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
*******************
All rights of articles and photos on this website are reserved.
Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito Issue Statements on Confirmation of Judge Serge Georges, Jr. as Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court
BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito released the following statements on the Governor’s Council’s unanimous confirmation of Serge Georges, Jr. as Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court:
“Judge Serge Georges, Jr. is a talented and highly distinguished jurist who has demonstrated his tremendous legal acumen and compassion throughout his career serving on the district court, the drug court and in private practice, and I look forward to the unique perspective he will bring to the Supreme Judicial Court," said Governor Charlie Baker. "I congratulate Judge Georges on his unanimous confirmation, and am thankful to the members of the Governor's Council for their advice and consent during this process.”
"I am honored to congratulate Judge Serge Georges, Jr. on his unanimous confirmation to the Supreme Judicial Court, and am confident that his real world experience and wide range of expertise will be a valuable addition to the Commonwealth's highest court," said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. "I am grateful to my colleagues on the Governor's Council for their careful consideration of Judge Georges and each of our nominees to the Supreme Judicial Court."
In a proposed consent judgment filed today in Suffolk Superior Court, the Florida-based BookIt Operating LLC d/b/a BookIt.com (BookIt) and its CEO and director Arthur Paul Finlaw have agreed that BookIt will pay $551,835 to 539 Massachusetts consumers. All affected Massachusetts consumers will be made whole by the settlement, and on average, consumers will receive over $1,000, with some receiving more than $8,000.
“Unfortunately, we’ve seen travel companies take advantage of the COVID-19 crisis by cheating consumers and pocketing payments for canceled trips,” said AG Healey. “Our settlement with BookIt requires the company to pay back hundreds of Massachusetts consumers harmed by its illegal practices. My office has secured millions of dollars in travel refunds since the pandemic began, and our work continues to protect consumers and take action against companies that violate our laws.”
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the AG’s Consumer Advocacy and Response Division recovered $9.8 million in travel refunds for 1,046 consumers. The AG’s Consumer Protection Division, between the BookIt settlement and a settlement with travel company EF, has secured nearly $2 million in travel refunds for more than 4,700 consumers.
The AG’s Office sued BookIt in June 2020 after an investigation was initiated when the office received nearly 60 complaints from Massachusetts consumers who lost thousands of dollars. The AG’s complaint alleged that when BookIt suspended its business operations in March, the company also stopped paying hotels and resorts for reservations, including for reservations already in progress, leaving many consumers with no choice but to pay their hotels a second time for their stay. BookIt also closed all of its call centers so that consumers had no way to contact the company to seek a refund.
The AG’s complaint also alleged BookIt refused to refund consumers for cancelled reservations, even though the company either never paid or has received refunds from the hotels, resorts, and travel service providers for those cancelled reservations.
One consumer complained to the AG’s Office that she booked a March vacation to Cancun, Mexico, through BookIt. The consumer went on her trip as planned, but two days into her stay, the hotel where she was staying told her BookIt had not paid for her stay. Her only choice was to pay the hotel, even though she had already paid BookIt. As a result, the consumer ended her vacation early, but then couldn’t get her money back from BookIt.
Under the terms of the proposed consent judgment, BookIt will pay refunds to eligible Massachusetts consumers within 45 days of the court’s entry of the judgment. The Attorney General’s Office acknowledges BookIt’s cooperation in resolving this lawsuit and its agreement to make the payments for the benefit of its customers.
The AG’s Consumer Protection Division enforces Massachusetts’ consumer protection law and protects consumers from fraud, deception, and other unfair practices. For complaints or questions about the consumer protection law, consumers may file a complaint with the office or call 617-727-8400.
The AG’s Office has prioritized protecting Massachusetts consumers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2020, the AG’s Office announced it had secured more than $1.4 million in refunds from the Cambridge-based travel company EF Institute for Cultural Exchange Inc. and EF Explore America Inc. (EF) for trips cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit AG Healey’s COVID-19 resource page for information about how the AG’s Office can provide support during this crisis.
This matter was handled by Assistant Attorney General Samantha Shusterman, Division Chief Max Weinstein, and Paralegal Breana Beaudreault of the AG’s Consumer Protection Division, and Anthony Crespi of the Civil Investigations Division
Baker-Polito Administration Announces Initial Steps for COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution
BOSTON – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced allocation and distribution plans for the first round of COVID-19 vaccine shipments to Massachusetts set to begin around December 15. The state’s first shipment of 59,475 doses of the Pfizer vaccine was ordered from the federal government this past Friday and will be delivered directly to 21 hospitals across 8 counties, as well as to the Department of Public Health Immunization lab.
Doses will then be redistributed for access to 74 hospitals across all 14 counties for front line medical workers. The next 40,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine will be allocated to the Federal Pharmacy Program to begin vaccinating staff and residents of skilled nursing facilities, rest homes and assisted living residences.
Vaccine is being prioritized for these groups to maximize life preservation and to support the health care system. Based on information at this time, Massachusetts is expecting 300,000 first doses of the vaccine to be delivered by the end of December. The first vaccines, manufactured by Moderna and Pfizer, will require two doses administered 3-4 weeks apart.
While all delivery dates and quantities are subject to change due to ongoing federal approval and allocation, the Administration plans to receive and distribute over 2 million doses to priority population groups by the end of March.
In collaboration with the COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Group, the Administration designated groups of medical workers, first responders and residents most at risk for serious illness to receive the vaccine before the general population. The Vaccine Advisory Group is made up of leading medical, infectious disease and public health experts as well as representatives from communities of color and representatives of high-risk populations.
Communities of color and at-risk populations are prioritized throughout the process to maximize life preservation and to prevent serious complications from COVID related illnesses.
Anticipated Vaccination Phases and Timeline:
Phase One (December 2020-February 2021):
In order of priority
Clinical and non-clinical healthcare workers doing direct and COVID-facing care
Long term care facilities, rest homes and assisted living facilities
Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Services
Congregate care settings (including shelters and corrections)
Home-based healthcare workers
Healthcare workers doing non-COVID facing care
Phase Two (February 2021-April 2021):
In order of priority
Individuals with 2+ comorbidities (high risk for COVID-19 complications)
Early education, K-12, transit, grocery, utility, food and agriculture, sanitation, public works and public health workers
Adults 65+
Individuals with one comorbidity
Phase Three (April 2021- ):
Vaccine available to general public
The first shipments of the vaccine are expected to contain doses manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna. While both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are pending FDA emergency use authorization, Massachusetts will not distribute the COVID-19 vaccine until it receives this authorization.
Vaccines go through extensive testing, more than any pharmaceuticals, including extensive testing in clinical trials. The FDA, which approves the vaccine, and the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which will make its recommendation for use, must ensure any vaccine is both safe and effective for the public before approval and distribution.
The infectious disease experts in the state’s academic medical centers have pledged to review the EUA data and provide an independent opinion about their safety and efficacy.
All residents should visit www.mass.gov/COVIDVaccine to learn more or contact their medical provider for questions about their vaccination plans.
Statement from Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair Gus Bickford in Response to Today’s Announcement by Charlie Baker
“Charlie Baker made the decision to halt certain inpatient medical care but is allowing casinos to remain open. Let that sink in. The warning signs have been flashing for weeks and rather than act to protect the vulnerable in our state, Baker just played with the metrics in an effort to convince us we were on the right track, when we were not. It’s clear what is happening now. One of the nation’s most respected public health experts joined the chorus of leaders who have been highlighting the worsening data trends, saying he is “aghast at lack of action” by Baker. The pressure finally became too much for Baker to ignore, forcing him to finally take the extremely modest steps he outlined today. No matter the issue, Baker only acts when pressured. It’s not leadership, it’s negligence.”
Baker-Polito Administration Announces Statewide
Rollback to Phase Three, Step One, Additional Restrictions Effective December
13th
Governor Baker Announces New Restrictions Statewide
for Capacity, Mask Compliance and Distancing Due to Increased Cases,
Hospitalizations
BOSTON
– Today, the Baker-Polito
Administration announced that effective Sunday, December 13th, all
communities in Massachusetts will return to Step 1 of Phase 3, of the
Commonwealth’s reopening plan. This will reduce indoor capacities across a
broad range of sectors of the economy and tighten several other workplace
restrictions. The Administration announced the roll-back to respond to an
increase in new COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations since the Thanksgiving
holiday that is straining the health care system in Massachusetts.
The
return to Step 1 will also require the closure of certain businesses designated
as Step 2 industries. These include indoor performance venues and certain
high-contact indoor recreational businesses. In addition, capacity limits will
be reduced to 40% statewide for most industries, and the limit on outdoor
gatherings will be reduced statewide from 100 persons to 50 persons. Additional
safety measures will be applied to restaurant dining as well.
These
new measures are designed to prevent infection and viral spread, especially in
indoor settings. They will create stronger mask compliance, more social distancing,
and limits to the time spent with people outside of your immediate
household.
The Administration also
announced additional guidance for certain sectors including restaurants, office
spaces and gyms, to address activities where mask wearing is not possible at
all times.
Phase III, Step I:
Effective December 13, all
communities will roll back to Phase 3, Step 1 of Massachusetts’ re-opening
plan, including the following restrictions:
Outdoor
gatherings at event venues will be limited to no more than 50 people
Hosts
of outdoor gatherings of greater than 25 people will be required to
provide advance notice of the gathering their local board of health
Indoor
theaters and performance venues and higher contact indoor recreation
businesses will be required to close to the public
Outdoor
theaters and performance venues will be limited to 25% capacity, and no
more than 50 people
In all communities, capacity
will be reduced from 50% to 40% for the following sectors:
Arcades/Indoor
and Outdoor Recreational Businesses
Driving
and Flight Schools
Gyms/Health
Clubs
Libraries
Museums
Retail
Offices
Places
of Worship
Lodging
(common areas)
Golf
facilities
Movie
Theaters (Maximum 50 people per theater)
This new capacity limit will
not apply to sectors that do not currently have a percentage-based capacity
limit, including restaurants, laboratories and close contact personal services.
