白宮批准麻州為COVID-19重災區 將增撥補助

            (Boston Orange 編譯)麻州州長辦公室公告，在州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)要求下，白宮及聯邦緊急管理局(FEMA)今(28)日宣佈，川普總統明定麻州為重大災區(Major Disaster Declaration)，將可享有比他在3月13日所宣佈緊急令更多的聯邦資助。

            增加的補助包括公共援助項目，以及個人援助項目。

            在公共援助項目上，根據聯邦緊急管理局的重大災區項目，受影響的地方政府，州政府機構，以及某些私營非牟利組織，為因應災情採取緊急保護措施而支付的相關費用，有75%可獲補償。符合緊急保護辦法的包括無家可歸個人及家庭，以及急救人員的非聚集隔離開銷，還有其他形式，有適當記錄的開銷。

            在個人援助項目上，根據聯邦緊急管理局的重大災區項目，將為麻州精神健康署提供經費，經由電話，網路科技援助心理受COVID-19影響的個人及家庭。

            麻州緊急管理局將透過網路講座，為地方市政，洲府機構及符合資格的非牟利機構，提供關於申請公共援助的手續，以及其他資訊。

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Federal Disaster Declaration for COVID-19 Response

BOSTON – In response to Governor Charlie Baker’s request for federal disaster assistance, the White House and FEMA announced today that the President has issued a Major Disaster Declaration that will make federal disaster assistance available beyond what was included in the Emergency Declaration declared by President Trump on March 13, 2020. 

Public Assistance Program - Under FEMA’s Public Assistance Program within the Major Disaster Declaration, affected local governments, state agencies and certain private non-profit organizations statewide will be reimbursed for 75% of their costs associated with response and emergency protective measures. The eligible emergency protective measures include non-congregate isolation and quarantine costs for homeless individuals and families as well as first responders as well as other types of properly documented costs.

Individual Assistance Program – Under FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program within the Major Disaster Declaration, Crisis Counseling Assistance will provide funding for the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health to assist individuals and families in recovering from the psychological effects of the COVID -19 outbreak through electronic phone and chat technology.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency will provide webinars and other information about the process for applying for the Public Assistance Program to municipal and state officials and eligible non-profits. See here for more information.

麻州亞美局譴責眾議員Moulton 稱眾院法案H. Res907有損亞裔尊嚴

Why Congressman Moulton’s Apology Must Be Accompanied By Action

Earlier this week, MA Congressman Seth Moulton (D-6th District) became the lone Democratic lawmaker to place 

his support behind H. Res 907 which blamed the Chinese government for the COVID-19 crisis. Over a dozen Republican members of Congress joined him.

We condemn the ill-conceived and ill-timed resolution. H. Res 907 puts at risk the dignity and well being of AAPIs in the US and abroad just as our communities are experiencing escalating hostilities including verbal and physical attacks as bigots and racists look for a scapegoat for COVID-19.

We demand elected officials refrain from exploiting a global pandemic for the purpose of staking a foreign policy claim.

In the wake of a significant backlash, Congressman Moulton recently released a statement withdrawing his name from the resolution and offered an apology. While his withdrawal of support for the resolution is significant, he must work to convince remaining co-signers to do the same. Just as he led the drive to round up co-sponsors, he must lead the drive to recall the resolution and mitigate the harm, injury and distress he’s inflicted upon our communities.

Otherwise, the Congressman can keep his apology

The Asian American Commission of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts was created by legislation on October 29, 2006. This Commission recognizes that the Asian American community is the fastest growing minority group in Massachusetts. The goal of the AAC is to recognize, as well as highlight, the vital contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to the social, cultural, economic, and political life of the Commonwealth. Additionally, the AAC is involved in identifying and addressing the various needs and challenges that currently face the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. The Commission provides a permanent, effective voice for Asian Americans, and is comprised of 21 diverse members who are appointed by the Governor, Attorney General, Auditor, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Secretary of State, and the Treasurer.
 

For more information on the Asian American Commission please visit http://www.aacommission.org/

美國COVID-19確診人數逾10萬 超過中國 攀升至全球第一位

APAICS COVID-19 Community Resources

APAICS COVID-19 Community Resources  In this tumultuous time, APAICS and our partners have taken decisive action to protect the safety and health of our community. At APAICS we have taken proactive steps to minimize exposure to COVID-19, including: ·    Instituting teleworking for our staff; ·    Participating in briefings to inform the public and offer solutions to the growing wave of anti-Asian sentiment; ·    Offering our trainings online including our Women’s Collective ReflectUs Webinar on March 26; ·    Launching our new, webinar-based programming “APAICS in Conversation” in April to promote AAPIs and our APAICS alumni and to create a sense of community; and ·    Keeping our APAICS community updated on our actions regarding Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. We are also pleased that our partners are leading efforts both nationally and globally in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. APAICS appreciates their efforts and would like to highlight the work they are doing to ensure the safety and financial security of our nation: Communications AT&T is removing data caps, offering discounts, providing access to broadband to underserved communities and ensuring students and workers can telework. Charter Communications is offering free access to high-speed broadband internet and Wi-Fi to low-income households, college students, and households with K-12 students, ensuring they have access to continue their education. Comcast is opening its Wi-Fi hotspots for public use, offering low-income households free access to the internet and at a higher speed, and creating new education content and information on COVID-19 on its servers. Verizon is donating millions of dollars and offering high-speed data to support small businesses, offering flexible payment options and free access to the internet to low-income families, offering free international calls to the CDC, and creating a COVID-19 hub page. Health Care Industries Bristol Myers Squibb, Gilead and PhRMA are all working to beat COVID-19 by coordinating with government agencies worldwide and taking proactive steps to protect their workers. Manufacturing Toyota Motor North America is utilizing several of the company’s North American facilities to create face shields while collaborating with medical device companies to speed the manufacture of ventilators, respirators and other vital devices for hospitals. Hyundai is donating millions to children’s hospitals throughout the U.S. to support COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testing Centers. Retail Amazon is donating millions to get critical items to people in quarantine, providing additional resources and compensation for their employees, and combating price gouging. Pepsico is working to ensure the safety of our food supply and is donating nutritious meals to out-of-school students and at-risk families. Walmart is donating millions to strengthen the global public health response, bolster food security, and support the needs of local communities in the U.S. and internationally. Wells Fargo is suspending residential foreclosure sales, fee waivers, and donating millions to those most vulnerable to help address food, shelter, small business, and housing stability. Technology Dell is donating millions across the world to communities and front-line organizations working to treat and contain COVID-19, and is donating and leveraging its technology to deliver support where it's needed most. Google is donating millions to the global COVID-19 relief and is partnering with the US government to develop a website dedicated to COVID-19, creating COVID-19 PSAs over its websites, and removing misinformation on its websites, platforms, and its ads. APAICS 1001 Connecticut Ave NW Suite 320 Washington, DC 20036 United States Connect with us ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

麻州確診人數累計3240 新添823宗 35人死亡 公共衛生廳長Bharel確診

麻州公共衛生廳廳長Monica Bharel在記者會中回答問題。
(檔案照片，周菊子攝)

             ( Boston Orange 編譯)麻州的新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)疫情，持續升溫，今(27)日再添823人確診，10人死亡，累計確診總數已達3240，死亡人數也增為35。傍晚時分還又傳出麻州公共衛生廳廳長Monica Bharel也確診了的消息。

              10名新增死者，6名女性，4名男性，年齡在60到90歲之間，感染新型冠狀病毒前，全都有病在身，分別住在Bristol，Barnstable，Middlesex，Franklin，Berkshire，以及Norfolk等郡。麻州感染新型冠狀病毒死亡者現已累計至35人。

              截至今日，共有29,371名麻州居民做過COVID-19檢測，和昨日的5,750相比，增幅驚人。麻州公共衛生聽表示，這主要是因為現在麻州公共衛生聽之外。有20家診所，商業實驗室加入了檢測行列。

              根據聯邦疾病防治中心數據，全美現有85,356人確診，1246人死亡。無論是麻州或聯邦政府，現在都要求民住避免群聚，彼此保持6英尺的安全距離，不要握手、擁抱，想見面就打電話，用Facetime等網路聊天。

              查詢麻州的COVID-19最新狀況，民眾可發短信”COVIDMA”到888-777，藉以收取書面文字警告。查詢更多資訊可上網，www.mass.gov/cpvod19。查詢一般事務，可撥打211。

              麻州公共衛生廳廳長Monica Bharel是在週四晚做檢測，週五傍晚獲悉確診結果，並發佈消息。她說自己的症狀輕微，將待在家中繼續遠距工作，州政府辦公室那兒這週末會徹底的全面清潔。

              由於一直以來，Monica Bharel在麻州政府中是處理疫情的重要成員之一，和州長，副州長，健康及人民務長等人密切合作。和她有接觸的這些人是否需要自我隔離，還不明確。

              近來不斷傳出名人、高官確診的消息。前兩天，有英國查理王子確診，今日一早，又傳英國首相 Boris Johnson以視頻公佈自己確診。

              麻州高官中，Monica Bharel還是第一個傳出確診的人。
                            各醫院診所的醫護人員，在搶救民眾之際，自己暴露於危險之中，麻州已有至少160餘名醫護人員確診，各大醫院都面對人員、物資告急窘境，許多華人社團或個人已紛紛發起籌款募資，蒐購口罩，捐給醫院，警察，消防員等活動。

查理貝克要求非麻州人入境後自我隔離14天

(Boston Orange 編譯)麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)為加強控制新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)的散佈，今(27)日在每日疫情會報中表示，即日起，外來旅客進麻州之後，需自我隔離14天。

                        查理貝克表示，紐約市及三州區是他主要的顧慮。

麻州健康及人民服務長Marylou承認，麻州已有社區傳染現象，希望民眾加強防範。

紐約市是全美新型冠狀病毒中心，在全美染患新型冠狀病毒而死的1325人當中，有469人住在紐約。

有醫學界人士表示，其他美國城市疫情加重，是遲早的事。紐約市Well Cornell醫學院傳染病教授Yet Kent Sepkowitz表示，紐澳良的情況也在惡化，未來幾星期，底特律和許多其他城市都會出現”紐約故事”。

昨(26)日，美國的COVID-19確診人數已超過中國的81,340，躍居世界第一。截至今早11點，美國已有約86,000人確診。

查理貝克的旅行禁令適用於所有從外地進入波士頓的人，包括從羅根機場搭飛機，南車站搭火車、巴士，以及開車進麻州的人。醫護工作人員，公共衛生工作人員，運輸業工作人員可豁免。

查理貝克鼓勵人們在發現自己有輕微症狀時，使用遠距醫療服務，或找網路上的醫藥資訊，不要上門找醫生。當然需要急救的情況不同。

麻州收入所得稅申報日期延至7月15日

            (Boston  Orange 編譯)   麻州州長Charlie Baker，副州長Karyn Polito和參議會議長Karen Spilka，眾議會議長Robert DeLeo今(27)日聯袂宣佈，由於新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)疫情爆發狀況持續，2019年的麻州個人所得稅申報截止日期，由4月15日展延至7月15日。

             這一展延自動生效，民眾不須遞交任何申請。

Massachusetts Announces State Income Tax Filing Deadline Being Extended to July 15

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Robert DeLeo today announced an agreement to extend the 2019 state individual income tax filing and payment deadline from April 15 to July 15 due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. This income tax relief is automatic and taxpayers do not need to file any additional forms to qualify.

“Massachusetts will move the state personal income tax filing and payment deadline to July 15, consistent with the federal government, in order to provide additional flexibility to filers during this crisis,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “In partnership with our colleagues in the Legislature, we are committed to providing this flexibility to taxpayers in a way that protects the Commonwealth’s strong fiscal footing that we have all worked hard to develop over the past several years.”

“We are proud to work with the Legislature to provide meaningful relief to people throughout the Commonwealth during this public health emergency,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “This extension will afford taxpayers additional time to file their Massachusetts individual income tax returns as we carry out the historic response to the COVID-19 outbreak.”

"The top priority during this public health crisis is to address the immediate needs facing our residents,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka. “Our message is clear: residents should stay home and avoid social contact to be safe. Extending the tax deadline helps us accomplish that goal and provides peace of mind. I want to thank Chair Rodrigues, as well as our partners in the House and the Administration for their continued collaboration in confronting the challenges facing our Commonwealth."

“The House, in partnership with the Senate and the Administration, agreed to an extension of the state tax filing deadline to ease the burden on individuals while agreeing to borrowing measures that would protect the Commonwealth’s revenue stream,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo. “Thank you to Chair Michlewitz for his leadership in ensuring the Commonwealth’s fiscal viability while providing tax relief to those unduly effected by this crisis.”

Today’s announcement will move the state income tax filing deadline to match the July 15 deadline for filing federal individual income taxes. Legislation will be filed in the near future to finance the extension, and accompanying administrative changes will be implemented through the Department of Revenue. Specifically, the legislation will authorize the Commonwealth borrowing flexibility to manage deferred revenue this fiscal year and repay it in the next fiscal year, which starts July 1, 2020. 

Individuals with questions or concerns regarding taxes can contact the Massachusetts Department of Revenue at (617) 887-6367 or send a secure e-message through MassTaxConnect.

The Commonwealth will continue to update the public on further developments and individuals are encouraged to consult both the Department of Public Health and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention websites for the most up to date information.

The latest information and guidance regarding COVID-19 is always available at mass.gov/COVID19.

波士頓市放寬停車規定 餐館門前可臨停5分鐘

            (Boston Orange 編譯)波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)今(25)日宣佈，在波士頓市因應新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)大流行之際，放寬某些停車規定。

               現在，有居民停車證的人，在他們的居住區內，可以免費，而且不限時間的使用計時停車位。醫護專業人士可以免費或減免費用的使用某些停車場。餐館可以要求在他們餐館所在樓宇前設置臨時停車位，供客人暫停5分鐘，拿取外賣。

             有意申請這臨時停車位的餐館，可上市政府網站提出要求，市政府將視個案情況批准。

             馬丁華殊早前還說，車輛也不會因為街道清潔而被開罰單或拖走。

             查找停車場的完整名單，可上網: https://www.boston.gov/news/discounted-garages-available-hospital-staff-boston。

             波士頓市和布魯克蘭鎮(Brookline)，劍橋市，艾佛瑞市(Everett)，以及尚莫維爾市(Somerville)合作，將為所有的醫院職工提供共享單車藍單車(blue bikes)的30天免費證。查詢詳情可上網visit boston.gov

             更多的有關COVID-19資源，可在波市府的網站boston.gov/coronavirus上查找。

             查詢更多項目或資訊，可上網boston.gov/coronavirus，或打電話到311，這波士頓市的24小時選民熱線，或發短訊BOSCOVID到99411這號碼去，就會定期收到以6種語言發出的文字提醒。

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES TEMPORARY PARKING ENFORCEMENT CHANGES BOSTON - Thursday, March 26, 2020 - To address the transportation needs of residents, health care providers and businesses during the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Boston Transportation Department (BTD) today announced updated enforcement regulations and transportation services.  "During this challenging time, we're doing all we can to keep our residents healthy and safe," said Mayor Walsh. "We understand transportation is a need and concern for residents and medical professionals, and these updated policies will help everyone during this ongoing public health crisis."  The following updates to parking enforcement policies are in effect until further notice in the City of Boston: Resident Parking  Residents with a valid resident permit sticker will be allowed to park in a metered or two-hour parking space, without having to adhere to the time limit or pay a meter fee, within their specific neighborhood.  For cars without the relevant resident permit parking sticker, standard time limit and meter requirements remain in place. Street Cleaning BTD has not been ticketing and towing for street cleaning, given challenges to finding alternative places to park in neighborhoods.  Inspection Stickers and Registration BTD will not ticket for expired inspection stickers or registrations, given potential challenges for people to renew inspections and registrations at this time. Parking Garages To support the medical community, BTD has identified facilities offering free, reduced rate or reserved parking for medical professionals. To receive discounted parking, medical staff will need to present a hospital ID.To see the list of participating facilities, please visit: https://www.boston.gov/news/discounted-garages-available-hospital-staff-boston BlueBikes  The City of Boston and its municipal partners of Brookline, Cambridge, Everett, and Somerville are offering all hospital staff a free 30-day pass for our public bike share, Bluebikes. To learn more about how to sign up for the program, visit boston.gov .  Pick Up/Drop Off Zones for Small Businesses  To help small businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19, BTD is creating temporary pick up zones in front of restaurants that have transitioned to takeout and delivery only. Takeout food pickup zones restrict parking to five minutes to increase convenience for the quick pickup and delivery of takeout food from restaurants, and provide adequate room for social distancing of six feet or more. Restaurants that would like to request a temporary pick up zone can do so on boston.gov. Requests will be evaluated on a case by case basis.  With the exception of those changes noted above, BTD will continue to enforce parking violations, with a focus on public safety violations, such as blocking a hydrant, sidewalk or handicap ramp. Additional resources and information about COVID-19 are available on boston.gov/coronavirus. Resources available on boston.gov and through City departments, including support for small businesses; free meals for Boston students; free toiletries for Boston students; emergency childcare centers -- including 27 centers in Boston -- support for older residents; information on homeless shelters; transportation options for healthcare workers; resources for those in recovery or those who have a substance use disorder; and mental health resources.  For additional questions or programs, please visit  boston.gov/coronavirus or call 3-1-1, Boston's 24-hour constituent hotline. Text BOSCOVID to 99411 to receive text alerts on a regular basis, available in six languages.