1月7日新冠疫情 新增確診 麻州7136 美國 247,776 世界792,003 新增死亡麻州71 美國 3750 世界14250

(Boston Orange)麻州在1月7日的新增新冠病毒確診人數，躍升至7136，累計393,188，新增71人死亡，累計12,634。

根據Worldometers的數據，美國及全世界的單日新增確診人數及死亡人數都十分可觀，又疫情加劇趨勢。

麻州公共衛生聽表示，7天平均的單日確診人數上升為4,820。估計目前有81,604人在接受新冠病毒治療，其中有2386人住院。

今日接受病毒檢測的人數為108,412，累計已達1140萬人。新增4006人做了抗體檢測，累計387,433人。

 

新英格蘭將有2人進白宮 羅州長Raimondo商務部長 波市長Walsh勞工部長

羅德島州州長雷萌朵(Gina Raimondo)(左起)獲提名出任美國商務部
部長。當年參觀羅斯福大道史蹟樓翻修，發展商葉超，吳子平陪同。
(檔案照片，周菊子攝

            (Boston Orange 編譯) 拜登(Joe Biden)即將上任美國總統，最大贏家似乎是新英格蘭地區。15個內閣部長職位中有3個一直懸缺，今(7)日卻在前後相距不到半小時之內，依序宣佈。羅德島州州長雷萌朵(Gina Raimondo)獲提名為商務部部長，波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin J. Walsh)獲提名為為勞工部部長。

               波士頓環球報(Boston Globe)稱，在喬治亞州的聯邦參議員選舉本週塵埃落定，兩名新任議員都是民主黨籍，聯邦參議院將由民主黨主導的情況下，雷萌朵和馬丁華殊獲得認可，走馬上任，應無疑義。真正故事將是他們的遺缺將由誰填補。

               在羅德島州，原本就有任期限制的雷萌朵，現在提早兩年離開週長職位，副州長麥基(Dan McKee)將在代理州長職位後，很可能以在位之姿，當選州長。

波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin J, Walsh)獲提名出任美國勞工部部長。
陳毓璇(左起)，陳家驊，陳毓禮當年為他辦籌款會。(檔案照片，
周菊子攝)

                     愛荷華州(Iowa)前州長Terry Branstad在2017  年接下駐中國大使職位時，就讓該州副州長Kim Reynolds佔據高位，”謀殺”了競爭對手在初選時可能有的機會。

               波士頓的情況可能更戲劇化。馬丁華殊離任，意味著已經宣佈參選市長的兩名波士頓市議員，不分區市議員吳弭(Michelle Wu)，第四區市議員Andrea Campbell，任何一人當選，波士頓是都將打破歷史紀錄，出現首名女性，有色人種市長。

再競選連任時，波士頓市才有了將近一世紀以來的首次市長職位出缺局面。當年跳出來參選市長職位的人數遠超過10人。現在這兩名以宣佈的候選人很可能面對的第一個競爭對手，恐怕會是以市議會議長身分代理市長的Kim Janey。她將是波士頓市有史以來的首名黑人，女性市長。

Governor Baker Signs Police Reform Legislation

 Governor Baker Signs Police Reform Legislation

   

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito joined legislators and public safety officials to participate in a ceremonial signing of S.2963, An Act Relative to Justice, Equity and Accountability in Law Enforcement in the Commonwealth.

 

Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito were also joined by Senate President Karen Spilka, Speaker of the House Ronald Mariano, Senator William Brownsberger, Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz, Representative Claire Cronin, Representative Russell Holmes, Representative Chynah Tyler, MA Chiefs of Police Association President Ed Dunne, and former MA Association of Minority Law Enforcement Officers President Larry Ellison to participate in the ceremonial signing.

 

The legislation will create a mandatory certification process for police officers, increases accountability and transparency in law enforcement and gives police departments a greater ability to hire or promote only qualified applicants. The new law also identifies the general circumstances under which police officers can use physical force, and places strict limits on the use of so-called ‘no-knock warrants.’ In addition, the legislation requires law enforcement to seek a court order when conducting a facial recognition search except in emergency situations.

 

Click here to learn more about the new law.

抗議暴動 交通部部長趙小蘭辭職

               (Boston Orange )CNBC率先揭露美國大選鬧劇造成川普支持者包圍白宮，造成4人死亡悲劇後的最新一章，交通部部長趙小蘭辭職。

              美國卸任總統川普支持者在喬治亞州聯邦參議員第二次選舉開票時，湧往華府，並於1月6日衝進國會殿堂，導致副總統彭斯(Mike Pence)被護送到安全地點，無法認證大選結果後，全美各地韃伐聲四起，民主黨國會議員發起再次彈劾川普行動。

              在川普讚揚暴動份子後，推特(Twitter)，臉書(Facebook)先後封閉了川普的帳號。

                                  CNBC率先揭露美國大選鬧劇造成川普支持者包圍白宮，造成4人死亡悲劇後的最新一章，交通部部長趙小蘭辭職。

                美國卸任總統川普支持者在喬治亞州聯邦參議員第二次選舉開票時，湧往華府，並於1月6日衝進國會殿堂，導致副總統彭斯(Mike Pence)被護送到安全地點，無法認證大選結果後，全美各地韃伐聲四起，民主黨國會議員發起再次彈劾川普行動。

              在川普讚揚暴動份子後，推特(Twitter)，臉書(Facebook)先後封閉了川普的帳號。

              交通部部長趙小蘭辭職的原因是川普總統的言論助長了暴民對國會的攻擊，這讓她深感不安。趙小蘭是川普政府中第一個因為暴亂辭職的內閣部長。她的丈夫是來自肯塔基州聯邦參議院多數黨(共和黨)領袖麥康納(Mitch McConnell)。

              暴亂發生後，川普政府已陸續有幾人辭職，趙小蘭則是迄今辭職者中職位最高者。

              她在一份聲明中表示，”昨天，在遊行示威的支持者聽完川普總統演講，猛攻國會大廈後，我們國家經歷了一場完全可以避免的創傷。我相信和你們許多人一樣，這深深的不安讓我無法釋懷”。

              經濟顧問委員會代理主席Tyler Goodspeed，負責司法部民權組的助理總檢察官Eric Dreiband，以及傳浦總統的國家安全顧問Matt Pottinger，奉派擔任駐北愛爾蘭特使的川普前幕僚長Mick Milvaney，今日都先後相繼辭職。

              第一夫人米蘭妮(Melania)的幕僚長Stephanie Grisham也在星期三辭職了。白宮副新聞秘書Sarah Matthews早前也辭職了。

              越來越多人要求啟用第25條憲法修正案，或者經由彈劾的途徑，廢除川普的職務。

麻州疫情期間聚會人數限制效期延至1月24日

Charlie Baker, File photo.

             (Boston Orange 編譯)麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)宣佈延長疫情期間限制，新增醫院指導原則，以加強防止新冠病毒在麻州蔓延。

                  12月26日起生效的聚會人數限制，現延長2週，至1月24日截止。

                    相關的企業限制級聚會限額如下:

                 容量限制: 在現行限制下，在麻州內的大多數企業將維持25%的容量限制。

                          適用行業包括餐館，有緊密接觸的個人服務業，戲院及表演場所，賭場，辦公空間，崇拜場所，零售業，駕駛及飛行學校，高爾夫球場所的室內部分，圖書館，住宿場所(公共區域)，室內娛樂業，健身中心及俱樂部，博物館，文化場所及有導遊的遊覽。

                         餐館以及崇拜場所，個人服務業，零售業等行業的工作人員及職員，不計算在限額之內。

             每個領域特定指導原則的所有其他規則及限制，將保持有效。

              聚會限制:12月26日起生效的聚會人數限制，持續有效，市內限為10人，戶外維持25人。這一聚會限制也適用於私人住家，活動場所，以及公眾地方。

              新的醫院指導原則:

              醫院層級升等: 公共衛生廳11月發出來的醫院指導原則，訂立了醫院區域層級系統，以支持醫院之間的持續合作，維持能量。從12月初起，麻州所有區域已劃為第3級，建立了更好的合作框架，以平衡並確保接納病人的能量。        

              現在為因應住院人數的上升，麻州所有區域將升為第四級。在第四級中，每個區域的醫院將每天聚會，並在有需要的地方持續合作。

              重症病房護士員工比率:

              這個選擇只適用於向麻州公共衛生廳表達，容量少於20%，已暫停所有非必要，可選擇的侵入性手術的醫院。

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Extension of Capacity and Gathering Limits, New Guidance for Hospital ICU Staffing, Elective Surgeries

Capacity Limits for Most Industries, Gathering Limits Extended Until at Least January 24

BOSTON — Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced the extension of further restrictions and new hospital guidance to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth.

Industry restrictions for capacity limits and reduced gathering limits went into effect on Saturday, December 26^th, and will now be extended for at least two more weeks to January 24^th. 

Read a summary of the restrictions here.

Read the emergency order here.

INDUSTRY RESTRICTIONS & GATHERING LIMITS

Capacity Limits: Under the current restrictions that are being extended today, most industries in Massachusetts remain subject to a 25% capacity limit:

• Restaurants (based on permitted seating capacity)

• Close Contact Personal Services

• Theaters and Performance Venues

• Casinos

• Office Spaces

• Places of Worship

• Retail Businesses

• Driving and Flight Schools

• Golf Facilities (for indoor spaces)

• Libraries

• Lodging (for common areas)

• Arcades and Indoor Recreation Businesses

• Fitness Centers and Health Clubs

• Museums, Cultural Facilities and Guided Tours

• Workers and staff will not count towards the occupancy count for restaurants, places of worship, close contact personal services, and retail businesses.

All other rules and restrictions in each sector-specific guidance will continue to remain in effect.

Gatherings Limit: The current gathering limits in place since December 26 are also being extended. Indoor gatherings will remain limited to 10 people. Outdoor gatherings will remain limited to 25 people outside. The gatherings limit applies to private homes, event venues and public spaces.

NEW HOSPITAL GUIDANCE:

Hospital Tier Escalation: The Department of Public Health’s hospital guidance, issued in early November, establishes a regional tiering system for hospitals to support continued collaboration among hospitals and sustain capacity. Since early December, all regions across the Commonwealth have been in Tier 3 status, which established a framework for greater coordination to balance patient load and ensure capacity.

Today, in response to the continued rise in hospitalizations, all regions across the state will be escalated to Tier 4 status. In Tier 4, the hospitals in each region will meet at least daily, and will continue to collaborate across regions where necessary, to address growing capacity constraints and continue to load balance as needed.

ICU Nurse Staffing Ratios: To support the health care system’s continued response to the surge in cases and hospitalizations, the Commonwealth is allowing the deployment of acute nursing staffing under certain circumstances. Starting today, hospitals with severe capacity constraints may request a temporary exemption from the mandated nurse-to-patient ratios in the ICU. This option will only be available to hospitals with capacity of less than 20% who first attest to DPH that they have suspended all nonessential elective invasive procedures, including those conducted in an outpatient setting under the hospital’s license. Additionally, hospitals must take every reasonable step to expand capacity prior to requesting a temporary exemption. If a hospital’s bed capacity increases, or if the hospital re-starts nonessential elective invasive procedures, the hospital must resume compliance with the ICU staffing requirements.

波士頓市長候選人吳弭: 恭喜馬丁華殊獲提名出任美國勞工部部長

   (Boston Orange 周菊子報導) 波士頓市長候選人吳弭(Michelle Wu)今(7)日下午2點發出賀函，恭喜波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin J. Walsh)獲提名出任拜登(Joe Biden)政府的勞工部部長。

    波士頓環球報，CNN，Politico也都報導了這一消息。

    以下為吳弭發出的賀信:

波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin J. Walsh)。(檔案照片，周菊子攝)

I want to offer my congratulations to Mayor Walsh on his nomination as Labor Secretary for the Biden administration.

There is much work to do to clean up the backwards, anti-worker politics of the Trump administration that have hurt so many here in our city, and Boston needs a partner to fight for working families at the federal level.

Our city demands a new generation of bold, urgent leadership to build a more resilient Boston.

We launched this campaign months ago to reach out and connect with residents across every neighborhood and community, and I’m energized by the voices and stories of Bostonians envisioning a new future for our city.

I’m proud that our campaign is building the multigenerational and multicultural coalition that can deliver that vision, driven by community and powered by grassroots organizing.

Michelle

AG HEALEY ISSUES ADVISORY TO INFORM TENANTS OF THEIR RIGHTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

 

AG HEALEY ISSUES ADVISORY TO INFORM TENANTS OF THEIR RIGHTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Advisory Advises Tenants Facing Eviction of the Financial and Legal Assistance Programs Available and Offers Information about Eviction Court Process

 

            BOSTON – With hundreds of eviction cases piling up in the courts, Attorney General Maura Healey today issued an advisory to ensure tenants who are facing financial hardship and are at risk of losing their homes are aware of their rights and know how to access state assistance programs. 

 

            “Families across the state are continuing to suffer financial hardship from this pandemic and we want to ensure those who may be at risk of losing their homes know their rights,” AG Healey said. “If you’ve received an eviction notice, you do not have to move out immediately and you are entitled to a court hearing. This advisory helps tenants and landlords understand the resources available to them, including financial and legal assistance.”

 

            Today’s advisory follows a sharp rise in eviction cases for nonpayment of rent being filed in the state’s housing courts. According to state data, there were more than 4,000 eviction cases filed between November 2 and December 14. In October, AG Healey called on Governor Baker to extend the state’s eviction moratorium to give safety net programs for landlords and tenants time to be fully operational. After the expiration of the Massachusetts moratorium, the AG urged the Administration to prioritize the hiring and training of additional legal counsel and mediators, and to streamline housing assistance applications. The AG’s Office has been working with Local Consumer Programs throughout the state to help tenants and landlords apply for rental assistance.

 

            Since the beginning of the pandemic, AG Healey’s Office has been closely monitoring the housing court docket, responding to complaints from residents and reviewing referrals from partner organizations for violations of the state and federal moratoriums on evictions. Through these actions, the AG’s Office handled more than 200 complaints relating to the eviction moratorium and has been able to stop more than 80 illegal evictions.

 

           The AG’s advisory offers guidance including the following:

 

            Evictions Must be Court Ordered

 

            Tenants cannot be evicted and forced to move out of their homes without a written court order. During the public health crisis, the AG’s Office has prioritized addressing complaints related to “self-help” evictions – where landlords attempt to circumvent the court process and forcibly remove tenants from their homes. It is unlawful to threaten, intimidate, or coerce a tenant to get them to leave the property, including by changing their locks, shutting off their utilities, interfering with their use of the unit, or by threatening to report them to immigration authorities. This protection applies to all tenants, whether they have a lease, a sublease, or no lease at all.

 

Tenants who have experienced a “self-help” eviction or those whose landlord has threatened to forcibly remove them, should call the Attorney General’s Office at 617-727-8400.

 

            Available Financial Assistance

 

            If a tenant is unable to pay their rent because of a COVID-19 financial hardship, they should work with their landlord to seek financial help from the state. Tenants and landlords can apply for Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) benefits of up to $10,000 of assistance in a one-year period. Tenants who are unable to pay for rent for a reason other than the public health crisis may seek up to $4,000 in RAFT benefits. Once approved, these payments are sent directly to landlords.

           

The Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance (ERMA) program also helps households who are behind on rent or mortgage payments or are at risk of falling behind due to the pandemic.

 

Tenants cannot be evicted while a rental assistance application is pending. Specifically, the court cannot “enter a judgment” against a tenant or “issue an execution” before the tenant’s financial assistance application has been approved or denied.

 

State law protects tenants who rely on temporary or emergency rental assistance like RAFT or ERMA from being discriminated against by their landlord. In some circumstances, a landlord who refuses to accept RAFT or ERMA benefits or complete their portion of the application may be in violation of state law.

 

Landlords who own less than 20 units of housing may apply directly for RAFT/ERMA on behalf of their tenants. They should, however, coordinate with their tenant before applying and they must obtain and submit a signed consent form from the tenant in order to apply. If a tenant has already applied to RAFT/ERMA, the landlord can help expedite the review process of the application by providing requested documentation, including a copy of the lease or a summary of the amount the tenant owes.

 

Tenants and landlords can also use community mediation to resolve their problems without any court filing, or through court referrals. For more information visit the Eviction Diversion Initiative website.

 

CDC Moratorium

 

Households that are financially struggling due to the pandemic and meet certain criteria may also qualify for the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) federal eviction moratorium. To qualify for the CDC moratorium, tenants must have an income of less than $99,000 (or $198,000 if you filed a joint tax return), make their best efforts to obtain government rental assistance, and complete a CDC form, available here, and give it to their landlord. This moratorium has been extended to Jan. 31, 2021.

 

           Legal Assistance Services

 

            Tenants who have received a notice to quit, summons or other legal documents from their landlord and cannot afford an attorney may qualify for free legal assistance through the COVID Eviction Legal Help Project. The AG’s Office urges tenants who have a court hearing and have not yet obtained an attorney to tell the judge or court mediator that they would like to speak to a lawyer. Tenants can also learn about the court process and how to fill out the necessary court documents through the Court Service Centers, which are available via Zoom Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. 

 

The AG’s Office will be funding sites across Massachusetts where individuals can use computers to attend their virtual court hearings. The full list will be posted on www.Mass.gov/ago/covid19 or tenants can call (617) 727-8400 for more information.

 

Small business tenants who have been impacted by the COVID-19 public health crisis and are facing difficulty paying their rent should reach out to the COVID Relief Coalition for more information on the pro bono legal support available to them. The coalition is made up of law firms, nonprofits and government agencies including the AG’s Office and led by Ropes & Gray, Lawyers for Civil Rights, and Lawyers Clearinghouse. The coalition’s website includes information about the emergency loans available to small businesses.

 

            Defenses to Eviction

 

            Tenants who receive a notice from their landlord about overdue rent may have a defense to eviction that would allow them to stay in their home. Those defenses include if there is a problem with the condition with the housing unit; if the landlord did not provide any written notice required by the lease or by law; if the landlord is retaliating against the tenant for exercising their rights; or if the landlord is discriminating against the tenant based on their race, national origin, religion, familial status, age, disability, source of income, or any other protected status.

 

            The AG’s Office urges tenants who have questions about their options to call the state’s information hotline at 211or to call the Attorney General’s Office at 617-727-8400.

 

            AG Healey’s Civil Rights Division urges any tenant who is being harassed, threatened or discriminated against to call the division’s hotline at (617) 963-2917. Click here for information from the AG’s Office reminding landlords and other housing providers that all tenants have a right to be free from harassment and intimidation.

 

Visit the AG’s COVID-19 resource page for information about how the AG’s Office can provide support during this crisis.

 

            To view the AG’s advisory in Spanish click here.

波士頓華埠居民反對Royalty在華埠旁開大麻店

波士頓華埠居民會議，大麻店，2餐飲店陳情。(周菊子攝)

            (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)”反對，反對，反對”。波士頓華埠居民1月6日晚在2021年度第一場，也是首次使用網路舉行的月會中，一面倒的反對Royalty集團在華埠旁邊開大麻店。

華人前進會行政主任陳玉珍主持華埠居民會的
首次網路會議。(周菊子攝)

             1月6日是波士頓華埠居民會2021年度的首次月例會。因新冠疫情，改網上舉行，由共同主席黃國威，黃楚瑜主持，華人前進會行政主任陳玉珍協助網路主持。三項議程包括熊貓火鍋，老虎糖(Tiger Sugar)奶茶店這兩家餐飲業申請酒牌，Royalty集團為開張大麻店陳情。會議共60多人參加，全程中英文交互翻譯，從6點多到8點多，長兩個多小時。 

           Royalty集團有意在Jacob Wirth 餐廳舊址的史都華(Stuart)街31-37號上開一家名為「JW 三星(Three Star)」大麻店的陳情案，去年11月在波士頓華埠社區議會的月例會中已陳情一次，這晚也再引來大批民眾表達反對意見。

代表Royalty集團陳情的是該公司執行長Andrea Pearce，以及項目顧問陳偉民。他們用25頁PPT，說明該公司營運團隊，大麻店座落樓宇是史蹟保護建築，選擇原因是那兒是波士頓市中心，鄰近有8個停車場，將採用嚴格保安系統與措施，甚至會做售後追蹤，把購買後在街頭吸食者列為拒絕往來戶，另外訂有教育項目，社區活動，將捐款2萬5000元給波士頓亞裔青年會(YES)等8個非牟利組織，每年營業收入有3%會交給波士頓市府等。

華埠居民會共同主席黃楚瑜(右)，黃國威(左)。

                    11月時，Royalty集團聲稱可為社區提供20個全職工作機會，但這次則說可提供10到14個兼職工作機會。

陳偉民另外指稱，「JW 三星(Three Star)」大麻店和Sanctury Medicinals 不同，店面地點距離學校超過500英尺，符合麻州政府規定。

盧善柔(下)代表波士頓市議員Ed Flynn，要求
熊貓火鍋店代表注意華埠的安全，清潔。

                  公路村居民朱英珠 ，施頓樓居民王嘉接，以及Linda See， Sarah Wang， Mei Li Zhou ，Maggie Chen，Jaycyn，Alan Kwan，Amy Nguyen，Xin xin Wu，陳家驊等人，全都不贊成，或要求Royalty集團另覓地點。

                      其中一名發言居民表示，她搬到波士頓華埠約六、七年，自從兒子出生後，經常帶兒子去波士頓廣場公園，沿路一定會經過大麻店預定地，近年在路上還見到更多人在吸食大麻，如果再開家大麻店，對地方上的影響，就更加不言可喻了，何況那兒還人行道狹窄，車流繁忙。

                      發言居民並紛紛質疑Royalty集團的保安措施，問Royalty在華埠居民拒絕另一家大麻店之後，還要再來申請，質疑Royalty集團明明是要開張一家娛樂用大麻店，不是藥用大麻店，卻偏要美其名的說是成人用大麻店。他們不相信有警力會追查在街頭吸食從該店購買大麻的人，也不相信去大麻店買大麻的人，會花錢去停車場停車，華埠居民不希罕Royalty集團提議的社區利益，認為犧牲全體居民的身體健康，環境安全去換取區區社區利益不值得。

紐英倫中華公所主席鄭慧民(右)關心華埠內的企業營運。
(周菊子攝)

                       另一名居民忿忿不平的表示，波士頓華埠的名聲已經夠糟了，罪案，毒品，骯髒。可是那其實都是像大麻店這樣的地方，吸引來的外來者帶進華埠的。

           會中，Royalty集團承諾將把會中陳情用的25頁PPT翻譯成中文，交給華埠居民會轉發給居民，也歡迎有疑問者以電郵，或電話和他們聯絡。

老虎糖東主Alvin (右)和代表律師Andrea Koh(左)。

                  當晚的會議還有波士頓市長的亞裔聯絡員許麗莎(Lisa Hy)，波士頓市議員愛德華費林(Ed Flynn)的助理盧善柔，以及麻州眾議員麥家威(Aaron Mitchcelwitz)的助理Cheri Hill等人出席。

           盧善柔表示，Ed Flynn很關心華埠的安全，衛生，因此要求熊貓火鍋，糖老虎兩家店提供更詳細的營業時間，店面佈置，垃圾處理等計畫。

陳家驊(下圖)籲Royalty集團要有良心。Royalty的擁有者Andrea Pearce
(上左)和項目顧問陳偉民(上右)。(周菊子攝)

             “熊貓火鍋”的出席代表為Feng Chen ，營業地點在乞臣街21號，原來的新上海餐廳。在回答紐英崙中華公所主席鄭慧民的提問時，他們表示申請的烈酒牌來自同一條街上的鴻運餐廳(New Jumbo)，而不是新上海餐廳，是因為他們並不是買下新上海餐廳這家生意，而是租用該一地點。他們經營連鎖餐廳品牌，計畫走高檔路線，股東有4人，分別在波士頓，昆士等市鎮擁有丸作，赤炸風雲，滷夫子滷味店，一麻一辣等多家不同的餐飲店。

         華人居民會財政阿圖羅(Arturo)

公路村居民朱美珠(右)認為營業到凌晨3點，會吵到人
睡眠。(周菊子攝)

表示，他就住在鴻運餐廳樓上，華埠牌樓一帶的治安越來越差，他深有感受，不但有人買賣毒品，居然還有人入屋偷郵件。公路村的朱英珠則認為華埠內住有許多餐館員工，酒牌營業時間到凌晨三點，會騷擾居民睡眠。熊貓火鍋代表稱，鴻運餐廳的酒牌當初批的就是可營業到凌晨三點，他們其實只想營運到2點。估計半年到一年內開張。

             “老虎糖”位於泰勒街14號，預定二，三個月後開張，座落在翠園餐廳樓下，是家外賣店，打算從早上11點營業至晚上11點。店東名叫Alvin。(更新版)

Wbester鎮一醫療中心院民58人 其中51人確診

             (Boston Orange編譯) 麻州Webster鎮的布魯克賽德復健及醫療中心(Brookside Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center)，總共只有58名院民，竟然有51人新冠病毒檢測呈陽性。

該中心主任Felicia O’Keeffe說，新冠病毒疫情爆發以來，該中心有3人死亡，其中2人死於心臟病，1人死於呼吸疾病。她不知道這幾人的死亡和信冠病毒有無關係。

第一個檢測陽性發生在12月18日，接著12月22日。在那之前，該中心一直都沒有人感染新冠病毒。

Felicia O’Keeffe說他們的防疫措施，做得甚至比州政府規定的還嚴格。員工換班前，都要接受檢測。中心也存有足夠的個人防護用品，不但不重複使用，所有防疫用品也都在用完後就丟棄。他們還每天更換N95口罩，穿可丟棄的罩袍，整棟大樓到處都是抗病毒噴劑及手部消毒液。

Felicia O’Keeffe認為，應該是收到第一宗陽性檢測結果的時差，給了病毒傳播機會。

她們等了四天才收到陽性的結果報告。州政府的每個可能去那機構的人都去過了，每個從那機構走出來的人都告訴他們，所有該做的事她們都做了，甚至做得還更多些。除了檢測報告遲來之外，沒人能解釋出現的情況。

Felicia O’Keeffe說，因為新冠病毒，該中心目前有20名工作人員失業了。其中14人新冠病毒檢測陽性。另外的人還在等檢測結果。感染新冠病毒的院民中，有7人住院了，但有些院民是無症狀的檢測陽性者，或者只有輕微症狀。

該中心現在處於恢復階段，行事完全透明。他們已竭盡可能的防疫了，她為員工們的努力感到驕傲。

麻州Webster鎮人口11,943，共有12家頤養院。

1月6日新冠疫情 新增確診 麻州 6419 美國 183,249 世界 623,246 新增死亡 麻州99 美國 2787 世界11558

 

麻州正副州長發聲明 譴責發生在白宮的暴力行為

 Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito Issue Statements on Violence at the US Capitol

 

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito issued the following statements:

 

“I join with Americans from every corner of the country to condemn the violence unfolding at the Capitol, and President Trump and his supporters must do the same immediately,” said Governor Baker. “The chaos now unfolding is the sad but predictable outcome of weeks of attacks, perpetrated by President Trump and his supporters against the democratic process that makes America the greatest nation on earth, and these baseless challenges to President-elect Biden’s victory must stop.”

 

“The horrific violence unfolding at the Capitol is an attack on our democracy and should be condemned without qualification by President Trump and his supporters,” said Lt. Governor Polito. “It is time for all Americans to embrace a peaceful transition of power and move forward to heal our nation.”

紐英倫養生舞協會推出「經絡棒」新功法

紐英倫養生舞協會創辦人周美桃（前中）和姊姊周麗桃，以及會員在中華公所大廳練舞。

              (Boston Orange)新冠病毒(COVID-19)疫情在2020年逼全世界人類禁足，閉關，紐英崙養生舞協會創辦人周美桃竟因此意外創出一套自編的”經絡棒” 導引氣功，融合音樂、動作，意境，給會員一套全新的6分鐘強身健體功法。 

周美桃構思出來的新功法，參考了馬王堆的導引圖。

             紐英崙養生舞協會是個創立於2011年，以健身為主要目的的協會。創辦人周美桃最初是基於自己的興趣，師從李派太極武濤和西安女子武術全能冠軍胡改雁所創辦的”古月派養生舞”，但她不拘泥於一派一系，廣泛鑽研，並融會揉合，跟著她一起跳養生舞的會員們，也樂得不斷學新東西。

              去年以來，由於新冠病毒疫情，政府勸人少出門，周美桃在家泡茶修心做運動，廣閱群籍頻上網，萌生出自己也來編一套健身操的想法。

周美桃教的養生舞還使用太極養生棒。

              她看中長沙馬王堆三號西漢墓「導引圖」所描繪，以逆腹呼吸為主，藉呼吸來調動人體內之氣，協助自律神經收縮、放鬆，協調與平衡正副交感神經的健身氣功，配以含有水聲，鳥聲的音樂，來加強令人愉悅放鬆的感覺，達到增強免疫力效果。

              周美桃說這套功法僅需時6分鐘，以旋轉頸、胸、腰椎為主，輔以手腕，手肘，肩膀，腳踝，膝蓋和胯骨的轉動，來讓人氣血通暢。她稱之為「經絡棒」。

              紐英崙養生舞協會一直以來每星期會到紐英崙中華公所大廳聚會練舞，疫情嚴重以後，就改用社交媒體的群組來互傳練功心得。跨入2021年，鑒於疫情還未消散，他們將轉用zoom來繼續網上遙距相會的練習，以新功法振奮人心。(所有圖片，紐英倫養生舞協會提供)(僑務電子報授權)