星期二, 12月 15, 2020

麻州將有17家醫院先拿到新冠病毒疫苗 波士頓醫療中心搶得頭籌

           (Boston Orange 編譯) 新冠病毒疫苗抵達麻州。共有17家醫院將陸續收到輝瑞/BioNTech的新冠疫苗。波士頓醫療中心(Boston Medical Center)14日已拿到1950劑疫苗,今早8點,塔芙茨醫療中心(Tufts Medical Center)也收到2925劑。

           無論是輝瑞(Pfizer)或是Moderna的新冠疫苗都要施打兩劑。麻州健康及人民服務長Marylou Sudders(15)日中午在麻州州長的疫情匯報中表示,麻州將訂定追蹤辦法,確保疫苗送到該去的地方。

           波士頓醫療中心昨日收到疫苗時,該院工作人員高興得在位於南端的醫院外跳起舞來。

           塔醫將率先注射疫苗的人是重症病房環境服務部員工Jacques Pierre,以及風濕/過敏科的醫療助理Gadira Rodriguez,傳染病部門主管Helen Boucher,以及急診部門護士Colleen Connolly

           波士頓北邊的Melrose Wakefield醫療護理院收到950劑疫苗。其他醫院將從明日起陸續收到新冠病毒疫苗,包括波士頓兒童醫院,傅萊明罕市的西部都會醫療中心,麻州總醫院(MGH),春田市的Baystate醫療中心,秋河市的Charlton紀念醫院等。

           屋斯特的麻州大學紀念醫療護理系統今日收到1950劑疫苗,將先用於保護急診室,DCU中心田野醫院等的大約2000名員工。

           兩星期前啟用的DCU中心,病人數增長得比預期多了一倍。該機構的一名發言人表示,他們原本預期只會收到25名病人,但中心內現在已有50名病人。

輝瑞的疫苗是美國聯邦藥品局(FDA)批准,第一個用來預防新冠病毒的產品。美國政府已向Moderna訂購了1億劑這疫苗。

           貝福老兵醫療護理系統(VA Bedford Healthcare System)的一名管家,Andrew Miller,可能是第一個注射疫苗的人。該院發了推特說,14日中午1220分時,Andrew Miller是該機構第一個注射疫苗的人。第二個注射疫苗的人是一名96歲的第二次世界大戰退伍老兵Margaret Klessens

MAYOR WALSH COMMITS ADDITIONAL $50 MILLION TO ESG INVESTMENT INITIATIVE, CALLS ON CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO JOIN IN EFFORT

MAYOR WALSH COMMITS ADDITIONAL $50 MILLION TO ESG INVESTMENT INITIATIVE, CALLS ON CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO JOIN IN EFFORT

Provides update on City's first-ever Green Bonds 

 

BOSTON - Tuesday, December 15, 2020 - Building on a continued effort to promote sustainable and responsible investment, Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced a commitment of an additional $50 million towards the City of Boston's Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Investment Initiative. This commitment brings the City's total investment in the ESG Initiative to $200 million, which will be invested in the short-term fixed income securities (i.e. short-term bonds and notes) of companies that maintain strong corporate ESG practices. Mayor Walsh launched the ESG Investment Initiative last year with an initial commitment of $150 million to encourage sustainable investment policies in Boston.

The City also provided an update on last week's bond sale, in which Boston issued its first ever series of Green Bonds, which will fund energy efficiency projects, and Social Bonds, which will fund affordable housing projects. Based on the results of the sale, in which the City successfully issued green bonds with lower interest costs than their non-green counterparts, Boston believes it has shown the largest and most definitive pricing benefit to date for bonds carrying the green label. The City believes this is an important first step in demonstrating that there is more than a marketing advantage in selling green bonds. 

"Our goal at the outset of the Environmental, Social and Governance initiative was to find a way to use City assets to promote sustainable and responsible investment," said Mayor Walsh. "We have done that in a way that not only allows Boston to achieve its investment objectives, but also in a way that incentivizes good corporate behavior. We encourage other cities to join us in this effort, and we want to be a resource to you in this work." 

"From the start, Mayor Walsh has asked us to find creative ways to make smart, responsible investments that not only meet our stated objectives, but that make a difference," said Drew Smith, Head of Treasury for the City of Boston. "We have created a methodology for ESG investing that can be replicated by other cities and governmental investors. If this is adopted broadly, we believe that governments can earn a return while driving down the borrowing costs of companies that conduct their business in a way that respects their workers, their communities, and our planet."

Since announcing the initial ESG investment in 2019, the City of Boston has selected an investment manager, developed a workable methodology for ESG investment, and analyzed investment results. Using the ESG scoring services of third party research firm Sustainalytics and working with investment manager PFM Asset Management LLC, the City has managed the investment and reinvestment of the initial $150 million, while analyzing results and refining the methodology. Initial results indicate that this and similar approaches, which focus on excluding investment in firms with poor ESG metrics in favor of firms with strong ESG metrics, can produce competitive returns while further reducing risk exposure. These results are consistent with the primary investment objectives of safety, liquidity, and yield objectives generally associated with the most conservative level of investment. 

Governmental investors are frequently constrained by restrictive investment policies that only allow investment in short-term, high quality investments, particularly in the case of operating funds. These restrictions have made sustainable investing with these funds difficult without a standard framework that allows the investment to be turned and reinvested continuously.

Last week, the City went to market on the sale of its 2020 series bonds with Bank of America Securities leading the transaction and Siebert Williams Shank & Co., a minority business enterprise, as transaction co-lead. This was the first time in over 10 years the City has entered the market using a negotiated method of sale, allowing it to sell bonds directly to individual investors as well as institutional investors. The sale included the issuance of $35 million for Social Bonds, which will support the financing of certain affordable housing projects, in partnership with the Boston Housing Authority throughout the city, and nearly $24 million for Green Bonds, which will support energy-efficient and environmentally friendly projects in Boston.

Earlier this month, Mayor Walsh announced that Boston has maintained triple-A bond ratings for the seventh consecutive year, as assigned by Moody's Investor Service and S&P Global Ratings. The agencies' affirmations of Boston's strong financial health is a recognition of the City's fiscal management during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2014, the City has continued to receive the top credit rating from both rating agencies.

Mayor Walsh was also recently named Chair of the Climate Mayors coalition. In this role, Mayor Walsh will help catalyze efforts to combat climate change at the local level, provide an example of climate action for leaders at all levels of government, and advocate for an economic recovery founded in equity and environmental stewardship.

麻州州長匯報疫情

 


哈佛教授Danielle Allen上推特宣佈有意參選2022麻州州長

哈佛大學教授Danielle Allen有意參選麻州州長。(圖片來自推特)
             (Boston Orange 編譯)有心投身政治的人,意向公開越來越早了。波士頓市議員吳弭(Michelle Wu)宣佈參選波士頓市長,是在選舉的一年三個月前。哈佛教授Danielle Allen剛對外表示,打算二年後的2022,參選麻州州長選舉。

                               Danielle Allen的公開表態,讓她成為第一個站出來要參選州長的民主黨員。

                            今年49歲的Danielle Allen說,她要在選舉戰場可能變得擁擠之前,花三個月時間在網上舉辦聆聽之旅,向黨員,選民介紹自己。

                            一旦Danielle Allen正式宣布參選,她將會是麻州歷史中兩大政黨內第一個參選麻州州長的黑人女性,一旦當選,更將成為美國歷史中的首名女性黑人州長。

Daniel Allen已在推特上開始競選。
                        Danielle Allen是哈佛大學Edmond J. Safra道德中心主任,以前從未參選公職,但是2016年那場侵蝕了民主典範的選舉,以及新冠病毒近來造成的經濟及社會災難,促使她走向政治。她覺得大家是眼睜睜的看著社會契約在自己身邊崩潰,並未病毒大流行期間的政府決策感到沮喪。

                    Danielle Allen並未批評還未表態是否尋求連任的現任麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker),但表示她相信選舉有競爭,民主才堅實。她將真正的努力兩年參選。

                        2022年州長職位的民主黨初選,可能會吸引許多人參加,尤其是如果已連任兩屆州長的查理貝克不再競選連任的話。目前並無其他的在為公職人員表示有意參選州長,但民主黨人一直都認為麻州總檢察長奚莉(Maura Healey),波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin J. Walsh)等高知名度的民主黨員都是可能人選。

                    在參選路上,Danielle Allen將面對打知名度,募款,在虛擬環境中競選等等的挑戰。

                    2015年開始在麻州定居,之前曾任安赫斯特(Amherst)學院校董的Danielle Allen1214日向麻州的競選財務辦公室遞交了申請文件,隨後在推特上發佈了長2分鐘18秒的視頻,#mapoli  #MAGov2022

                    這個視頻內容包括她的個人簡介,也直指病毒大流行是導致她決定參選的最後一根稻草,她要起而行的讓她所相信的成為事實,她希望大家和她一起為新,而且公平的麻州奠定基礎。

                    Danielle Allen的學霸履歷包括,2001年獲得麥克阿瑟天才獎,今年六月又因她在人類研究上的成就,贏國會圖書館頒發John W. Kluge獎。           

                Danielle Allen已經開始組織競選團隊,請來曾經為前州長派區克(Deval Patrick),前波士頓市議員Tito Jackson等人工作的Reynolds Graves擔任競選經理,哈佛大學商學院榮休教授Malcolm Salter擔任競選主席。

星期一, 12月 14, 2020

美國新冠病毒死亡人數今日超過30萬 麻州新增3572確診 新增37人死亡

             (Boston Orange整理編譯)1214日,美國的累計新冠病毒死亡人數打破30萬大關。約翰霍普金斯大學截至當晚7點的統計是300,586人,美國聯邦疾病防治中心(CDC)截至當日中午的統計是298,266Worldometer GMT時間的1500:53時的統計數據是308,019

            14日這天,美國的單日確診人數回降至20萬以下,死亡1540人,疫情仍然嚴重,尤其是總人口3951222的加州,單日確診人數也高達27,014。人口次多,有28995881的德州,也有11,976人確診。新增個案數排第三的是田納西州,有10,319宗。

            麻州政府公共衛生廳今日的統計為新增3572宗確診個案,累計283,146宗,新增死亡37人,累計11,135人。

            目前正在治療新冠病毒的人數,陡增至72,883,其中1788人住院,354人住在重症病房,186人插管。做過病毒檢測的人次已達962萬。14日這天有1341人做了抗體檢測,累計300,791人。

            七天平均確診率現在是5.7%,之前最低時只有0.8%







波士頓建中校友會鄭新霖連任會長 校友驚訝母校變化大

波士頓建中校友年代跨越半個世紀。
              (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州報導)波士頓建國中學校友會日前在網上舉辦年會,通過會長鄭新霖等6名幹部7名理事全員連任。會上建中校長徐建國匯報該校現況與未來,直陳學生人數減少,必修第二外語,升學方式改為申請及分發,許多校友驚嘆變化好大。

              建國中學直至今日仍是台灣高中排名第一的學府,在波士頓成立校友會後,每年例必有夏季野餐,冬季年會,以及旅遊、學術活動。2020年礙於疫情,野餐會取消了,年會也改成網上舉行。

波士頓建中校友會會長鄭新霖。

              在網上年會正式開始前,久未見面的校友們遙距敘舊,從1950年畢業的本地唯一女建中校友趙鍾英,1958年畢業的王子仁,康紹和等前輩到2015年的林宗岳,橫跨半個世紀有多,其中還有人是同班同學,李小玉、湯耀武,劉泰國,潘台春,史千澍等人,已在波士頓居住三、四十年,平日在不同社團互有交集,敘談時格外親切。

              王子仁向建中校長查詢後,確認了他們那民國47年畢業第34班在1980年設立,訂名為「4734」的獎學金,至今仍在運作。

建國中學校長徐建國。
              建中現任校長徐建國經校友會會長鄭新霖,理事李小玉,周萬欽邀約,這晚在年會中匯報建中的現況與未來。他表示建中的願景是打造大學格局的國際菁英高中,目標是培育能多元實踐的博雅建中人,以期該校畢業生將來能成為具有國際觀的領袖人才。

              徐建國也說明該校1908年建成的著名紅樓,已於2005年整修竣工,如今供校友會,教師會,家長會使用。2013年啟用了新建的多功能人文大樓夢紅樓2017年圖書館翻修成五星級的多功能樂閱館

              在學校招生問題方面,徐建國透露的台灣教育環境及人口情況,最是令人驚訝。他說台灣現有的106所大學143個系所減招9840人,有56個系所走入歷史。以基北區高中職來說,預定招生55000人,但是國中畢業生卻只有39000人。全台灣的國中畢業生人數從民國104年起就逐年遞減,到民國109年時已從305312人降至205854人。

              建中的學生人數也已銳減,2004年時有4600人,2005年起就每年遞減,2020年只有2986人。但學校內的特殊班別增加了,包括體育班,人文社會資優班,科學班等,2015年還開了德文班,程式設計班。

              徐建國直言,現在的社會環境與早年差異極大,更強調學習的實用性,高中正在做的事包括教授第二外語,程式設計,鼓勵學生創新研發,學習解決問題,團隊合作,整合資源,培養抗壓能力等。大學則強調招收偏才,弱勢學生,線上學習,實作技能,更鼓勵雙主修,跨校選課,與國外大學合作雙聯學位等。

2019年還出了新課綱,要配合教育部到2030年時把台灣打造成雙語國家。

              波士頓建中校友會在年會中通過,會長鄭新霖,副會長許晃哲,財政周萬欽,秘書王子仁,會員組許晃哲,活動組林致中等幹部,以及趙鍾英,王子仁,李小玉,周萬欽,鄭新霖,許晃哲,林致中等人連任,一任兩年。

              鄭新霖表示,校友會的理事會並無名額限制,凡是願意服務的校友,都歡迎加入。

Boston, Brockton, Lynn, Somerville, Newton五城市開放步驟倒退回第二階段第二步驟


            (Boston Orange 編譯)麻州四個大城市,包括波士頓、布洛克頓(Brockton)、尚莫維爾(Somerville)、牛頓(Newton),已同意開放步驟到退回第二階段第二步驟,為期至少三星期,意味著健身房,博物館及電影院都將關閉。

           Lynn市在二、三小時前,也加入了防疫回撥開放程度行列。

                 波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin J. Walsh)表示,很不幸,波士頓現在必須採取比較強硬的措施來遏止病毒傳播,以確保醫護人員有足夠的能力來醫治有需要的每一個人。

             在新措施下,室內用餐將可繼續,酒吧座位也依然有90分鐘限制。但疫情數據如果持續惡化,就還是得關閉餐館。

             波士頓市長馬丁華殊和麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)一直以來,不斷的提醒民眾,只和最親的家人團聚慶祝節日。在日前的猶太光明節點燈儀式中,他們倆也再次強調別群聚

             馬丁華殊曾經一再強調,他不希望採取閉關鎖城式的停止經濟活動措施,但如果疫情惡化,他將不得不做這決定。波士頓市的確診率近日高達7%,是市府官員決定回縮開放程度的原因。

             根據波士頓市公共衛生局公佈的數據,1214日這天,波士頓市的累計確診人數已達33,323,死亡人數累計953。其中拉丁裔社區最嚴重,累計確診數高達9,299,佔所有確診個案的32%

             在波士頓市公共衛生局把全市分成15個鄰里社區,確診率最高的是多徹斯特(Dorchester)0212102125的這兩個郵遞區號,達12.8%,其次為多徹斯特的0212202124這兩個郵遞區號,11.5%,東波士頓02128排第三,確診率11.1%

             波士頓華埠並未單獨分成一區,但以郵遞區號看,02111屬於南端(South End),和02118這兩個郵遞區號的確診率為4.3%,疫情嚴重程度排倒數第四。(更新版)

AG HEALEY CALLS ON CONGRESS TO PROTECT SAFETY OF FEDERAL JUDGES AND THEIR FAMILIES

 AG HEALEY CALLS ON CONGRESS TO PROTECT SAFETY OF FEDERAL JUDGES AND THEIR FAMILIES

Joins Coalition Urging the Passage of Legislation to Protect Confidentiality of Personal Identifying Information of Members of Federal Judiciary in Public Records

                                                                   

            BOSTON – Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey today joined a bipartisan coalition of 51 attorneys general in calling on Congress to pass legislation aimed at protecting the safety of federal judges and their families.

 

            In a letter sent to leaders of both the House and Senate Judiciary Committees, the coalition is calling for the passage of the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act or similar legislation. The bill would protect the confidentiality of personal identifying information of members of the federal judiciary in public records and limit the distribution of that information online and by data brokers. The coalition called the passage of such legislation urgent in light of attacks and increasing threats against members of the federal judiciary, and notes that the legislation has bipartisan support in both houses of Congress.

 

            The Act is named for 20-year-old Daniel Anderl, the late son of Judge Esther Salas of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. Anderl was killed in July when an attorney who had appeared in a case before Judge Salas – a man described in the coalition’s letter as “deranged” – appeared at her home and shot both Anderl and the judge’s husband. The judge’s husband was critically injured but survived the attack. The gunman used publicly available information to track down the judge and her family.

 

“This legislation allows judges, who are integral to our justice system and a functioning democracy, to do their job without living in fear,” AG Healey said. “We’re calling on Congress to pass this legislation that will help ensure the safety and security of judges and their families.”

 

            According to today’s letter, four federal judges have been murdered since 1979, including District Judge John Wood, District Judge Richard Daronco, Circuit Judge Robert Vance and District Judge John Roll. In 2005, two of District Judge Joan Lefkow’s family members were killed in a targeted attack on her home. Incidents and threats against federal judges and others protected by the U.S. Marshals Service have been on the rise in recent years with 4,449 occurring in 2019, up from 2,357 in 2016.

 

            Introduced in the Senate on September 24, 2020 and in the House on October 13, 2020, the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act would:

 

  • Protect judges and their families by requiring federal agencies to maintain the confidentiality of judges’ personally identifiable information (home addresses, Social Security numbers, contact information, tax records, vehicle information, and the names and schools of their immediate family) upon request;
  • Authorize funding for state and local governments to adopt similar measures;
  • Prohibit data brokers from selling, licensing, trading, purchasing, or otherwise providing or making available for consideration judges’ personally identifiable information;
  • Create an enforceable mechanism for judges and their immediate family members to secure removal of their personally identifiable information from the Internet.

 

The Judicial Conference of the United States and the American Bar Association also support the legislation.