MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES OUTDOOR DINING EXTENDED IN BOSTON

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES OUTDOOR DINING EXTENDED IN BOSTON BOSTON - Tuesday, September 15, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the outdoor dining season in the City of Boston will be extended past the original closure date of October 31 to better support restaurants during the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency. This extension applies to outdoor dining on both public and private property.  The Licensing Board, together with the Boston Fire Department, Inspectional Services Department, Boston Transportation Department, Public Improvement Commission, Department of Public Works, Office of Economic Development, and the Mayor's Office of of Neighborhood Services have extended the Temporary Outdoor Dining Program on private property (i.e. outdoor dining spaces that do not extend onto public sidewalks and parking lanes) for the duration of the ongoing COVID-19 related public health emergency.  Restaurants utilizing the Temporary Outdoor Dining Program on public sidewalks and parking lanes may continue the approved use of those spaces until December 1, 2020, weather permitting or until further notice or until the Board issues further guidance. Requests for further extensions of this use shall be considered on a case by case basis in the coming weeks and months. In addition, application fees will be waived for businesses that apply for outdoor propane heaters. The full guidance from the Boston Licensing Board is available online. "Restaurants in our neighborhoods represent our culture, community, and innovation," said Mayor Walsh. "Restaurants have faced incredible challenges during this ongoing public health crisis, and the City of Boston is committed to helping them survive and succeed, including by giving restaurants more flexibility around outdoor dining." This announcement builds on the work the Walsh Administration has undertaken to support small businesses during the City's COVID-19 response. On May 21st, the City of Boston announced new measures to help restaurants during the ongoing public health crisis, including expanding outdoor seating, and waiving fees for outdoor space. To date, the Office of Economic Development's Small Business Relief Fund has awarded $6.7 million to businesses in need. The businesses receiving grants represent industries most-impacted by closures, policies, or general loss of revenues due to the COVID-19 pandemic throughout every neighborhood in Boston. The Reopen Boston Fund, launched in May 2020, continues to offer grants to Boston's businesses of up to $2,000 to assist with reopening costs, including for PPE. More than 1,200 businesses have received direct grants from the Reopen Boston Fund to date, with more than $2.1 million distributed. To further assist the City's small businesses, the City of Boston created a platform to help businesses source the personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies they will be required to have available in order to ensure the safety of employees and customers as industries begin to reopen. Along with industry-specific reopening requirements, the page includes a list of self-identified, local suppliers of PPE and cleaning supplies, information on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' vendor database, and partner organizations helping to connect businesses with vendors. In addition, in July Mayor Walsh announced a new ramp initiative to increase accessibility to outdoor dining amidst the COVID-19 public health emergency. Restaurants that have been granted a temporary license to have seating in a parking space or on the street are eligible to request a portable ramp. Licensees interested in the Temporary Outdoor Dining Program that have not previously applied may do so via the online application process. If businesses need support through this process, please email smallbiz@boston.gov for technical assistance. A list of restaurants with outdoor dining is available on boston.gov.

慶祝環保週 麻州政府撥款1110萬元助67市鎮改善設施

     

                     (Boston Orange綜合報導)麻州政府9月15日宣佈，經由”地方市鎮預防災難(MVP)”項目，撥款1110萬元，資助67個市鎮。

            麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)，副州長白莉朵(Karyn Polito)這天特地到費奇堡(Fitchburg)市宣佈撥發這筆經費，藉以慶祝環保週。

            ”地方市鎮預防災難(Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness)”項目始於2017年，州政府迄今共撥款4400萬元，主要目的是為地方市鎮提供經費及技術支援，以辨識環境危險，設計改善策略，制定因應環境改變的行動計劃，並排定優先順序。

            這次撥款後，89%或約312個麻州市鎮，都加入了MVP，這由麻州州長查理貝克於2017年簽署第569號行政命令所制定的項目。

            在這一輪撥款中，有46個市鎮獲得行動補助款，其中波士頓市的因應熱浪計畫研究(Heat Resilience Planning Study)得款28萬餘元，費奇堡市的約翰費奇高速公路(John Fitch Highway)迴廊項目獲得27萬餘元，摩頓市(Malden)的摩頓河工程獲得15萬餘元，紐百利港(Newburyport)的關鍵基礎設施項目，包括廢水處理，地下電線，公共鐵路小徑，以及未來海平面上升及暴風雨暴漲等的100萬元。(更新版)

吳弭宣佈參選波士頓市長 英、中、西三語同步發聲

      (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)波士頓市建立390年以來的首名華裔市議員吳弭(Michelle Wu)，今(15)日正式宣佈參選市長。一旦當選，將成為波士頓市最年輕市長。

          吳弭現年35歲，   2014年首度上任波士頓市不分區市議員席位時，年僅28歲，2016年連任後，當上波士頓市議會議長，迄今已3度連任，最近這2次的選舉，還都贏得最高票。

              這次宣佈參選波士頓市長，吳弭已經成為波士頓市有史以來角逐波士頓市長職位的首名華人。

              亞裔社區則是曾有韓裔的時任市議員尹常賢(Sam Yoon)，2009年挑戰當時在位市長萬寧諾(Tom Menino)。

             吳弭將參選市長的傳言，早從她第二度當選連任以後，就不時出現這樣的猜測。近來無論是在扶助新冠病毒受害者，消除族裔不公的成立基金會上，計畫及發展局(BPD)的存廢上，吳弭對市政府的做法，都有尖銳批評，認為她將參選市長的議論聲就更多了。

             9月7日，波士頓在位市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)乾脆以”吳弭已經告訴我”的方式，代替吳弭做宣佈。

             吳弭辦公室當時不肯承認，也不肯否認。今日吳弭終於決定撥開疑雲，還以英文，西班牙文和中文，三語並用的宣佈”我要參選波士頓市長了”。

             吳弭在聲明中強調，她要為波士頓人帶來新氣象。她說波士頓正處於一個前所未有的時機，面對著病毒大流行，經濟危機，以及全國性的系統性種族歧視。要迎合這樣的時代，波士頓市就需要能對應這種挑戰急迫性與規模的領導層。

             她是一名母親，一個移民的女兒，強烈相信經由打造社區可以解決人們所面對的最大挑戰。作為市議員時，她和人們合作，提出大膽，系統性的改變，經由鼓吹全市各地市府領導力，重新定義什麼是可能。

             吳弭指出，早在病毒大流行以前，像往常一樣做事就已經讓波士頓人失望了。新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)更暴露、加劇了全市各地的嚴重不平等。在這危機時刻，不只是可能，而是需要重新想像以社區為基地的領導層。

            “我們可以在我們所有的社區中創造財富，重視公共教育，為我們的鄰里做計劃，投資在我們能夠負擔的住宅，以及為所有人服務的交通，真正的為了安全及治療而資助公共健康，而且在市政府的新綠色交易(Green New Deal)中提供清潔的空氣與水，健康的住家，以及為我們的子女提供最光明的未來”。

             吳弭參選波士頓市長的宣言，有三種語言，英文，中文及西班牙文。吳弭將於本週內在不同鄰里舉行一系列5場社區活動，和波士頓市民互動。

             9月15日傍晚5點，將在Nubian車站問候洛士百利(Roxbury)地區居民及搭車乘客。吳弭支持者將於5點半起在奧斯頓/布萊頓(Allston/Broghton)吳弭家舉行住家派對。

             9月!6日早上8點半，吳弭支持者將在海德公園舉牌，下午4點晤見波士頓華埠居民及商家。

             9月17日下午3點半，拜訪東波士頓Eastie農場的社區花園。下午四點到Maverick車站晤見乘客。

             9月18日早上7點半，在Forest Hill車站晤見搭車乘客，下午5點牙買加平原(Jamaica Plain)的吳弭支持者舉牌，舉辦住家派對。拜會黑人業主所經營店舖的時間，還待確定。

             9月19日早上11點，洛士百利千禧年世代有色人種支持吳弭早午餐會，下午1點，社區和吳弭一起騎自行車，下午3點，支持吳弭的家庭在遊樂場聚會。(更新版)

MAYOR WALSH RELEASES REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR NEXT ROUND OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

MAYOR WALSH RELEASES REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR NEXT ROUND OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES Revised guidelines encourage flexibility, consistency, and diversity among providers to support the evolving needs of Boston's small businesses BOSTON - Tuesday, September 15, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the City of Boston has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) inviting proposals from small business technical assistance entities to provide technical assistance to small business in the City of Boston. The RFP is designed to expand economic and entrepreneurial opportunity throughout the city, and support a safe and equitable economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Completed proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis each month, beginning on September 30, 2020 and ending Friday, January 31, 2023, and can be submitted electronically via the Supplier Portal. "We are dedicated to continuing to support our small businesses as they recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Mayor Walsh. "Small businesses drive our economy and support vibrant neighborhoods. We want to ensure that business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs have the tools they need to grow and thrive in Boston."   Technical assistance providers are experienced business consultants that through the Small Business Technical Assistance (TA) program will provide high-quality assistance and training to interested small businesses. Training includes accounting, financing, business planning, budgeting, projections, staffing, human resources, insurance, interior design, licensing and permitting, branding, marketing, promoting, packaging, distribution, vendors, suppliers, cost analysis, customer analysis, legal responsibilities, and more. Selected TA providers will provide direct one-on-one assistance to designated businesses within the City of Boston, and also provide group workshops and coaching sessions to existing or aspiring business owners. The proposed services should be designed to assist businesses to achieve stability and increase opportunities for growth, successfully secure procurement opportunities, and increase the economic vitality of Boston's business districts.   Changes to the upcoming Technical Assistance RFP round include: Providers may submit bid contracts for a period up to three years, an increase from the previous 18-month period, providing greater consistency for TA Providers; TA provider applications will be open on a rolling, monthly basis, allowing the City to respond to evolving needs of our small businesses; Inclusion of a request for providers that can support certification of minority and women-owned businesses (MWBEs). Prospective TA providers are encouraged to participate in upcoming information sessions to address questions relative to the content of the RFP. Two sessions will be offered virtually on Zoom on Thursday, September 17 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and Tuesday, September 21 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Links to these sessions on the Office of Economic Development Facebook page.  Every month, on the first business day of the month, applications will be downloaded from the City of Boston Supplier Portal website for review. The RFP will appear live again the next day for the following month. In order to participate in these online procurement activities, bidders must register with the Supplier Portal.   The City of Boston encourages a full range of TA providers to apply for this opportunity to support the varied and dynamic needs of small business owners of all backgrounds and industries. In November 2019, Mayor Walsh announced a new executive order to support equitable procurement, building on Boston's commitment to ensuring every resident and business in Boston has access to the same opportunities, identifying the City's spending power as a key lever for increasing equity in business opportunities. To certify your business as a minority, woman, veteran, or small and local business enterprise, please visit the Equity & Inclusion Unit's Business Certification page online.  Mayor Walsh is dedicated to ensuring small businesses have the necessary resources to reopen and operate their businesses safely.  Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than $6.7 million in debt-free grants have been distributed to 1,685 small businesses in every neighborhood across Boston through the Small Business Relief Fund. The Reopen Boston Fund, launched in May 2020, continues to offer grants to Boston's businesses of up to $2,000 to assist with reopening costs. More than 1,200 businesses have received direct grants from the Reopen Boston Fund to date, with more than $2.1 million distributed. The Mayor's Office of Economic Development Small Business Unit has also supported businesses with various business lists,temporary sidewalk extensions and temporary outdoor dining.  ABOUT THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CABINET The Economic Development Cabinet's mission is to make Boston an appealing and accessible place for working families, entrepreneurs, businesses, and investors to innovate, grow, and thrive in a way that fosters inclusion, broadens opportunity, and shares prosperity, thereby enhancing the quality of life for all Bostonians and the experience for all visitors. Learn more on their website.

大法官Ralph Gants辭世 麻州長查理貝克悼念

GOVERNOR BAKER ISSUES STATEMENT ON CHIEF JUSTICE RALPH D. GANTS

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker issued the following statement:

“I am shocked and deeply saddened by the passing of Chief Justice Ralph Gants. He was a dedicated public servant of the highest order and sought to do justice his entire 40-year legal career. He led the Supreme Judicial Court with intelligence, integrity and distinction. In his decisions and in his role as the leader of the Commonwealth’s judicial branch, he always worked to promote the public good. His legacy as a judge and as Chief Justice is profound, and he will be sorely missed. I send my condolences to his colleagues, his friends, and his family.”

46 affordable housing will be added in Roxbury Crossing

MAYOR WALSH, MISSION HILL NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES AND BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL ANNOUNCE CONSTRUCTION HAS STARTED ON PARCEL 25 PHASE 2  New transit-oriented development will offer 46 units of affordable family housing, underground parking, and a pedestrian plaza and walkway in Roxbury Crossing BOSTON - Monday, September 14, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh, Mission Hill Neighborhood Housing Services (MHNHS), Boston Children's Hospital together announced that construction has started on the second of three phases in the redevelopment of Parcel 25, part of the Mission Hill Community's plan to revitalize the Roxbury Crossing gateway to the neighborhood. This once vacant, former MBTA property will create 46 new units of transit-oriented affordable family housing, underground parking, and a pedestrian plaza and walkway at One Halleck Street. "Today we celebrate a significant milestone as we break ground on the next round of a project that will bring 46 new housing units that are affordable to residents to the Mission Hill neighborhood," said Mayor Walsh. "I'm proud of the work that all partners have done to create dozens of affordable homes for working families, older Bostonians, formerly homeless individuals, and persons with disabilities on this once vacant land. This eco-friendly, affordable housing development will keep this neighborhood strong and vibrant for generations to come."   Phase one of the project included two buildings. The Maria Sanchez House, located on Gurney Street, was the first of the two buildings developed as part of the community's vision to reclaim the area. It was completed in 2015 and offers 40 units of affordable housing for seniors. One Gurney Street, the second of the two buildings, opened in late 2017 and is a transit-oriented, mixed-use development that offers 40 units of affordable family housing, contains the new office headquarters for Metro Housing Boston, and four community-oriented retail storefronts including a new Eastern Bank branch. Phase two of the redevelopment represents the culmination of more than a decade of planning and hard work by Mission Hill Neighborhood Housing Services and the Mission Hill community to restore the land formerly owned by the MBTA.  "We are thrilled to announce the start of construction on the Parcel 25 Phase 2 Project," said Patricia Flaherty, Executive Director of MHNHS, and longtime resident of Mission Hill. "We are grateful to all of our partners who continue to support this community's desire for affordable housing in Roxbury Crossing, led by Mayor Walsh, and including the City's Department of Neighborhood Development, the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, Boston Children's Hospital, as well as the strong commitment to the project by equity investor MHIC and the collaboration of Eastern Bank and Boston Private Bank & Trust, who will be providing construction and permanent financing. We are amazed that despite the difficult times we are in, everyone came together and did what was necessary to move this project into construction." Parcel 25 Phase 2 involves new construction of 46 affordable rental units located across the street from the Roxbury Crossing MBTA station. When completed, the building will provide family housing to the neighborhood, including 15 one-bedroom units, 18 two-bedroom units (including 6 duplex units with private entrances and stoops along Halleck Street), and 13 three-bedroom units.  Five of the two and three-bedroom units will be set aside for formerly homeless families at 30% of AMI (Area Median Income).  An additional three one-bedroom fully-accessible units will be set aside for families with significant disabilities under the Community Based Housing program at 30% of AMI or below. Three 1-bedroom units will be affordable to individuals and or families at or below 30% of AMI. One 2-bedroom unit will be made affordable to families at between 31% and 50% of AMI.  The remaining 34 units will be available for families making at or below 60% of AMI. All 46 units will be made affordable in perpetuity. "I am so excited that One Halleck Street has closed and is in construction!", added Mission Hill NHS Board Member Cindy Walling. "As a Mission Hill homeowner, I am pleased to see the development of more affordable housing in our neighborhood. As a professional in the affordable housing industry working with families, I know first hand the need for housing that is close to the City's core. This location provides tremendous access to public transportation as well as bike paths. The importance of easy access to employment opportunities for the residents of this development cannot be overstated." When completed the building will be LEED Silver certifiable and will include many green features for long-term operations and sustainability, as well as several public space improvements such as new sidewalks, handicap accessible ramps, benches, lighting, bike racks, and an extended pedestrian plaza and walkway that allows residents and visitors to move through the site to their points of destination. Designed by Goody Clancy Architects, the building will be constructed by NEI General Contracting and managed by Maloney Properties. "Boston Children's Hospital was proud to play a role in financing Phase 1 of Mission Hill NHS's Roxbury Crossing project. We are very pleased to also be contributing to the financing for Phase 2 this year," said Sandra L. Fenwick, Chief Executive Officer, Boston Children's Hospital. "We know that homeless children and those living in unstable housing tend to have worse health, more behavioral health problems, and lower school performance. During the COVID-19 crisis, it's even more essential that children have stable housing. We applaud Mission Hill NHS for making this much-needed housing available to children and families who will soon call Roxbury Crossing home."   The Parcel 25 Phase 2 development has been made possible in part by more than $2.55 million in funding from the City of Boston, including $1.3 million from City HOME and $1.25 million from the Neighborhood Housing Trust from Boston's Children's Hospital Housing Creation Linkage commitment. The development also received $1.7 million in State and Federal Low Income Housing tax credits from the Commonwealth's Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), $550,000 from DHCD HOME, $750,000 from DHCD HSF, $660,667 from DHCD CATNP, $722,850 from DHCD Community Based Housing, and $1 million from Mass Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

9/13 麻州新冠死亡人數破9000

            (Boston Orange編譯)2020年9月13日，新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)在麻州奪走的人命數目，新增14，累計9,001，打破了9千大關，確診人數也新增267人，累計122,904人。

             麻州公共衛生廳(DPH)透露，這天有12,102人做了病毒分子檢測，全州做過病毒檢測人數也已累計196萬，約等於麻州人口總數689萬的三分之一了。

             9月13日這天，做了抗體檢測的有289人，累計116,531人。

             已有連續二天，麻州的7天平均確診率都是0.8%，比9月1日至10日的0.9%，又降低了一點。

            根據紐約時報，以死於新冠病毒的人數來排序，麻州在全美50州中排居第6，僅次於紐約，新澤西，德州，加州及佛羅里達州。

             新型冠狀病毒大流行在新學年開始之際，發生至少二次引人矚目的狀況，一為上星期11名東北大學一年級新生未遵循校方禁令，在柯普利威斯汀(Westin Copley)酒店開派對，被學校開除了，3萬多元美金學費也泡湯了；一為本週五Lincoln-Sudbury區域高中一大批學生聚集開派對，還喝酒，被警察抓到了。校方在週六宣佈，本學年將一整年遙距上課。

             根據美國疾病防治中心(CDC)的數據，截至9月13日下午1點半，全美新型冠狀病毒確診個案有646萬7481宗，死亡人數19萬3195人。

             根據約翰霍普金斯大學的數據，全世界的確診個案數已累計至2885萬0901宗，累計死亡人數也高達92萬1619人。世界各國死亡人數最多的是美國，其次為巴西的13萬1210人，印度的7萬8586人，墨西哥的7萬604人，英國的4萬1717人，義大利的3萬5610人，法國的3萬903人。

             根據該資料表，中國的累計死亡人數為4,734人，台灣7人，無人死亡的國家與地區有不丹，柬埔寨，多明尼加，厄利垂亞(Eritrea)，格林納達(Grenada)，Holy See，寮國Laos，蒙古，斯里蘭卡，聖基茨和尼維斯聯邦(Saint Kitts and Nevis)，聖露西亞(Saint Lucia)，聖文森特(Saint Vincent)，格林納丁斯(Grenadines_，賽舌爾(Seychelles)，東帝汶(Timor-Leste)。

Black Hawk Flyover & Mile 27 Post-Race Party presented by Samuel Adams Caps Off Boston Marathon Virtual Experience Race Week

Black Hawk Flyover & Mile 27 Post-Race Party presented by Samuel Adams Caps Off Boston Marathon Virtual Experience Race Week

Flyover will recognize originally postponed Boston Marathon date, honor frontline workers

BOSTON—On Monday, September 14 two MEDEVAC HH-60 Black Hawks will fly over the Boston Marathon course, crossing the start line in Hopkinton at 10:00AM and following the race route into Boston. The flyover will recognize the originally postponed Boston Marathon date and honor frontline workers who have continued to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Black Hawks will originate from Army Aviation Support Facility Number 2 at Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport and will be supported by a crew of six:

• Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jared Lewis
• First Lieutenant Anthony Fattman
• Staff Sergeant Kevin Gibney
• Chief Warrant Officer 3 Isaac Gomez
• Warrant Officer 1 Cory Vazquez
• Sergeant Drew Hornickel

The Boston Marathon, originally scheduled for April 20, 2020 was postponed to September 14 before being canceled as a mass participation road race. Nearly 18,000 participants from almost 100 countries have run the race virtually in their neighborhoods. The Boston Marathon Virtual Experience will culminate with the Mile 27 Post-Race Party presented by Samuel Adams, which will be broadcast live from Fenway Park on Monday, September 14 at 8:00 p.m. ET. The Mile 27 Post-Race Party will feature an hour-long broadcast on CBSBoston.com and will be simulcast on the platform Virtual Tables. The Post-Race Party will feature special messages and appearances by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, B.A.A. CEO Tom Grilk, and many more.

All Boston Marathon Virtual Experience participants and volunteers have been sent unique login access to the Boston Marathon Mile 27 Post-Race Party presented by Samuel Adams. Through this unique access, they can interact with fellow Boston Marathon finishers, race champions, and volunteers while watching the CBSBoston.com Post-Race Party broadcast.

The Boston Marathon Mile 27 Post-Race Party presented by Samuel Adams will feature:

• Appearances by Boston Marathon champions including Des Linden and Meb Keflezighi
• Live appearance with Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker
• Messages from Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and notable Boston personalities
• Highlights from the entire Boston Marathon Virtual Experience Race Week (September 5-14)
• A cooking segment with chef and Wahlburgers star Paul Wahlberg alongside Samuel Adams brewers
• Finish photos appearing on the big screen at Fenway Park

Virtual photobooth and mosaic to celebrate finishing the Boston Marathon Virtual Experience. 

BCNC謝康卡斯捐30台電腦 籲民眾參加"我們愛波士頓華埠"活動

              (Boston Orange)波士頓華埠社區中心(BCNC)在疫情期間，所有課程改為網上進行。康卡斯(Comcast)愾捐30台Chromebooks，幫助該中心成人學生學習英語，提升就業技能。

                   波士頓華埠社區中心表示，新型冠狀病毒大流行以來，波士頓華埠生意大幅流失，現在雖然重新開放，但恢復緩慢。該中心刻正和已合作10年的康卡斯(Comcast)公司攜手，致力提升社區士氣，因應個人和企業的需求。

                  康卡斯捐贈30台全新的Chromebooks電腦給BCNC成人班學生來學英語及就業技能。

            自從新興冠狀病毒大流行以來，BCNC的所有課程活動，都轉到網上舉行。沒有電腦的學生就只能用手機上課，做作業。

                康卡斯過去以來為移民家庭提供可負擔的高速網際網路，為家長及照顧者舉辦網際網路安全講座，更提供膝上型電腦。在保持社交安全距離是那麼重要的時刻，康卡斯的慷慨行為讓BCNC的學生們有了數位工具，可以更容易地遙距學習。

                康卡斯也贊助波士頓華埠中心的”感受華埠藝術節(Experience Chinatown arts festival)”活動。那是為期一個月的活動，在確保波士頓華埠鄰里的健康與安全之際，提升人們的心情。

             在九月份的一整個月中，訪客可以參加包括9月12日，13日舉行的"虛擬5000公尺，1英里跑步.徒步"籌款賽等特別活動，以及隨時出現的虛擬或實際活動。這些活動是BCNC和社區組織，企業，居民合作的”我們愛波士頓華埠”行動的一部分。

麻州居民外遊的高危險地區 再添三州

             (Boston Orange編譯)從9月12日開始，麻州居民外遊探訪後必須隔離或做檢測的州，又添3個，賓州(Pennsylvania)，德拉瓦州(Delaware)，西維奇尼亞州(West Virginia)。

             美國總共就50個州，現在有38個州都被麻州列入高危險州了。

             麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)從8月1日下達旅行禁令，規定所有的訪客，居民到過新冠病毒的高危州後，必須隔離14天，或是提出在抵達麻州前72小時內，做過新型冠狀病毒檢測，結果為陰性的證據。

             麻州勸訪客到麻州旅遊前，先取得病毒檢測陰性的結果。

             不遵循相關規定者，可導致一天500元的罰款。

             來自低危州的人，或是通勤工作或上學的人，需要特殊醫療的病人，可以豁免於這一規定。

             目前還在低危險名單上的州有，科羅拉多州(Colorado)，康州(Connecticut)，緬因(Maine)，新罕布夏州(New Hampshire)，新澤西州(New Jersey)，新墨西哥州(New Mexico)，紐約州(New York)，奧勒岡州(Oregon)，佛蒙特州(Vermont)，華盛頓州(Washington)，懷俄明州(Wyoming)。

            麻州勸居民出行，只去在新冠病毒低危險名單上的各州。

             任何來自其他國家的人，必須填報麻州旅行表，並隔離14天，或符合72小時之內做過病毒檢測，結果呈陰性這條件。

9/12 麻州新冠確診個案再添435宗

麻州州長查理貝克鎖州被告 911開庭

麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)在州政府大樓前升旗，悼念911事件。
(圖片來自州長辦公室)

             (Boston Orange 綜合編譯)麻州州長有沒權力在病毒大流行期間，下達影響民眾生活，企業經營的行政命令?包括機構，個人在內的大約10名原告，今年6月向麻州最高法院控告麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)，9月11日開始聽證。

             麻州最高法院的6名法官9月11日時在網上開了會，首席法官Ralph D. Gants上週心臟病發作，沒參加。這法院由7名法官組成，其中5名法官是查理貝克指派的。只有首席法官Ralph D. Gants，以及原定上個月，現延期至12月才退休的法官Barbara A. Lenk是前任麻州州長派屈克(Deval Patrick)指派的。

             這訴訟是由10名原告提出，包括髮廊東主，北端(North End)的餐廳業主，2名教堂牧師，以及新公民自由聯盟的DeGrandis，財政聯盟基金會(Fiscal Alliance Foundation)的董事會主席，本身也是律師的Danielle Huntley Webb。他們想要推翻查理貝克為因應新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)大流行，在過去六個月中所發佈的許多行政命令。

             訟案的重心是1950年的”民防法(Civil Defense Act)，這個在冷戰時期制定，在全州面對敵人攻擊，破壞，暴動，失火，淹水，或是所謂的其他天然災害時，給州長很廣泛的權衡權力。

            查理貝克辯稱，病毒大流行就符合那最後一段的天然災害要求，讓他可以在不需要議會批准下，很快地採取行動，包括訂定新的旅行規定，限制集會人數，關閉企業，以減緩病毒擴散。

             代表”新公民自由聯盟(New Civil Liberties Alliance)”控告查理貝克的律師Michael P. DeGrandis表示，該法案並未提及疾病，而查理貝克卻動用了應該保留給議員的警察權力。

            “新公民自由聯盟”是由指甲沙龍，餐館及宗教組織組成的團體。

             查理貝克也引述另一州法，稱那給了他的公共衛生廳廳長權力，在對公共健康有害的緊急情況下採取行動。不過該法不像”民防法”可以延伸得那麼廣。

             Michael P. DeGrandis說，查理貝克的控制，把麻州搞得天翻地覆了。他說這是”處理”以及麻州政府的性質是法治還是人治的問題。

             在聽證會中，Michael P. DeGrandis面對著法官們的重複質問，有時甚至直接問他意圖何在。法官還探討了麻州議會是否授權了麻州州長採取行動。

              新公民自由聯盟是一個位於華府的非牟利組織，Charles Koch  基金會捐了200萬元給該機構。

              9月11日，由於新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)，麻州已有8971人死亡，並在當天新增433確診個案後，總共有122,202人感染病毒。

             

波士頓學院一週內有67名學生確診

             (Boston Orange編譯)學校開學了，新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)感染也加速擴散了?波士頓學院(BC)今(12)日在學校網頁上更新資料，說明在9月7日至9月13日之間，共有67名大學部學生確診。全校共有104人曾經確診，目前仍共有82人在確診狀態中。

             波士頓學院全校在前述這一星期中，共有2954人做了檢測，其中包括2647名大學部學生。目前仍確診的82人中，有40人在隔離屋中隔離，42人在家中療養。

             早在8月底，已經有學校傳出師生確診消息。共有學生35,000人的波士頓大學，在7月27日至8月27日間，做了5376次檢測，發現8名學生確診，其中7人都是在8月11日以後確診的。另有98人無法確定。愛默生學院則是在8月10日檢測了250人後，有1人確診。9月10日，也有Pope Francis預備學校有一名學生確診。

             在學生及學校鄰近居民都表示擔心自己的健康，麻省總醫院(MGH)傳染病部門主管Rochelle Walensky質疑波士頓學院是否在檢測上做得不夠，聲稱現在要做大追蹤，時間不等人之後，波士頓學院在9月11日急忙”滅火”。

             接受記者們採訪的學生，家長及學校鄰居都指波士頓學院的學生，員工，做病毒檢測的頻率不夠，接觸追蹤也做得不到位，和校園及鄰里的人溝通都不足。許多學生說，他們是9月10日看報紙才知道，學校游泳隊和潛水隊有一群人感染了病毒。

             波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)說，波士頓學院的COVID安全準則是應該查知發生這種情況的。他說，”我們現在還沒進入危機時刻，但我們必須注意這些突然爆發出來的情況”。

             根據波士頓環球報的報導，波士頓學院檢測學生的頻率，和本地許多其他大學，例如波士頓大學，東北大學等相比，都少得多。其他大學一星期至少兩次，檢測所有住校學生。點

            波士頓學院卻僅在學生到校報到時做檢測，然後點綴式的檢測無症狀者。波士頓學院的計畫是每星期檢測1500人。該校約有7300名大學部學生住校。

             波士頓學院一名擔任救生員，怕遭遇報復而不願公開姓名的學生表示，游泳隊友人週一感到不舒服，週二確診，但是學校卻沒有通知她和其他的救生員，發生了這樣的事。她還是週三看報紙才知道。然後學校說會讓校內打工學生每週做一次檢測，週四卻拒絕給她做檢測，直到週五，她才終於作了檢測。

             一名有兩個孩子就讀波士頓學院的父親憤怒地認為，學校讓學生回校上課，就要為學生負責任。他的兩個唸大三的小孩，一人確診後隔離，另一人因為是接觸確診者，也隔離了。這兩名學生之前都和游泳隊，潛水隊的隊員有來往。

             波士頓學院發言人Jack Dunn在週五下午表示，本週波士頓學院已增加檢測了，做了2500人次。但他說那不是因為有一群人確診引發的，而是學校實施逐步增加檢測的結果。

COVID-19逼使麻州3600家餐館關門

               (Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導)麻州餐館協會(MRA)估計，全州16,000多家餐館，大概有3,600家在新型冠狀病毒疫情中關門大吉，關店率大約23%。現場表演活動聯盟(Live Events Coalition )的麻州分支9月7日也在柯普利廣場的三一教堂前擺出”無人宴”，申訴這行業撐不下去了。

麻州餐館協會(MRA)圖表。

               麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)是在2020年3月23日以行政命令規定非必要企業(Non-essential business)暫時關閉的。6月8日，6月22日，麻州政府在第二階段開放中，陸續准許餐館從戶外到室內的開始恢復營業，但是礙於新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)疫情還未完全消散，為民眾安全起見，不但要求餐館加強清潔，消毒措施，還規定餐桌、座位，顧客和員工得保持6英尺距離，同一張餐桌不得容納6名以上顧客等等。

               已經一連兩個月零收入的餐館業，眼看著生意無法完全復原，政府的補助始終有限，各種跡象都顯示著目前這樣的慘淡情況，在疫情沒有消彌中，不知道會持續到什麼時候，於是一家，一家的餐館打烊消息，不斷傳出。

               波約斯頓街(Boylston)和Gloucester接交界處兩旁的4家受歡迎酒吧，McGreevey’s，The Pour House，Lir，Whiskey，竟然都關門了。因為Cheers這部電視劇而出名的酒吧，當初因為受歡迎，在波士頓市政府對面遊客區的芬紐廳(Fanneuil Hall)開了家分店，生意也一直火紅，現在卻也撐不下去了。出名的海鮮餐廳連鎖店Legal Sea Foods，也關了3家分店。

Gateway Productions負責人舉牌自救。(周菊子攝)

               華人經營的餐廳，有位於摩頓市的”一品香”，在本月初黯然熄燈。波士頓華埠，則有華盛頓街上的”新西貢三明治”店，關上了大門。

               在新型冠狀病毒肆虐的疫情中，受打擊最大的行業，除了餐館業，還有現場表演活動業。餐館業因為這波疫情，新成立了一個獨立餐館聯盟(Independent Restaurant Coalition)，現場表演活動業也成立了聯盟(Live Events Coalition)，都申訴著數以百萬計的人，快要面對無米可炊的困境。

Gateway-productions的負責人Alex Sommerfew和多名義工代表麻州同業，在9月7日到波士頓市柯普利廣場的三一教堂前，擺出有表演舞台及桌椅，卻沒人的場景，申訴他們這個行業正面臨無以為繼的慘況。他自己還舉著一塊黑底白字的標語牌，以他已經營了20年的公司為例，指出一旦現場表演活動的禁令持續，他這家公司關門了，就會有22個家庭的生計受影響，800萬元營業額泡湯。他很傷心的透露，他把這場申訴活動的訊息，發給了所有媒體，卻沒人報導。

獨立餐館聯盟則在網頁上申訴著，如果他們不行動，有1100萬名餐館業員工會失業。

聯邦政府的參眾議員顯然也聽到了餐飲業及現場表演活動業的聲音，眾議院於6月提出了”穩定餐館業法案”眾議院版(HR7197)，要拿出1200億元來幫助餐館業者。華裔聯邦眾議員孟昭文訂9月15日早上11點，舉行公聽會(https://ushr.zoomgov.com/j/1600840933)。美國中餐聯盟副主席梁利堂今(11)日也在餐飲老闆+華人企業救助會這個微信群組呼籲華裔餐館業者出席。