孫儉元處長(右二)送上感謝狀給緬因州參議會民主黨團。(經文處提供) |
孫儉元處長在緬因州參議會參議員面前致詞。(經文處提供) |
孫儉元處長(右二)送上感謝狀給緬因州參議會共和黨團。(經文處提供) |
人生一定要有的八個朋友: 推手(Builder)、 支柱(Champion)、 同好(Collaborator)、 夥伴(Companion)、 中介(Connector)、 開心果(Energizer)、 開路者(Mind Opener)、 導師(Navigator)。 chutze@bostonorange.com ******************* All rights of articles and photos on this website are reserved.
孫儉元處長(右二)送上感謝狀給緬因州參議會民主黨團。(經文處提供) |
孫儉元處長在緬因州參議會參議員面前致詞。(經文處提供) |
孫儉元處長(右二)送上感謝狀給緬因州參議會共和黨團。(經文處提供) |
New group of racial justice leaders names Sonia Chang-Díaz their top candidate for Governor
20 community leaders, elected officials, advocates cite Chang-Díaz’s record fighting for communities of color as a determining factor for their endorsements
BOSTON, MA - Twenty racial justice leaders from across Massachusetts are backing State Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz as their top candidate for Governor. This group of racial justice champions joins a group of over 50 elected officials as well as national and statewide progressive organizations who are supporting Chang-Díaz’s candidacy.
The new endorsers include elected officials, community leaders, activists, and organizational leaders who all support Chang-Díaz for her track record of delivering results, not just words, on issues of racial justice.
"I’m honored to have the endorsement and support of these leaders of color," said Chang-Díaz. "We have so much work to do to move the dial on racial justice in Massachusetts. We need to close the racial wealth divide, invest in our students of color, provide paths to homeownership, follow through on implementing our criminal legal reforms, and ensure that leaders of color are included at every decision making table. I’m grateful to have these champions in that fight with me."
Chang-Díaz was elected Massachusetts’ first Latina and Asian-American State Senator in 2008. On Beacon Hill, she’s passed major progressive reforms, including $1.5 billion in progressive education funding to close opportunity and achievement gaps, criminal justice reform, and LGBTQ equal rights legislation. She’s been key to passing major racial justice policies, including budget measures to build wealth and small business ownership, reforms to Massachusetts' system for English language education, equity provisions in state law governing the new marijuana industry, and a statutory ban on racial profiling by police.
The new slate of endorsers praised Chang-Díaz for her record of fighting for racial justice on Beacon Hill alongside activists and community leaders, even when it wasn’t politically convenient.
"I have fought alongside Sonia to ensure that racial justice is central to how Beacon Hill leads the Commonwealth," said Russell Holmes, State Representative, 6th Suffolk. "I’m confident that as Governor, Sonia will continue to lead the fight for justice. I’m proud to endorse her to be the next Governor of Massachusetts."
"Sonia's been breaking barriers and delivering real results for over a decade — and often when no one was watching," said Boston City Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune. "She's lit the path for racial justice and progressive change on Beacon Hill, and made the impossible possible over and over again. That's the kind of leadership all of our communities need in the Governor's office. I'm thrilled to support her candidacy."
"Sonia has been leading with urgency and insisting that communities of color are put front and center for over a decade," said Malia Lazu, an entrepreneur and racial justice advocate. "We have an open Governor’s seat and a choice between the status quo and moving our movement forward. This is the moment we have been waiting for, and Sonia is our candidate."
"In my years directing Neighbor to Neighbor, Sonia never failed in reaching out to us to engage us and seek our input, whether it was criminal justice or education reform," said Maria Elena Letona, former Executive Director of Neighbor to Neighbor. "And she never failed in sitting down with us to listen to our concerns and champion climate justice legislation for us. I have never known an elected official who is as proactive in engaging and attentive in listening to people of color communities."
"An effective governor for Massachusetts must have two qualities: a progressive vision to uplift every member of our state and the experience to operationalize that vision. Senator Chang-Díaz clearly has both," said Sana Fadel, racial justice advocate and community leader from Newton. "In her rise from local activist to state senator, she has carried some of the most impactful policies from a call to action to implementation. I was so impressed with her power, pragmatism and effectiveness through some of the toughest policy debates bringing to fruition school equity and policing reforms that have only made Massachusetts stronger. She has the vision and the expertise to earn my vote as our next Governor."
"From championing investments to close the achievement gap, her leadership on CORI reform, racial equity and her bold vision for addressing climate change, Sonia Chang-Díaz has shown us what deep listening and swift action can look like for working families and all of us. The will to change is here; the Governor we need is Senator Chang-Díaz," said Nate Bae Kupel, a racial justice and community leader in Malden.
The slate of endorsers includes:
Russell Holmes, State Representative, 6th Suffolk District
Ruthzee Louijeune, Boston City Councilor
Izzy Rivera, Holyoke City Councilor
Bobby Bailey, Fall River School Committee Member
Josh Alba, Lawrence School Committee Member
Malia Lazu, Entrepreneur and racial justice advocate from Boston
Hodan Hashi, Co-Founder of Black Boston, Inc.
Colette Phillips, CEO, GetKonnected
Maria Elena Letona, Former Executive Director, Neighbor to Neighbor
Shaleen Title, social justice advocate and former Cannabis Control Commissioner
Diana Hwang, Founder, Asian American Women's Political Initiative
Miren Uriarte, Founder and Professor, The Mauricio Gastón Institute for Latino Community Development and Public Policy
Tanisha Arena, Community leader from Springfield
Lezlie Campbell, Community leader from Springfield
Sana Fadel, Advocate and community leader from Newton
Helina Fontes, Community leader from Lynn
Nate Bae Kupel, Community leader from Malden
Jean-Luc Pierite, Indigenous Community Leader from Boston
Saritin Rizzuto, Community leader from Wakefield
Nicole Eigbrett, Community leader from Somerville
Full list of 50+ endorsers across the state here: https://www.soniachangdiaz.
About Sonia Chang-Díaz:
Sonia is the daughter of a social worker and America’s first Latino astronaut, Franklin Chang-Díaz. She was elected the Commonwealth's first Latina and first Asian-American State Senator in 2008 and quickly became a driving force behind many of the state’s biggest progressive reforms — including landmark $1.5 billion progressive education funding reforms, criminal justice reform, LGBT equal rights, and police reform and accountability. For more information about Sonia Chang-Díaz and her campaign for Governor, please visit www.soniachangdiaz.com.
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COURTESY PHOTOS OF ENDORSING RACIAL JUSTICE LEADERS (download them here):
Russell Holmes
Ruthzee Louijeune
Colette Phillips
Sana Fadel
Maria Elena Letona
Lezlie Braxton Campbell
Malia Lazu
Nate Bae Kupel
Helina Fontes
Diana Hwang
Hodan Hashi
Bobby Bailey
Saritin Rizzuto
Tanisha Arena
Shaleen Title
Izzy Rivera
Jean-Luc Pierite
Miren Uriarte
Joshua Alba
Nicole Eigbrett
Department of Public Health Reminds Residents of Availability of COVID-19 Treatments for Positive Higher-Risk Individuals
BOSTON (February 23, 2022) – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today reminded residents that free treatment options are available that can be used to prevent severe illness and hospitalization from COVID-19. Several treatments, including monoclonal antibody infusions and oral therapeutics, are widely available across the Commonwealth.
Treatment is available for people who are at increased risk of severe disease, test positive for COVID-19 and have any symptoms, even mild ones (such as runny nose or cough).
Residents who think they may be eligible and have questions on if treatment is right for them should contact their medical provider or call the COVID-19 Self-Referral Treatment Line operated by Gothams. The Gothams call line is a free resource that can help refer individuals to sites for monoclonal antibody treatments.
These treatment options have been authorized by the FDA for the treatment of COVID-19 in individuals ages 12 and over who are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 illness.
There are five treatment options in Massachusetts:
Oral Therapeutics (Pills)
Oral therapeutic treatments require a prescription from a healthcare provider.
Monoclonal Antibody Intravenous (IV) and Antiviral Infusion
Referrals for monoclonal antibody treatment can be provided by the Gothams call center by calling (508) 213-1380, Monday – Saturday 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., or by an individual’s healthcare provider.
“These therapeutics, including COVID pills and infusions, are potentially lifesaving but for eligible individuals, they need to be administered quickly to be effective,” said Public Health Commissioner Margret Cooke. “They can help keep you from getting very sick and out of the hospital. If you test positive for COVID-19 and have any kind of risk factor such as diabetes or high blood pressure or asthma – we encourage you to call your provider or the Gothams phone number immediately to see if the treatment could be right for you. Do not wait to see if your symptoms worsen.”
“Importantly, the new guidance on use of these therapeutics and their increased availability enables essentially all patients who are diagnosed with COVID-19, are experiencing even mild symptoms, and are at an increased risk of severe illness to access proven treatments that can prevent severe disease and save lives,” said Massachusetts Medical Society President Dr. Carole Allen. “Don’t wait. Even if symptoms are mild, please consider these safe and effective treatments to prevent the disease from progressing to a point that may require hospitalization.”
“We are fortunate that there is now an ample supply of therapeutic treatments available widely across the Commonwealth,” said Patricia Noga, Vice President, Clinical Affairs, Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association. “Our healthcare community views these therapeutics as a part of routine COVID care and hospitals are strongly encouraging clinicians to utilize them to the greatest extent possible. MHA and our members are committed to expanding access to these treatments as we navigate our way out of this latest surge.”
Treatments are free and widely available across the Commonwealth. Residents who have recently tested positive for COVID-19 can view treatment locations by visiting the COVID-19 Therapeutic Locator. There are seven state-sponsored locations managed by Gothams in Pittsfield, Holyoke, Athol, Plymouth, Everett, Lowell, and Fall River, in addition to select pharmacies and healthcare settings.
To receive treatment, residents should:
There is capacity within the Commonwealth and those in need are often able to receive same-day appointments.
Visit www.mass.gov/covidtreatments to learn more about the options available to you.
The best protection against severe illness or hospitalization from COVID-19 is vaccination and getting a booster dose. Visit www.mass.gov/covidvaccine to learn more.
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