波士頓市擴大有薪家事假 吳弭有功勞 5/1起最長12週

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF BOSTON’S PAID PARENTAL LEAVE POLICY  Expanded policy will double the time off available to eligible City of Boston employees, allowing for up to twelve weeks of paid parental leave   BOSTON - Friday, March 19, 2021 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the expansion of the City of Boston’s Paid Parental Leave Policy for eligible employees. These changes build upon Boston's first-ever Paid Parental Leave Policy, signed by Mayor Walsh in 2015. The policy will now allow for up to twelve weeks of Paid Parental Leave, doubling the previous maximum of six weeks, to employees who have worked for the City for at least one year. The new Paid Parental Leave Policy takes effect May 1, 2021. "The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us that working families are the backbone of our economy,” said Mayor Walsh. “Now more than ever, it’s important to support working families who have navigated many challenges over the past year, including managing childcare. Paid Parental Leave is a critical tool that ensures working families have the resources they need during a very busy time in their lives. I was proud to enact the City’s first Paid ftParental Leave policy, and I’m delighted to continue the City’s progress by expanding these benefits even further.” “The City of Boston is committed to the health and well-being of our employees. By doubling the City’s Paid Parental Leave, we are improving a benefit that supports our employees and their families. Mayor Walsh has been committed to re-envisioning the City of Boston as a modern, employee-focused employer. This enhanced policy further demonstrates his commitment to improving the employee experience and will ensure that the City continues to attract and retain quality talent to public service,” said Emme Handy, Chief of Administration and Finance. The City’s expanded Paid Parental Leave policy features: ·    Up to twelve (12) weeks of Paid Parental Leave to be taken during the first year after the birth or adoption of the child or children. ·    Applies to employees, both non-union and union, who are covered by a collective bargaining agreement that explicitly provides for this benefit. Employees must have worked for the City for a minimum of one year to be eligible. ·    If both parents are employed by the City and meet the eligibility criteria, each employee is separately entitled to up to twelve (12) weeks of Paid Parental Leave. “The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced that working parents face daunting challenges that are not being met by today’s labor market,” said Dr. Jonathan Gruber, Ford Professor of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “The U.S. has lagged behind the rest of the world in providing the type of paid leave that is essential to allowing for both healthy child development and healthy careers for parents. Boston was already a leader in providing paid leave, and this extension continues that leadership. The innovative plan will make it possible for new parents to take the time they need to recover, and it is fiscally responsible in providing the most generous benefits for the first month while still providing partial pay through twelve weeks. I applaud Boston for this bold and innovative step.” Compensation under the expanded Paid Parental Leave will be structured as follows: 100-percent for the first 4 weeks; 75-percent for weeks 5 through 8; and 50-percent for weeks 9 through 12. As a State Representative, Mayor Walsh was the lead sponsor of the legislation that went into effect on April 7, 2015, which updated the former Massachusetts Maternity Leave Act of 1972, renamed it the Massachusetts Parental Leave Act and codified that it would be available for all couples for the first time. In 2015, Mayor Walsh implemented the City’s first-ever Paid Parental Leave Policy that provided up to six weeks of paid parental leave. The original policy provided the foundation for the current policy expansion.  Statement: Michelle Wu on Today's City of Boston Announcement of Paid Leave Expansion Boston, MA— The following statement can be attributed to Boston City Councilor and Mayoral Candidate Michelle Wu: “Six years ago, as a new City Councilor and a new mom, I was proud to introduce Boston’s first ever paid parental leave ordinance. Our legislation set a standard for government agencies and employers across the country to support working families and guarantee equity for families of all types. As a working mom with two young kids, I know the near-impossible juggle that so many of our Boston families are bearing, especially as so many have been further destabilized through the pandemic. Paid leave, childcare, and schools are critical infrastructure for our families and our economy. I’m running for Mayor to bring bold, urgent leadership in making Boston a city for everyone--the most family-friendly city in the country.” Context:  City Council approves paid parental leave measure. Boston Globe, 4/29/15 City council president: Why I’m bringing my baby to work, Michelle Wu, CNN, 11/3/17 A bold plan to close the early education and childcare gap, Michelle Wu for Mayor Campaign, 3/2/21 Boston to double paid leave: Mayor Marty Walsh, Twitter, 2/19/21

全國亞裔總商會3/25 新冠病毒疫苗相關議題聆聽會

 

Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship

YSmsteSgssdpsthoerdasyglt nastt 1oirmm:e1r8cd PMmuu  · 

Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship

(National ACE) Board Chair, Dr. Karen Eng will emcee a National #AAPI #COVID19 Vaccine Learning and Listening Session on March 25, 2021, beginning at 7 p.m./Eastern. This conversation will include health and wellness specialists from

Walmart

.

Special thanks to our co-hosts from

APIA Scholars

The Center for Asian Pacific American Women (CAPAW)

, Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA),

Pacific Island Knowledge 2 Action Resources

and many others.

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://iwgroup-agency.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMtc-6qqTktE9Kg1PjCRO0ir3_h-SH_TtEv?fbclid=IwAR09PKmnYf6PDN1m4Pk0A7WlMT-QWPsK2HNLR6jqzBRVCSohHsIbdcXkelU

波士頓市 3月22日起第四階段第一步驟重新開放 聚會人數限制戶外100室內60

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES BOSTON TO MOVE INTO MODIFIED PHASE 4, STEP 1 OF THE MASSACHUSETTS REOPENING PLAN

 

BOSTON - Friday, March 19, 2021 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that the City of Boston will move into a modified Phase 4, Step 1 of the state’s Reopening Massachusetts plan, effective Monday, March 22, 2021. The City will allow additional activities, businesses and venues to resume or expand operations in light of improved trends in COVID-19 cases and vaccinations, as well as the state’s continued effort to expand eligibility and access to the vaccine. Boston’s measured approach to reopening aims to mitigate the pandemic’s economic impact while prioritizing public health. The City of Boston will not advance beyond the reopening steps outlined today until the citywide testing positivity rate stays below 2.75 percent, as calculated by the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC), for two consecutive weeks. “Since the beginning of the pandemic, our response to COVID-19 has prioritized public health, while recognizing the need to protect the economic wellbeing of our businesses and residents,” said Mayor Walsh. “As our city reopens, we need everyone to recommit themselves to following the public health guidance. It’s incumbent on each of us to stay vigilant, even as we reopen more parts of our economy. It’s thanks to everyone’s cooperation throughout the pandemic that we’re able to open further.” In Boston, all private gatherings and events will remain subject to current capacity limits of 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors. Public gatherings in Boston may increase to 60 people indoors and 100 people outdoors, lower than the Commonwealth's limits of 100 and 150 people, respectively. In alignment with the Commonwealth, the following industries in the City of Boston may reopen or resume on Monday, March 22, subject to certain capacity limits and safety measures:  ·    Indoor performance venues, such as concert halls, theaters, and other seated indoor performance spaces can open at 50 percent capacity, with a 500-person maximum capacity. ·    Indoor recreational activities with greater potential for contact, such as escape rooms, laser tag, roller skating, trampolines, and obstacle courses can open at 50 percent capacity. ·    Approved live entertainment may resume in restaurants, except singing. Brass and woodwind instruments are discouraged. ·    Indoor and outdoor stadiums, arenas, ballparks or venues with capacity of 5,000 people or more can host spectators at 12 percent capacity. These venues must submit a COVID Response Plan to the City of Boston’s Licensing Board before beginning to host events. ·    Overnight summer camps will be allowed to operate. ·    Exhibition and convention halls can reopen, subject to gathering limits and event rules. ·    Dance floors will be permitted at weddings and other approved events only. The following activities and businesses will not be allowed to reopen until further notice: ·    Road races, street festivals, parades and fairs ·    Amusement parks, theme parks, outdoor and indoor water parks ·    Indoor and outdoor ball pits ·    Saunas, hot tubs, and steam rooms at fitness centers, health clubs and other facilities ·    Beer gardens, breweries, wineries, and distilleries ·    Bars, dance clubs and nightclubs, offering entertainment, beverages or dancing without seated food service As of March 11, the City was averaging 152.6 COVID-19 positive cases per day, with a citywide positivity rate of 3.5 percent. More detailed data related to COVID-19 in Boston is available on BPHC’s website. As of March 10, 23.7 percent of Boston residents 16 years-old or older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 13.3 percent are fully vaccinated.  For more information about the City of Boston’s reopening plan, visit boston.gov/reopening. For more information about the Massachusetts reopening guidelines, visit mass.gov/reopening.

Harvard Standing Against Anti-Asian Racism

貼文 更新版

HCSSA｜我们站在一起—哈佛校长致全体成员的一封信

Original HCSSA 哈佛大学中国学生学者联合会

Dear Members of the Harvard Community,

For the past year, Asians, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders have been blamed for the pandemic—slander born of xenophobia and ignorance. Our own friends and colleagues have had insults and racial slurs thrown at them. Footage of individuals being targeted and assaulted has driven home a rise in aggression and violence across the nation. Today, we continue to reel in the wake of eight murders in Georgia—six of the victims of Asian descent—and to contend with events that shock the collective conscience.

在过去的一年中，亚洲人，亚裔美国人和太平洋岛民因新冠大流行而受到指责-这是一种由仇外心理和无知导致的诽谤。不仅是我们身边的朋友和同事遭遇了不合常理的侮辱和种族蔑称，过去几个月中在网上传播的袭击亚裔的视频更是暴露了一个可怕的事实—全国针对亚裔的侵犯和暴力行为正在增长。而今，佐治亚州发的八起谋杀案--其中六名受害者为亚裔--再次震惊了我们的良知。

It has become politic to abhor the act rather than the actor, to speak of hate and violence as if they exist independently of those who perpetrate them. People hate; people speak; people act. Each of us must respond in both words and deeds, demonstrating the good that comes from building a community made stronger by difference. Harvard must stand as a bulwark against hatred and bigotry. We welcome and embrace individuals from every background because it makes us a better community, a stronger community. An attack on any group of us is an attack on all of us—and on everything we represent as an institution.

如今我们习惯于谴责暴力行为而非施暴者，讨论暴力和仇恨时往往忽视了那些始作俑者。这些人心生不满，传播憎恨，进而造成了一系列暴力行为。对于这种现象，我们每个人都必须行动起来，建立一个因多元而变得更强大的社会，以及努力展现这种包容性所带来的种种益处。哈佛人必须团结起来反对仇恨和偏执，去欢迎、拥抱来自各个背景的个人，因为他们使我们成为一个更优秀，更强大的集体。攻击我们中的一个群体即是攻击我们所有人，也是攻击我们作为一所大学所代表的一切理念。

Each of us can offer comfort and support to members of our community who are feeling targeted and vulnerable. As always, if you or someone you know has experienced a racist attack, please contact the Harvard University Police Department. You may also share concerns by submitting an anonymous report through the University’s dedicated hotline either online or by phone at 1-877-694-2275.

我们每个人都可以向感到被针对和需要帮助的同伴提供安慰和支持。与往常一样，如果你或你认识的某个人遭受种族主义袭击，请联系哈佛大学警察局。你也可以通过大学的专用在线平台（请点击阅读原文）或通过电话1-877-694-2275提交匿名报告来诉说你的

担忧。

I long for the day when I no longer have to send such messages. It is our collective responsibility to repair this imperfect world. To Asians, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders in our community: We stand together with you today and every day going forward.

我希望有一天我将不再需要发送此类消息。修复这个不完美的世界是我们共同的责任。对于我们身边的亚裔，亚裔美国人以及太平洋岛民，我想说：自始至终，我们将一直与你站在一起。

Sincerely,

Larry

About HCSSA

      哈佛大学中国学生学者联合会成立于1994年，是哈佛大学最大的学生组织，也逐渐成长为美东地区最有影响力的中国学生学者组织之一。

      哈佛学联致力于维护学生学者利益，以及促进哈佛中国学生学者与其他组织的社交，学术和文化交流。

Standing Against Anti-Asian Racism

March 18, 2021

Dear FAS Community,
 
Many of us woke up yesterday to the horrific news of the vicious and deadly attack in Atlanta, the latest in a wave of increasing violence targeting the Asian, Asian-American, and Pacific Islander community. After a year of unprecedented loss and trauma, it stuns me to silence to witness once again how misplaced fears and prejudice can be weaponized to wreak havoc in our time. My heart breaks for the families and friends who lost loved ones on Tuesday night, and for the millions in the AAPI community who don’t feel safe today because of the possibility of racist violence, and the ongoing scapegoating that fuels it.
 
This violence has a history. From Chinese Exclusion to the nativist rhetoric amplified during the pandemic, anti-Asian hostility has deep roots in American culture, and remains an ever-present threat to the safety and well-being of family and friends, neighbors and colleagues, regardless of citizenship. As a society it is past time to reckon with a history that has denied Asian-Americans the respect and dignity that is a shared birthright. Until we confront it, and until we commit to the necessary work of repair, we will never achieve the promise of a more perfect union. 
 
Our institutional commitment to truth and the advancement of knowledge means we have a role to play in fighting the false narratives that drive racist violence. We stand in solidarity with the members of the AAPI community here at Harvard and across the nation, and we recognize that this struggle belongs to all of us.
 
Sincerely,
Claudine
__________________
Claudine Gay
Edgerley Family Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences

See also: Messages from the Dean

3月22日起麻州第四階段開放

(Boston Orange編譯)麻州政府今(18)日宣佈，由公共衛生指標持續向正確方向發展，麻州開放腳步也將向前再邁進一步，3月22日起進入第四階段第一步驟。同日起，麻州的旅行禁令也將改為旅行忠告。

人們聚會的人數限制，也將放寬為室內100人，戶外150人。在私人住宅的戶外或後院聚會的人數限制，將維持為限25人，室內的住宅聚會也維持限10人的規定。

麻州政府同時宣佈，麻州成長資本公司(MGCC)撥發第10輪新冠病毒(COVID-19)紓困補助約3100萬元給710家小企業，

關於第四階段第一步驟，以及聚會改變:

             3月1日起，麻州放寬幾種產業的容納量限制，並推進到第三步驟第二階段。那之後，住院率下降了20%，死亡率下降了24%。在長照機構的新增確診案7天平均率也下降了53%，病毒確診率已有好幾星期維持在2%已下了，新增確診個案的7天平均率也下降了7%。

             基於以上的疫情改善，麻州政府宣佈州內所有社區從3月22日起跨入重新開放計畫的第四階段第一步驟。大型運動、娛樂場，例如室內及戶外體育館，舞台，球場等，向麻州公共衛生廳遞交計畫後，將可以12%的容納量營運。

             人們聚會的人數限制，也將放寬為室內100人，戶外150人。

             跳舞池將只准在婚禮或其他活動使用，過夜的夏令營將可於今下舉辦。遵循人數限制及活動規範的展覽及會議廳也可以開始營運。其他的第四階段行業仍將維持關閉狀態。

             在旅行方面的規定，3月22日起，旅行禁令將由旅行忠告取代。新的旅行忠告將鼓勵所有進入麻州人士，包括回麻州的居民，如果在外州逗留時間超過24小時，抵達麻州後應檢疫10天。

             14天前已打過兩劑輝瑞或Mordena疫苗，或者打過一劑強生(J&J)疫苗者，將不受限制。

             麻州政府鼓勵旅行者諮詢並遵循聯邦疾病防治中心的旅行相關指導原則及規定。

             在新冠病毒紓困小企業濟助上。MGCC再撥款3100萬元給710家小企業。迄今麻州已撥發6億6330萬元直接資助14,056家企業。這第10輪撥款中有327家少數族裔企業，293家婦女經營企業獲得資助。240家獲得撥款者坐落在門戶城市內，245家之前沒有收到過補助。

             MGCC很快將會宣佈為小企業提供技術援助及社區發展的新一輪資金。

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Transition to Phase IV of Reopening Plan

Massachusetts will advance to Step 1 of Phase IV on March 22; Replaces Travel Order with Travel Advisory

BOSTON — Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that Massachusetts will advance to Step 1 of Phase IV of the Commonwealth’s reopening plan on Monday, March 22. 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 also continues to be a national leader in vaccination rates. The Administration also replaced the Massachusetts Travel Order originally issued in July 2020 with a Travel Advisory, effective March 22. 

In addition, the Administration also announced nearly $31 million in awards to 710 additional small businesses in the tenth round of COVID-19 relief grants administered by the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC). 

Phase IV, Step 1 and Gathering Changes:

On March 1, Massachusetts loosened capacity restrictions for several industries and advanced to Step 2 of Phase III of the reopening plan. Since then, hospitalizations dropped by 20% and deaths dropped by 24%. The seven day average of new cases in long-term care facilities dropped by 53%. The positive test rate remains below 2% and has been for several weeks now. The seven day average of new cases is also down over this time by 7%. 

Effective Monday, March 22, all communities in Massachusetts will move into Step 1 of Phase IV of the state’s reopening plan. This will open a range of previously closed business sectors under tight capacity restrictions that are expected to be adjusted over time if favorable trends in the public health data continue. Effective on the planned advancement to Step 1 of Phase IV, the following large capacity sports and entertainment venues will be permitted to operate at a strict 12% capacity limit after submitting a plan to the Department of Public Health (DPH):

• Indoor and outdoor stadiums

• Arenas

• Ballparks

Also effective on March 22, gathering limits for event venues and in public settings will increase to 100 people indoors and 150 people outdoors. Outdoor gatherings at private residences and in private backyards will remain at a maximum of 25 people, with indoor house gatherings remaining at 10 people.

Additionally, dance floors will be permitted at weddings and other events only, and overnight summer camps will be allowed to operate this coming summer. Exhibition and convention halls may also begin to operate, following gatherings limits and event protocols. Other Phase IV sectors must continue to remain closed.

Travel Order: 

Effective Monday, March 22, the Massachusetts Travel Order will be replaced with a Travel Advisory. 

The new travel advisory will urge all persons entering Massachusetts, including returning residents, are advised to quarantine for 10 days upon their arrival if they have been out of the state for 24 hours or more. 

The advisory does not apply to anyone in the following categories:

• Anyone who is returning to Massachusetts after an absence of fewer than 24 hours. 

• Travelers who have a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72 hours prior to their arrival in Massachusetts. 

• Workers who enter Massachusetts to perform critical infrastructure functions (as specified by the Federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) while they are commuting to or from or while at work.

• Travelers who are fully vaccinated (i.e. who have received two doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines OR who have received a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, 14 days or more ago and who do not have symptoms). 

Travelers are additionally encouraged to consult and follow the CDC’s guidelines and requirements for travel. 

COVID-19 Business Relief Grants:

Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced approximately $31 million in awards for 710 additional businesses in the tenth round of COVID relief grants administered by the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC). As in prior rounds, each grant recipient meets sector or demographic priorities set for the grant programs administered by MGCC. 

With the addition of this round of grants, the Administration has awarded over $633 million in direct financial support to 14,056 businesses across the Commonwealth. 
Grants for this round were awarded to 327 minority-owned, and 293 women-owned, businesses; 240 recipients are located in Gateway Cities, and 245 businesses awarded grants have not received any prior aid.

Additionally, MGCC will soon be announcing the availability of funding to support small business technical assistance and community development financial institutions.