亞馬遜宣佈將在波士頓擴大營運 未來數年增聘3000人

             (Boston Orange編譯)亞馬遜(Amazon)要給麻州帶來更多工作機會了。這家電子商務巨頭週二宣佈擴大在波士頓市的科技營運，未來數年內要在海港區(Seaport District)的63萬平方英尺新建大樓中，增加3000個職位。

             亞馬遜已經在建的樓宇預定明年初落成，會有2000名亞馬遜工程師，軟體發展員，以及其他人員在那兒辦公。新增的部分，將就在這正在蓋的大樓旁。

             亞馬遜在波士頓的副總裁Rohit Prasad表示，在有些科技公司縮小辦公室，轉向遙距工作之際，這家總部在西雅圖的電子商務公司快速擴張，意味著對波士頓市內人才及實體空間的巨大投資。不過，對於在波士頓及劍橋市的樓宇差不多全部佔滿後，會有將近7000名員工的亞馬遜來說，有個大型的實體在那兒，有助於它的創新及成長。

             亞馬遜將在17層樓高的大樓內租用空間，作為WS 發展的23英畝海港廣場綜合用途項目的一部分。該樓宇座落在國會街和波士頓馬頭路交界處，將和該公司3年前簽下租約，有43萬平方英尺的空間相連。

波士頓市府官員表示，做為批給海港廣場許可的一部分，WS和波士頓計畫及發展局(BPDA)協議建造幾個劇院，包括一個500個座位的表演中心，一個100個座位的場所。整個綜合體比萬寧路(Minino)政府時期預想的要小歇，但更符合波士頓藝術團體的今日所需。WS主管表示，現在工程已經要開始了，他們將和前在租戶商談。

就和亞馬遜在海港廣場的第一棟大樓一樣，如果這第二棟大樓在開張二年內，創造2000個就業機會，就可獲得500萬元的市府物業稅優惠。馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)政府在2018年亞馬遜簽約租用地一棟大樓時同意了這一稅項優惠，並將這一優惠展延至第二棟大樓，以鼓勵公司在波士頓內成長。

精品巧克力Godiva實體店將退出北美 麻州有5家

             (Boston Orange編譯)精品巧克力Godiva宣佈將關閉或出售北每100多家店面，其中有5家是在麻州的購物商場內。

Godiva週一發出聲明，親自到該公司實體店購買巧克力的需求，由於新冠疫情，以及消費者購物行為的加速改變，已經式微。

這家1926年在布魯塞爾(Brussels)創辦，生產奢華巧克力的土耳其製造商指出，該品牌的消費者基礎持續成長，大都來自該品牌的食品店，俱樂部，以及零售商等合作夥伴的網路銷售。

Godiva在聲明中表示，為因應這一市場轉變，將在2021年第一季結束前，經由出售，或關門方式，退出北美的128家實體店面。

Godiva將在反映地方市場的獨特文化偏好下，保留在歐洲，中東，以及大中國的零售營運。

麻州地區的5家Godiva店，分佈在柏靈頓(Burlington)、納提克(Natick)商場，波士頓的Prudential中心，Braintree的南岸廣場，以及Wrentham村的精品直銷店。

Godiva執行長Nurtac Afridi表示，”我們在讓消費者更容易享受Govida”。

哈佛增42% 塔大增26% 兩校今年申請入學人數都破記錄

            (Boston Orange 編譯) 塔芙茨(Tufts)大學的2025年級入學申請人數，才剛傳出暴漲26%，達到46,469人之多。哈佛大學更誇張，陡增42%，也打破歷年記錄的多達57,000人申請。

            哈佛校報The Crimson在一篇報導中指出，該校入學許可辦公室因為申請人實在太多了，錄取決定還被迫延遲了一個禮拜。

            去年的2024年級，共有40,248人申請，今年的申請人數比去年多了42%。之前的人數最多記錄是2023年級的有43,330人申請。

              哈佛入學許可辦公室通知了申請人，公佈錄取決定的日期將延遲到4月6日，比原定的3月26日遲一週，因為申請人實在太多了。

            在這57,000多名申請人中，有10,086人是申請提前決定，其中747人已獲錄取。這個數目也打破了申請提早決定的最高人數記錄，以及錄取率最低記錄，只有7.4%。哈佛大學把大約80%的提早決定申請，展延到正常入學申請批次。

            哈佛大學入學許可及財務援助辦公室主任William R. Fitzsimmons表示，她相信入學申請的大幅度增加是因為哈佛的財務援助項目火紅，網上招生做得好，以及該校決定可選擇標準化測驗。

塔芙茨大學波士頓校區上週6學生，2教職員新冠確診

塔夫茨大學新冠肺炎疫情波士頓健康科學校區更新(截至01/22/2021)

•          從2020年8月3日起，總計286,186人次的檢測已在塔夫茨大學全部四個校區完成(波士頓中國城，波士頓芬威/傳教山，梅德福/薩默維爾，格拉夫頓)

•          截止至01/22/2021，波士頓健康科學校區中：

o          32位確診病例被隔離

o          28位密切接觸者被隔離

o          131位患者已痊愈

•          過去7天內，波士頓健康科學校區中：

o          6名學生檢測為陽性，1,475名為陰性（0.41%陽性）

o          2名工作人員或教職人員檢測為陽性，679名為陰性（0.29%陽性）

•          自從8月3日開始檢測以來：

o          波士頓健康科學校區內，90名學生檢測為陽性，2,106名為陰性 （4.10%陽性）

o          波士頓健康科學校區內，29名雇員檢測為陽性，927名為陰性 （3.03%陽性）

•          平均檢測處理時間保持在24小時內

Tufts University COVID-19 Boston Health Sciences Campus Update (as of 01/22/2021):

·        286,186 tests have been administered by Tufts University on all four campuses (Boston’s Chinatown, Boston’s Fenway/Mission Hill, Medford/Somerville and Grafton) since August 3rd, 2020

·        As of 01/22/21, for the Boston Health Sciences Campus:

o   32 individuals are in isolation

o   28 individuals are quarantined

o   131 individuals have recovered

·        In the past 7 days for the Boston Health Sciences Campus:

o   6 students have tested positive and 1,475 have tested negative (.41% positive)

o   2 faculty/staff have tested positive and 679 have tested negative (.29% positive)

·        Since testing began on August 3rd:

o   90 unique students on the Boston Health Sciences campus have tested positive and 2,106 have tested negative (4.10% positive)

o   29 unique employees on the Boston Health Sciences campus have tested positive and 927 have tested negative (3.03% positive)

·        Average processing time remains less than 24 hours

(資料來源:  Tufts 大學)

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Launch of Pilot to Provide Dedicated COVID-19 Testing Sites to Child Care Programs, Expanded Resources for Providers

 Baker-Polito Administration Announces Launch of Pilot to Provide Dedicated COVID-19 Testing Sites to Child Care Programs, Expanded Resources for Providers

The Department of Early Education and Care, partnering with private, philanthropic funders, will establish pilot testing sites dedicated to child care staff, children and families

 

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced the launch of a pilot COVID-19 testing program dedicated to providing on-demand PCR testing to child care providers and the families they serve to ensure easy access to testing when there is suspected COVID-19 exposure.

 

The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), partnering with private and philanthropic funders from the Massachusetts Early Childhood Funder Collaborative and BayCoast Bank, will launch an eight week pilot, setting up eight rotating drive-through testing sites throughout the Commonwealth, which will be open only to child care providers and individuals affiliated with programs.

 

In addition, EEC is dedicating $8 million in state and federal funds to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) to distribute to child care providers at no cost. Child care providers will be able to order up to a one-month supply of PPE, including masks for children and adults, gloves, hand sanitizer, and other supplies. 

 

With dedicated testing locations and test results provided within 48 hours, the new testing initiative is an effort to prevent sudden temporary closures of child care programs due to virus exposure. The testing sites – located in Athol, Braintree, Billerica, Dalton, Franklin, Plymouth, Sturbridge and Westfield – will allow child care programs to continue providing care when symptomatic individuals test negative and reopen quicker after potential exposures. The sites were chosen in collaboration with the Department of Public Health (DPH) and the COVID-19 Response Command Center based on distance from a current state-sponsored Stop the Spread testing location and concentration of child care providers.

 

Anyone affiliated with a child care program who is symptomatic, identified as a close contact or has concerns about exposure, including all staff and their household members as well as children in care and their families, will be eligible for testing at no cost. Each site will have capacity to test approximately 400 people a day.

 

Tests will be conducted by medical personnel using a simple anterior nasal swab and will be processed by a CLIA-certified laboratory with results available to individuals via a portal in 48 hours or less.

 

Those receiving a test will need the EEC provider number of the child care program to verify their eligibility. No appointment is necessary, but pre-registration is highly encouraged. 

 

As required by state law, the lab will report results to the state’s Department of Public Health. Individuals will be responsible for reporting to their child care provider or employer.

 

Members of the Massachusetts Early Childhood Funder Collaborative and BayCoast Bank have committed $450,000 to support the initial eight-week pilot, which will provide time to evaluate the efficacy of the testing program and determine next steps. The Massachusetts Early Childhood Funder Collaborative is comprised of individuals and foundations supporting the early childhood sector in the Commonwealth, sharing information and best practices in early childhood philanthropy.

 

Currently, there are 2,429 center-based programs open and 4,373 family child care homes serving children and their families, which represents approximately 82 percent of pre-COVID child care capacity level. Approximately 125,000 children are enrolled in licensed child care programs each day in Massachusetts.

 

To learn more about the pilot program, click here.

 

To order supplemental PPE supplies, click here.

 

Baker-Polito Administration Files for $200 Million in Chapter 90 Local Transportation Funding, Highlights Fiscal Year 2022 Local Aid Proposal

 Baker-Polito Administration Files for $200 Million in Chapter 90 Local Transportation Funding, Highlights Fiscal Year 2022 Local Aid Proposal

Funding will support municipal transportation projects and help local cities and towns improve their infrastructure

 

BOSTON — The Baker-Polito Administration today filed an “An Act Financing Improvements to Municipal Roads and Bridges,” which seeks $200 million in Chapter 90 funding to help all 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts improve transportation infrastructure and address needs within their local communities. Governor Charlie Baker made this announcement at the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s (MMA) Annual Meeting last week.

 

This funding request complements the $39.5 million increase in unrestricted local aid that will be included in the Administration’s Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) budget proposal, as announced by Lt. Governor Karyn Polito at the MMA meeting last week. The Administration’s full FY22 budget proposal is expected to be released in the coming days.

 

“Investing in local roads and bridges helps connect residents with jobs and opportunities across the Commonwealth, and promotes economic growth and development,” said Governor Baker. “We are pleased to continue providing support and resources to cities and towns throughout Massachusetts, and ensuring municipalities have the flexibility and resources to address their unique needs.”

 

“Our Administration remains committed to being a reliable partner for every city and town in Massachusetts,” said Lt. Governor Polito. “These meaningful resources empower municipalities to carry out important projects and improve their infrastructure, and we look forward to working closely with the Legislature to pass this bill.”

 

This $200 million in Chapter 90 funding would be available to local cities and towns for FY22. After taking office in 2015, Governor Baker quickly directed MassDOT to release $100 million in Chapter 90 funds that had been promised the previous year, fulfilling a commitment made to cities and towns. The Baker-Polito Administration has released a total of $1.36 billion in funding through the Chapter 90 formula, and if approved by the Legislature, this most recent request would bring the total to $1.56 billion.

 

“The Baker-Polito Administration continues to focus on supporting cities and towns and promoting a strong, equitable economic recovery,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Michael J. Heffernan. “We are proud to once again request $200 million in Chapter 90 funding and uphold our promise to provide an increase in local aid which is equivalent to tax revenue growth.”

 

The Administration’s FY22 budget proposal will include $1.168 billion for unrestricted general government aid (UGGA), a $39.5 million increase over Fiscal Year 2021, and equal to a projected 3.5% increase in tax revenue in the FY22 consensus revenue estimate. Including the FY22 budget proposal, the Administration has increased the total annual UGGA distribution by $222 million since taking office.

  

“Chapter 90 funding helps cities and towns meet important needs ranging from road paving projects to sidewalk repairs to pedestrian and bicycle facilities to other infrastructure improvements,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “The Baker-Polito Administration is committed to helping our communities invest in their transportation infrastructure and help the public get around safely and efficiently, through both Chapter 90 funding and our municipal grant programs.”

 

Through the Chapter 90 program, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) reimburses cities and towns for costs incurred for eligible transportation projects. Funding is awarded by municipality and is predetermined by a formula that includes factors such as population, road miles, and employment. 

 

More information about the Chapter 90 program is available here.

麻州新冠疫苗接種2/1起第2階段 75歲以上都可預約

麻州州長Charlie Baker(左)和麻州健康人民服務長Marylou Sudders，
說明疫苗分發狀況。(周菊子攝)

             (Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導)麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)今(25)日宣佈，從2月1日起，75歲以上麻州居民，都可預約接種新冠疫苗。65歲以上將是疫苗分發第2階段的第2優先群體。麻州接種新冠疫苗的場所也增加至165個。

有意接種疫苗者，可上網查詢自己是否符合現階段的接種疫苗資格，同時查詢接種地點，填表預約登記。網址為mass.gov/COVIDVaccineMap。

麻州州長查理貝克表示，希望能盡快讓全州85%民眾得以接種疫苗，也就是大約400萬人。麻州已為此成立了顧問委員會。截至上週末，麻州已為民眾施打了448,892劑新冠疫苗，其中有些人已接種了2劑。

截至本週，麻州計畫在原有的大型疫苗接種站，集中護理場所等疫苗門診站之外，推出103個公眾疫苗接種站。麻州目前有能力每週為民眾接種24萬2000劑疫苗，但這星期只從聯邦政府那兒收到173,175劑疫苗。

麻州副州長白莉朵(Karyn Polito)。

                  預計2月中時，麻州會有165個疫苗站，可讓一般大眾前往接種疫苗。這些疫苗站加上醫療系統，以及集中護理場所等疫苗門診地點，麻州將有能力每週施打30萬5000劑疫苗，不過，到時候麻州會從聯邦政府那兒收到的疫苗，大概只有189,640劑而已。

麻州州長查理貝克指出，麻州共有850個頤養院，老人屋等場所，因此在分發疫苗的作業上，比州政府預期的稍微緩慢一些。

麻州副州長白莉朵(Karyn Polito)說，截至昨日為止，麻州共分發了651,875劑疫苗給醫護機構，其中224,250劑疫苗依照聯邦藥店合夥計畫，分發給了藥店。有8萬6000劑疫苗由長照機構施打了出去，2萬3000劑經由不同地點，為第一線工作人員施打了。約3000劑給了獄政單位，1000劑給了商業藥店。

麻州健康及人民服務長Marylou Sudders也強調，麻州能夠為多少民眾施打疫苗，變數很多，包括到底能從聯邦政府那兒拿到多少疫苗。州政府已經和聯邦政府溝通了，把儲存在聯邦機構的2萬劑疫苗拿出來，分發給了地方上的醫院，診所，以加快疫苗施打速度。

麻州政府也宣佈了在春田市，丹佛市(Danvers)，以及波士頓市增設新的大型施打疫苗站。春田市的疫苗站將於1月29日在東野購物廣場(Eastfield Mall)開張，丹佛市預定2月3日在雙樹希爾頓酒店開張，波士頓市將於2月第一週在瑞吉路易斯中心(Reggie Lewis Center)開張。

麻州政府早前已經宣佈了的疫苗站有吉列體育館(Gillette Stadium)，以及芬衛球場(Fenway Park)。到二月中時，麻州這些大型疫苗站將有能力每週為7萬6000名民眾施打新冠疫苗。在持續發放疫苗之際，麻州計畫至少設置7個大型疫苗站。一旦聯邦政府分發給麻州的疫苗劑量增加了，麻週將可快速地擴大疫苗施打規模。

公眾疫苗站將包括藥店，社區診所，以及其他有充足施打疫苗經驗的醫療服務供應者及組織。本週將有44個新的公眾疫苗站開張，包括Big Y，Wegmans， Price Chooper，以及Hannaford的零售企業服務部，Stop & Shop藥店，CVS健康部等。

有些由地方社區運作的疫苗站，將只為當地居民服務，本週大約有11個這樣的疫苗站開張。

2月1日開始的疫苗接種第2階段，75歲以上民眾屬於第1優先群，65歲以上，同時患有2種以上病症的個人為第2優先群，確切的符合接種疫苗日期，將視乎聯邦政府的疫苗供應量，以及預約登記的需求量。麻州政府也修訂了群組規定，不再把公私營的低收入及可負擔老人屋民眾單獨列表，所有65歲以上個人在第2階段的第2群組開始施打疫苗時，不論各人住在那兒，都可預約接種疫苗。

第2階段的第3優先群組為幼稚園到小學12年級的工作人員，交通，水電，食物，農業，衛生，公共工程，以及公共衛生等員工。然後是患有1種併發症的人。

所有符合第一階段優先接種疫苗資格的人，包括醫護人員，長照機構、集中護理場所的居民及員工，居家護理人員，以及並非直接面對新冠病毒的醫護工作人員，和第一線工作人員，現在都可以接種疫苗。

接種疫苗只有兩個步驟，首先上網，mass.gov/COVIDvaccine ，查詢自己是否符合現階段的優先注射疫苗資格，確認後，上網mass.gov/COVIDVaccineMap，查找離自己比較近的疫苗診所，然後在網上填寫證明書，預約時間。

 Baker-Polito Administration Announces Expansion of COVID-19 Vaccination Sites, Updates to Phase Two

Vaccinations for Individuals 75+ to Begin on February 1 as part of Phase Two

 

BOSTON – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced an expansion of COVID-19 vaccination sites in all parts of the Commonwealth, including new mass vaccination sites, pharmacy locations and local sites. By mid-February, the Administration expects there will be 165 vaccination sites in the Commonwealth.

 

The Administration also announced updates to plans for Phase Two of the Commonwealth’s distribution plan. Individuals 75 years or older will now be the first priority group in Phase Two, and individuals 65 years and older have been moved into the second priority group, in addition to individuals with two comorbidities. Starting on February 1 individuals age 75 or older can be vaccinated. Vaccination sites can be found on the Commonwealth’s map at mass.gov/COVIDVaccineMap.

 

Vaccination Site Expansion

 

The COVID-19 Response Command Center has been working with health care providers, local officials, pharmacies and others to set up additional COVID-19 vaccination sites across the Commonwealth, with a focus on accessibility and geographic equity.

 

As of this week, Massachusetts plans to have 103 publicly available vaccination sites. Between these sites and other vaccination clinic sites (e.g. congregate care, health systems), the Commonwealth currently has the capacity to administer 242,000 doses of vaccine per week. This capacity is significantly more than the 173,175 first and second doses that the Commonwealth expects to receive from the federal government this week.

 

By mid-February, the Administration expects there will be 165 publicly available vaccination sites. Between these sites and other vaccination clinic sites (e.g., congregate care, health systems) the Commonwealth will have capacity to administer 305,000 vaccinations per week. This capacity is significantly more capacity than the 189,640 doses that the Commonwealth expects to receive from the federal government that week.

 

It is important to note that the state’s capacity to vaccinate is not the same as the number of shots administered. Vaccine capacity is determined by the state’s plan to establish sites, staff and logistics in place to do 305,000 doses by mid-February. But, the actual number of vaccinations administered to residents depends on several variables, including the availability of doses from the federal government. 

 

The Commonwealth is planning to set up the capacity to administer more doses than we are currently receiving from the federal government. If Massachusetts continues to get the same number of doses from the federal government that the state is getting now, there could be empty seats at vaccine sites. 

 

The Administration also announced new mass vaccinations sites in Springfield, Danvers and Boston:

 

• The Springfield site at Eastfield Mall will open on January 29.

 

• The Danvers sites at the Double Tree Hilton Hotel will open on February 3.

 

• In collaboration with the City of Boston, a site at the Reggie Lewis Center will open the first week of February.

 

These are in addition to sites already announced at Gillette Stadium and Fenway Park. By mid-February, the Commonwealth’s mass vaccination sites will have the capacity to vaccinate 76,000 people each week. The Administration expects to open at least seven mass vaccination sites as vaccine distribution continues. These mass vaccination sites have the ability to significantly and rapidly scale up operations if vaccine supply from the federal government increases.  

 

In addition to the mass vaccination sites, the Administration is establishing public vaccination sites at a variety of different locations in every region of the Commonwealth. Public vaccination sites listed on the map include places like pharmacies, community clinics, and other providers and organizations that have experience administering vaccines efficiently and safely. This week, 44 new public vaccination sites will open. These include new pharmacy and retail locations such as Big Y, Wegmans, Price Chopper, Retail Business Services at Hannaford and Stop and Shop Pharmacies, and CVS Health.

 

While many sites across the Commonwealth are open to all eligible individuals, some sites will be operated by local communities specifically for the residents in their community or the residents in their region. This week, 11 new restricted vaccination sites will open.

 

A map with all locations is available at mass.gov/COVIDVaccineMap. Each location has additional details on eligible groups and signup details. The map is updated frequently as more sites come online.

 

 

Phase Two Priority Group Updates

 

The Administration announced updates to Phase Two of the distribution plan, which will begin February 1^st for the first priority group. Individuals 75 and older will now be the first priority group in Phase Two.

 

Consistent with CDC guidance, individuals 65 and older and individuals with 2 or more comorbidities will now be the second priority group.

 

Later this month, individuals age 65 or older and individuals with 2 or more comorbidities will be eligible to get the vaccine. The exact date will depend on the vaccine supply from the federal government and the uptake and demand for vaccine appointments.

 

Along with the addition of individuals age 65 and older into part 2 of Phase Two, the Commonwealth updated the listing to no longer specifically list Public and Private low income and affordable senior housing as its own category, as all individuals over the age of 65 will be eligible to receive vaccine by part 2 of Phase Two regardless of where they live.

 

The order of Phase Two will now be:

 

• Individuals 75+

 

• Individuals 65+ or with 2+ comorbidities

 

• Early education and K-12 workers, transit, utility, food and agriculture, sanitation, public works, and public health workers, and

 

• Individuals with one comorbidity.

 

All Phase One eligible priority groups are now eligible for vaccinations, which includes all health care workers, residents and staff of long term care facilities, and congregate care facilities, home health care workers and non-COVID-facing health care workers and first responders.

 

 

The Administration will announce further updates on timing for other priority groups as the Commonwealth gets more information on vaccine shipments from the federal government. To learn more about the eligible groups, visit mass.gov/COVIDvaccine.

 

How to Get a Vaccine

 

Individuals with questions about how to get a vaccine should follow these steps:

 

1. Visit mass.gov/COVIDvaccine to find your phase and priority group

 

2. If you are eligible: use mass.gov/COVIDVaccineMap to find a vaccine clinic near you

 

3. Make an appointment online and fill out the attestation form