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星期二, 4月 07, 2020

FDA批准3家麻州醫院試用日本藥Avigan治療COVID-19


(Boston Orange 編譯)麻州有3家醫院今(7)日獲聯邦藥品監管局(FDA)批准,用一種日本治流感的藥來治療新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)
3家醫院為麻省總醫院(MGH),布里吉婦女醫院(BWH),以及位於屋斯特的麻州大學紀念醫院。
                           他們將拿日本的抗病毒藥favipiravir,來做小型隨機試驗,看看那對治療感染新型冠狀病毒的病人有沒效。
日本政府一直在吹捧品牌名為Avigan的這藥,可能是治療新型冠狀病毒的藥。中國方面的醫藥權威在做了兩次臨床實驗後,稱這藥在治療新型冠狀病毒上明顯有效。
由麻州研究者計畫的這美國首次試驗,將在州內3個地點,用於5050名病人身上。其中一組會隨著正常標準治療,一起使用這藥,一組將只做新型冠狀病毒病人目前接受的正常治療。其他的細節還未立即訂定。
由於大多數專家說,要等聯邦調查局批准批准的疫苗出現,至少得一年。這一臨床試驗變得更為重要。
                        麻省總醫院領導團隊審視所有新型冠狀病毒相關臨床試驗,並決定該院是否參與的Keith T. Flaherty博士表示,他的團隊迄今已斟酌推敲了30種可能的試驗。
日本的這要是由富士影片麾下的製藥子公司10 多年前生產,來治療新出現,以及重新出現的流感。有些病毒學家及立法者憂慮在未做進一步測試下,就把這要用來治療新型冠狀病毒。不過據說川普政府積極推動FDA以緊急治療方式來批准這藥。
                         中國研究者做了兩次favipiravir的臨床試驗,結果報告很正面。不國這藥的發展者,Fujifilm Toyoma Chemical拒絕就中國人的說法表示意見。根據新聞報導,有些在中國境外的數據顯示,使用這藥的病人病毒更快就沒了,X光也顯示肺的改善比其他沒用這藥的病人好。
                          日本醫生現正在用這藥做他們自己的臨床試驗,治療症狀輕微或中等的新型冠狀病毒病人。
                            Favipiravir 和另外一種正在做臨床試驗,要用來治新型冠狀病毒的藥,remdesivir,很像。麻省總醫院和布里吉婦女醫院也分別在做remdesivir的試驗,並針對病毒自行複製方式及在器官內散佈方式做研究。

麻州政府撥款8億支援醫療護理機構對抗COVID-19

(Boston Orange 編譯)麻州政府今日宣佈注資8 億進麻州健康(MassHealth)”,以支援醫療護理機構對抗新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)。另派國家衛隊支援頤養院住民檢測,設立頤養院住民家屬熱線。
從本月份至7月,麻州政府新撥給麻州健康8億元經費將用於支援醫院,護理之家,提供初級衛生保健服務,行為健康,以及長照服務等的機構。這是在今年3月就宣布了的29000萬元現金救濟,以及55000萬元的加速付款之外的援助。
麻州健康及人民服務辦公室將負責監管,評估這項目辦理情況。
這筆經費包括4億多元撥給醫院,資助28家作為安全網,服務對象絕大多數為享有醫療補助(medicaid)者的醫療機構,以幫助他們彌平收入損失。
8000萬元撥給頤養院機構,包括5000萬元指定撥給麻州內所有的頤養院。在頤養院或護理之家內,被指定為COVID-19護理站的機構,將額外獲得合共3000萬元的補助。
3億多元將撥給提供COVID-19醫療服務的機構,或為病人提供服務,以使他們可以出院,安全留在家的醫院。
包括5000多萬元撥給社區健康中心,3000多萬元撥給個人護理員,以及撥給救護車醫師,社區行為健康的提供者,居家健康機構等。
經費也會撥給一些長照服務及日間照顧項目,例如成人日間健康,或日間復健項目等。
麻州政府公共衛生聽和麻州國家衛隊從上星期開始合作,由博德研究院(Broad Institute)執行,已為州內80個頤養院的1300多人做了新型冠狀病毒檢測。46日起,麻州公共衛生廳還開始放寬標準,允許在場的醫療人員收集樣本,再送交實驗室檢測。

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Increased Resources For Health Care Providers, Expanded Support For Long-Term Care Facilities, COVID-19 Testing Initiatives


BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced a new financial package to support providers through the MassHealth program. The Administration also announced new resources to support older adults living in long-term care facilities and their families, including a Nursing Home Mobile Testing Program and a Nursing Home Family Resource Line. Earlier today, the Administration and CVS announced a new rapid-testing site in Lowell.

MassHealth Financial Resources: The Baker-Polito Administration has announced a new infusion of $800 million at MassHealth in critical stabilization funding to support health care providers impacted by and responding to COVID-19. Health care providers across the Commonwealth have stepped up in unprecedented ways in the past few weeks while experiencing a significant impact on their revenue and operations. This funding will support hospitals, nursing facilities, primary care providers, behavioral health providers, and long-term services and supports providers and will be distributed starting this month and through July. This funding is in addition to the $290 million in immediate cash relief and $550 million in accelerated payments to providers announced in March. The Executive Office of Health and Human Services will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation.

These resources include:

  • More than $400 million to hospitals

    • The majority of this funding will support 28 safety net and high-Medicaid hospitals, to address lost revenue and increased costs for hospitals at the front lines of treating patients with COVID-19

    • This includes a 20% rate increase for COVID-19 care, as well as a 7.5% across-the-board rate increase for other hospital care
  • More than $80 million for Nursing Facilities

    • $50 million will be dedicated funding for all nursing facilities across the state

    • Facilities and units within nursing facilities that are designated COVID-19 sites of care will receive approximately $30 million in additional funding to support their capacity to care for COVID-19 patients
  • More than $300 million for other health care providers that are delivering medical care for COVID-19 or providing services that keep residents safe in their homes and out of the hospital, including:

    • More than $50 million for community health centers

    • Around $30 million for personal care attendants

    • Funding for ambulance providers physicians, community behavioral health providers, and Home Health Agencies

    • Funding for certain long-term services and supports day programs such as Adult Day Health or Day Habilitation programs that have converted from group programs to actively serving members via alternative means

Nursing Home Mobile Testing Program: Building on efforts to protect high-risk populations like older adults, the Baker-Polito Administration has launched a program to allow for safe, rapid on-site testing of residents of long-term care facilities like nursing homes and rest homes. The initiative is being completed as a partnership between the Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Massachusetts National Guard and the testing being conducted by the BROAD institute. So far, the National Guard has been deployed to 80 facilities across the state and has completed more than 1,300 tests since this program started last week. Starting yesterday, DPH worked to expand the program by providing an option for places to use their on-site medical personnel to collect specimens and send them to the state lab for testing. Today, DPH issued new guidance to nursing homes and rest homes with recommendations aimed at protecting the health of residents and health care workers and mitigating the risk of transmission of COVID-19, both inside and outside of these facilities.

Nursing Home Resource Line: The Baker-Polito Administration also announced the launch of a new Nursing Home Family Resource Line, a dedicated telephone line that will connect family members of nursing home and rest home residents with the information and resources they need. This resource was created so that family and community members have one central contact that they can reach out to if they have questions or concerns about the care their loved one is receiving during the COVID-19 outbreak. The line is staffed from 9 AM – 5 PM, seven days a week. Staff will coordinate across state agencies to help callers find answers to their questions. 

Families and community members can call the line at (617) 660-5399.

New CVS Rapid Testing Site: Earlier today, the Baker-Polito Administration and CVS announced the launch of a new rapid testing site in Lowell, which will enable on-the-spot COVID-19 testing and results at no cost. The new CVS site in Lowell will use the new Abbott ID NOW™ COVID-19 test. With the launch of this site, Massachusetts is the third state where CVS has launched rapid testing sites, joining Georgia and Rhode Island. CVS Health will be transitioning its efforts to support COVID-19 testing in Mass. to the Lowell location, which allows for up to 1,000 patients to be tested per day and receive results on-site so they can properly quarantine or seek treatment as appropriate. As a result, the company will be halting COVID-19 testing at the original Shrewsbury pilot testing site. Similar to the CVS rapid COVID-19 test sites in Georgia and Rhode Island, testing at the Lowell site will be overseen by licensed health care providers from MinuteClinic, the retail medical clinic of CVS Health. Patients will need to pre-register in advance online at CVS.com in order to schedule a same-day time slot for testing.


The Baker-Polito Administration will continue to update the public on developments related to COVID-19. Residents can visit www.mass.gov/covid19 for the latest information, call 2-1-1 with questions, and text “COVIDMA” to 888-777 to subscribe to text-alert updates

麻州和CVS合作在羅爾市設COVID-19快速檢測站 每日1000人可當場拿結果

           (Boston Orange編譯)麻州政府和CVS(7)日宣佈,在羅爾市推出新的快速檢測站,用新出來的Abbott ID Now COVID-19做檢測,大約每日可讓1000民眾免費做檢測,並當場拿到結果。繼喬治亞州和羅德島州之後,麻州是美國第三個推出這快速檢測的州。           
            CVS Health將關閉在Shrewsbury的新型冠狀病毒檢測試驗站,把精力及資源集中到羅爾是這新站點,預計可每日檢測1000人,並當場給結果,以期人們可適當的自我隔離或尋求醫治。
            CVS Health執行副總裁暨首席醫療官Troyen Brennan表示,他們在麻州得到的初步經驗將使他們能夠在擴大效率與安全性的同時,把檢測站擴展進入其他州。
           查理貝克表示,持續擴展檢測,對推行社區追蹤,減緩病毒散佈速度很有幫助。
           和喬治亞州,羅德島州的COVID-19檢測站類似,麻州羅爾市的檢測站也將由Minute Clinc的持牌照的醫護機構監管。
快速檢測站就設在羅爾市Reiss 大道32號的Showcase電影院停車場。有意做檢測者須預先上網登記,cvs.com,以排定一個當天檢測的時間。
CVS藥店或Minute Clinic的店內,並不做檢測。
麻州政府表示,在公司實驗室,以及醫療護理夥伴的努力下,麻州的COVID-19病毒檢測能力及結果,已大幅增加。在麻州公共衛生聽實驗室之外,共有22家公私立實驗室做檢測。截至46日,共有76,429人做過檢測,46日當天就有4,492人做了檢測。
查詢關於COVID-19的更多或最新資訊,可上州政府網站www.mass.gov/covid19 ,或者撥打211電話,以”COVIDMA”發短信到888-777這號碼,訂閱短訊提示。

Baker-Polito Administration, CVS Announce Expansion Of Rapid COVID-19 Drive-Through Testing In Massachusetts

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration and CVS today announced the launch of a new rapid testing site in Lowell, which will enable on-the-spot COVID-19 testing and results at no cost. The new CVS site in Lowell will use the new Abbott ID NOW™ COVID-19 test. With the launch of this site, Massachusetts is the third state where CVS has launched rapid testing sites, joining Georgia and Rhode Island.

CVS Health will be transitioning its efforts to support COVID-19 testing in Mass. to the Lowell location, which allows for up to 1,000 patients to be tested per day and receive results on-site so they can properly quarantine or seek treatment as appropriate. As a result, the company will be halting COVID-19 testing at the original Shrewsbury pilot testing site.

“By working with a wide range of partners, we have dramatically increased Massachusetts’ COVID-19 testing capacity, and we are grateful to CVS for their partnership in launching this new rapid testing site,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The continued expansion of testing, along with our new efforts around community tracing, will enable the Commonwealth to better track and slow the spread of this virus.”

“Our initial experience in Massachusetts has enabled us to expand testing into other states while maximizing efficiency and safety,” said Troyen Brennan, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President, CVS Health. “We are now able to significantly improve upon our testing capabilities in Massachusetts, greatly expanding access to testing with rapid results for eligible individuals.”

Similar to the CVS rapid COVID-19 test sites in Georgia and Rhode Island, testing at the Lowell site will be overseen by licensed health care providers from MinuteClinic, the retail medical clinic of CVS Health. The rapid COVID-19 testing will take place in the parking lot of the Showcase Cinemas located at 32 Reiss Avenue, in Lowell, and no testing will take place at CVS Pharmacy or MinuteClinic locations. Patients will need to pre-register in advance online at CVS.com in order to schedule a same-day time slot for testing.

Thanks to the efforts of public and private laboratories and health care partners, Massachusetts has dramatically increased COVID-19 testing capacity and output. In addition to the Department of Public Health’s State Public Health Laboratory, more than 22 public and private labs are completing testing. As of yesterday, 76,429 patients have been tested, with 4,492 tested yesterday alone. The Department of Public Health reports on cases and testing daily at Mass.Gov/covid19.

The Baker-Polito Administration will continue to update the public on developments related to COVID-19. Residents can visit www.mass.gov/covid19 for the latest information, call 2-1-1 with questions, and text “COVIDMA” to 888-777 to subscribe to text-alert updates.

星期一, 4月 06, 2020

紐英崙中華公所支援抗疫不落人後 今日送出8000口罩

紐英崙中華公所主席鄭慧民(右起),中文書記
馮武盛,董事黃國威一起出門送口罩。(中華公所提供)
            (Boston Orange周菊子波士頓報導)紐英崙中華公所主席鄭慧民今(6)日親自出動,代表大波士頓華人社區向塔芙茨醫療中心等三個醫療機構,送出8000kn95口罩,支援打擊新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)疫情的第一線工作人員。
              第一批8000個之後,紐英崙中華公所還將進行第二批的採買,贈送行動。
              紐英崙中華公所在328日時用電郵,微信發出通知,籲請公所僑團,社區大眾共襄盛舉,捐款支持購買口罩行動。捐款截止結算時,中華公所將比照收到的捐款數,等額追加捐款。
              鄭慧民表示,這次的募捐活動,收到25,000多元,加上中華公所的比照捐款,總共有5萬多元善款。經朋友介紹,他們找到來自一家深圳公司,有認證的口罩。
              今天他和公所中文書記馮武成,董事黃國威,三人一起,親自出門送口罩,共送了5000個到塔芙茨醫療中心,2000個到中華一養院,1000個到昆士健康及復健中心。幾天後,等第二,第三批,各5000個口罩運到,他們再繼續行動。(更新版)
中華公所主席鄭慧民親自搬運口罩。
(中華公所提供)

麻州第一夫人成立"麻州COVID-19救濟基金" 已熟善款1300萬元

麻州州長查理貝克,羅倫貝克夫婦宣佈成立"麻州COVID-19救濟金"。
(周菊子攝)
            (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導) 麻州州長夫婦,查理和蘿倫貝克((Charlie & Lauren Baker)(6)日下午宣佈,已成立麻州COVID-19救濟基金(Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund)”,並籌得1300萬元,將以第一線工作人員及流離失所者為主要救助對象。
基金將不設上限,盼善心人士持續捐款,以馳援所有需要幫助的人。
"麻州COVID-19救濟金"共同創辦人One8基金董事長Joanna Jacobson
致詞。右一為東方銀行董事長Bob River>(周菊子攝)
             麻州COVID-19救濟基金的共同創辦人,羅倫貝克(Lauren Baker)One8基金董事長Joanna Jacobson,今日在宣佈會中簡短致詞,說明這基金目前所籌得的款項,大都來自慈善機構,將分發給麻州內各市鎮慈善機構,以那些在新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)流行期間,流離失所,無米下鍋,得不到關鍵服務,受打擊最重的人們為特定濟助對象。
             羅倫貝克表示,很感激各界支持﹑讓他們能在幾週知內就推出這基金,來盡快幫助有需要的人。由於他們希望能幫助的人越多越好,將繼續接受捐款,不設上限。
             根據波士頓環球報的報導,麻州COVID-19救濟基金已經聘用Jonathan Raymond為基金的執行主任,One8基金在捐出180萬元支持麻州COVID-19救濟金之際,已撥出10萬元支付執行主任的薪資及其他行政開銷。
             波士頓環球報還指出,波士頓市上個月底成立的"波士頓彈性基金(Boston Resilence Fund),和這有異曲同工之妙,而啟\動較早的波士頓彈性基金,迄今已籌得2200萬元。
             麻州COVID-19救濟基金將由東方銀行(Eastern Bank)管理,該行旗下的非牟利機構,企業評等基金會(Foundation for Business Equity)和波士頓基金會將出任財務擔保人。
            東方銀行在該行發出的新聞稿中指出,該行也有自己的慈善基金,早前就宣佈過一筆1000萬元的基金。”MACOVID-19救濟基金,該行將只負責管理,錢怎麼分派將完全由該救濟金的董事 會決定。
             查詢相關細節,可上網macovid19relieffund.org

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES PROPERTY TAX BILL EXTENSION UNTIL JUNE 1 DUE TO PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES PROPERTY TAX BILL EXTENSION UNTIL JUNE 1 DUE TO PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS
BOSTON - Monday, April 6, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the City of Boston has extended the due date for property tax bills in Boston until June 1st to give residents more flexibility during the ongoing public health crisis caused by COVID-19 (coronavirus). Property tax bills were previously due May 1. The City of Boston is also waiving interest on late property tax and motor vehicle excise tax payments until June 30th, if the bill was originally due after March 10, meaning any resident who is facing a late fine for not paying their excise bill on time will have a grace period of no late fees until June 30th.
"During this challenging time, our priority and focus is the health and safety of all those who live in Boston," said Mayor Walsh. "Providing residents with more flexibility and options during this difficult time is crucial, and I encourage all residents to access the resources we have available." 

On Friday, Mayor Walsh also announced that his Administration is dedicating $3 million in city funds to assist Bostonians who are at risk of losing their rental housing due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will help income-eligible tenants in the City of Boston achieve housing stability by providing direct financial relief to assist with rental payments. Applications to the Rental Relief Fund will be available on Monday, April 6th. 

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 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.

MAYOR WALSH AND FUND STEERING COMMITTEE AWARD $3 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL EMERGENCY GRANTS THROUGH BOSTON RESILIENCY FUND

MAYOR WALSH AND FUND STEERING COMMITTEE AWARD $3 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL EMERGENCY GRANTS THROUGH BOSTON RESILIENCY FUND
BOSTON - Monday, April 6, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Boston Resiliency Fund Steering Committee today announced the distribution of an additional $3 million in funds to support 29 organizations that provide essential services to front-line workers, health care providers and Boston families whose wellbeing is most immediately impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Boston Resiliency Fund already distributed $5.4 million in emergency grants to eight organizations on March 25, 2020.
"We are in the midst of a crisis that we haven't seen in our lifetimes. Many people are out of work, and many are dealing with illness in themselves or their family," said Mayor Walsh. "During this stressful time, people should not have to worry about accessing food and meeting their basic needs, and organizations should not have to worry about their ability to keep serving their communities. I am incredibly proud and thankful for everyone's generosity as we come together to support one another. We are confident these contributions will expand our capacity to move things forward together, using every available tool to help our most vulnerable residents."
The three initial priorities for the Boston Resiliency Fund are: ensuring Boston's children, families and seniors have access to food; supporting first responders, front-line workers, and health care workers to promote public health, and providing technology to Boston students for remote learning.
Since its creation on March 16, 2020, the Boston Resiliency Fund has raised over $22 million. The Fund will continue accepting donations from individuals, organizations and philanthropic partners who wish to contribute and offer their support, and 100 percent of donations will be awarded to local organizations, with the majority of future grants to be made throughout April and May. Organizations are encouraged to complete a statement of interest to be considered for future grants.
Today, 29 organizations will receive grants to expand their capacity or adjust their service model to meet the immediate needs of Boston residents during this public health emergency, targeting $1.8 million towards access to food and other basic needs and $1.2 million towards Boston's front-line workers and health care systems. 41 percent of the organizations receiving grants today are led by a person of color and 79 percent are women-led organizations.
"The YMCA of Greater Boston is moved beyond words by the Resiliency Fund's support of our work, and we thank those who made these critical funds available," said James Morton, President & CEO of YMCA of Greater Boston. "The Resiliency Fund is a perfect example of our community coming together, in a time of grave uncertainty and immense need, to make certain that no child or senior goes hungry and that we are providing care for the children of essential workers - to whom we are so deeply indebted. The YMCA's decision to feed children and provide emergency child care came at great risk to our resilience; however, we are uplifted by the Fund's support. We will continue to work, with our many partners, in service to others and will do so with greater confidence thanks to the Fund. On behalf of those we serve, we offer our deepest gratitude."
"On behalf of the Boston Immigrant Covid-19 Collaborative, a partnership of 11, diverse immigrant support groups, we are deeply grateful to the Boston Resiliency Fund for providing this emergency relief to our Boston immigrant neighbors," said Patricia Sobalvarro (Agencia ALPHA), Natalicia Tracy (Braziian Worker Center) and Ronnie Millar (Rian Immigrant Center). "Immigrants are especially vulnerable during this crisis as they work in frontline jobs in health care, food services, retail, tourism, construction, house cleaning, and many have lost their jobs, and income. Many are not eligible to receive unemployment benefits, or federal relief, and need immediate support to pay for basic needs. We are fully committed to making sure they have immediate access to this support."
The grants range in size and will be awarded to the following organizations:
  • Black Men's Engagement Network Foundation has helped facilitate support for hundreds of people in Dorchester through coordinating phone banking efforts. This grant will be used to help deliver food, gas cards, and gift cards to additional residents in need. 
  • Boston Cares mobilizes and trains individual and corporate volunteers who strengthen communities and improve the lives of people in need. This grant will support volunteer recruitment and management for food access and distribution at Boston Public Schools meal sites.
  • Bridge Over Troubled Waters is expanding capacity to effectively and safely provide food, shelter, housing, physical and mental health care, and safety to individuals experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
  • Building Audacity delivers breakfasts and lunches to Boston residents each week. This grant will help provide additional groceries and meals for families in need.
  • Cape Verdean Association of Boston provides food from local restaurants, toiletries and essential needs to low-income immigrant families and seniors. This grant will help continue that work. 
  • Casa Myrna provides direct support for food, medical supplies, and emergency housing for survivors of domestic violence, and members of their household. Domestic violence survivors forced to remain with abusers due to the virus are at increased risk and need additional supports. 
  • Catholic Charities of Boston has two food pantries that serve 180 to 200 people daily and provide food bags for partners to distribute to clients. This grant will help provide food, emergency essential supplies and food pantry program supplies.
  • Catie's Closet provides access to basic necessities, such as toiletries and feminine products, to students and families in collaboration with Boston Public Schools' meal sites. 
  • Chinese Progressive Association will work with partners to staff City meal sites and deliver food straight to the homes of families in need. Staffing efforts will be focused on residents who have been laid off because of COVID-19 and who represent the diverse languages and cultures of Boston. In addition, this grant will support the Asian Community Relief Fund, launched in partnership with the Asian Community Development Corporation, AAARW, GBLS Asian Outreach Unit and VietAID.
  • City Mission will utilize this grant to increase food security for low-income single mothers in Boston through the purchase of gift cards.
  • CommonWealth Kitchen will meet the growing need for prepared foods for seniors, low-income families, and other frontline workers by engaging member businesses to help with meal production and distribution. 
  • Dominican Development Center will use this grant to provide essential needs to domestic workers and immigrant mothers in need of food and other supplies. 
  • East Boston Neighborhood Health Center provides COVID-19 testing services for first responders at a drive-through clinic at Suffolk Downs in East Boston, in coordination with the City, State and EMS agencies. This grant will support the staffing and supplies needed to operate the testing site. 
  • Emergency Child Care Program Relief (Boston Opportunity Agenda) will support current family child care and center-based emergency child care providers for essential workers. This grant will help close the gap between state funding and operational costs to ensure the continuity of emergency child care operations through May 4th. Partners include: 20 family child care programs, 9 YMCA programs, Whittier Street Health Center, Nurtury and Wee Care JP. 
  • EMS Wellness Screening Automated Texting Tool (LivableStreets Alliance) will allow central EMS staff to connect, interact with and monitor the health of front-line EMS staff through a new mobile automated texting tool. 
  • Elizabeth Stone House will provide food, medicine and hygiene products to low-income and/or homeless domestic violence survivors, who are unable to openly travel to established food pick-up sites.
  • Heading Home currently serves over 500 households through shelter and housing programs. This grant will provide food, water, baby formula and the logistics support needed to deliver to Heading Home's Boston families.
  • Lovin' Spoonfuls rescues food from grocery stores and produce wholesalers and delivers it directly to over 60 Boston-based nonprofit partners each week. This grant will rescue approximately 120,000 lbs of food, creating more than 96,000 meals over the next month.
  • Off Their Plate collaborates with Boston restaurant owners to restore food industry jobs while safely preparing and delivering meals to Boston hospitals and health care facilities.
  • Smart from the Start provides home deliveries of food and supplies and are currently delivering over 300 meals per week. This grant will help provide additional home deliveries of food and emergency care packages.
  • Women's Lunch Place will provide boxed breakfast and lunch for take-out, COVID-19 educational materials, toiletries, and feminine products for women experiencing homelessness. 
  • WORK Inc. operates a Family Support Center for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. This grant will support the delivery of food, toiletries and supplies to the families at the center.
  • YMCA of Greater Boston strives to meet the needs of low-income Boston families through the activation of food sites and emergency child care centers throughout the city.This grant will support additional staffing costs, food supplies, and meal delivery. 
Since its formation, the Fund has raised more than $22 million from over 2,800 individual donors, with commitments of $1 million or above from Berkshire Partners, Michelle and Bob Atchinson, Bain Capital, Bank of America, Paul and Sandy Edgerly, John & Cyndy Fish / Suffolk, Gross Family Foundation, John Hancock, Liberty Mutual, Partners HealthCare, and the Vertex Foundation. Over 70 percent of donors to the Boston Resiliency Fund have contributed under $100.
A Steering Committee was established after the Fund's formation to provide direct oversight and funding recommendations based on statement of interests received. The three-member committee includes Jack Connors, Jr., Anne Klibanski, MD, President and CEO of Partners HealthCare, and Jeffrey Leiden, MD, PhD, Executive Chairman of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Goodwin Law serves as pro bono legal counsel to the Fund. The review committee, which reviews applications and provides recommendations to the Steering Committee, is composed of more than 25 representatives from City departments.
"We know that we are entering the most challenging phase of this pandemic. Since we started planning for this last month, the Boston Resiliency Fund has awarded and continues to support the immediate needs of our community with access to healthy food, support for our health care workers, and mechanisms for meeting other needs created by this pandemic," said Anne Klibanski, MD, President and CEO of Partners HealthCare.
As the effects of the coronavirus pandemic are quickly evolving and potentially long-lasting, the City and the Steering Committee will work closely with non-profit partners and service providers to understand how their needs will change. As a result, the priorities of the fund may change as the needs of Boston residents evolve.
The Boston Resiliency Fund exists within the Boston Charitable Trust, an existing 501(c)(3) designated trust fund managed by the City of Boston's Treasury Department. For more information on how to make a donation, please visit: boston.gov/resiliency-fund. For general inquiries, please email brf@boston.gov.
To learn more about other funds serving Boston nonprofits, please visit Philanthropy Massachusetts' resource page. In addition, the COVID-19 Response Fund at The Boston Foundation and the COVID-19 Family Support Fund at the United Way are working to rapidly distribute resources to organizations and individuals in Greater Boston that are disproportionately affected by the coronavirus outbreak.