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.
他們將集中精力，籌備第二梯次行動，盡快把更多個人防護用品，捐到最需要這些用品的醫院。 網協目前仍在接受捐款，有意加入網協的支持抗疫行列者，若透過paypal捐款，可經由master.NECINA@gmail.com，若寫支票，抬頭請寫NECINA，寄到Joan Ni，396 Washington St., #318, Wellesley, MA 02481。 (更新版)
MAYOR WALSH ENACTS STRICTER MEASURES FOR SOCIAL, PHYSICAL
DISTANCING TO CURB THE IMPACT AND SPREAD OF COVID-19
BOSTON - Sunday, April 5,
2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced strict new measures for social
and physical distancing for residents in the City of Boston, in an effort to
curb the anticipated peak of COVID-19 in the coming days. The new measures align
with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and
local public health officials, and if followed by all residents, are expected
to reduce the impact and spread of COVID-19.
As of April 5, there are
1,877 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Boston residents, representing an
increase of 259 cases from the previous day. Public health modeling indicates
that Boston is only 11 days away from peak demand for hospital resources, an
estimate that emphasizes the critical need to flatten the curve
immediately.
"I cannot stress enough
that the actions we take now through the next several weeks will help curb
the spread of this virus, and save lives," said Mayor Walsh. "There
is nothing that I won't do as Mayor of the City of Boston to protect our residents,
and at this very critical time, we must do everything we can as Bostonians to
protect one another. This is bigger than any one person - this is about the
greater good of our people. Stay safe, stay inside, and let's get through
this together."
To date, nearly 45 percent of
positive tests in Boston are in people under the age of 40 and more cases of
severe illness are now being seen in young people. Further, nearly 80 percent
of positive tests are in people under the age of 60. The CDC estimates that
nationally 25 percent of people infected with COVID-19 are asymptomatic, and
may not know they are a carrier of the virus, or that they could be infecting
others. As of April 5, 15 residents of Boston have died from COVID-19.
Social and physical distancing
remain the primary strategy to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The new
measures that Mayor Walsh is putting into place strengthen the guidance
previously issued around social and physical distancing, which include
staying home as much as possible and maintaining a distance of 6 feet or more
from others. These new measures will be effective on Monday, April 6 through
Monday, May 4, 2020, and include:
Encouraging everyone to wear
a face covering over their mouth and nose when in public:
In addition to social
distancing when going out in public for an essential trip, wearing face
covers will help to reduce the risk of a person spreading the virus,
especially if they do not know they are sick. Face coverings should be
worn anytime someone is outside the home, including on walks or other
passive recreational activities.
Face coverings should
not be placed on children under 2 years of age, anyone who has trouble
breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to
remove the cover without assistance.
Face coverings can
include a cloth, scarf, bandana, etc. that cover a person's mouth and
nose. Homemade face coverings should be made of intact, close-weave
cloth and allow comfortable breathing. Visit CDC guidelines on face
coverings for more information and guidance.
Face coverings should be
frequently washed using a washing machine with detergent and hot water
and dried on a hot cycle. They can also be hand washed with soap and
warm water and left to dry.
It is advised that
residents use a face covering, as opposed to a medical grade facemasks,
in order to preserve protective equipment for health workers and those
serving on the front lines in response to COVID-19.
The Boston Public Health
Commission is issuing a Public Health Advisory for
everyone in Boston except essential workers to stay at home from 9 p.m. to 6
a.m. daily:
This advisory will
address unnecessary trips to businesses, restaurants, and other
locations, and is intended to encourage people to stay inside their
homes at night.
Residents are encouraged
to utilize delivery services as much as possible after 9 p.m.
As a reminder, residents
are encouraged to remain in their homes as much as possible throughout
the day and only leave for essential needs, including trips to the
grocery store, pharmacy, emergency meal sites and
other essential services. Residents are discouraged from visiting
essential businesses only to browse and should be mindful of only
visiting essential businesses to pick-up essential items.
Closing City parks with
recreational sports areas:
Recreational sports
areas in City parks, such as courts and fields, will be closed to limit
exposure and contact between people. As a reminder, all playgrounds in
Boston have been closed since March 20, 2020 and will remain closed.
Areas for passive recreation, like walking and jogging, will remain
open.
Additional signage will
be posted on all recreational sports areas and outside of parks that
will be closed. For a full list of park features that are closed, please
visit here.
If needed, Boston Police
are empowered to disperse gatherings and they can order people to vacate
closed sections of parks.
Recommendations for people
who are at higher risk:
For people over 65 and
those with underlying health conditions, the City of Boston encourages
taking extra precautions. Trips outside the house should only be made
when absolutely necessary, for either food or medications. Those
experiencing difficulty with access to food, please call 311 or visit here for
assistance.
In addition, taking
walks or spending time outside is discouraged for the next few weeks,
and exercising inside the home instead is encouraged as an alternative.
The underlying health
conditions that can put someone more at risk are very common and include
asthma, diabetes, heart conditions, kidney or liver disease or
conditions that can cause a person to be immunocompromised, including
cancer treatment and smoking.
In Boston, over 11
percent of adults have asthma, and the rate is higher in black (15
percent) and Latino (12 percent) residents, as well as in Dorchester
and Roxbury (15 percent each). One in four Boston public high school
students have asthma, according to the Boston Public Health
Commission.
In addition, in an effort to
limit contact, effective Tuesday, April 7, City Hall will reduce the days of
operation that it is open to the public to only Tuesdays and Fridays from 9
a.m. to 5 p.m. Public access to 1010 Massachusetts Avenue will be limited to
the Boston Public Health Commission on the 2nd Floor and residents must be
accompanied when entering the building. Additionally, everyone entering City
Hall, including employees and members of the public, will be required to
complete a self-screening for COVID-19 symptoms, including elevated
temperature. Residents are required to make appointments if they need to
visit any of the essential services offered out of City Hall, and can learn
more about the status of city departments and hours of operation here.
Resources and information
about COVID-19 are available on boston.gov/coronavirus.
Resources available on boston.gov and through City departments
include support for renters and homeowners; small businesses; free meals for
Boston students; free toiletries for Boston students; emergency childcare
centers -- including 40 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.
截至4月2日止，抗疫委員會收到的捐款已超過5萬元，也就是20萬個口罩總價10萬元的一半多，因而已先行付清10萬個口罩貨款，預定4月6日將收到這批口罩。另外10萬個口罩，該會希望各界共襄盛舉，籲請熱心支持者以支票，或是paypal捐款。支票抬頭請寫RIACA，註明
COVID-19 Fund，寄到333
Roosevelt Ave., Pawtucket, RI 02860。Paypal支付info@riaca.us。查詢可洽401-965-3666，或401-965-3152。
根據維基百科，羅德島州正式名稱是羅德島及普域敦斯農園(State
of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations)，因此人口約僅106萬的羅德島州既是全美最小州，也是美國州名最長的州，雖然三面沿海，但在COVID-19衝擊全美之際，也未倖免於難。
迄今，羅德島全州已有711人確診，14人死亡。4月3日新增的確診病例就有54宗之多。
羅德島州長雷萌朵(Gina M. Raimondo)為遏制病毒擴散，4月3日也新頒佈多項措施，包括騰出羅德島會議中心，位於克蘭斯頓市(Cranston)的舊公民銀行大樓，以及Quonset的舊Lowe’s大樓，為安置1000張病床做準備；鼓勵民眾出門戴可以自製的布口罩；直到四月底暫停發放托兒所牌照；在羅德島基金內成立500萬元的COVID-19行為健康基金；鼓勵有症狀者安排檢測，勸諭人們群聚不要超過5人等等。 (4月6日新增抗疫委員會提供的照片)
Baker-Polito Administration Releases
Income Tax Guidance and Announces Penalties Waived for Corporate Excise Returns
and Payments
BOSTON – The
Baker-Polito Administration today released guidance regarding the extension of
the 2019 state individual income tax filing and payment deadline from
April 15 to July 15 due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and announced that the
Department of Revenue (DOR) will waive any late-file and late-pay penalties for
corporate excise returns and payments due April 15 that are filed and
paid by July 15.
This guidance, publicized in the form of
a Technical Information Release (TIR) from DOR, clarifies that the extension
for personal income taxpayers applies to 2019 returns and payments as well as
the first installment of estimated tax due April 15. The second
installment of estimated tax due June 15 will also now be due
July 15.
The extension of the personal income tax
return deadline is being implemented pursuant to legislation and applies to
personal income tax, estate and trust income tax, and income tax due with a
partnership composite return with an April 15 due date. It also
applies to an April 2020 tax installment owed by a personal income taxpayer
with respect to deemed repatriated income. Taxpayers that have previously filed
their 2019 returns but have not yet made the associated payments
have until July 15 to make such payments.
Additionally, DOR will waive late-file
and late-pay penalties for corporate excise (including financial institution
and insurance premiums excise) returns and payments until July
15. The waiver of penalties applies to corporate excise returns and
payments with an original due date of April 15, including those of certain
S corporations and non-profits that file on a fiscal-year basis and have tax returns
and payments due April 15.
This income tax relief is automatic, and
taxpayers do not need to file any additional forms to qualify.
Individuals and companies 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.
For more information and to view the TIR
please click
here.
