MAYOR WALSH, BOSTON HEALTH OFFICIALS TO INCREASE CAPACITY LIMIT ON BUSINESSES STARTING MONDAY

MAYOR WALSH, BOSTON HEALTH OFFICIALS TO INCREASE CAPACITY LIMIT ON BUSINESSES STARTING MONDAY

BOSTON - Friday, February 5, 2021 - Given the improvement in the number of COVID-19 cases and the City's positivity rate over the past few weeks, today Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced that beginning on Monday, February 8, the City of Boston will align with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' reopening guidance by lifting the 25% capacity restrictions on local businesses, including restaurants and gyms. Effective Monday, February 8 at 5:00 a.m., businesses can operate at 40% capacity, an increase from the current 25% capacity limit. "Since the start of the pandemic, we've made decisions based on science and data. The data right now tells us things are moving in the right direction," said Mayor Walsh. "While Massachusetts continues to expand access to vaccines and our numbers trend modestly downward, we need to stay vigilant. Please keep wearing face coverings, washing your hands, staying 6 feet apart and please do not gather with people you don't live with." As of January 28, 2021, the City was averaging 342.7 COVID-19 positive cases per day, down from 590.4 in mid-January. The City's positive rate is currently 6.2 percent, down from a high of 8.9 percent in early January. For more on COVID-19 cases per neighborhood, visit here.   The following industries in the City of Boston may increase to 40% capacity on February 8, 2021:  Arcades and Recreational Businesses Close Contact Personal Services (employees do not count toward the 40% limit) Driving and Flight Schools Golf (indoor areas) Gyms/Health Clubs Libraries (Boston Public Libraries will not be open for browsing, but services will remain available through the BPL To Go program) Lodging (common areas) Movie theaters (maximum of 50 people per theater) Museums Offices Places of Worship  Restaurants (employees do not count toward the 40% limit) Retail  The City remains in Step One of Phase Three of the Reopening Massachusetts Plan. Current restrictions on gathering sizes remains the same, limiting gathering sizes to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors. The gatherings limit applies to private homes, event venues and public spaces. These restrictions are intended to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus during the public health emergency. The Inspectional Services Department (ISD) continues to coordinate the City's enforcement of these restrictions in collaboration with the Boston Police Department, the Boston Fire Department, and the Boston Public Health Commission. These departments work together to investigate and address reported COVID-19 related issues and complaints. In 2020, city agencies responded to and resolved approximately 2,500 complaints. BPD has a party line (617-343-5500) set up to flag properties to investigate. Additionally, the Licensing Board has instituted a weekly standing emergency hearing on Mondays to address any violations of these requirements over the preceding weekend. These hearings allow the Licensing Board to swiftly address these violations as they are a public health and safety concern.  COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Efforts The City is working with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to vaccinate residents against COVID-19. This week vaccination sites opened at Fenway Park, the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center and at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center at Roxbury Community College to anyone who is eligible under the State's vaccine distribution timeline. Following the State's lead, the Boston Public Health Commission in partnership with the Mayor's Office of Health and Human Services is working to create equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccine across all populations and neighborhoods in the city. For more information on when and where you will be eligible to receive the vaccine, visit Mass.gov/COVIDvaccine. Individuals aged 75 and older who do not have internet access, or who are having trouble navigating the site, are encouraged to call 3-1-1 to get connected to the City's Age Strong Commission. They can help answer questions and navigate the options available. The State has also announced a new 2-1-1 Mass Vaccine Scheduling Resource line. Translators are available to assist. "As we ramp up efforts to vaccinate eligible residents, we cannot lose focus on the proven ways to slow the spread of COVID-19. Wear a mask, wash your hands, practice social distancing and get tested. There are more than 30 testing sites open across the City that make COVID-19 testing quick and easy," said Chief of Health and Human Services, Marty Martinez. The City of Boston is partnering with community health centers to increase access to testing, particularly in neighborhoods experiencing higher rates of COVID-19. More information about COVID-19 testing sites throughout the city can be found here. The City is also offering mobile testing sites that are available to anyone, regardless of symptoms and insurance coverage. The mobile testing sites are located in Upham's Corner, Grove Hall, Jamaica Plain and Hyde Park for the month of February. For more information about Boston's reopening, please visit boston.gov/reopening. For additional questions, please visit the City's coronavirus website or call 3-1-1, Boston's 24-hour constituent hotline. Text BOSCOVID to 888-777 to receive text alerts on a regular basis, available in 11 languages

子知新年音樂會中美法荷四國同步線上舉行

 （AACYF洛杉磯訊）主題設定為““挑戰、傳承、喚醒、跨越、突破與新生”的“子知新年音樂會” 31日早在華盛頓、洛杉磯、北京、上海、巴黎、阿姆斯特丹等地同步在線上舉行。來自全球各地的傑出青年藝術家和表演團體為各平台上的近四千名在線觀眾帶來了一場充滿喜慶歡樂、文化融合，帶來溫暖治愈能量的藝術饗宴。

主辦機構通過選定曲目並結合對嘉賓演員的訪談、觀眾與表演者的互動，在喜迎新春之際，向青年朋友們傳達知行合一的理念，共同見證中國青年的擔當與使命。

本次音樂會，表演者遍布全球，旅美知名青年鋼琴家陳曉和旅法知名青年鋼琴家史賀的鋼琴獨奏；分別在世界十多個城市的原UPO愛樂樂團校友的管弦樂合奏；來自上海的常馨予老師和小朋友們的《歡樂頌》小提琴演奏；來自中國西部邊陲的華山中學樓蘭號角管樂團帶來的新闡釋的《青春舞曲》；包括留荷博士杜可欣在內的荷蘭鬼才音樂人DucalÌ組合、以及著名青年男高音歌唱家金翬在”突破“板塊分別表演了《陰晴》和《莎莉公園》曲目；新英格蘭音樂學院留學生孫瓏菲古琴曲《平沙落雁》為音樂會畫上了余韻繞樑的句點。

整場音樂會為觀眾帶來豪情萬丈迎接挑戰和新春的喜悅，充分感受到的是激揚青春和才華橫溢。

在節目穿插的訪談中，南加州大學的碩士畢業生、子知教育創始人曾天賜分別和嘉賓們探討了音樂和教育的內在聯繫。旅法青年鋼琴家史賀在演奏了肖邦的《激流》後說：“音樂和教育最重要的就是堅持和鑽研，去挖掘自己的興趣，從而更好的感悟和麵對人生中需要面對的問題。 ”

曾經在歐洲和洛杉磯求學的金翬，分享了他近年在嘗試的將西方歌劇美聲唱法與中國古典詩詞結合，通過突破音樂的形式，將中華文化內核與音樂之美傳遞出去。

零零後的新生代孫瓏菲正在從事敦煌壁畫中的音樂史料蒐集和整理工作，她在分享中表示，民族與和文化之間的共同之處，是遠大於不同的，因而民族的也是世界的。

全美中華青年聯合會會長任向東在致辭中說：“當今的時代背景下，青年的使命與擔當更加突出，作為青年一代，更要去追求和守護好自己心中的那一份信念，真正做到知行合一。 ”

哥倫比亞大學大學碩士研究生、子知教育聯合創始人，子知教育公益文化沙龍活動負責人溫鈞茹對新的一年寄語：“如何實現未來好教育，我們一直在思考，也一直在實踐。2021，我們子知教育將繼續開展文化沙龍拓展視野，子知書盒積聚智慧，子知研學身體力行，實現”子行萬里，知行合一“的理念，期待一個完整的、獨立的、溫暖的青年。”

當天音樂會由子知教育發起主辦，全美中華青年聯合會、南加州大學國際學院（USC international Academy）、彼岸文化、雲英琴堂、只為你進步公益平台、《洛杉磯郵報》等機構參與合作支持。主辦單位邀請了具有廣泛代表性的表演嘉賓和團體，並為觀眾準備了專業的賞析手冊，將音樂和文化的內涵最大限度傳遞給觀眾。 

麻州政府斥資250萬做廣告宣傳接種疫苗 211專線協助75歲以上居民預約

            (Boston Orange 編譯)麻州政府今(5)日推出”信任事實，接種疫苗”多語公益廣告，將藉研究導向的內容，以250萬元來推廣新冠病毒疫苗的安全性及有效性，並鼓勵民眾在輪到自己時，踴躍接種疫苗。

             麻州政府今日同時宣佈”211”接種疫苗預約專線，以幫助75歲以上，無法上網的民眾預約疫苗接種。

             宣傳廣告將由一群多元背景的醫療專業人員出面說明接種新冠疫苗的重要性，以在有色人種社區，以及其他受到新冠病毒不均等影響的人群中，建立信任感。

          廣告內容將以調查研究為基礎，並由醫療專業人員來傳達訊息。英語及西班牙語的電視廣告，將出現麻州內代表許多不同族裔的醫生。在電視及數位平台上，還將以英語，西班牙文，葡萄牙文，佛德角(Cape Verdean)，海蒂克里奧爾語(Haitian Creole)，越南文，中文(正體與簡體)，俄文，阿拉伯文，阿爾巴尼亞文等不同語言播出動畫廣告，

                     第一集電視廣告將於本地時間的週日，2月7日，超級杯球賽開場秀播出。在未來數周內，這多語公益廣告將在更多不同平台播出，包括英語，西班牙文及葡萄牙文電台，付費社交媒體，以及所有語言的搜索引擎，串流服務，英文及西班牙文的平面媒體。美國手語(ASL)的夥伴視頻也將於今日推出。

           廣告內容將以調查研究為基礎，並由醫療專業人員來傳達訊息。英語及西班牙語的電視廣告，將出現麻州內代表許多不同族裔的醫生。在電視及數位平台上，還將以英語，西班牙文，葡萄牙文，佛德角(Cape Verdean)，海蒂克里奧爾語(Haitian Creole)，越南文，中文(正體與簡體)，俄文，阿拉伯文，阿爾巴尼亞文等不同語言播出動畫廣告，

                這廣告將持續引導麻州居民訪問www.mass.gov/COVIDvaccine，以了解疫苗的安全性及有效性，以及到哪裡可以接種疫苗。

每週一至五，早上8點半至下午5點，呼叫中心將有真人以英語及西班牙文接聽電話，其他100種語言可經由翻譯轉達。

 Baker-Polito Administration Launches Vaccine Public Awareness Campaign, New Call Center for Residents 75 and Older

“Trust the Facts, Get the Vax” Features Diverse Group of Doctors; Vaccine Scheduling Line Available Through 2-1-1 For 75+ Residents Who Cannot Use Website

BOSTON – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced a new multilingual public awareness campaign, “Trust the Facts. Get the Vax.” The research-driven, $2.5 million campaign promotes the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine and urges residents to get vaccinated when it is their turn, as vaccines continue to be distributed across the Commonwealth. The ads feature a diverse group of medical professionals who highlight the importance of the vaccine and aim to build trust with communities of color and other populations disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

The Administration today also announced a new call center to help residents 75 and older who are unable to access the vaccine appointment website to schedule vaccine appointments.

Public Awareness Campaign: The new statewide campaign explains how the vaccine works and seeks to build trust around its safety and efficacy with communities of color and other populations. The campaign is grounded in extensive survey research that indicated that these messages are most effectively delivered by medical professionals. TV ads in English and Spanish feature a diverse group of doctors who represent a wide range of races, ethnicities and regions of Massachusetts. Additional animated ads will run on TV and digital platforms in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Cape Verdean, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese, Chinese (Traditional & Simplified), Russian, Arabic and Albanian.

The first TV ad will run locally on Sunday, February 7, 2021, during the Super Bowl Kick-Off show. Throughout the next several weeks, the multilingual public awareness effort will be visible on a variety of additional platforms in several languages, including English, Spanish and Portuguese radio, paid social media and search ads in all languages, streaming services, and print advertising in English and Spanish outlets. A companion video in American Sign Language (ASL) is also launching today. Click here to see all campaign materials.

To develop the campaign, the Commonwealth relied on insights from a 1,000 person survey of Massachusetts residents that identified motivators and barriers around the vaccine, as well as the most effective messages and trusted voices. The Administration also consulted a 19-member external advisory group including community organizations, leaders from communities of color, health care providers, and local health officials.

Additional elements of the campaign will launch throughout the vaccine distribution process. The campaign will continue to direct residents to www.mass.gov/COVIDvaccine, where residents can learn more about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine and when and where they will be able to get vaccinated.

Vaccine Scheduling Resource Line: Today, the Administration also announced a new call center to help residents 75 and older more easily schedule an appointment if they do not have internet or are unable to use the website at www.mass.gov/COVIDVaccine. The COVID-19 Vaccine Scheduling Resource Line is a dedicated telephone line available to residents 75 and older. The call center will be staffed with over 500 representatives who can provide live phone support to assist residents with booking an appointment. The line will be open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM. Live call center workers will be available in English and Spanish, and 100 additional languages will be available through translators. Call center workers will have the same access to appointments that users will see on the public website. 

The line can be accessed by dialing 2–1–1 and selecting the prompt for “Help Scheduling a Vaccine Appointment.” Residents may have to wait on the line given expected high call volume. Once connected with a representative, the caller will be asked to confirm he/she is 75 or older and either has no internet access or otherwise cannot use the website to book an appointment. Call-takers will then use the state’s COVID-19 vaccine site map to find nearby locations and determine whether appointments are available. If no appointments are available within a distance the caller can travel, then callers will be offered the chance to be placed on a call-back list for the mass vaccination sites. Residents will receive a call-back as appointments become available at these sites. Due to high demand and limited supply, callers may experience significant wait times. The Administration will monitor wait times and make necessary adjustments.

麻州州長疫情匯報2/5 接種疫苗撥打211

 

全國亞裔總商會今日(2/5)匯報亞裔企業受新冠病毒影響調查結果

 

林肯街125號發展計畫縮水近半 現在只蓋14層高

 

林肯街125號大幅修改了發展計畫。(圖片來自網路)

             (Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導)”親愛的(鄰居)，我把林肯街125號縮小了”。發展商牛津物業(Oxford Properties)日前在2場公聽會中說明，相隔近2年，歸納7點社區意見後，發展計畫大幅修改為14層，高225英尺，有150個停車位，地面零售面積近萬英尺的研究發展大樓。

              這林肯街125號發展計畫，座落在華埠牌樓對面，位於皮革區之內，預定2月18日，25日再繼續舉辦2次公聽會，其中25日這場將以廣東話舉行。3月15日截止受理公眾置評。

林肯街125號發展計畫修改概要。

              牛津物業和波士頓市府計畫發展局(BPDA)在日前舉辦的影響顧問組(IAG)會議，以及應紐英崙中華公所之邀，舉行的小型匯報中，詳細說明了發展計畫變動。紐英崙中華公所主席鄭慧民，行政主任朱蘇珊等人都出席了會議。

             2019年4月，以4000萬元買下該一地塊的牛津物業，向BPDA提交了意向計畫，要蓋24層樓高，有62萬5000平方英尺的辦公大樓。歷經公眾會議，顧問會議，社區小組會議等等之後，該公司歸納出7點意見，在2020年內另聘59+SPACE這設計團隊來解決結構問題，探討蓋成包括住宅，娛樂、研發場所等地各種可能，甚至異想天開，考慮把麻州交通廳(MassDOT)的相鄰93號州際公路坡道的上空權(air rights)買下來，擴大可建面積，然後就受新冠病毒疫情影響，延宕至今，才重新開始發展計畫的所有流程。

林肯街125號發展計畫的影響顧問組成員，有一半來自華埠社區。
(視訊會議截圖)

              林肯街125號發展計畫修訂後，高度從340減至225英尺，總面積從625,000減至393,500平方英尺，密集度降低了33%，商用面積從620,900減為385,000平方英尺，零售店面總面積從4,100增加至8,500平方英尺，停車位從275個減為150個。公共空間增加了6600平方英尺。

              新設計還可能在面對必珠街(Beach)處，闢出一塊48X160平方英尺的開放空間，可建成供民眾休憩的公園。原本中國超是出入口對面的三角地帶，也可美化成為另一塊綠地。

林肯街125號發展計畫為紐英崙中華公所舉行了一場網路說明會。
中華公所主席鄭慧民(右中)，行政主任朱蘇珊(第一排左二)都出席了。
(視訊會議截圖)

             牛津物業表示，他們已經和座落在林肯街125號上的喜臨門酒家，中國超市談過。去年3月因為疫情關上大門的中國超市，已表明無意繼續經營。牛津物業打算把中國超市店面分割成面積較小的幾個店面，供地方商家經營。去年3月因為疫情也關門了的喜臨門大酒樓，7月已重新開張，也有意將來留在原地。牛津物業表示將在預期3年的建築期間，協助喜臨門另覓地點經營。

              牛津物業估計，包括將交給鄰里就業信託基金，鄰里住宅信託基金的供約317萬2000元，整個發展計畫為社區貢獻的價值會有將近900萬元。

              林肯街125號影響顧問組有9名成員，其中一半為華埠社區人士，包括華人前進會的李素影，陳玉珍，華埠社區議會(CNC)的2名共同主席曾雪卿，梅伍銀寬，波士頓華商會的共同會長蔡倩停，以及亞美社區發展協會的Jeena Ha。

              查詢林肯街125號發展計畫詳情，可上BPDA網站http://www.bostonplans.org/projects/development-projects/125-lincoln-street。

Public Health Group Applauds Vaccination Equity Bill

 Public Health Group Applauds Vaccination Equity Bill

Calls for Immediate State Action to Overcome Barriers

Boston, MA – Today, the Massachusetts Public Health Association (MPHA) issued a statement of support for An Act Effectuating Equity in COVID-19 Vaccination (SD699/HD1283), which was filed today by State Senators Becca Rausch and Sonia Chang-Diaz and State Representatives Liz Miranda and Mindy Domb.

The Act will require Governor Baker to appoint a full-time Director of COVID-19 Vaccination Equity and Outreach, who will plan and implement actions to overcome inequities in COVID-19 vaccination rates, which are rooted in historic and current racism; biases based on ethnicity, income, primary language, immigration status, or disability; and other limitations, such as access to transportation and/or the Internet.

The Act will also get vaccination information & support directly to people in the hardest-hit communities through partnerships with local organizations, create a mobile vaccination program designated to reach communities with the highest rates of COVID-19, and increase transparency and accountability of the state’s vaccine efforts.

“This Act includes crucial actions for achieving equity in vaccination rates,” said MPHA Executive Director Carlene Pavlos. “We have safe and effective vaccines -- now we must make certain that those who are most impacted by structural racism, poverty and xenophobia have equitable access.”

 

“A focus on equity benefits everyone,” continued Pavlos. “We will only succeed in controlling this virus by directing resources to communities with the highest rates of infection and death. We must work diligently and in partnership with trusted local leaders to ensure that residents have the opportunity to be vaccinated quickly.”

The Massachusetts Public Health Association (MPHA) is a nonprofit organization that promotes a healthy Massachusetts through advocacy, community organizing, and coalition building. We are leaders in the movement to create health equity by addressing the root causes of health and wellness. We promote policies that impact the major drivers of health outcomes, such as access to healthy food, safe affordable housing, and transportation. We also advocate for equitable public health services throughout the Commonwealth. To learn more, visit www.mapublichealth.org. ###

REP LIEU STATEMENT ON ENDING U.S. SUPPORT FOR SAUDI-LED MILITARY OPERATION IN YEMEN

REP LIEU STATEMENT ON ENDING U.S. SUPPORT FOR SAUDI-LED MILITARY OPERATION IN YEMEN 

 Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County)(file photo)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) issued the following statement after the Biden Administration announced it is ending U.S. support for Saudi-led military operations in Yemen. Since his first term, Rep. Lieu has been one of the leaders of the effort in Congress to end U.S. involvement in the armed conflict in Yemen, which has killed thousands of Yemeni civilians, deepened human suffering in the country, and increased instability in the region.   

“I applaud the Biden Administration’s announcement that it is ending U.S. support for military operations in Yemen. Since 2015, I have called for an end to U.S. involvement in this conflict, which has created and perpetuated one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.

There has never been a military solution to Yemen, and our government’s support to the Saudi-led coalition over the years—including arms sales, refueling, and political support—has made us complicit in this horrific conflict for far too long. The evidence is overwhelming that the Saudi-led coalition committed multiple war crimes in Yemen. While we must ensure that ‘offensive operation’ is appropriately defined and the new policy properly implemented, I welcome the Biden Administration’s early actions to change course in Yemen.

In addition to ending military support, the U.S. also has a moral responsibility to engage with regional stakeholders to bring the conflict to an end and alleviate the suffering of the people of Yemen. I appreciate the Biden Administration’s promise to play an active diplomatic role and look forward to working with them as a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee to achieve our shared goals.”

An overview of Congressman Lieu’s previous work on Yemen:

In July 2020, the House passed Congressman Lieu’s amendment to the FY21 NDAA that created critical reporting requirements for the administration on Yemen. The amendment was included in the final bill that became law following a presidential veto override on January 1, 2021.

In December 2019, the House passed its final version of the NDAA, which included an amendment from Congressman Lieu modeled after his Yemen Refueling Prohibition Act, which prohibited refueling assistance to the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen for two years.

In March 2019, Congressmen Lieu and Malinowski led a letter from 13 Members of Congress urging Secretary of State Michael Pompeo to investigate reports that members of the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen are recruiting and deploying child soldiers in the conflict

In January 2019, Rep. Lieu, Rep. Yoho and Rep. Malinowski introduced the Yemen Refueling Prohibition Act, which would stop the United States from providing the in-flight refueling of Saudi or Saudi-led coalition aircraft conducting missions in Yemen. The legislation comes after years of failures by both the Obama and Trump Administrations to mitigate the U.S.’s role in civilian casualties from coalition-led airstrikes.

In November 2018, Rep. Lieu issued a statement of support for the Senate's efforts to advance a bipartisan resolution to revoke U.S. support for the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen.

 

In August 2018, Congressman Lieu sent a letter to the Department of Defense Inspector General calling for an investigation into whether U.S. personnel supporting Saudi and Emeriti coalition operations in Yemen are violating DoD regulations, the Law of Armed Conflict, the Uniform Code of Military Justice, federal statutes or international law. The letter comes after a Saudi-led airstrike hit a school bus in Yemen last week. Rep. Lieu has long called for more scrutiny into the coalition’s actions in Yemen, questioning the U.S.’s efforts to ensure Saudi and Emeriti forces are actively mitigating civilian casualties and avoiding worsening the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

 

In July 2018, Congressmen Lieu and Ted Yoho (R-FL) sent a letter to Senate and House Armed Services Committee leaders to express support for a National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) provision that would establish certification requirements for U.S. assistance to Gulf partners operating in Yemen.

 

In December 2017, President Donald J. Trump signed the 2018 NDAA, which included two provisions on Yemen that Rep. Lieu authored, into law. Congressman Lieu authored provisions that will bring critical congressional oversight to the conflict in Yemen for the first time. Sec. 1265 requires the Departments of Defense and State to report to Congress on whether the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its coalition partners are abiding by their commitments in Yemen. Sec. 1275 requires the President to submit a detailed report that contains a military and diplomatic strategy for Yemen.

 

In July 2017, the House of Representatives passed Congressman Lieu’s amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 that requires the Departments of Defense and State to report to Congress on whether the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its coalition partners are abiding by their commitments in Yemen to avoid civilian casualties.

 

In May 2017, Congressmen Lieu and Ted Yoho (R-FL) called on House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce to review the proposed sale of precision-guided munitions to Saudi Arabia. Congressman Lieu also introduced legislation to place conditions on all air-to-ground munitions sales to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The three conditions relate to avoiding civilian casualties, facilitating humanitarian aid, and targeting U.S.-designated terrorist organizations such as AQAP and ISIS.

 

In April 2017, Congressman Lieu led a letter with a bipartisan group of 30 Members of Congress to Secretary of Defense Mattis and Secretary of State Tillerson requesting information related to the operational conduct of the Royal Saudi Air Force in Yemen.

 

In November 2016, Congressman Lieu led the Lantos Human Rights Commission in holding a hearing on the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

 

In August 2016, Congressman Lieu led a bipartisan group of 64 Members of Congress in sending a letter to President Barack Obama urging him to postpone the sale of new arms to Saudi Arabia. The letter raised concerns regarding the Saudi-led Coalition’s killing of civilians. Previously, Congressman Lieu had repeatedly raised similar concerns, sending letters to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretaries John Kerry and Ash Carter. He also introduced legislation to establish new guidelines for weapons sales to Saudi Arabia.

 

In April 2016, Congressman Lieu introduced a joint resolution in the House (H.J. RES 90) to provide limitations on the transfer of air-to-ground munitions from the United States to Saudi Arabia.

 

In September 2015, Congressman Lieu sent a letter to General Joseph F. Dunford, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, requesting further information about civilian deaths as a result of Saudi Arabian led coalition airstrikes in Yemen. In the letter, Congressman Lieu requested that the United States cease aiding coalition airstrikes in Yemen until the coalition demonstrates that they will institute proper safeguards to prevent civilian deaths.

 

In August 2015, Congressman Lieu called for the U.S. to halt its participation in coalition airstrikes in Yemen

陳宏林，黃麗貞"河馬行" 退休生涯好悠哉

陳宏林展示房車是甜蜜新家。(NEACP提供)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)古人仗劍走天涯，今人輕騎行天下。都學建築的陳宏林、黃麗貞夫婦，從工作上退休，在生活上翻轉，把豪宅變成裝在四個輪子上的蝸居後，開始了許多人羨慕，大讚有勇氣，他們自己稱為”河馬行(Hippoing Around)”的非凡人生。

NEACP的這場講座也是在網上舉行。(視頻截圖)

             應紐英崙中華專業人員協會(NEACP)邀請，陳宏林夫婦日前在網上分享了他們的與眾不同人生。

              陳宏林覺得人們小時候做父母的好孩子，長大後做子女的好父母，一路求學，成家立業，生兒育女，退休後屋已空巢，卻彷彿人生重新掌握在自己手中，他們決定把退休日子變成黃金年代，改變身邊一切事務的優先順序，重新定義自己的舒適圈。

子女各奔前程後，陳宏林兩夫妻已縮窄居屋二次，先從Sudbury搬到Marborough，好離工作地方近點，退休後再搬到新罕布夏州。決定徹底改變生活型態後，新罕布夏州的房子也賣了，只留個一睡房小屋，另外在德州女兒，加州哥哥們的住處附近，各安排棟小屋，再斥資6萬餘元，買輛2011年，只開了2萬多英里，體型有點”河馬”的二手房車(RV)，就開始以車為家，踏上遊逛國家公園，欣賞各地建築的悠哉”河馬行”生活。

陳宏林兩夫婦在Newburyport拍的風景。(視頻截圖)

             陳宏林為有心一試這種生活的人，詳細解釋了他們一步步的安排，包括這輛廂旅車，有著所有一個家該有的廚房，廁所，客廳，睡房，收納室，還有儲水桶，熱水爐，發電機，丙烷罐，甚至太陽能板，應有盡有。空間是小了一點，可是從新罕布夏州，麻州，緬因州，一路沿80號公路開到德州，再經由10號公路到新墨西哥州，亞利桑那州，加州，他們不需要預訂旅館，也不怕深入荒郊野外，只要看到喜歡的地方，無論是叢林深處，空曠山野，或是鄉村小鎮，世外桃源，想待多久，就待多久。

德州休士頓Martin Dies Jr. 州立公園的觀望橋。(視頻截圖)

              過去這大半年中，他們倆欣賞到以前從沒機會去仔細享受的麻州Newbury port，緬因州Acadia 公園，肯塔基州長毛象洞穴(Mammoth Cave)國家公園，亞利桑那州廂式貨車木地花園的半月橋，甚至還回他倆的母校，德州奧斯汀大學去逛了一圈，欣賞著名建築師事務所Nelson Partners & Ziedler設計的”長表演藝術中心(The Long Center for the Performaing Arts)”，看了德州休士頓Martin Dies Jr. 州立公園的觀望橋。更難得的是還和他倆的女兒，哥哥們隨心所欲的聚居更長時間。

陳宏林，黃麗貞兩夫婦退休後悠哉週遊天下。(視頻截圖)

              陳宏林坦言，這一切安排都經過計算，並沒有太冒險，當然，無庸置疑的，在享受”居無定所”的樂趣之中，他們得適應許多新狀況，包括一般房車長29到45英尺，進城時，找停車位不那麼容易，沿路得預先查妥房車營地，在預算中要包括購買等級比較好的網路服務等等，但是這卻給了他們更豐富，更姿彩的生活體驗，打從心底感覺到的喜樂。

              中華專協董事長蔡明機，會長康雅雰，主持人周萬欽等人在會末提醒與會者，中華專協的下一場活動預定是二月中慶祝農曆新年與元宵節。礙於疫情未消，估計要辦也還得在網上。(僑務電子報授權刊載)

麥肯錫5億7300萬元協議 總檢察官Murau Healey: 麻州將得1300萬元

 

麻州總檢察官奚莉(Murau Healey)。視頻截圖)

        (Boston Orange 編譯)麻州總檢察官奚莉(Murau Healey)和47州，以及哥倫比亞特區，5個美國領土總檢察官們組成的聯盟，今(4)日宣佈和世界上最大諮詢公司之一的麥肯錫(McKinsey & Company)達成5億7300萬元協議。

總檢察官們調查麥肯錫公司和鴉片類藥物公司合作，幫助那些公司推廣，並從這些鴉片類藥物的流行而獲利的行為。

根據今日遞入薩福克郡高等法院的訴狀，以及判決同意書條款，麥肯錫公司將支付5億7300萬元，用於資助受影響者預防，治療及恢復。其中1300萬元將付給麻州。

這是涉及多州的鴉片類藥物和解案，第一次得到那麼大一筆款項來分給各州用於處理藥物濫用。這一協議仍待法院批准。

AG’s Office Secures $573 Million Settlement With McKinsey for ‘Turbocharging’ Opioid Sales and Profiting From the Epidemic

Massachusetts to Receive $13 Million; Case Is First Multistate Opioid Settlement to Result in Substantial Payment to Address the Epidemic

2/04/2021

• Office of Attorney General Maura Healey

BOSTON — Attorney General Maura Healey, with a coalition of attorneys general representing 47 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories, announced a $573 million settlement with one of the world’s largest consulting firms, McKinsey & Company, resolving investigations into the company’s role working for opioid companies, helping those companies promote their drugs, and profiting from the opioid epidemic.

Under the terms of the consent judgment, filed today along with a complaint in Suffolk Superior Court, McKinsey will pay a total of $573 million – with $13 million going to Massachusetts – which will be used to fund prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts. This is the first multistate opioid settlement to result in substantial payment to the states to address the epidemic. The judgment remains subject to court approval.

“Today’s agreement sets a new standard for accountability in one of the most devastating crises of our time,” AG Healey said. “As a result, our communities will receive substantial resources for treatment, prevention, and recovery services, and families who have seen their loved ones hurt and killed by the opioid epidemic will have the truth exposed about McKinsey’s illegal and dangerous partnership with Purdue Pharma.”

McKinsey is required to turn over tens of thousands of internal documents detailing its work for Purdue Pharma and other opioid companies for public disclosure online. According to the complaint, McKinsey designed Purdue’s marketing schemes, including a plan to “turbocharge” OxyContin sales at the height of the opioid epidemic.

Today’s filings, with evidence about McKinsey’s misconduct first uncovered by AG Healey’s Office, describe how McKinsey contributed to the opioid crisis by selling marketing schemes and consulting services to opioid manufacturers, including OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma, for over a decade. The complaint, filed with the settlement, details how McKinsey advised Purdue to maximize its OxyContin profits, including by:

• Focusing on higher, more lucrative dosages and increased sales rep visits to high-volume opioid prescribers;
• Targeting physicians with specific messaging to convince them to prescribe more OxyContin to more patients;
• Encouraging opioid manufacturers to band together to “defend against strict treatment by the FDA” on risk mitigation efforts that could have reduced high doses and saved lives; and
• Delivering OxyContin directly to patients through mail-order pharmacies to circumvent retail pharmacy restrictions on high dose, suspicious prescriptions.

When states began to sue Purdue’s directors for their implementation of McKinsey’s marketing schemes, McKinsey partners began emailing about deleting documents and emails related to their work for Purdue.

Under the terms of today’s settlement, McKinsey will pay $573 million, with a total of $558 million distributed to states to abate the opioid crisis, and $15 million to fund investigation expenses and support the document repository. In Massachusetts, today’s settlement will fund the state’s newly created Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund to help expand access to opioid use disorder prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery options. 

Along with the payment and the disclosure of documents, the agreement also imposes court-ordered ethics rules that McKinsey must implement, including strict company-wide standards for document retention, and conflict disclosures on state contracts. In addition, McKinsey agreed to stop advising companies on potentially dangerous Schedule II and III narcotics. 

Today’s filings are the latest action AG Healey has taken to combat the opioid epidemic and hold accountable those who are responsible for creating and fueling the crisis. Since taking office, AG Healey has prioritized combating the opioid epidemic through a multi-disciplinary approach that includes enforcement, policy, prevention, and education efforts. Learn more about AG Healey’s work to combat the opioid epidemic here [mass.gov].

The states’ investigation, first launched by AG Healey’s Office, was led by an executive committee made up of the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, and Vermont. The executive committee is joined by the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, the District of Columbia, and the territories of American Samoa, Guam the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Handling the case for Massachusetts are Assistant Attorneys General Jenny Wojewoda and Sandy Alexander, Senior Enforcement Counsel Gillian Feiner, and Health Care Division Chief Eric Gold, all of AG Healey’s Health Care and Fair Competition Bureau, with assistance from Legal Analyst Julia Walsh, Paralegals Philipp Nowak and Indira Rao, Health Care Division Assistant Attorney General Ethan Marks, Civil Investigator Marlee Greer, Assistant Attorney General and eDiscovery Attorney Paula McManus, and Digital Evidence Lab Director Chris Kelly.