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星期二, 4月 28, 2020

波士頓市議員Ed Flynn送口罩進華埠

波士頓市議員愛德華費林(Ed Flynn,左)親自把口罩送到華人前進會,
由該會榮譽主席李素影代表接受。(Ed Flynn辦公室提供)
             (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)轄區包括華埠的波士頓市議員愛德華費林(Ed Flynn)(28)日下午親自把一批來自杭州的口罩,送到華人前進會和堡壘村,聊表他對社區的關心。
               愛德華費林表示,他每日出席波士頓市的新型冠狀病毒匯報,深知波士頓疫情嚴重,防護物資缺乏,社區內也有民眾向他表示需要口罩,正好波士頓市的姊妹市杭州最近送給他幾千個口罩,所以今日起,他陸續拜訪華人前進會,堡壘村,預定把口罩送到45個地方去。
               華人前進會榮譽主席李素影,今日代表該會接收愛德華費林送到的500個口罩。李素影表示,愛德華費林很有心,幾星期前送了他們一批洗手液,知道該會很多會員是家庭醫護助理,也算處於高危狀態人群之後,現在又送來一批口罩。
               愛德華費林表示,他的工作就是協助民眾解決他們所面對的問題,在這疫情期間,希望大家都能平平安安。他自己四處探視民眾時,也都戴著布口罩。
               愛德華費林在訪談中還表示,由於華埠在他的轄區之內,自從新型冠狀病毒疫情發生以後,有不少華裔,亞裔遭遇歧視,甚至仇視,他也聽到不少狀況,因此他和波士頓市不分區市議員吳弭(Michelle Wu)在波士頓市議會一起提出了一項議案,支持國會議員孟昭文提出的譴責和COVID-19相關的反亞裔情緒議案,H. Res 908

麻州居家令限制延至5月18日

麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)。(州長辦公室檔案照片)
             (Boston Orange)麻州政府今(28)日中午宣佈,基本服務緊急命令,勸諭居家令以及集會限10人以下等限制的效期,延至518日。麻州政府成立了17人顧問委員會研討重新開放計畫。
            關於基本服務命令,麻州州長查理貝克的要求是,和為COVID-19提供基本服務無關的企業,實體工作場所必須關門,直到518日止。
                 不在基本服務名單上的企業或組織,應藉由遠距等方式持續營運。
               勸諭居家令部分,麻州州長查理貝克宣佈,公共衛生廳的勸諭居家令仍然有效。強烈勸導民眾留在家哩,避免不必要的外出,或個人接觸。有可能暴露在COVID-19之下的高危人士,應盡量減少和其他人有社交互動。
                  麻州政府行政部門雇員也將須持續遵守疫情期間的指導原則,非核心功能工作人員,可以遠距工作的就應持續遠距工作,直至518日。
                 麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)今日也宣佈,成立17人的重新開放顧問委員會,由麻州付州長白莉朵(Karyn Polito)和住宅及經濟發展長Mike Kennealy擔任共同主席,為麻州的根據衛生及安全準則,做階段性經濟重新開放提供策略。
                 這顧問委員會將在未來3週,和各界主要人士會晤,請教意見,並在518日前提交包括麻州公共衛生廳批准的工作場所安全標準,工業框架,顧客準則,以及和市鎮領袖協調實施機制等的報告。這份報告是518日到期繳交,但來自醫療護理專家的公共安全數據及指導原則,才是重新開放過程時間表的依據。
              17人顧問委員會,包括麻州公共衛生廳廳長Monica Bharel博士在內的3名公共衛生官員,3名市鎮官員,以及包括麻州交通廳廳長Stephanie Pollack在內的11名企業領導。
            重新開放顧問委員會成員包括:
·       Aron Ain, CEO, Kronos Inc & Ultimate Software
·       Carlo Zaffanella, Vice President and General Manager, Maritime & Strategic Systems, General Dynamics Mission Systems
·       Corey Thomas, CEO, Rapid 7
·       Daniel Rivera, Mayor, City of Lawrence
·       Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH, Massachusetts General Hospital
·       Girish Navani, CEO and Co-Founder, eClinicalWorks
·       Joe Bahena, Senior Vice President, Joseph Abboud Manufacturing
·       Kathryn Burton, Chief of Staff, City of Boston
·       Laurie Leshin, Ph.D., President, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
·       Linda Markham, President, Cape Air
·       Mark Keroack, President & CEO, Baystate Health
·       Monica Bharel, Ph.D., Commissioner, Department of Public Health
·       Nicole LaChapelle, Mayor, City of Easthampton
·       Pamela Everhart, Head of Regional Public Affairs and Community Relations, Fidelity Investments 
·       Stephanie Pollack, Transportation Secretary and CEO
·       Steve DiFillippo, CEO, Davios Restaurants
·       Wendy Hudson, Owner, Nantucket Book Partner

Baker-Polito Administration Extends Non-Essential Business Closures to May 18th, Announces Reopening Advisory Board
Gatherings of 10 or more prohibited until May 18th, Stay at Home Advisory Remains in Effect
  
BOSTON – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration extended the essential services emergency order to May 18th and launched a Reopening Advisory Board that will produce a plan to the Governor by May 18th. The Administration also announced that the Department of Public Health’s Stay At Home Advisory remains in effect and gatherings of 10 or more people remain prohibited until May 18th

Essential Services Order: Governor Charlie Baker’s emergency order requiring that all businesses and organizations that do not provide “COVID-19 Essential Services” close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers and the public will be extended until May 18th. Businesses and organizations not on the list of essential services are encouraged to continue operations through remote means that do not require workers, customers, or the public to enter or appear at the brick-and-mortar premises closed by the order. This order also extends the existing ban on gatherings of more than 10 people until May 18th.

Stay at Home Advisory: Governor Charlie Baker announced that the Department of Public Health’s stay-at-home advisory will remain in effect. Residents are strongly urged to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel and other unnecessary person to person contact during this time period. Residents who are considered at high risk when exposed to COVID-19 should limit social interactions with other people as much as possible.

Executive Branch Employee Guidance: The Baker-Polito Administration today also extended the guidance issued to Executive Branch employees on protocol during the COVID-19 outbreak to ensure state government can continue to provide key services while protecting the health and safety of the public and the Executive Branch workforce. Under the guidance, all employees performing non-core functions who are able to work remotely should continue to do so until May 18th.

Reopening Advisory Board: Today, Governor Baker announced the formation of the Reopening Advisory Board, which will be Co-Chaired by Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy. The Board brings public health officials together with leaders from the business community and municipal government from across the Commonwealth. This group is charged with advising the administration on strategies to reopen the economy in phases based on health and safety metrics. It will meet with key stakeholders and solicit input from a variety of constituencies over the next three weeks to develop a report by May 18th that will include DPH approved workplace safety standards, industry frameworks and customer protocols and guidelines, including enforcement mechanisms and coordination with municipal leaders. This report is due on the 18th, but the administration has made clear that public health data and guidance from health care experts will dictate the timeline of the re-opening process.

The 17-member Advisory Board is composed of three public health officials, including Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Monica Bharel, three municipal officials, and eleven leaders from the business community, including MassDOT Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. Members of the Advisory Board bring a range of perspectives to the table, such as an understanding of workplaces and workforces and insights into key areas like financial markets, education, manufacturing and transportation.

Reopening Advisory Board Members:

·       Aron Ain, CEO, Kronos Inc & Ultimate Software

·       Carlo Zaffanella, Vice President and General Manager, Maritime & Strategic Systems, General Dynamics Mission Systems

·       Corey Thomas, CEO, Rapid 7

·       Daniel Rivera, Mayor, City of Lawrence

·       Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH, Massachusetts General Hospital

·       Girish Navani, CEO and Co-Founder, eClinicalWorks

·       Joe Bahena, Senior Vice President, Joseph Abboud Manufacturing

·       Kathryn Burton, Chief of Staff, City of Boston

·       Laurie Leshin, Ph.D., President, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

·       Linda Markham, President, Cape Air

·       Mark Keroack, President & CEO, Baystate Health

·       Monica Bharel, Ph.D., Commissioner, Department of Public Health

·       Nicole LaChapelle, Mayor, City of Easthampton

·       Pamela Everhart, Head of Regional Public Affairs and Community Relations, Fidelity Investments 

·       Stephanie Pollack, Transportation Secretary and CEO

·       Steve DiFillippo, CEO, Davios Restaurants

·       Wendy Hudson, Owner, Nantucket Book Partners

羅德島州克蘭斯頓市長夫人COVID-19確診

羅德島州克蘭斯頓(Cranston)市長馮偉傑(Allan Fung)和妻子Barbara Ann
(來源:臉書)
           (Boston Orange 周菊子報導)羅德島州克蘭斯頓市(Cranston)市長馮偉傑(Allan Fung)(28)日在臉書上宣佈,他的妻子Barbara Ann昨日下午確診,感染了新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19),目前症狀輕微。他自己雖然沒有任何症狀,但未來兩週將居家辦公。

             430日,週四,他將從自家廚房直播他在位市長的最後一次市情諮文,以及預算介紹。
馮偉傑兩夫婦未食物儲藏室(Food Pantry)募集食物,送給有需要的人。
(來源:臉書)
             羅德島州克蘭斯頓市的市長一職,早期一直是兩年一任,而且沒有任期限制。2012年,該市市議會通過議案,市長任期改為四年一任,最多連任一次。馮偉傑從2009年上任市長以來,幾乎每次選舉都以壓倒性高票當選,但在此限制下,本屆市長任期屆滿後,必須卸任。
             坊間一度傳出,馮偉傑的妻子Barbara Ann有意參選羅德島州眾議員,但這消息還未經證實。
馮偉傑夫婦是範戴口罩。(來源:臉書)
             在臉書上,曾兩度參選羅德島州州長的馮偉傑表示,他們的未來動向將持續完全透明,感謝市民遵循聯邦疾病防治局的指導原則,協助減緩疾病散佈。
             自從新型冠狀病毒疫情發生後,馮偉傑與Barbara Ann十分積極的推動抗疫,深入社區,為生活陷入困境者募集善款,食品,鼓勵社區捐血,支援第一線工作人員,在臉書上示範如何正確戴口罩等等。

星期一, 4月 27, 2020

尚莫維爾市抗疫下重手 全民檢測 不戴口罩罰款300

(Boston Orange 編譯)尚莫維爾(Somerville)市今(27)日宣佈一系列打擊新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)措施,包括為居民提供免費檢測,規定4月29日(週三)起,居民無論在室內或室外,都得戴面具,以避免上限300美元的重罰。
尚莫維爾市並不是麻州第一個規定不戴面罩就罰款的社區。布魯克蘭鎮和摩頓市都有類似規定。劍橋市也在4月27日晚7點多發佈緊急命令,規定市民從4月29日凌晨零一分起,5歲以上人士出入所有公共場所都必須戴面罩,把臉遮起來,否則罰款300元。
尚莫維爾市人員相信,這是麻州內降低病毒散佈的最全面措施。尚莫維爾市府將在警察切實執行居民必須戴口罩命令前,將給市民一週的緩衝期。違反規定市民將收到一份書面警告,或上限300元的罰款。這規定也適用於跑步者,騎自行車者,行人。開門的企業必須張貼告示,在市民進店前,提醒他們有這新規定。
尚莫維爾市長柯塔恫(Joseph Curtatone)表示,市府正在不眠不休要改變現狀,打斷病毒的人傳人。
該市推出了他們稱為檢測,追蹤,接觸追蹤,以及安全社交隔離的策略,將先從住在尚莫維爾市的人開始,無論是否有保險,或移民身分狀態,甚至完全不需要顯示有染病症狀,都可以做駕車經過的COVID-19病毒檢測。該市也將在低收入居民集中的東尚莫維爾設立一個檢測衛星站,設立日期暫時未訂。
劍橋健康聯盟(Cambridge Health Alliance)的尚莫維爾醫院,將於週一到週五的每天早上9點至下午4點,開始辦理檢測。想要檢測的人最好先用市府設置的特別熱線,617—665-2928,打電話預約。
尚莫維爾市府人員表示。他們已從州政府那兒取得3500套檢測品。市長柯塔恫認為除非每個人都做了檢測,否則就不可能跑得比病毒還快地去壓制疫情。他說,大家都一再聽到,要控制疫情,需要做三件事,檢測,檢測,更多檢測。在全國層面,疫情控制的效果慘不忍睹,在州政府層面,也僅僅趕上進度而已。
尚莫維爾市府人員表示,稍後,不只是開車的人可以去做檢測,行人或是騎自行車的人也行。
尚莫維爾市的城市健康及人民服務局局長Doug Kress表示,檢測只是抗疫的第一步,下一步重要的是要確保市府能夠辨識並預防未來的傳染。
作為全市防疫行動的一部分,尚莫維爾市府人員將發給做檢測的人一套指南,包括在等待結果期間,如何保護他們自己和家人。
一旦新型冠狀病毒檢測結果陽性,市府的公共衛生護士會連絡他們,做接觸追蹤。在這過程中辨識的個人資訊將會和執行接觸追蹤活動的健康夥伴(Partners in Health)”分享。
如果做檢測的人,在患病復原期間,和家人或同居一地者無法實際分離,他們可以選擇住在用來給無法自我隔離的COVID-19病患所居住的一家Revere酒店。市府會提供來回酒店的交通,以及住在那兒時的醫療干預。
尚莫維爾市還宣佈了一項要在麻州灣退伍軍人中心(Massachusetts Bay Veterans Center)試驗的試驗性質計畫。該棟住宅大樓目前並無已知或疑似的COVID-19患者,居民將開始使用特製的生物感應帖來主動追蹤他們的生命徵象。這項目是和劍橋市的非牟利科技公司Cherish Health and Health eVillages合作執行。
尚莫維爾市早前已勸是民戴口罩,現在則是規定2歲以上人士,必須戴口罩。柯塔恫說,不是每一個COVID-19患者都會顯示徵狀,一個人可能戴著病毒傳染給其他人,自己卻不知道。
尚莫維爾市並不是第一個威脅居民,在公共場所不戴口罩就罰款的社區。在布魯克蘭鎮(Brookline),居民出門不戴口罩,也可能被罰50元。該依規定由鎮上衛生局執行。摩頓市(Malden)也通過了一項命令,規定民眾在某些公眾場所必須把臉遮起來。不遮的話,初犯警告,再犯會有各種處罰。(更新版)

Asian American Resistance & Creative Clapbacks tonight


Baker-Polito Administration Announces Further Support, Resources, and Accountability Measures for Nursing Facilities, Funding for Congregate Care Facilities During COVID-19

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Further Support, Resources, and Accountability Measures for Nursing Facilities, Funding for Congregate Care Facilities During COVID-19

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced a second round of funding up to $130 million for nursing facilities to support COVID-19 response efforts over the next two months, as well as increased funding of $44 million for residential congregate care service providers. This funding will support staffing costs, infection control and personal protective equipment (PPE). In addition to increased financial support, the administration has implemented required testing for staff and residents of nursing facilities.

Additional Support Services: The Commonwealth will offer support for temporary staffing assistance for all nursing homes in need. This includes clinical response teams of 120 nurses and CNAs deployed in teams of 10 during emergency situations, crisis management support and deployment of the Massachusetts National Guard. These efforts will be supported by a centralized infection control performance improvement center established by the Massachusetts Senior Care Association.

Increased Financial Support for Nursing Facilities: The administration is releasing a second round of funding for two months for nursing homes that meet specific requirements and accountability measures. The funding is dependent on required COVID-19 testing of all staff and residents, regular infection control audits, appropriate allocation of funding and the public release of facility performance and funding use.
  
Further details about this second round of funding available for nursing facilities include:

  • Required Testing: Facilities must test all staff and residents, and report results to the state. Facilities are also encouraged to identify and pursue testing avenues with area hospitals, EMS or other providers. The state’s mobile testing program is available for those facilities unable to set up testing. 

    • In-person Clinical Audits: All nursing facilities will be regularly audited in-person for infection control and accountability, and each will receive a baseline audit during the first two weeks of May. These clinical audits will be conducted using a 28-point Infection Control Checklist, based on DPH, CDC and industry guidance. This checklist includes infection control, PPE supply and usage, staffing, clinical care, and communication requirements.

Facilities will be scored into three ratings: in adherence (green), in adherence but warrants inspection (yellow) and not in adherence (red).

  • Funding Accountability: Funding release is dependent on accountability measures, including audit ratings and appropriate funding allocation. Facilities must use this funding for staffing, infection control, PPE and other supports that directly benefit staff, including hotels for staff retention and infection control.

  • Staffing Supports: The Commonwealth will provide temporary staffing assistance to all nursing homes during the COVID-19 public health crisis, including clinical rapid response teams to provide urgent, short-term staffing for facilities in need, crisis management experts, and the deployment of the Massachusetts National Guard to aid with logistical, environmental and other supports. The state will also contract with staffing agencies to support facilities that are otherwise unable to access staffing agencies.

  • Infection Control Performance Improvement Center: The Massachusetts Senior Care Association and Hebrew Senior Life, in coordination with other industry providers, will lead an infection control performance improvement center to ensure accountability and provide assistance to facilities that are struggling with infection control capability. The performance improvement center will provide infection control protocols and trainings and PPE supply chain and management support, as well as identify, triage and provide infection control specialist support and intervention.

  • Public Reporting: All performance measures and funding use will be publicly reported using a mandatory reporting template, and the Commonwealth will provide consolidated information in the testing completion status by facility, COVID-19 case counts and mortality of staff and residents, and audit results. These reports will be due shortly after June 30, and the Commonwealth will then compile and deliver a public report.


Increased Support for Residential Congregate Care Service Providers: The administration is providing a second phase of increased funding  $44 million – across purchase of service residential congregate care service providers during the COVID-19 outbreak. This funding builds on the $95 million in increased funding announced on March 30, bringing the total funding for these providers to $139 million, and will support increased staffing costs, infection control and PPE.

To mitigate many residential congregate care service providers’ expenses related to the COVID-19 surge, Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) agencies will increase the monthly reimbursement for May and June services for an additional 15%, in addition to the previously announced 10% increase. Further support to address provider needs during the surge include mobile COVID-19 testing expansion and coordination with MEMA to provide PPE to providers.

EOHHS agencies work with 238 residential service providers throughout the Commonwealth to ensure the health and well-being of over 20,500 individuals reflecting diverse populations, including children, youth and families, and individuals with physical, cognitive, emotional, behavioral health, intellectual and developmental disabilities and survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

全美亞裔總商會敦促亞裔企業及早準備 CARES法案新一輪貸款資金4月27開始受理申請


(ACE )特朗普總統(Donald Trump)已簽署《薪資保障計劃和醫療保健增強法案》,批准再撥款約4,840億美元,支持薪資保障計劃(Paycheck Protection Program - PPP), 經濟傷害災難貸款計劃(EIDL,以及醫院等。小企業管理局(SBA)將從427日起接受申請。全美亞裔總商會(ACE)呼籲亞裔企業不要錯過這第二輪資金發放。
新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)在美國造成嚴重疫情以來,美國所有企業都遭受重大打擊,共和、民主兩黨領導和特朗普總統政府合作,特地制定了薪資保障計劃(Paycheck Protection Program - PPP),經濟傷害災難貸款計劃(EIDL,並在第一輪資金3,490億元用罄後,立即協商,批准撥出第二輪資金,總額4,840億美元,其中除了3,100億美元用於薪資保障計劃(CARES Act小企業貸款計劃)之外,特地指定600億美元撥給規模較小的金融機構,以確保少數民族和服務水平較低地區也能順利獲得貸款,另外指定600億美元撥給小型企業管理局(SBA),用於辦理經濟傷害和災難貸款(EIDL)計劃。
這第二輪資金將在美國東部時間427(週一)早上10點半開始,繼續接受已獲批准的貸款人(銀行等)代表符合資格的借款人申請PPPEIDL貸款。小企業管理局將確保系統編碼正確,並說明法規更新內容。小企業管理局也鼓勵所有已獲批准的貸方,先處理之前已收到的符合資格借款人所提貸款申請,並迅速分配資金。
符合資格並有意借款的企業,應經由已獲批准的貸方辦理申請PPP,並仔細檢查PPP法規、指南,備妥貸款所需的各項證明文件。EIDL則可自行上網申請。
全美亞裔總商會為確保在第一輪援助方案推出時,沒趕得及提出申請的亞裔企業,在第二輪撥款時不會錯過,特地呼籲亞裔企業關注美國財政部和SBA 《薪資保障計劃和醫療保健增強法案》具體措施。查詢詳情可上網www.sba.gov,或www.treasury.gov
全美亞裔總商會首席執行官董繼玲表示:「由於疫情的影響,各界都殷切需求資金,全美亞裔企業在申請427日開始受理的新一輪貸款資金時,必須迅速行動  」。她也說,許多亞裔企業主的母語不是英語,ACE特地做了一個簡單易懂的多語網站,幫助他們更容易地從眾多計劃和服務中找到對他們最有幫助的項目。該網站以中文、日文、韓文、泰文和越南文提供相關訊息。其他網頁則包括聯邦,以及州、市地方政府針對 COVID-19 所提供的紓困方案鏈接,以及由行業協會、非營利機構、基金會和各大企業提供的小型企業援助計劃。查詢網址包括www.nationalace.orgwww.acesmallbusiness.org
全美亞裔總商會董事表示:「國會撥出額外資金後,企業及數千萬工人將從這重大救濟中受益。由於薪資保障計劃(PPP等援助方案的第輪貸款資金推出甫2週餘,3,490億元瞬即用罄,我們預計薪資保障計劃等的第輪貸款資金,可能將在一星期,或更短時間之內用盡,請華裔商家儘快申請。
中華企業協會會長林美蓮表示:「全美亞裔總商會和該會的全美各地商會,以及策略夥伴將盡可能地幫助所有企業從新型冠狀病毒所造成的困難中復甦。」

星期日, 4月 26, 2020

波市府將在3區找1000人做抗體檢測


               (Boston Orange編譯)波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)說,將和麻省總醫院(MGH)合作,找1000名居民驗血,看他們體內是否含有新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)抗體,藉以估算可能已暴露於病毒之下,卻無症狀者的百分比有多少。
               這驗血行動將集中在東波士頓,羅森岱爾(Roslindale),以及多徹斯特(Dorchester)的一部分等這些疫情最嚴重的社區之一。研究人員已經開始為這活動招募參加者。這將是麻州之內規模最大的同類活動。
               麻省總醫院院長Peter L. Slavin博士表示,這項驗血活動的結果,將對抗疫戰爭提供極重要資訊。
               促成這驗血活動的背景因素是麻州各地政府官員都想這場危機的規模,以及得做些甚麼來讓企業重新經營有點概念。
               尚莫維爾(Somerville)市府官員週一(27)計畫宣佈,即使一些居民沒症狀,也檢測看看他們是否感染了病毒。麻州政府則是正在做追蹤已知患者曾經接觸過那些人,以期預防更進一步的傳染。
               麻州今日的新型冠狀病毒數據是新增1590宗確診病例,累計54,938宗;新增死亡人數169,累計2,899
               這是近兩週來,新增確診人數最少的一天,不過檢測數目也比之前稍微減少了一些,只有9,255人。
               在死亡者中,有1,632人是長照機構的院民或員工,佔所有死亡者的56%。全州至少各有1宗病例的長照機構有303所。確診人數及員工,超過1萬人。
               波士頓市截至26日的新型冠狀病毒確診人數已高達8,159,死亡人數302。波士頓市長馬丁華殊認為統一檢測是讓地方經濟恢復正常的先決條件。
               抗體檢測和傳統的病毒檢測不同,是要尋找人體免疫系統為因應病毒所產生,在痊癒後仍留在人體中的抗體。
               目前還不知道,有新型冠狀病毒抗體的人,是否就可以免於重新感染。有些科學家已經在擔心為這病毒研發的抗體檢測是否可靠。
               不過公共衛生當局希望像波士頓這樣的檢測項目,可以幫助他們謀劃因應對策,因為那結果可能給出一個指標,有多少人曾經得過COVID-19,但只有一些,或者沒症狀。
               麻州總醫院表示,在波士頓的抗體研究是麻州內同類活動中規模最大的,不過其它市鎮可能很快跟著做。
               本月稍早,麻省總醫院研究員在雀喜市(Chelsea)已經做了一個規模較小的研究,發現200名在街頭接受測試的居民,有三分之一體內有和COVID-19相關的抗體。
               在波士頓特定地區進行的這檢測,將從自願參加的波士頓居民中隨機選樣,給他們同時做COVID-19病毒檢測及抗體檢測。
               根據波士頓市政府,不會向參加檢測者收費。估計週五可以完成這一檢測。
               哈佛大學陳曾熙公衛學院流行病學教授Michael Mina博士表示,他對只包括有限區域所做的檢查能夠讓人學到什麼,感到懷疑。
               他說,一次性的迅速檢測能給我們所需的一些資訊,至少讓我們知道,在這些社區中疫情多嚴重,但是在做了這些檢測之後,除了在這些低收入及貧窮地區曾經有很多傳染個案之外,還讓我們處於不知道如何詮釋的處境。
               他說,以這檢測規模來說,不會真正的證明這些社區是傳染熱點。
               他說,我擔心這些社區會被汙名化。
               轄區包括東波士頓的波士頓市議員Lydia Edwards則說,她希望這研究能有助於防範第二波感染。她說結果會增加社區人們對即使你沒有任何症狀,你在傳播疾病的警覺性。
尚莫維爾(Somerville)市長Joseph A. Curtatone週一宣佈了一個檢測,追蹤個案的新系統,包括對未住院但帶有病毒的人,使用遙距數位健康監測設備。該市一直和劍橋健康聯盟合作,為全市居民提供檢測,不論他們是否劍橋健康聯盟的患者。
               他說,有興趣做檢測的居民應該打電話給劍橋健康聯盟,看看他們是否有醫學上的需要。他的目標是要讓沒有症狀的居民也可以做檢測,好讓他的政府能夠了解在他的社區中疫情爆發情況,特別是在那些低收入,弱勢人群中的情況。