波士頓餐廳將可出售生鮮雜貨及紙品

波士頓市長馬丁華殊放寬餐管管理，準賣生鮮，雜貨。 (市長視頻) (Boston Orange 編譯)波士頓市長馬丁華殊（Martin J.Walsh）今(24)日下午宣佈，波士頓市將豁免銷售生食的零售食物許可，准許餐廳經由送貨，路邊提貨，外賣等方式，出售生鮮雜貨及紙品。 這一新的臨時政策及只南是由波士頓市長的經濟發展辦公室，檢驗局(ISD)，以及牌照局為波士頓制定的，將容許居民更容易獲得食物及民生必需品，也有助於維持社交安全距離準則。 波士頓市長也在推特上說明准許餐廳賣雜貨的新做法。              有意出售雜貨的餐廳必須遵守檢驗局列出的流程，提供產品資訊，包括食品過敏標籤及消費者保護法所規定的有關安全處理指示，身分聲明，成分聲明，食品製造商，包裝商，分銷商的企業名稱和地點，以及物品淨重，過敏原資訊等。 這些準則和COVID-19公共衛生緊急期間，FDA有關標籤和包裝的臨時政策同時存在。             此外，企業必須向波士頓牌照局提交一份運營計劃，詳細說明執行安全處理流程的計劃，以及將如何遵守ISD的準則。牌照局將審查每一份計劃，並基於COVID-19這臨時的衛生緊急狀況，發出准許銷售雜貨信函。餐廳在收到牌照局許可前，不准銷售雜貨。              波士頓市經濟發展辦公室製作了一份財務救濟手冊(Financial Relief Hanbook)，以及常見問答文件，並將不斷更新，以幫助企業主，員工在不斷發展中的COVID-19相關援助探索。              波士頓市經濟發展辦公室也將繼續在每週二下午三點，舉行小企業電話會議，提供最新政策消息，回答問題，介紹波士頓市相關部門，並就州，聯邦及私營企業可用資金狀態，為小企業排難除障。              波士頓市府還為受COVID-19，以及麻州非基本服務及居家令衝擊的餐食業製作了一些有用參考資源。 •在波士頓開業：讓必要企業公開分享他們還在開業的工具，並分享禮卡資訊，以及(如果有的話)他們用哪一家遞送/外賣服務公司。這指南可共居民使用，搜尋在他們居住的社區中有哪些企業還開門。 •支持波士頓餐廳：一個網頁，讓餐廳公開分享他們開業，分享禮物卡資訊，以及使用哪家遞送/外賣服務。 •外賣和遞送指南：在波士頓市已取消許可規定後，如何建立食物外賣和遞送服務的指南。 查詢以上資源，可上網boston.gov/small-business。有關檢驗局的衛生部門問題，可以發到ISDHealth@boston.gov或致電617-635-5326。有關波士頓市的COVID-19所有相關更新，請上網boston.gov/coronavirus。 MAYOR WALSH RELEASES GUIDANCE FOR RESTAURANTS ON SALE OF GROCERIES

BOSTON - Friday, April 24, 2020 - Building on his support of small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the City of Boston will allow permitted restaurants to sell grocery items via delivery, curbside pickup, and takeout by waiving the required Retail Food Permit for the sale of uncooked foods. The new temporary policy and guidance formed by the Mayor's Office of Economic Development, the Inspectional Services Department, and the Licensing Board for the City of Boston will improve access to food and essential items for residents, and help ensure social distancing guidelines continue to be upheld. "This is an unprecedented time for all of us in the City of Boston, and our administration is prioritizing how best to keep our residents safe and healthy, while also supporting our businesses and some of our City's most vulnerable residents," said Mayor Walsh. "By allowing restaurants to also sell grocery and other essential items, we can help address social distancing concerns in grocery stores while supporting restaurants and food businesses during these unprecedented times." Restaurants interested in selling groceries must follow procedures as outlined by the Inspectional Services Department, including making product information available pertaining to safe handling instructions, a statement of identity, an ingredient statement, the name and place of business of the food manufacturer, packer, or distributor, net quantity of contents, and allergen information required by the Food Allergen Labeling & Consumer Protection Act. These guidelines are concurrent with FDA temporary policy regarding labeling and packaging during the COVID-19 public health emergency.   In addition, businesses must submit an operational plan to the Boston Licensing Board detailing plans of implementing safe handling procedures and how they will comply with guidance from ISD. The Licensing Board will review each plan and issue correspondence allowing the sale of grocery items by the Licensee on a temporary basis given the COVID-19 health emergency. Restaurants are not permitted to sell grocery items before receiving approval from the Boston Licensing Board.  As business owners, employers, and employees navigate an evolving COVID-19-related assistance landscape, the Economic Development Office has created a Financial Relief Handbook and FAQ document, both of which are continuously updated. Small Business conference calls will continue every Tuesday at 3pm to communicate policy updates, answer questions, feature relevant City of Boston departments, and troubleshoot the ecosystem of funding available from the state, federal, and private industry.  The City of Boston has created a number of useful guides and resources for restaurants and food businesses impacted by COVID-19 and the Commonwealth's Non-Essential Services and 'Stay At Home' Order.  Open Businesses in Boston: a tool for essential businesses to publicly share that they're open, share gift-card information, and which (if any) delivery/take-out services they use. This guide is available for residents to utilize, and explore what local businesses are open in their neighborhoods.  Support Boston Restaurants: a web page for restaurants to publicly share that they're open, share gift-card information, and which (if any) delivery/take-out services they use. This guide is available for residents to utilize, and explore what local businesses are open in their neighborhoods.  Takeout and Delivery Guidebook: a guide on how to establish food takeout and delivery services now that the City of Boston has lifted licensing regulations.  The above resources and more industry-specific guidance are accessible on boston.gov/small-business. Questions to ISD's Health Department can be sent to ISDHealth@boston.gov or call 617-635-5326. For all City of Boston updates related to COVID-19, please visit boston.gov/coronavirus.

波士頓新聘JOHN DEMPSEY為消防局局長

MAYOR WALSH APPOINTS JOHN DEMPSEY AS COMMISSIONER OF THE BOSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT

BOSTON - Friday, April 24, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the appointment of longtime Boston firefighter John (Jack) Dempsey as Commissioner of the Boston Fire Department. Commissioner Dempsey has served in the interim role of Commissioner since the retirement of former Commissioner Joe Finn last month. "I am proud to name Firefighter Jack Dempsey as the Commissioner of the Boston Fire Department," said Mayor Walsh. "He has dedicated his life in his professional career and personal capacity to promoting safety and wellness for firefighters, and I look forward to his continued leadership in this critically important department." Since taking leadership of the Boston Fire Department in March, Commissioner Dempsey has proactively prioritized the health and safety of firefighters during the COVID-19 pandemic by supplying firefighters with personal protective equipment, ensuring the frequent sanitation of firehouses, adjusting staffing levels to ensure social distancing, implementing mandatory training for infectious disease response, and more.  Commissioner Dempsey has been a member of the Boston Fire Department for 35 years, having served in multiple leadership capacities including most recently as Chief of Operations for the department, where he oversaw all division of the Boston Fire Department, including the engine company, fire prevention, ladder company, rescue company, safety and special operations, emergency planning and preparedness, training and personnel. In this role, he was the highest ranking uniformed firefighter in the force.  He also previously served for four years as the Boston Fire Marshal, where he managed the Fire Prevention Division which is responsible for all fire code and regulation enforcement. In that role, he also oversaw the operation of the fire investigation unit, construction safety unit and all inspections required by Massachusetts General Laws. "I am proud to be named the Commissioner of the Boston Fire Department, and want to thank Mayor Walsh for the opportunity to serve the residents of Boston in this role," said Commissioner Jack Dempsey. "As a lifelong member of the department, this is a tremendous honor for me, and I look forward to building on the strong foundations set to ensure the safety and well-being of our firefighters and our community."  Commissioner Dempsey has previously served in several other capacities including on the Board of Fire Prevention Regulations for four year, the Automatic Sprinkler Appeals Board for four years, the Walsh-Kennedy Commission on Hot Work, and the Construction Fire Safety Partnership. He is a current member of the Fire Service Advisory Council, and was instrumental in the development and implementation of the National Fire Protection Association's Hot Work Safety Certification Program.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES UNIVERSAL TESTING FOR COVID-19 FOR UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS IN BOSTON

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES UNIVERSAL TESTING FOR COVID-19 FOR UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS IN BOSTON

BOSTON - Friday, April 24, 2020 - Building on Boston's commitment to serving all homeless individuals in the city, Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the City of Boston will move forward with universal testing for COVID-19 (coronavirus) for all unhoused individuals in Boston. The City of Boston has secured an additional 1,000 tests, which will allow public health officials to test all clients in Boston's shelter system over the next two weeks. The efforts will be led by Boston's partners at Boston Health Care for the Homeless, in coordination with the Boston Public Health Commission, St. Francis House, and the Pine Street Inn. The tests are being donated by the Boston company Orig3n. "We continue to work every day to support our homeless population and the staff who serve them--with shelter, with care, with testing," said Mayor Walsh. "This is a big step forward in protecting our most vulnerable populations. Universal testing in Boston's homeless community is critical to allow us to provide individuals the targeted care they need. We will continue to work with our partners in government and the nonprofit community about the resources we need moving forward." As of Thursday, April 23, 1,340 individuals have been tested, and 453 homeless individuals who have been tested are positive, or 34 percent. All Boston Public Health Commission shelters remain open, and the City of Boston has been conducting widespread testing in this population. As testing is completed, individuals who are positive will go to get the care and support they need to recover. Individuals who are negative will be placed in designated areas to allow for better social distancing and help slow the spread of the virus. Since the start of the public health emergency caused by COVID-19, Boston has worked to protect its most at-risk populations, including homeless individuals. The City of Boston has added over 900 new beds all across the city to reduce the density in the city's shelters, and to treat homeless individuals who are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Boston Hope at the BCEC has 500 beds dedicated to the care of homeless individuals, and the City of Boston has built quarantine and treatment centers next to its largest shelters.  The City of Boston has also worked with its partners to create 172 beds at Suffolk University dorms to improve shelter spacing, and 70 beds at a former hospital on Commonwealth Avenue in Brighton. The City has also helped add 250 beds at Newton Pavilion, in partnership with the Boston Medical Center. In addition, there are 50 beds for veterans at a facility in Brighton, and Boston University has provided 75 rooms for Pine Street Inn staff.

Baker-Polito Administration Files Medicaid Waiver For MassHealth Flexibility, Provides Update On Launch Of New Unemployment System

Baker-Polito Administration Files Medicaid Waiver For MassHealth Flexibility, Provides Update On Launch Of New Unemployment System

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced new federal waiver requests to provide the state’s MassHealth program with more flexibility to respond to COVID-19, and provided an update on Massachusetts’ successful implementation of the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.

MassHealth Waiver Requests: Massachusetts is filing two waiver requests with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that will give the state and its Medicaid program, MassHealth, more flexibility to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency. If allowed, the waivers will build upon the two previously submitted waivers and enable MassHealth to deliver the most effective care to its members and support health care providers.

Through these waiver requests, the Commonwealth is seeking flexibility to address key areas of need:

• Expand Medicare telehealth coverage to include services provided by phone and video, to increase access to health care for seniors and individuals with disabilities without readily accessible video technology. This expansion is consistent with telehealth coverage currently provided by MassHealth and commercial plans.

• Allow MassHealth to waive the requirement that certain applicants and members spend down to qualify for coverage in cases of financial hardship.

• Extend retroactive coverage for individuals who qualify for MassHealth to allow individuals to be covered up to 90 days prior to submitting their application.

• Provide flexibility for federal provider payment limits to enable MassHealth to provide critical stabilization funds to health care providers.

• Ease provider requirements that could result in unnecessary administrative burdens or barriers to care.

PUA Unemployment System Launch: Earlier this week, Massachusetts became one of the first states in the nation to successfully implement the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program established by the federal CARES Act. This program provides benefits for individuals who do not qualify for traditional unemployment benefits, but have lost their jobs due to COVID-19.

The platform launched on April 20, 10 days ahead of the previously scheduled launch date. Since then, the PUA system has so far processed well over 100,000 claims, and benefit checks, which include an additional $600 as part of another federal CARES Act benefit implemented by the administration, are already being issued.

Visit www.mass.gov/pua to learn more and apply.

Panel on "My Ethnicity is Not A Virus" 4/30

麻州COVID-19確診人數一日新高再破紀錄 3079

麻州州長查理貝克報告疫情。(州長辦公室提供)

(Boston Orange 編譯)麻州的新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)疫情，今(23)日又創新高，新增確診數3,079，打破1日3000記錄，累計已達46,023宗。死亡人數也又再新增178，累計2,360。

麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)表示，這些最新的一日新增確診，死亡人數十分驚人，而每一個數目背後都是一個真人，意味著又有一個家庭受病毒衝擊，才最教人難受。

春田市的灣州醫療中心董事長Nancy L. Shendell-Falik和塔芙茨 (Tufts) 醫療中心董事長Michael Apkon都說，在疫情期間，他們醫院連中風病人都依序減少了80%，60%。他們認為，一部分原因可能是很多人在這段時間都怕進醫院。

麻州州長查理貝克表示，這是很讓人困擾的一個趨勢。有心臟病，得洗腎，或者治療癌症等有急症，重症的人，還是應該去醫院看病，延誤病情，對身體傷害更大。他說麻州為疫情做的準備很充分，目前州內各醫院的18,000張病床，仍有將近一半可供一般病人使用。

查理貝克在今日的每日疫情匯報中表示，截至昨日為止，麻州政府已發放了550萬件個人防護用品給各醫院，頤養院，以及醫療護理機構，第一線工作人員。麻州昨日也收到20萬件檢測拭紙，將用來支援流動檢測項目，以及州內服務不足地區。

麻州做了病毒檢測的人數，現已累計至180,462人。

波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)在一個訪談節目中贊成麻省總醫院院長Peter L. Slavin博士的看法，表示不宜輕言”復工”。他認為要挺過疫情，恐怕還至少要4，5或6個星期。

麻省總醫院院長Peter L. Slavin博士表示，該院十分幸運，目前醫護用品還夠用，也經常收到社區大眾捐贈醫護用品，感到十分溫暖，但是和很多其他醫療機構一樣，最缺的是醫生罩袍。

根據約翰霍普金斯大學的數據，截至4月23日，全世界的新型冠狀病毒確診人數已高達270餘萬人，死亡人數也已累計至190,490。美國的確診總數為866,646，死亡人數49,759。

麻州在4月22日公佈了各市鎮的確診人數，以絕對人數計，波士頓市的6744，高居第一位，其次為Brockton的1,763，Worcester的1,457，Chelsea的1,447，Lynn的1,387，Lowell的1,235，Lawrence的1,205，共7個城市有逾千人確診。

較多華人聚居的城市，確診人數分別為，昆士市551，摩頓市560，劍橋市672，牛頓市499，艾克頓鎮(Acton)50，貝爾蒙鎮(Belmont)141，華森市(Waltham)542，衛斯理鎮(Wellesley)164，衛斯頓(Weston)66，安多福鎮(Andover)85。

死亡人數，波士頓市232，昆士市52，劍橋市35人，牛頓市58。

波士頓慈濟支援瑪莎葡萄園島4000個口罩

4000個口罩運抵瑪莎葡萄園島。(慈濟波士頓聯絡處提供)

                (慈濟波士頓聯絡處訊)千里島緣一線牽!   從麻州的瑪莎葡萄園島(Martha’s Vineyard)到台灣，距離12,672公里的一段對話，鋪出4000片醫用口罩從慈濟波士頓聯絡處送到瑪莎葡萄園島，協助島上居民抗的一段佳話。

                           在哈佛大學做華人慈善機構研究的學者Caroline Reeves，今年一月和家人決定從波士頓搭船到他家位於瑪莎葡萄園島的渡假屋暫住。為盡量減少對這人口不過15,000左右小島的衝擊，他們不但採買了夠用幾個月的食物，用品，還自我隔離了相當一段時間，才開始出門。

4000個口罩運抵瑪莎葡萄園島。(慈濟波士頓聯絡處提供)

                                居家閱報時，他們看到一則Chilmark市徵義工為耆英採買，運送個人防護用品的小廣告，Caroline Reeves的兩個小孩，分別是16歲和19歲的Daniel Lee 和Andrew Lee，馬上就行動了，一人開車，一人導航，合作無間的服務社區。

一天，Caroline Reeves在視頻會議中和台灣佛教慈濟基金會人文志業發展處主任何日生討論合作時，何日生說慈濟在波士頓也有分支機構，如果有哪些人，哪些機構需要幫助，歡迎她提供建議。Caroline Reeves的兩個小孩馬上就說，”有有有，瑪莎葡萄園島”。

慈濟波士頓聯絡處負責人長金滿隨後就接到何日生的電話，開始和Caroline Reeves透過電子郵件溝通。

慈濟波士頓聯絡處捐出去的口罩。
(慈濟波士頓聯絡處提供)

自從新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)疫情發生以來，慈濟波士頓聯絡處就已經配合紐約分會的”賑災”行動，添置防疫室內消毒及個人防護用品。集合志工和會員囗罩捐贈，陸續捐贈給布里吉婦女醫院(Brigham and Women’s)，波士頓醫療中心(Boston Medical Center)等醫療機構，幫助第一線工作人員抗疫。台灣本會和美國總會更因為美東地區疫情嚴重，共運過去100多萬個口罩，並分給麻州10萬多件個人防護用品，準備發給醫療單位，警消部門，航空，老人院等一線工作人員。

                               了解完瑪莎葡萄園島的需求，衡量慈濟波士頓聯絡處手邊的物資，以及求助名單後，波士頓醫療組確認了可以撥捐4000個口罩。但在這要求保持社交安全距離的疫情期間，怎麼把這批口罩送到瑪莎葡萄園島，又怎麼分送給最需要口罩的島民，變成一個大問題。

                         很快的Islander’s Help 透過Chilmark市志工協調員Delilah Meegan，找到Carroll’s Trucking這卡車公司，才終於在4月22日，把4000個口罩運到了歷任美國總統都愛在這兒渡假的瑪莎葡萄園島(Martha's Vineyard )。當地記者知道台灣慈濟發送口罩過來的消息，很快聯繫上波士頓聯絡處，做了一篇採訪當天在當地傳發。https://www.mvtimes.com/2020/04/20/one-island-another/

在疫情期間，一切零接觸，藉著輾轉打電話，互通電郵的聯繫，竟然也圓滿完成了這捐贈任務。波士頓慈濟人形容這是善心大德發揮感染力，讓大愛零距離!    (文:周菊子，圖:  Caroline Reeves)

MBTA傳103名員工COVID-19確診

(Boston Orange編譯)麻州灣公路局(MBTA)今(23)日證實有103名員工新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)確診。

其中包括52名巴士司機，4名地鐵員工，5名電車(Trolley)員工。

從疫情開始迄今，MBTA已有一名員工死亡，6名員工確診後痊癒。

MBTA表示，正在設法為員工提供更多保護，已發給他們口罩，消毒液，護目鏡，手套等個人防護用品。MBTA也會和工會合作，找更多方法保護員工。

MBTA的員工可以到為第一線工作人員安排的Gillette體育館做COVID-19病毒檢測。平均來說，每天有大約30名MBTA員工到Foxboro那兒檢測。

MBTA在一份聲明中還說，他們也在10幾個巴士及地鐵站量員工們的體溫。任何人的體溫高於華氏100度，MBTA就會要求他們馬上離開，並和員工的醫療護理提供者聯絡。

MBTA將繼續保持要求乘客從後門上車的做法，並持續消毒所有車輛。

波士頓台灣抗疫團隊送出1000個布口罩給MBTA員工

左起，林致中，藍凡耘和波士頓經文處副領事王麗芬(右)送布口罩給MBTA。
(波士頓台灣抗疫團隊堤供)

             (Boston Orange)波士頓台灣抗疫團隊再出發，4月21日拜會麻州灣交通局(MBTA)，捐贈1000個布口罩，向不顧自身安危，為民眾提供交通服務的公車司機，維修人員致敬，為保護他們的安全略盡棉力。

             波士頓台灣抗疫團隊代表林致中，藍凡耘，以及波士頓經文處副領事王麗芬這天代表許多不分日夜縫製口罩的義工們，一起把布口罩送到MBTA的Everett站，由MBTA的資深主任Dan Barton和副主任Paul Flynn代表接受。

波士頓台灣抗疫團隊還特地製作了一張這樣的圖表，教MBTA員工怎樣正確戴布口罩。
(林致中提供)

             根據維基百科，麻州灣交通局和費城的賓夕法尼亞州東南地區交通局(SEPTA)是美國僅有的，同時營運5種主要地面公共運輸工具的公家機構，包括輕軌(Ashmont到Mattapan高速線和綠線)，高運量列車(地鐵藍線，橙線和紅線)，區域鐵路列車(波士頓通勤鐵路)，無軌電車(銀線)和公共汽車。整個系統的每日載客量高達130萬人次左右。麻州地鐵也因此是美國最繁忙的輕軌系統。   

             波士頓環球報在4月10日的報導中指出，約有6385名員工，其中至少有2,683人為駕駛的MBTA，已有53人確診，其中包括29名巴士司機，2名地鐵駕駛，2名電車駕駛。

             根據MBTA發言人Joe Pesaturo，有2人因感染COVID-19而逝世。波士頓駕駛員本地工會589則宣佈了57歲，住在昆士市，1998年就加入了MBTA的Southampton停車場檢驗員Andrew Wong過世了。

             MBTA總經理Steve Poftak因此宣佈了將在巴士，電車等交通工具上設置臨時障礙，隔開駕駛與乘客的措施，藉以增加員工的安全保障。

HUD awards $1.5 million in funding to support COVID-19-related fair housing activities Submitted

HUD awards $1.5 million in funding to support COVID-19-related fair housing activities Submitted

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on Tuesday announced it is awarding $1.5 million in Partnership and Special Enforcement Effort funds to HUD Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) agencies to support COVID-19 education activities. The funds are being provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) of 2020, which President Donald Trump signed into law to provide federal agencies with the resources needed to combat COVID-19.

Click here for the notice.

“The Fair Housing Act embodies the spirit of this great nation where everyone is entitled to equal opportunity and respect,” Secretary Ben Carson said. “As we battle this invisible enemy, we need to be attentive to the heightened protections and needs of family, friends and neighbors who are older, have disabilities, or pre-existing medical conditions. We also need to honor and support, not evict out of fear, the medical professionals and caregivers who selflessly go to the front line to serve and heal. We must be creative and compassionate to keep each other safely sheltered, healthy and prepared. Right now, in the spirit of fair housing, we need to be the best neighbors we can be for one another.”

“Addressing potential fair housing issues related to COVID-19 will require resources that extend beyond the federal government,” said Anna María Farías, HUD’s assistant secretary for fair housing and equal opportunity. “FHAP agencies not only have expertise in conducting a range of fair housing enforcement activities, they are especially attuned to how particular issues are affecting their communities.”

Partnership funds allow FHAP agencies to utilize the services of individuals and/or public, private, for-profit, or not-for-profit organizations that have expertise in enforcing federal, state and local fair housing laws. Similarly, special enforcement effort funds enhance the fair housing enforcement activities of FHAP agencies. 

“New York and New Jersey are the epicenters of COVID-19 in the entire nation. Both states have extremely diverse populations already vulnerable to discrimination in housing,” said Lynne Patton, HUD regional administrator for New York and New Jersey. “It’s imperative that local fair housing organizations in our region apply and take advantage of this additional funding provided by HUD to eliminate any potential victimization of residents during this difficult time.” 

Examples of fundable activities include: Partnering with grassroots, faith-based or other community-based organizations to conduct COVID-19-related education and outreach to people of different backgrounds on how to live together peacefully in the same housing complex, neighborhood or community; or procurement and/or development of up-to-date or advanced technology to do COVID-19 related education and outreach using online platforms and social media.

HUD will issue detailed instructions to agencies regarding the availability of funds and process for application. FHAP agencies are state and local agencies that enforce state and local laws that are substantially equivalent to the federal Fair Housing Act. Currently, there are approximately 75 FHAP agencies operating throughout the nation.

Persons who believe they have experienced housing discrimination may file a complaint of discrimination by contacting HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at 800-669-9777 or visiting “How to File a Complaint” on HUD’s website. Materials and assistance are available for persons with limited English proficiency. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may contact the department using the federal relay service at 800-877-8339.

聯邦紓困補助款 哈佛大學不拿了

(Boston Orange編譯) 聯邦紓困方案旨在幫助小企業度過難關，結果小企業還沒拿到錢，3490億元經費已經用光了，然後有人發現不少大機構已領得超過千萬元，引出一片韃伐聲。美國總統川普也拿哈佛大學當箭靶，揚言要追回860萬元撥款。

哈佛大學今(22)日立即發表聲明，澄清聯邦政府CARES法案的高等教育緊急救濟基金，分配給哈佛大學一筆款項，哈佛大學既沒有申請，索要，也沒有收到這筆款項。

現在哈佛決定不去要，也不接受聯邦政府已經分配給該校的款項，同時仍會繼續支援有需要的學生。

根據聯邦政府CARES法案高等教育緊急救濟基金的收款名單，新英格蘭有不少學校分配到的款額，其實比哈佛大學還多，包括波士頓大學1500萬元，東北大學1160萬元。

新英格蘭地區的其他常春藤學校，達特茅斯學院(Dartmouth College)分配到3400萬元，布朗大學480萬元，耶魯大學680萬元。

分配款項的公式，是以每所學校經由貝爾獎金(Pell Grants)領取聯邦政府財務援助的低收入學生數目，以及整所學校的註冊學生數目來計算。

美國財政部長Steve Mnuchin表示，全美有100萬家員工人數在10人以下的公司，以及一些大公司，已經收到補助貸款。其中以漢堡、奶昔聞名的連鎖餐廳Shake Shack，已經表態要退還該公司收到的1000萬元補助款。

4月21日時，臉書上有人貼文，稱讚Shake Shack表示要退還政府發給的1000萬元紓困金。然後馬上有人指出，其實該公司在被人批評後，才說要退，接著有網友繼續稱讚，說這總比那些默默把錢收下，當作什麼事都沒發生過的大企業好。

COVID-19 Rate for Latinx and Black Residents Three Times That of White Residents, According to New Analysis

COVID-19 Rate for Latinx and Black Residents Three Times That of White Residents, According to New Analysis
Despite Progress, State-Reported Data Obscure Inequities and Hinder Action

Boston, MA – The Massachusetts Public Health Association (MPHA) today released an updated analysis of state COVID-19 data, showing that, per capita, cases for Latinx residents are more than three times that of White residents, while per capita cases for Black residents are more than two-and-a-half times that of White residents.

“While there are still gaps in the data that should be addressed, we have enough data to say with a high degree of confidence that Black and Latinx residents of Massachusetts are suffering from COVID-19 infections at rates far higher than Whites,” said Carlene Pavlos, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Public Health Association. “The Baker Administration should release data in a way that makes this reality clear, and more importantly, should act aggressively and urgently to address these staggering inequities.”

“We’ve long known that people of color are more vulnerable to illness and disease because of the social determinants of health—jobs, housing, access to preventative health care. Now that these inequities are clear for all to see, we need and expect action from state government,” said Helena DaSilva Hughes, Executive Director of the Immigrants Assistance Center. “We all want fresh, affordable seafood from the legendary fish houses of New Bedford, but look who makes that possible—mostly black and brown people who are “essential workers” but who don’t get paid sick leave and whose wages aren’t enough for anything but shared and crowded living spaces. We must act now to ensure that all people have access to safety during the pandemic and equal opportunities for health afterwards.”

“The public release of clear and transparent demographic data is essential if Massachusetts' public health interests are to make meaningful and rapid progress in fully addressing this pandemic crisis.” said Juan Cofield, President, NAACP, New England Area Conference. “Such data will better inform the communities most affected and it will be instructive of their need to implore better protective measures.  Additionally, it will provide a road map for all to understand where more resources are needed to eliminate the pandemic crisis.”

Clear and transparent data is critical for environmental justice communities like Chelsea to advocate for themselves, organize and create change,” said Maria Belén Power, Associate Executive Director at GreenRoots. “It is no surprise or mystery that Latinx, Black and Brown communities are suffering at disproportionate rates. The class and racial disparities and inequities have existed for decades and generations, COVID19 has only exacerbated them and exposed them. 

Last week, the Task Force on Coronavirus and Equity, coordinated by MPHA, called for better public data and action plan on inequities in COVID-19 impact, and has previously called on the Legislature, Attorney General, and Governor to take a series of actions to address equity in the face of the outbreak.

The analysis from MPHA uses data beginning April 8^th (the day of the Public Health Order requiring collection of race/ethnicity data) and calculates per capita rates for each racial/ethnic group. Although a considerable number of reported cases are missing race/ethnicity, the differences between the per capita rates for cases in which race/ethnicity is recorded reveal serious inequities that are likely to persist as additional data is collected. Per capita cases among Asian residents appear to be approximately 60% that of White cases, according to the analysis. However, data do not allow an analysis of variability between subgroups of Asian residents, which likely conceal inequities among some subgroups.