ Services. The mission of the Human Services cabinet is to provide equitable access to high quality services, resources, and opportunities so that every Boston resident - especially those with the greatest needs - has what they need to thrive. In pursuit of this mission, the departments in the Human Services Cabinet meet residents where they are - in their homes, neighborhoods, and communities - to break down barriers to critical resources.