下任波士頓市長該做什麼 英文報訪各界意見

               (Boston Orange 編譯)跨過長達20年的萬寧路(Tom Menino)時代後，馬丁華殊(Martin J. Walsh)時代才6年，波士頓就又要改朝換代了。在社會中「黑命貴(BLM)」，「白人至上主義者(White supermacist)」對抗，貧富差距懸殊之際，接下來該由誰當市長?該做什麼?恐怕是所有市民都需要謹慎思考，自己手中那一票該怎麼用的時候。

             馬丁華殊現在幾已確定會遠赴華府就任勞工部部長。波士頓市議會議長Kim Janey將代理市長一職。今年11月，無論是吳弭(Michelle Wu)，Andrea Campbell，或還未宣佈參選的Kim Janey這3名波士頓市議員中的那一人當選，波士頓市都將締造歷史紀錄，出現首位女性，有色人種市長。

             2013年萬寧路宣佈不再競選連任時，跳進市長選戰的人數高達23人，儘管後來只有12人認真角逐，選戰是真的熱鬧。

             那一年，馬丁華殊還是麻州眾議員，初選過後他立即收編John Barros，Felix G. Arroyo，以及Charlotte Golar Richie這3名實力最強競爭對手，接收他們的支持者。他和時為波士頓市議員約翰康納利(John Connolly之間的最後爭戰，結果就在大眾眼前。

             今年要在波士頓市競爭市長職位的人，面對的議題似乎更多些，一來波士頓市將近70萬的人口已更加多元化，白人佔58.6%，黑人29.4%，西班牙裔19.7%，亞裔11.1%，其中華裔5.3%，其次為市區豪華化，新移民紛紛被環境逼遷，居民間的貧富差距更加懸殊，再來是新型冠狀病毒大流行對不同行業造成的衝擊，差異極大。

             許多原本長期住在波士頓市的居民，由於住宅豪華，被迫遷離，新型冠狀病毒大流行逼使許多小企業關上大門，一些鄰里依然面對著街頭暴力的衝擊，人口的增加也使得街道交通更為擁擠，氣候改變導致的地下水位上升，也威脅著波士頓市的環境。

             波士頓環球報訪問了一些波士頓市內的活躍份子，領袖，行業專家，他們希望未來的市長如何因應這些挑戰。

             南端(South End)的MIDA餐廳東主兼廚師Douglas Williams希望下一任市長在幫助企業從新型冠狀病毒大流行中復原時，能設立一個娛樂餐飲業代表聯盟，處理諸如牌照，最低時薪，勞工政策等問題。

             亞裔資源工作室(AARW)行政主任，也是不賣(Do Not For Sale)這住宅團體的組織者Carolyn Chou表示，整個政府結構，在有個權勢在握的市長時，就更難處理城市所面對的複雜議題。任何首長，不論意圖多好都有盲點。因此應該改革章程，重新設計市政府，把更多權力的交給人民這部分必須在議程上。

             徒步波士頓(Walk Boston)行政主任Stacey Beuttell說，新型冠狀病毒大流行教給人的其中一課是人行道其實可以有很多用途，用餐，展示藝術品或聚會等等。

             麻州環境聯盟(Environmental League of Massachusetts)會長Elizabeth Henry表示，下一任市長應讓波士頓在氣候變化上做全國領袖。

             曾任Berkshire銀行高管的社區組織者Malia Lazu認為新波士頓市長應使得波士頓能吸引有才幹的年輕人，尤其是千禧年世代。

             指南針營運資金(Compass Working Capital)的總法律顧問Betty Francisco表示，市長選戰在於公平。他希望某個人能夠彌平族裔，教育，經濟及健康差距，這些扯麥特潘(Mattapan)，洛士百利(Roxbury)鄰里後腿的因素。要做到這點，新市長必須不為利益團體所把持。

             Graffito SP地產集團的鄰里策略及發展主任Gustavo Quiroga認為現在是個時機，讓一個對族裔不公平有親身體會，從警察，住宅到經營小企業，對城市的每一方面都紮根深入的人出來服務。

             洛士百利家長Tayla Andre想要下一任市長改變章程，讓學校委員會至少有一些委員席位是由選舉產生。目前是7名委員全由波士頓市長指派。

             波士頓不分區市議員Julia Mejia力促下一任市長設立選舉產生的學校委員會，廢除警察的幫派數據庫，投資公共教育，廢除考試學校障礙，防止人民失去住屋等。

             社區活躍份子Monica Cannon-Grant呼籲下一任市長在處理市內最迫切需要的獲取食物，反暴力資源時，能夠更加負責，透明。

             麻州眾議員Russell E. Holmes表示，下一任市長應該刻意的處理不公平現象，包括市府分發的數以百萬元計合約，目前只有約7%是發包給少數族裔及婦女所經營企業。還有市府內高薪警察及消防員不夠多元化的問題。

             華埠土地信托會主任駱理德力促下一任市長繼續在華埠內建造可負擔住宅，以穩定社區，反於豪華化。她說，在華殊政府執政期間，華埠增加了400多戶可負擔住宅，還開始計畫為華埠建永久圖書館，更改區域規劃規定以保護並穩定華埠的未來。

             公民權律師協會主任Ivan Espinoza-Madrigal表示，下一任市長應致力改革警察制度，增加人員多元化程度，真正的和族裔公平團體合作，而不是把來自納稅人的寶貴經費用於為歧視個案辯護。

             麻州環境的州主任Ben Hellerstein力促下一任市長落實現有大型樓宇的能源表現標準，並為新樓與訂定零能源規定，在可能情況下規定所有樓宇用太陽能屋頂。

             在波士頓經營傳播公司，最近才從市府獲得一份推廣旅遊合約的Colette Phillips表示，一大挑戰將是改善市府在聘用有色人種合約商上不那麼亮麗的記錄。

             地產經紀公司Colliers 國際的波士頓辦公室共同主席Kevin Phelan表示，下一任市長應重新調整奧斯頓(Allston)段落的麻州公路(Turnpike)。州政府正在找錢做這項目，並已轉向波士頓市府及哈佛大學求助。

             大波士頓地產委員會主任Greg Vasil表示，首要優先事務為召集一群企業及社區領袖，處理如何最好的幫助波士頓從新冠病毒大流行復原。

             Harpoon母公司麻州灣釀造公司的執行長Dan Kenary表示，培養像他們公司那樣，由員工擁有的公司，非常重要。

             城中波士頓企業改善區(Downtown Boston Business Improvement District)會長Rosemarie Sansone表示，下一任市長應該關注流浪漢和毒癮這兩個互為因果的流行病。(標題更新)

新冠病毒疫情依然嚴重 麻州新增7110人確診90人死亡 全世界累計確診人數即將打破9000萬

(Boston Orange)1月9日的新冠病毒(COVID-19)疫情，麻州有7,110宗新增確診個案，累計407,933宗，新增死亡人數90，累計12,798。

治療中的新冠病毒患者增加至88,845人，其中有2291人住院，445人在重症病房，280人插管。住院者的平均年齡為73歲。

這已是連續第三天，新冠病毒確診人數超過7000人了。不過住院人數降低了一點點，整體情況也比春季時好些。

全美各州的疫情，若以新增確診人數來看，最嚴重的是有25,720人確診的加州，其次為都有逾萬人確診的德州，佛羅里達州，紐約州，喬治亞州，北卡羅萊納州，亞利桑納州。若以新增死亡人數來看，最嚴重的是德州，有334人，其次為247人的賓州，232人的密西根州，149人的紐約州。

世界各國的疫情，最嚴重的仍是美國，新增確診人數為216,370 (約翰霍普金斯大學的數據則為新增283,204)，新增死亡人數為2,843。以新增確診人數來排序，其次為巴西的60,078人，英國的59,937人，南非的21,606人，法國的20,177人，義大利的19,978人，德國的19,189人。以新增死亡人數排序，超過1000人的有巴西的1115人，墨西哥的1038人，英國的1035人。

 

波士頓學院副教授宗家洸辭世 享年44歲

宗家洸。(波士頓學院官網照片)

                      (Boston Orange)國立中山大學101學年度傑出學校友，波士頓學院化學系副教授宗家洸，因新冠病毒引起併發症，1月5日不幸辭世，享年44歲。

                 宗教授是位優秀學者，他的納米科技研究，為解決世界能源危機，醫治癌症找出了潛在通道。至少曾發表過91篇論文，被引用過7994次。

                  波士頓學院(BC)於1月6日在學校官網上發佈宗家洸不幸辭世的消息。

             宗教授於2010年加入波士頓學院，從事化學，納米科技，以及材料科學之間的跨領域研究，專注方向為轉換能源的光催化材料，能量合成反應的非均相催化劑，可能導致高性能納米催化劑發展，並解決全球性能源短缺問題的研究。

             從細胞的生物機能得到靈感，使用多元成分的化學反應來得到更大效率，有效轉化二氧化碳為甲醇的串聯催化系統就是其中一項研究成果。

             使用納米規模的化學鍵籠來智慧化藥物遞送機制，用於醫治癌症及其他疾病，是另一項研究成果。

              宗家洸自己對科學的興趣源起於小學時參加全國小學科學比賽第三名，因此他也格外注重啟發青少年對科學的興趣。

他的同事們不僅稱許他的研究，還讚揚他做為老師、輔導者，對化學部以及大學的貢獻。

宗家洸來自台灣，畢業於國立中山大學，在加州大學聖塔芭芭拉分校取得博士學位，曾在加州大學柏克萊分校做博士後，2010年來到波士頓學院後，曾2度應邀，在新英格蘭台灣同學會會長聯席會議中分享他的人生經驗。

他在美國還有一個姐姐Frances Tsung。

https://www.bc.edu/content/bc-web/bcnews/campus-community/faculty/in-memoriam-frank-tsung.html

1月8日全世界新冠病毒確診人數超過8881萬 死亡人數邁向200萬 麻州新增確診人數7635

            (Boston Orange編譯)麻州的新冠病毒(Covid-19)疫情在2021年1月8日這天，新增7,635人確診，累計400,823人。新增74人死亡，累計12,708人。

目前有2311人住院，440人住在重症病房(ICU)，280人嚴重到要插管。住院者的平均年齡為73歲。共有大約87,348人正在治療新冠病毒中。

自從感恩節過後，新冠病毒確診人數就幾乎呈直線上升趨勢，單日確診人數還打破紀錄的超過7000人。

約108,569人新做檢測，累計檢測人次已達到1150萬。約5,004人新作了抗體檢測，累計達到392,437。

7天的平均確診率，現在是7.49%。麻州的這一記錄最低時是0.8%。

                    美國在星期四(1月7日)這天，出現新冠病毒的單日死亡人數超過4000，住院人數13萬2000的驚人數字。估計到這個月底，美國因為染患新冠病毒而死亡的人數將會超過40萬。

SBA和財政部重啟PPP 宣佈新規則

 

SBA and Treasury Announce PPP Re-Opening; Issue New Guidance

January 8, 2021 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Treasury Department, announced today that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will re-open the week of January 11 for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. To promote access to capital, initially only community financial institutions will be able to make First Draw PPP Loans on Monday, January 11, and Second Draw PPP Loans on Wednesday, January 13.  The PPP will open to all participating lenders shortly thereafter. Updated PPP guidance outlining Program changes to enhance its effectiveness and accessibility was released on January 6 in accordance with the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Non-Profits, and Venues Act.

This round of the PPP continues to prioritize millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $284 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses through March 31, 2021, and by allowing certain existing PPP borrowers to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan.

“The historically successful Paycheck Protection Program served as an economic lifeline to millions of small businesses and their employees when they needed it most,” said Administrator Jovita Carranza.  “Today’s guidance builds on the success of the program and adapts to the changing needs of small business owners by providing targeted relief and a simpler forgiveness process to ensure their path to recovery.”

“The Paycheck Protection Program has successfully provided 5.2 million loans worth $525 billion to America’s small businesses, supporting more than 51 million jobs,” said Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin.  “This updated guidance enhances the PPP’s targeted relief to small businesses most impacted by COVID-19.  We are committed to implementing this round of PPP quickly to continue supporting American small businesses and their workers.”

Key PPP updates include:

• PPP borrowers can set their PPP loan’s covered period to be any length between 8 and 24 weeks to best meet their business needs;
• PPP loans will cover additional expenses, including operations expenditures, property damage costs, supplier costs, and worker protection expenditures;
• The Program’s eligibility is expanded to include 501(c)(6)s, housing cooperatives, destination marketing organizations, among other types of organizations;
• The PPP provides greater flexibility for seasonal employees;
• Certain existing PPP borrowers can request to modify their First Draw PPP Loan amount; and
• Certain existing PPP borrowers are now eligible to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan. 

A borrower is generally eligible for a Second Draw PPP Loan if the borrower:

• Previously received a First Draw PPP Loan and will or has used the full amount only for authorized uses;
• Has no more than 300 employees; and
• Can demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020.

The new guidance released includes:

• PPP Guidance from SBA Administrator Carranza on Accessing Capital for Minority, Underserved, Veteran, and Women-owned Business Concerns;
• Interim Final Rule on Paycheck Protection Program as Amended by Economic Aid Act; and
• Interim Final Rule on Second Draw PPP Loans.
   

For more information on SBA’s assistance to small businesses, visit sba.gov/ppp or treasury.gov/cares. 

WHIAAPI公佈趙小蘭的辭職聲明

 

Statement from Co-Chair of WHIAAPI: U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao

 

WHIAAPI is thankful for the tireless work of our co-chair, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao, a lifelong advocate for the Asian American and Pacific Islander community and the first, and only, Asian American woman to serve in a cabinet position. She is a trailblazer and we are proud she has made the way for so many AAPIs. We are honored by her leadership.

Governor Baker Signs Health Care Legislation

 Governor Baker Signs Health Care Legislation

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito joined Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders to participate in a ceremonial signing of S.2984, An Act Promoting a Resilient Health Care System That Puts Patients First.

Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito were also joined by Senator Cindy Friedman, Senator Julian Cyr, and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr to participate in the ceremonial signing. The Governor also acknowledged the work of Speaker of the House Ronald Mariano, Senate President Karen Spilka, and other legislators for their work in advancing this comprehensive health care legislation.

The new law increases insurance coverage for telehealth services, expands the scope of practice for nurse practitioners, other specialized nurses, and optometrists, and takes steps to protect consumers from surprise medical bills. Recognizing the continuing impacts of COVID-19, the law also extends requirements for all insurance carriers in Massachusetts to cover COVID-19 testing and treatment. In addition, the legislation takes several steps to increase MassHealth member access to urgent care sites, including eliminating referral requirements before urgent care visits and requirements for care coordination with the member’s primary care physician.

Click here to learn more about the new law.

Statement on Mayoral Transition and Overwhelming Public Support for Elected School Committee

 

Statement on Mayoral Transition and Overwhelming Public Support for Elected School Committee 

The Boston Coalition for Education Equity (BCEE) believes the appointment of Marty Walsh as Labor Secretary presents a timely opportunity to promote equity and accountability to the Boston Public Schools through the restoration of an elected School Committee. We call on the City Council and on Council President Kim Janey, who will take over as acting mayor, to start the process by affirming their support for an elected School Committee and beginning public discussions on the board’s new formulation. Boston is the only municipality in the Commonwealth without an elected school committee; recent events have proven that this governance structure has failed and must be immediately reformed.

A recent poll conducted by Poll Progressive indicated that 60% of eligible voters would support the reinstatement of an elected school board, with just 14% expressing opposition (the remaining respondents had no opinion or were neutral). The voters cited the appointed board’s lack of responsiveness to the parents and students whose interests it is supposed to represent. In recent years the school committee has made several decisions that went against the wishes of BPS families, including the expropriation of the McCormack Middle School’s athletic fields, the closure of both the Mattahunt Elementary and the West Roxbury Educational Complex, and instituting drastic changes in start times at schools throughout BPS (this decision was later rescinded after unprecedented levels of pushback). 

In 2019, the Boston Herald analyzed a year’s worth of School Committee votes and found that the committee approved all 111 action items put before them, with just four abstentions and no votes against. Then-Chairman Michael Loconto refused to comment on the body’s voting record and told a Herald reporter not to reach out to other committee members. In 2016, School Committee member Regina Robinson was the only member not to vote in favor of closing the Mattahunt Elementary School. She was also the lone member not to vote to close the West Roxbury Education Complex in 2018. Less than two weeks after her second abstention of her four-year term, Mayor Marty Walsh announced that he would replace Robinson with Quoc Tran, a state official and civil rights lawyer. 

These are just a few examples of how a mayorally appointed school committee is responsive directly to the mayor, and through the mayor to the power elite of the city, rather than to the students, families, and educators it is intended to represent. BCEE finds the School Committee’s performance particularly galling in a system made up of more than 80% students of color, reinforcing structural racism. 

Returning to an elected school committee is a necessary and critical action Boston must take toward dismantling this undemocratic and racist power structure. A majority of Boston City Councilors support electing at least some of the School Committee members, as seen in BCEE’s 2019 City Council Candidate Questionnaire. (https://www.bosedequity.org/city-council-questionnaire-responses). The Coalition will be releasing a new questionnaire later this year for the 2021 election cycle.

In the recent Poll Progressive poll, support for an elected school committee was consistent across demographic groups, including age, gender, education level, and racial identity. For a full breakdown of the poll results, visit Poll Progressive’s website at https://www.pollprogressive.com/. 

The Boston Coalition for Education Equity is a collaboration among civil rights, education, and community organizations from across Boston that are committed to dismantling education inequity.

SBA and Treasury Announce PPP Re-Opening; Issue New Guidance

 SBA and Treasury Announce PPP Re-Opening; Issue New Guidance

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Treasury Department, announced today that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will re-open the week of January 11 for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. To promote access to capital, initially only community financial institutions will be able to make First Draw PPP Loans on Monday, January 11, and Second Draw PPP Loans on Wednesday, January 13.  The PPP will open to all participating lenders shortly thereafter. Updated PPP guidance outlining Program changes to enhance its effectiveness and accessibility was released on January 6 in accordance with the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Non-Profits, and Venues Act.

This round of the PPP continues to prioritize millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $284 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses through March 31, 2021, and by allowing certain existing PPP borrowers to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan.

“The historically successful Paycheck Protection Program served as an economic lifeline to millions of small businesses and their employees when they needed it most,” said Administrator Jovita Carranza.  “Today’s guidance builds on the success of the program and adapts to the changing needs of small business owners by providing targeted relief and a simpler forgiveness process to ensure their path to recovery.”

“The Paycheck Protection Program has successfully provided 5.2 million loans worth $525 billion to America’s small businesses, supporting more than 51 million jobs,” said Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin.  “This updated guidance enhances the PPP’s targeted relief to small businesses most impacted by COVID-19.  We are committed to implementing this round of PPP quickly to continue supporting American small businesses and their workers.
Key PPP updates include:

• PPP borrowers can set their PPP loan’s covered period to be any length between 8 and 24 weeks to best meet their business needs;
• PPP loans will cover additional expenses, including operations expenditures, property damage costs, supplier costs, and worker protection expenditures;
• The Program’s eligibility is expanded to include 501(c)(6)s, housing cooperatives, direct marketing organizations, among other types of organizations;
• The PPP provides greater flexibility for seasonal employees;
• Certain existing PPP borrowers can request to modify their First Draw PPP Loan amount; and
• Certain existing PPP borrowers are now eligible to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan. 

A borrower is generally eligible for a Second Draw PPP Loan if the borrower:

• Previously received a First Draw PPP Loan and will or has used the full amount only for authorized uses;
• Has no more than 300 employees; and
• Can demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020.

麻州州長匯報疫情 說明疫苗相關情況 學校每週檢測

麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)再次強調戴口罩，保持社交安全距離
等作法，是最好的防疫措施。(周菊子攝)

(Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導)麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)率州府團隊在今(8)日中午的新冠疫情匯報中宣佈，下個月起，將在自願參與模式下，為全州之內的學校、學區提供每週一次的合併檢測(pooled testing)。

透過和新冠病毒指揮中心和中小學教育廳的合作，提供到校上課或混合式學習，並參加州府這檢測計畫的學區，將會優先獲得檢測套件。

遠距學習或想要把學生帶回教室上課的學校，也可以參加合併檢測項目。有興趣的學區和學校可在1月15日之前通知中小學教育廳。

麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)表示，麻州政府和州內的所有醫院每日保持連絡，以確認他們有足夠資源，病床來收容，治療新冠病毒病人。

麻州副州長白莉朵(Karyn Polito)做進一步說明。

截至1月7日，麻州政府已發出345,000劑疫苗給各醫院及醫療機構，其中167,000劑已經使用，包括16,000劑是派發給了聯邦長照項目。

第一階段的疫苗注射計畫已開始，目前進展良好。1月11日起，麻州將開始在全州各地已設置的119個疫苗站，為第一線工作人員注射疫苗，指揮中心將繼續增設疫苗站，並於1月18日起提供疫苗給和聯邦政府藥物計畫沒有合作關係的機構。

查理貝克稱，專家們的研究認為學生到校上課，身心狀況及學習效果都比不到校上課好。州政府因此撥款10億元給學區，學校執行因應新冠病毒的相關措施。從今年8月以來，有3萬名學生，4000名教職員到校上課，並無任何狀況，可謂成功故事。麻州政府因此希望藉由合併檢測辦法，讓更多學生能夠回校上課。

麻州健康及人民服務長Marylou Sudders。

合併檢測是以”批量(batch)”，或者”匯集(pool)”的方式，混和幾種檢測樣本，然後以診斷，PCR測試方式來檢測匯集的樣本有無新冠病毒(SARS-CoV-2)。這種方法可藉由和單次PCR檢測同樣數量的實驗室資源，來增加能夠檢測的人數。

至少每週一次鼻前拭子檢測，結果可在24到48小時內出來。如果合併檢測結果是陰性，就可假設該群組中的所有個人都是陰性，就可以繼續留在學校。如果有一個群組檢測的結果是陽性，那麼這群組內的每一個人都要做個別診斷檢測。一旦辨別出確診個人後，這些人就必須遵守隔離指導原則。和確診個案有緊密接觸的學生，老師及員工，照目前規定，也必須隔離。

              在州政府訂定的合約下，學區和學校將和協調檢測實驗室，為追蹤結果做科技平台，並為學校員工提供訓練，以及技術援助的群組檢測服務供應商合作。檢測將會由CLIA認證的實驗室做分析。

              麻州中小學教育廳將在最初的推出這項目期間，承擔所需的大約1500萬元到3000萬元的開銷，並使用聯邦政府的促進經濟經費來資助。在這最初階段之後，學區及學校可以藉由使用各自的聯邦刺激方案經費，向全州性的合約商購買檢測，以及任何其他的配合檢測材料及軟體來繼續使用匯集檢測方法。

              麻州政府今日宣佈的檢測策略是建立在12月時麻州在各學校推動得快色檢測計畫之上。麻州從聯邦政府那兒收到的Abbott BinaxNow檢測，已有些現在是由公校學區，以及其他教育性機構，用於檢測顯現症狀的學生及員工。Abbott BinaxNow檢測目前免費提供給100多個學校使用。

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Pooled Testing Initiative for Massachusetts Schools, Districts 

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced weekly COVID-19 pooled testing will be available within the next month to schools and districts across the Commonwealth, expanding on a rapid testing initiative that began in schools in December.

 

Through collaboration with the COVID-19 Response Command Center and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), participating school districts providing in-person or hybrid learning will be prioritized for testing kits. Schools in remote learning, looking to bring students back to classrooms, can also participate in the pooled testing program. Interested districts and schools have until January 15 to notify DESE of their participation in the program.

 

Pooled testing involves mixing several test samples together in a “batch” or “pool,” and then testing the pooled sample with a diagnostic, PCR test for detection of SARS-CoV-2. This approach increases the number of individuals that can be tested using the same amount of laboratory resources as a single PCR test.

The test is performed at least once per week on an anterior nasal swab and results are delivered within approximately 24-48 hours. If a pooled test result is negative, then all individuals within that pool are presumed negative and may continue to remain in school. If a pooled test result is positive, then everyone in the pool is given an individual diagnostic test. Once positive individuals are identified, they must follow isolation guidance. Students, teachers, and staff that were close contacts of the positive case must quarantine according to current requirements.  

Under a state contract being developed, districts and schools will work with pooled testing service providers who will coordinate with testing labs, implement a technology platform for tracking results, and provide training for school staff, and technical assistance. Tests will be analyzed at a CLIA-certified laboratory.

DESE will assume the costs for the testing initiative during the initial start-up of the program, estimated to cost between $15 million and $30 million, which will be funded by federal stimulus funds. Following the initial launch, districts and schools may continue using pooled testing by purchasing the tests and any other accompanying testing materials and software from a statewide contract using their federal stimulus dollars. 

The testing strategy announced today builds on a rapid testing initiative launched at schools across the Commonwealth in December. Massachusetts received Abbott BinaxNOW tests from the federal government, some of which are currently being used in public school districts and other educational settings to test students and staff showing symptoms. Abbott BinaxNOW tests are currently provided to more than 100 schools at no cost.

Governor Baker, Senate President Spilka, House Speaker Mariano Issue Joint Statement on State House Security

 Governor Baker, Senate President Spilka, House Speaker Mariano Issue Joint Statement on State House Security

 

BOSTON — Today, Governor Charlie Baker, Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Ronald Mariano issued the following joint statement:

 

“The safety of the Massachusetts State House, its employees and its neighbors is of utmost importance. As we witness the events in Washington, DC and across the nation, we are aware of the need to ensure the safety of this building and those who work within it. We continually assess our security needs and will adjust as necessary.”

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。