麻州大學今晚(4/27)討論"我們不是隱形的"

 

麻州開放5/10進入第四階段第二步驟 4/30日起部分戶外場合不須戴口罩

麻州州長查理貝克宣佈麻州進一步開放，5/10起戶外可不帶口罩。

             (Boston Orange) 麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)宣佈，4月30日起，放寬部分戶外場合戴口罩規定，5月10日起，進入第四階段第二步驟開放，預定5月29日至8月1日間會再進一步開放。

               查理貝克在宣佈開放喜訊，匯報疫情之際，不忘提醒麻州民眾，在人口500萬以上各州施打新冠疫苗的人均數據上，麻州排名全美第一。

               麻州政府說明，從3月22日麻州放寬營運限制以來，新冠確診個案比率下降了20%，達到去年夏天以來的最低程度，州政府因此決定進一步開放。第四階段第二步驟開放帶來的行業及聚會改變為，5月10日起，例如室內及戶外體育館，球場等大型場所，營運容量將從第四階段第一步驟的12%，增加到25%。

               諸如遊樂園，主題公園，戶外水上樂園等場所，在遞交安全計畫給麻州公共衛生廳之後，營運容量將可提高到50%。

               路賽，以及業餘或專業團體舉辦的大型戶外體育活動，向地方公共衛生局遞交安全計畫，並以間隔行式出發，就可以舉辦。

               中高度危險的青年及成人業餘體育比賽，也可以舉辦。

               在表演場所，餐廳，活動場地及其他企業的演唱活動，只要嚴格遵守距離規定，也可在室內舉行。

               5月29日起，視乎公共健康及疫苗注射數據，在公共或私人場所舉辦活動的人數限制，將增加為室內200人，戶外250人。

              獲准可經營的活動包括街頭節慶，遊行，農業節慶等，在遞交安全計畫給地方公共衛生局後，都可以早前營運量的50%舉行。

              酒吧，啤酒花園，釀酒廠，酒廠，蒸餾場等，將適用餐館規定，只可提供入座服務，並有逗留90分鐘，無舞池限制。

              點酒必須配食物的規定也將廢止，每桌人數可增至最多10人。

              8月1日起，視乎公共健康及疫苗注射數據，其他准許開放的行業包括舞蹈俱樂部，夜總會，在健身中心，健康俱樂部及其他場所的桑拿，熱水浴，蒸氣房等，室內水上樂園，球場等。

              到這一階段時，所有限制都將取消。聚會限制也將廢止。麻州政府當局將視乎疫情數據再評估。

              口罩方面，從4月30日以，某些戶外場所的戴口罩規定將放寬，只在無法保持安全社交距離的公開場合，才必須戴口罩。

              所有其他場合，人們將仍需要戴口罩。在私人住宅的小型聚會，麻州政府建議戴口罩，但不規定必須戴，罰款300元的作法將廢除。

              查詢詳情，可上網mass.gov/reopening。

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Plans for Continued Reopening

Face Coverings Order to be Relaxed for Some Outdoor Settings

 BOSTON – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that Massachusetts will reopen some outdoor Phase 4, Step 2 industries effective May 10^th and put plans in place for further reopening on May 29^th and August 1^st. The Administration continues to take steps to reopen the Commonwealth's economy with public health metrics continuing to trend in a positive direction. This includes drops in average daily COVID cases and hospitalizations. Massachusetts remains first in the nation for first vaccine doses and total doses administered per capita, among states with more than 5 million people. The Administration will also relax the Face Coverings Order for some outdoor settings, effective April 30^th. 

Phase IV, Step 2 Industries and Gathering Changes:

On March 22, Massachusetts loosened capacity restrictions and advanced to Step 1 of Phase IV of the reopening plan. Since then, case rates dropped by 20%. The positivity rate has dropped to the lowest levels recorded since last summer. 

Effective Monday, May 10^th:

Large venues such as indoor and outdoor stadiums, arenas and ballparks currently open as part of Phase 4, Step 1 at 12% will be permitted to increase capacity to 25%.

The Commonwealth will reopen some outdoor Phase 4, Step 2 industries including amusement parks, theme parks and outdoor water parks that will be permitted to operate at a 50% capacity after submitting safety plans to the Department of Public Health.

Road races and other large, outdoor organized amateur or professional group athletic events will be permitted to take place with staggered starts after submitting safety plans to a local board of health or the DPH.

Youth and adult amateur sports tournaments will be allowed for moderate and high risk sports.

Singing will also be permitted indoors with strict distancing requirements at performance venues, restaurants, event venues and other businesses.

Effective May 29^th:

Subject to public health and vaccination data, gathering limits will increase to 200 people indoors and 250 people outdoors for event venues, public settings and private settings.

Subject to public health and vaccination data, additional Phase 4, Step 2 industries will be permitted to open including:

• Street festivals, parades and agricultural festivals, at 50% of their previous capacity and after submitting safety plans to the local board of health.

• Bars, beer gardens, breweries, wineries and distilleries, will be subject to restaurant rules with seated service only, a 90 minute limit and no dance floors.

Subject to public health and vaccination data, the restaurant guidance will be updated to eliminate the requirement that food be served with alcohol and to increase the maximum table size to 10.

Effective August 1^st:

Subject to public health and vaccination data, remaining industries will be permitted to open including:

• Dance clubs, and nightclubs

• Saunas, hot-tubs, steam rooms at fitness centers, health clubs and other facilities

• Indoor water parks

• Ball pits

All industry restrictions will be lifted at that time, and capacity will increase to 100% for all industries, with businesses encouraged to continue following best practices. The gathering limit will be rescinded.

Depending on vaccine distribution and public health data, the Administration may consider re-evaluating the August 1^st date.

The Department of Public Health will also continue to issue guidance as needed, including guidance to still require masks indoors.

Face Coverings Order: 

Effective April 30^th, the Face Coverings Order will be relaxed for some outdoor settings.

Face coverings will only be required outside in public when it is not possible to socially distance, and at other times required by sector-specific guidance.

Face coverings will still be required at all times in indoor public places. Face coverings will also continue to be required at all times at events, whether held indoors or outdoors and whether held in a public space or private home, except for when eating or drinking.

At smaller gatherings in private homes, face coverings are recommended but not required. The $300 fine as an enforcement mechanism will be eliminated.

For more information, visit mass.gov/reopening. 

CITY OF BOSTON AND PARTNERS TO BRING JOB FAIR SERIES TO INCARCERATED AND RETURNING CITIZENS

CITY OF BOSTON AND PARTNERS TO BRING JOB FAIR SERIES TO INCARCERATED AND RETURNING CITIZENS Virtual events will include participants from Suffolk County Jail, Suffolk County House of Correction   BOSTON - Tuesday, April 27, 2021 - As part of the City of Boston’s efforts to reintegrate returning citizens into the community, Mayor Kim Janey today announced a virtual job fair series designed to help current or formerly justice-involved individuals access job openings, educational opportunities, job search skills, and other critical resources. The events, held throughout May, are organized by MassHire Downtown Boston Career Center, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department, BeProximate, and Project Opportunity, a City initiative that works to create equitable opportunities for residents with criminal records (CORIs). “Each year, more than 3,000 people return to Boston upon their release from incarceration,” said Mayor Janey. “These returning citizens deserve the opportunity to create a fresh start and make positive contributions to their community. But that transition depends on our support. A second chance begins with a job prospect, an education pathway, the critical resources for daily living – exactly the things this job fair series promotes.” In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, series partners have worked together to ensure that inmates at Suffolk County Jail and Suffolk County House of Correction can participate in the virtual events. Both facilities are operated by the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department.   “We know that good, sustainable employment is one of the critical elements for the success of anyone returning to society from incarceration,” said Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins. “This is why we offer many different skills-building and job preparedness training programs for the men and women in our care and custody. Unfortunately, the CORI continues to be an obstacle for many returning citizens seeking employment, so access to resources and opportunities like these is extremely important.”  “At MassHire Downtown Boston Career Center, we recognize the significant barriers to employment faced by returning citizens and individuals with CORIs,” said Doreen Treacy VP of Career Services at MassHire Downtown Boston. “We are committed to helping reduce these barriers by equipping jobseekers with the tools they need and connecting them to hiring events and resources.”  The event series is free and open to all Massachusetts residents, but requires participants to register at tinyurl.com/JobEdFair. The schedule of events is as follows: ·     Why and How to Create a Resume: Tuesday, May 4, 1-2:30 p.m. ·     Interview Basics: Thursday, May 6, 1-2:30 p.m. ·     Job Fair Prep: Tuesday, May 11, 1-2:30 p.m. ·     Job Fair: Wednesday, May 19, 1-2:30 p.m. ·     Education/Resource Fair: Friday, May 21, 1-2:30 p.m. The job fair will feature Amazon, Flour Bakery, Greater Boston Food Bank, Monroe Staffing, VPNE, and Whole Foods Market, with more employers to come. Mayor Janey has proclaimed the final week of the series, May 17 - May 21, – which culminates in the job fair and education/resource fair – “Second Chance and Reentry Week” in Boston. The week will include an exhibit and panel discussions organized by BeProximate to advocate for the support of returning citizens. Speakers will include Suffolk County D.A. Rachael Rollins, Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins, and State Rep. Liz Miranda. “In the City of Boston, cross-sector fertilization drives social innovation to address both citywide and neighborhood-specific needs,” said BeProximate founder Diana Saintil. “However, we must extend our politics beyond our personal proclivities to devise cross-sector solutions to address the most salient reentry challenges in housing, employment, health, and education for returning citizens. We must BeProximate to people with empathy. Proximity with apathy is too great a threat to transformational change.” In addition to promoting career development opportunities, the event series also extends the outreach of Project Opportunity, a collaboration of the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development, the Mayor’s Office of Public Safety, the Mayor’s Office of Returning Citizens, and SOAR Boston. Project Opportunity connects residents with free legal consultation to review the potential for sealing or expunging their CORIs. The City of Boston pays for the cost of accessing a CORI, while partner Lawyers Clearinghouse provides legal consultation and full representation if an individual’s record can be sealed or expunged. The job fair series also supports the mission of the Mayor’s upcoming 2021 Summer Violence Prevention Plan. The Plan develops a framework to scale up prosocial activities, strengthen intervention efforts, ensure neighborhoods are supported and connected to resources, expand intentional outreach and engagement for specific populations, and provide positive activities and community engagement in public spaces.  ‌

Under Lemon Aid Law, impacted consumers can have until April 30 to get inspection sticker

 AFTER OUTAGE, AG HEALEY REMINDS PUBLIC OF ADDITIONAL TIME TO GET VEHICLE INSPECTIONS AND RIGHTS UNDER LEMON AID LAW

With Reopening of Vehicle Inspection Stations after Outage, AG Urges Consumers to Get Inspections as Soon as Possible

 BOSTON – Now that the RMV’s vehicle inspection stations are back online after an outage caused by a malware attack, Attorney General Maura Healey is encouraging affected consumers to obtain their inspections as soon as possible and reminding them they have additional time to exercise their vehicle return and refund rights under the state’s Lemon Aid Law. The AG’s advisory reminds consumers that the extension applies to consumers who purchased cars between March 23, 2021, and April 16, 2021, and impacted consumers have until April 30, 2021, to get their inspection stickers.

 “In light of this unexpected complication at the RMV, we want to make sure that consumers have the information they need to fully exercise their rights when buying a car, and to put auto dealerships on notice about their legal obligations in this unprecedented situation,” said AG Healey. “We don’t want consumers to be stuck with a defective vehicle through no fault of their own, and we encourage them to contact our office if they have questions.”

 The Massachusetts Lemon Aid Law allows consumers to return a purchased vehicle and obtain a refund if it fails inspection within seven days from the date of sale, and the cost of repairs is more than 10 percent of the purchase price. Consumers then have 14 days from the date of sale to return the vehicle and provide the seller with a statement detailing why the vehicle failed inspection, as well as include an estimate of the cost of repairs.

 However, because of the inspection station outage, some consumers were left unable to meet the seven-day inspection deadline articulated in the Lemon Aid Law, which then impacts their ability to return a vehicle that fails inspection within 14 days of purchase.

 Around March 30, 2021, the RMV’s vehicle inspection stations went offline following a malware attack on their vendor’s system. As a result, consumers who purchased a vehicle between March 23, 2021, and April 16, 2021, had inspection stickers expiring in March or April 2021, or were in a 60-day retest period following a failed inspection, were unable to obtain inspections or reinspection in accordance to Massachusetts law. Most public vehicle inspection stations went back online beginning on April 17, 2021.

 To accommodate consumers impacted by the vehicle inspection stations going offline, the RMV has allowed for the following grace periods:

• If you purchased a vehicle between March 23, 2021 and April 16, 2021: You have until April 30, 2021, to obtain an inspection sticker.
• If your inspection sticker expired in March or April 2021: You have until May 31, 2021, to obtain an inspection sticker
• If you are in a 60-day retest period: You will receive one extra day for each day the system was offline.

 AG Healey advises consumers who purchased cars and were impacted by the inspection station outage to get their inspection as soon as they can, and on or before April 30, 2021. If needed, consumers should exercise their rights under the Lemon Aid Law as quickly as possible.

 The AG’s Office also wants to remind auto dealerships of their legal obligations in sales transactions under the Lemon Aid Law and the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act. Accordingly, auto dealerships should use the RMV’s grace period for affected consumers and allow consumers 14 days from the date of their inspection to exercise their rights under the Lemon Aid Law, should a consumer’s vehicle fail inspection within the RMV’s grace period.

 For more information about the outage and the RMV’s grace periods for vehicle inspections please see the RMV’s press release and vehicle check webpage. 

 The AG’s Office urges those with concerns about their Lemon Aid Law rights to contact the office’s consumer hotline at (617) 727-8400 or file a complaint online.

波士頓社區三輪清潔空氣補助款 今日起受理申請

MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES COMMUNITY CLEAN AIR GRANT APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE MONDAY, APRIL 26   The City encourages proposals from residents, nonprofits, and businesses to reduce air pollution and carbon emissions   BOSTON - Monday, April 26, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey and the Environment, Energy, and Open Space department today announced that applications for the new Community Clean Air Grant program will open Monday, April 26. Funded through the Air Pollution Control Commission, the City is seeking to support locally-driven proposals from residents, nonprofit organizations, and businesses for projects that will produce meaningful, measurable steps to reduce the emissions that contribute to climate change and air pollution. There will be three rounds of funding throughout the year for projects that will contribute to the City of Boston’s 2019 Climate Action Plan Update, which details specific actions the City is taking over five years to significantly cut emissions across all sectors in order to reach our goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. “Climate change affects all Boston residents, but we know that it disproportionately impacts some of our communities more than others. By taking actionable steps to improve the air quality throughout our city we not only improve our public health, but also reduce our contribution to the greenhouse gases that cause climate change,” said Mayor Janey. “With the new Community Clean Air Grant program, we hope to empower community members, especially socially vulnerable groups, to take meaningful actions that contribute to our long-term goals and directly benefit their neighbors and communities.”  The Community Clean Air Grant is open to any individual or entity who would like to respond, and the City encourages participation from small, local, minority-owned, women-owned, and other disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) and entities. In order to be eligible for funding, proposals must do at least one of the following: ·     Eliminate or otherwise address specific sources of air pollution within Boston; ·     Reduce the negative health impacts of air pollution emissions within Boston; ·     Enhance the ability of local communities in Boston to improve local air quality; ·     Have a measurable impact on air quality or carbon emissions within Boston. The City strongly encourages partnerships with and among local community groups and partners, and has provided a directory on the web page to encourage collaboration and joint proposals. To ensure the program is accessible and all interested applicants have as much information as possible, the applications and materials are available in English, Español (Spanish), Kreyòl ayisyen (Haitian Creole), 繁體中文 (Traditional Chinese), 简体中文 (Simplified Chinese), Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese), and kriolu (Cape Verdean Creole). For anyone interested in applying, the Environment, Energy, and Open Space staff is offering two informational webinars and is hosting office hours to provide more information, answer questions, and assist with completing applications. Applications are due by Friday, June 4.    Webinar #1 Tuesday, May 4, 2021 9:00 am Register   Webinar #2 Thursday, May 6, 2021 5:30 pm Register   Office Hours Wednesdays through June 4 3-5pm Register   Air pollution contributes to higher rates of cardiovascular and respiratory disease, and has been linked to higher COVID-19 mortality rates. Some air pollutants, like methane and carbon dioxide, are also greenhouse gases, which warm the atmosphere and lead to higher temperatures and rising seas. Communities located near highways and other major transportation infrastructure, and socially vulnerable populations, such as people of color, older residents, children, and people with chronic illnesses, are negatively impacted at a higher rate than others. Mayor Janey’s Administration is taking steps to recognize and address the risks of climate change, and to protect Boston’s urban ecosystem. This month, Mayor Janey proposed the following investments for environmental resilience and climate justice in the Fiscal Year 2022-2026 Capital Plan proposal: ·     $48 million for Phase 2 and 3 of Renew Boston Trust, which is designed to identify energy retrofit project opportunities in City-owned buildings to create future energy savings.  ·     $5 million for a Climate Ready Boston Harbor study to support the development of a study that will examine the feasibility of measures along and within the Boston Harbor to reduce vulnerability of coastal flooding due to sea level rise caused by climate change. ·     $20 million to design and implement a signature, climate resilient waterfront park along the Fort Point Channel. ·     $1.7 million per year for the ongoing program of street tree planting throughout the city ·     $1.8 million to repave pathways at Dorchester Park  ·     $7.5 million to repave pathways at the Back Bay Fens to improve accessibility and site conditions ·     $15.5 million to complete the park redesign at Copley Square to optimize resilience to high-traffic events and storm-water ·     $9.4 million to redesign and construct a new Malcolm X Park through the City’s first Equitable Procurement Pilot program As indicated in the 2019 Climate Action Plan update, the City of Boston is taking action to stop our contribution to climate change. Between 2005 and 2016, the amount of carbon pollution emitted by city operations was reduced by 18 percent. Last month, the City announced the completion of $11 million in energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades to 14 municipal buildings, representing $680,000 in savings and a one percent reduction in municipal greenhouse gas emissions. In February, Community Choice Electricity began supplying over 200,000 residences and commercial customers with more affordable and renewable electricity. In order to provide high quality, safe, and cleaner affordable housing to our most vulnerable residents, the City of Boston recently awarded $34 million to support the creation of 608 new units that will be built to zero emissions standards. Climate Ready Boston is simultaneously strengthening Boston’s climate change resilience and adaptation with near- and long-term planning through neighborhood-level engagement and solutions.  Last week, Mayor Janey announced Reverend Mariama White-Hammond as Chief of Environment, Energy, and Open Space for the City of Boston. In this role, Rev. White-Hammond, who started today, will be responsible for leading the Cabinet in achieving its mission of enhancing environmental justice and quality of life in Boston by protecting air, water, climate, and land resources, as well as preserving and improving the integrity of Boston's architectural and historic resources. For more information on how Boston is actively preparing for the impacts of climate change and advancing the vision of a resilient city, visit boston.gov/environment. To learn more about the grants and application process, please visit boston.gov/clean-air-grant. To learn more about the work of the Environment, Energy, and Open Space department, please visit boston.gov/environment.