波士頓公校總監搜尋委員會 9人小組有余慕潔、唐佳宇

邦克丘社區學院校長余慕潔再次加入波士頓公校總監搜尋委員會。(檔案照片，周菊子攝)         (Boston Orange) 波士頓公校總監將於6月底本學年結束時卸任，波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 和波士頓學校委員會主席Jeri Robinson今 (3) 日宣佈9人搜尋小組委員會名單，將召開4場公聽會，聽取民眾意見，訂6月初宣佈入圍候選人。                  波士頓市長吳弭表示，做為市長，她已準備好利用每一個平台及資源來確保市內每一機構及領域的年輕人都得到優先考量。波士頓市必須挑選一名不僅能夠建立長久傳承，賦予學校社區能力，還能組成一個做好協力因應挑戰，爭取機會的領導團隊。 波士頓教師工會會長唐佳宇(右三)獲選為波士頓公校總監搜尋委員會成員。 (檔案照片，周菊子攝)              波士頓公校上週公告了一份招標書 (RFP)，要挑選一家搜尋公司來協助處理聘請新任公校總監流程。有意競標的公司須在3月18日前投票，波士頓學校委員會預定4月初著手挑選。              搜尋委員會的9名成員，包括波士頓公校學生、家長，老師、學校領導及社區成員。這委員會將舉行一連串4場公聽會，收集民眾意見，草擬職位概述，以及面試及挑選的流程。                       這4場公聽會將都在網上舉行，預定日期及時間為3月9日，15日，24日的晚上6到8點，以及4月2日的早上10點至中午12點。前3場依序以公眾，西班牙語人士，學生為主要對象，4月這場，再度以公眾為對象。              民眾的意見，也藉電子郵件，以書面形式交給學校委員會，電郵地址為superintendentsearch@bostonpublicschools.org.。波士頓市府稍後將張貼網上意見調查，供社區民眾提交書面意見。               搜尋委員會由9人組成，包括邦克丘社區學院校長余慕潔 (Pam Eddinger)，波士頓公校特殊教育家長顧問委員會主席Roxi Harvey，波士頓學校委員會委員Lorena Lopera，芬衛高中學生Marcus McNeill，波士頓學校委員會副主席Michael O’Neill，Channing小學校長Carline Pignato博士，波士頓公校中學總監Gene Roundtree，波士頓教師工會會長唐佳宇 (Jessica Tang)，波士頓拉丁學院老師            José Valenzuela。 MAYOR WU AND SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR ROBINSON OUTLINE PROCESS FOR SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH

BOSTON - Thursday, March 3, 2022 - Mayor Michelle Wu and School Committee Chair Jeri Robinson announced the members of a 9-person search committee and the collaborative process for selecting a new Boston Public Schools Superintendent, as outlined by the Chair in Wednesday’s School Committee meeting. The announcement follows the mutual decision reached last month that Superintendent Brenda Cassellius would step down at the end of the school year. The search committee will focus first on gathering community feedback that will inform an accelerated process to select a new Superintendent in time for the next school year. “As mayor I’m ready to use every platform and resource to ensure our young people will be a priority across every sector and institution in the city,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “To meet the urgency and potential across BPS, we must not only choose a Superintendent who can build a long-lasting legacy, but also empower school communities and invest in a leadership team ready to collectively tackle our challenges and opportunities.” "Securing a new BPS Superintendent through a collaborative and transparent process with our community is of the utmost importance to restore a sense of trust and unity between the school district and its constituents," said School Committee Chair Jeri Robinson. "By centering the voices of BPS families and students, external partners and stakeholders and the City of Boston at large, we will help ensure this critical decision is mutually beneficial as we seek to stabilize district leadership for the continued advancement and wellbeing of our BPS community.” BPS last week posted a Request for Proposals (RFP) to select a search firm to help manage the process to hire a new superintendent. Search firms have until March 18 to respond to the RFP before the School Committee selects a firm by early April. The search committee includes representation of BPS students, parents, teachers, school leaders, and community members. The search committee will host a series of public listening sessions starting in March to gather community input to shape the Superintendent’s job description and inform the interview and selection process. These listening sessions will include both weekday and weekend times to be as accessible as possible to Boston residents with different schedules. The meetings will be held on Zoom, recorded and posted online following the conclusion of each meeting, and will include live interpretation in all BPS languages. One listening session will be designated primarily for Spanish speakers.  The listening sessions will take place on: Wednesday, March 9, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Public listening session Tuesday, March 15, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Public listening session for Spanish speakers Thursday, March 24, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Student listening session Saturday, April 2, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Public listening session Additionally, members of the public can submit written testimony via email to the Boston School Committee at superintendentsearch@bostonpublicschools.org. In the coming days, the City will also post an online survey for community members to provide written input to inform the search and selection process. Search committee members will review applications and interview candidates in executive session to preserve the confidentiality of the applicants and equity in the search process. The final candidates will be announced by early June, and interviews for the finalists will be conducted publicly in early- to mid-June. The search committee will make a recommendation to the School Committee, which will then vote on the person to whom to extend the offer of the Superintendent position. The members of the search committee are: Pam Eddinger, President of Bunker Hill Community College Roxi Harvey, Chair of the BPS Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SpEdPAC) Lorena Lopera, Member of the Boston School Committee Marcus McNeill, Student at Fenway High School Michael O’Neill, Vice Chair of the Boston School Committee Dr. Carline Pignato, Head of School at Channing Elementary School Gene Roundtree, Secondary School Superintendent at Boston Public Schools Jessica Tang, President of the Boston Teachers Union José Valenzuela, Teacher at Boston Latin Academy More information on the Superintendent search, including registration links to public listening sessions, can be found here

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES BOSTON’S NEW YOUTH POET LAUREATE

 

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES BOSTON’S NEW YOUTH POET LAUREATE The John D. O’Bryant School of Math & Science’s Anjalequa Leynneyah Verona Birkett is Boston’s second Youth Poet Laureate.

BOSTON - Thursday, March 3, 2022 - Mayor Michelle Wu and the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture, in collaboration with the Boston Public Library, 826 Boston, MassLEAP, GrubStreet, and Urban Word, today announced Anjalequa Leynneyah Verona Birkett has been named the City of Boston’s next Youth Poet Laureate.  “Young people don’t just represent the promise of tomorrow, they’re leaders in our neighborhoods and communities today,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Anjalequa is one of those leaders and I can’t wait to see how she elevates Boston youth voices as Boston’s Youth Poet Laureate.”

Photo (left to right): Chief of Arts and Culture Kara Elliott-Ortega, City of Boston Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola, Boston Youth Poet Laureate Anjalequa Leynneyah Verona Birkett, and former Boston Youth Poet Laureate Alondra Bobadilla.

Anjalequa was born and raised in Roxbury before moving to Roslindale. She is currently 18 years old and attends the John D. O’Bryant School of Math & Science, where through the 826 Writers Room, she has been given a space and community to truly hone and admire her love and technique for writing and poetry. Her cleverness and artistry stems from her own life experiences and wanting to connect with those around her. She has volunteered with organizations such as A-VOYCE and BARCC to spread awareness of social issues that impact her community and help make and be the blueprint for change. In everything she does she makes it her mission to express the feelings of people around her and her own, and create a bright, and better future ahead. “I will use this opportunity and platform to connect with Boston youth through poetry and the arts, find what issues they want to change and how they want to improve their community, and be the voice that makes it happen in my own way,” said Youth Poet Laureate Anjalequa Leynneyah Verona Birkett. “I also want the youth of Boston and Boston residents to find their own voice through poetry and the arts by holding spaces and events for them to come together, learn, give back and improve, as I make myself into a strong representative. I aim to make my time and work in this role impactful, inspiring, loud and true.” Anjalequa was named the next Youth Poet Laureate at a showcase at the Boston Public Library, where she read some of her original poetry alongside several Youth Poet Laureate finalists and semifinalists, including: Fernando Medina, Fenway High School (finalist) Yolanda Oliveira, EMK Academy for Health Careers (finalist) Ash Albert, Boston Latin School Megan Li, Boston Latin School Atticus Duck, John D. O'Bryant School of Math & Science Maya McNeill, Wellesley High School Each youth poet received several books, including a copy of former Boston Youth Poet Laureate Alondra Bobadilla’s debut collection of poetry With Clipped Wings, and a summer scholarship for a writing class at GrubStreet. Anjalequa will receive a $2,000 annual stipend as Youth Poet Laureate, and will also publish her own collection of poetry. She will be mentored by Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola while she is in this role. “It has been thrilling to see Alondra Bobadilla organize, teach and lead as our inaugural Youth Poet Laureate. I think what's even more exciting is the passing of the role onto our second laureate, Anjalequa Birkett. We were impressed by Birkett’s poetry, pose, and spirit,” said Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola. “What was most inspiring, however, is that she was a 2019 youth poet laureate finalist. She is in the unique position to be a pillar of perseverance for her peers, for the city, and for poetry. I am excited to see how she continues to enliven her dreams while carving herself into the city’s literary tradition.”  The Boston Youth Poet Laureate program (BYPL) was created in cooperation with the national youth literary organization, Urban Word, local youth literary leaders, the Boston Public Library, MassLEAP, and 826 Boston to promote appreciation for poetry. Similar to the Poet Laureate's civic challenge, the Youth Poet Laureate is tasked with inspiring deeper engagement in the written and spoken word. Alondra Bobadilla was named Boston’s inaugural Youth Poet Laureate in January 2020. “The Youth Poet Laureate program centers youth voices in civic life while expanding Boston’s connection to poetry,” said Kara Elliott-Ortega, Chief of Arts and Culture. “Alondra has done amazing work over the past several years, especially during the pandemic, and we’re confident that Anjalequa will continue keeping people inspired and engaged through poetry.” To learn more about the Poet Laureate and Youth Poet Laureate programs, visit boston.gov/poetry.

波士頓市再提案200萬元以上房屋出售徵2%轉手費

             (Boston Orange 編譯) 波士頓可負擔住宅房荒太兇，市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)露口風，有意再提案，促請麻州議會容許波士頓市經由家規法，向售價200萬元以上的高價房地產徵收2%轉手費。

             波士頓環球報指出，向高價房屋徵收轉手費的提案並不新鮮，不但波士頓市前市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)曾經提出過，麻州的南特基(Nantucket)，尚莫維爾(Somerville)，康可(Concord)，以及布魯克蘭(Brookline)等其他市鎮也都提出過，但均未成功。

             波士頓市議會在3月2日晚通過了波士頓市長吳弭的這一提案，要向售價200萬元以上的高價房地產徵收2%，由賣方支付的轉手費，售價中的第1個200萬元可豁免稅費。有心人曾估計，若波士頓市早在2021年之初就實施這一做法的話，波士頓就已經為可負擔住宅徵收到一億元了。

             波士頓環球報稱，徵收高價房屋轉讓費的這一提案，將是吳弭政治力量有多大的一個測驗。前任波士頓市長馬丁華殊曾任麻州眾議員，在州議會中朋友很多，但推動這一法案時也一樣碰壁。

             這次波士頓現任市長吳弭再提此案，有無通過機會，各界看法頗歧異。有人認為吳弭既有麻州眾議員麥家威(Aaron Michlewitz)，也有新當選麻州參議員的Lydia Edwards這兩位好朋友，還有其他的許多支持者，她提案通過的機會大些。但波士頓環球報稱，麻州參眾兩會議長都不願直接表態，這事恐怕並不那麼容易。

波士頓公校總監Cassellius6月可領31萬元離職金

波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu，左)和波士頓公校總監Brenda Cassellius (右)今年初攜手
為學生準備防護裝備。(檔案照片)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導) 波士頓學校委員會同意在波士頓公校總監Brenda Cassellius離職時，付給她31萬4000元，約等於她一年的薪資。

              上個月，波士頓市長吳弭( Michelle Wu)才和波士頓公校總監Brenda Cassellius聯袂宣佈，他們雙方協議，Brenda Cassellius將於6月30日離任。

              3月2日晚波士頓學校委員會開會，卻有人稱許Cassellius，質疑她是自願還是被逼離職。

              Cassellius的前任，張欽棠 (Tommy Chang) 也是在位3年，已簽5年合約後辭職，並依照合約也領了約等於一年薪資的30萬元離職金。

在週三晚的會議中，有些人表達沮喪之感，稱波士頓公校總監這職位有如旋轉門。波士頓學校委員會委員Brandon Cardet-Hernandez認為，人們對波士頓公校總監的信任似乎已被侵蝕了。

              波士頓學校委員會在2021年決定把Cassellius的合約展延2年，直到2023年6月時，對她的表現是滿意的。也因為如此，根據合約，波士頓市政府必須付給她相當於一年的本薪，或是直到2023年合約結束前，她應該得到的薪資。

              另一名學校委員會委員Quoc Tran說，”以我來看，她是我們迄今所有最好的公校總監”。

              有些學生家長卻對Cassellius把波士頓市3所考試學校的入學許可辦法，改為根據居住區域號碼做為加減分依據等作法，非常不滿。

              由於Cassellius還有3個月就要離職了，吳弭說她希望新的波士頓公校總監是個會親赴學校巡視的人。波士頓學校委員會已透過搜尋公司發出徵人啟事，截止日期是3月18日。

              波士頓學校委員會主席 Jeri Robinson宣佈，搜尋委員會成員包括波士頓教師工會會長唐佳宇 (Jessica Tang)，芬衛高中學生Marcus McNeill，以及波士頓特殊教育家長顧問委員會主席Roxann Harvey。

              波士頓學校委員會由7名委員組成，一任4年。其中Stephen Alkins博士是波士頓市長吳弭於今年1月指派就任的。吳弭在去年12月時，也重新任命了前代理市長Kim Janey指派的Lorena Lopera 以及 Rafaela Polanco García to續任波士頓學校委員會委員。

              波士頓居民在去年大選的選票中，以大多數同意，通過了支持波士頓學校委員會由民選產生的做法，但是該選票問題並無法律約束力，這一委員會將來是否改由民選產生，仍待觀察。

麻州長Baker、昆士市長Koch聯袂落髮 為公益籌款

麻州州長查理貝克( Charlie Baker，右)和昆士市市長柯奇(Tom Koch，左)第9度聯袂落髮，
做公益籌款。(圖片來自昆士市臉書)

                   (Boston Orange) 麻州州長查理貝克 (Charlie Baker)和昆士市市長柯奇(Tom Koch)在3月1日這天，再次在「修髮儲錢 (Saving by Shaving) 」活動中聯袂落髮，為波士頓兒童醫院的小兒科研究及治療募款。

在這由花崗岩電信公司(Granite Telecommunications)假該公司位於昆士市總部主辦活動中一起落髮的名人，還有波士頓兒童醫院董事長暨執行長Kevin Churchwell，以及WEEI電台節目主持人Greg Hill。

愛國者隊球員，包括Ted Karras，Matt Light，Mac Jones，Kyle Van Noy ，以及 Joe Andruzzi等人，也都來共襄盛舉。

今年的這場落髮籌款善舉，已是第九年舉辦，估計可為波士頓兒童醫院的「每個兒童基金 (Every Child Fund)」籌到750萬元。這是該活動去年籌到的數目。

花崗岩電信公司會為每名參加落髮活動的剃光頭者，或至少剪了8吋頭髮者捐出2500元，該公司執行長Rob Hale家將比照捐款，所以每一名落髮者，可謂這活動籌得5000元。

該公司還為每一頂化療帽捐款100元。

Roche announces donation of essential medicines to Ukraine

 Roche announces donation of essential medicines to Ukraine

Basel, 02 March 2022 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) today announced an initial donation of essential medicines to Ukraine. Roche vehemently condemns the violent invasion of the country.

Roche is working diligently to support the country and people of Ukraine with medical products in accordance with Roche’s overall mission and announced today that we are donating 150,000 packages of Rocephin, a critical antibiotic used to treat the symptoms of many kinds of bacterial infections and listed on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines.

These donations will be delivered to Ukraine as soon as possible to address the urgent need in the country. Roche is working with external partners to facilitate transport into the country despite the current lack of humanitarian corridors into Ukraine. 

Roche remains in contact with multiple global and local partners as well as charities to understand how it can best continue to support the people of Ukraine with additional medical supplies. The situation is evolving quickly and further details will be shared when available. 

保護暴力罪倖存者 麻州政府推新公安法

  Survivors of Violent Crimes Call for Passage of Baker-Polito Legislation

Survivor Stories Continue to Highlight Need for Public Safety Proposals

For high resolution and additional photos, click here.

 

SPRINGFIELD – Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito today joined survivors, domestic violence providers and law enforcement officials in Springfield for a roundtable event highlighting the importance of the Administration’s legislation which would create comprehensive new protections for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, assault and battery, and other crimes. The roundtable was moderated by Liz Dineen, the Executive Director of the YWCA of Western Massachusetts, a Springfield-based domestic violence provider, and also included Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy and Springfield Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood. Watch today’s roundtable event here.

 

The event was part of the Administration’s continued efforts to work with the survivor community to demonstrate the importance of this critical public safety legislation which would improve protections for survivors and the public. In December, the Administration announced the filing of the legislation at a similar roundtable event in Plymouth, and in January, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito testified on the legislation before the Legislature’s Joint Committee on the Judiciary alongside survivors whose stories speak to the importance of the legislation. Last week, the legislative package was endorsed by the Massachusetts Office for Victims Assistance (MOVA), an independent state agency that supports victims of crime in the Commonwealth.

 

“Today’s roundtable event continues our work in partnership with the survivor community to highlight the real-world stories that demonstrate the importance of this critical legislation, and we are grateful for the brave survivors who shared their stories today,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our dangerousness proposal would fill critical gaps in the way our criminal justice system currently deals with dangerous individuals so we can better protect survivors and members of the public. We look forward to working with our legislative colleagues to make these critical changes so we can keep our communities and families safe.”

 

“As we continue to advocate for this important public safety legislation, we remain committed to putting survivors’ stories front and center, to help everyone understand how important these reforms are,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Chair of the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence. “The survivors who joined our roundtable today are demonstrating inspiring courage, and we are grateful to them for their willingness to share their stories.”

 

“The circumstances of every survivor’s story are different yet similar in their shared experience of living in unrelenting fear. Sadly, many survivors share another similarity – a disheartening encounter with a system that lacked the tools necessary to protect them in their time of greatest need,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy. “These bills will close loopholes and strengthen protections for some of our most vulnerable citizens. We owe it to countless survivors to make these commonsense reforms.”

 

“Any legislator who cares about protecting victims of crime must vote for this bill,” said Liz Dineen, Executive Director of the YWCA of Western Massachusetts and moderator of today’s roundtable event.

 

An Act to Protect Victims of Crimes and the Public: First filed in 2018, the Administration’s proposal would expand the list of offenses that can provide grounds for a dangerousness hearing and close certain loopholes at the start and end of the criminal process that currently limit or prevent effective action to address legitimate safety concerns. It would strengthen the ability of judges to enforce the conditions of pre-trial release by empowering police to detain people who they observe violating court-ordered release conditions; current law does not allow this, and instead requires a court to first issue a warrant. Under this proposal, judges will be empowered to revoke a person’s release when the offender has violated a court-ordered condition, such as an order to stay away from a victim, or from a public playground. Current law requires an additional finding of dangerousness before release may be revoked.

 

The legislation also expands the list of offenses which can provide grounds for a dangerousness hearing including crimes of sexual abuse and crimes of threatened or potential violence. It also follows the long-standing federal model in including a defendant’s history of serious criminal convictions as grounds that may warrant a dangerousness hearing. Current law requires courts to focus only on the crime charged and ignore a defendant’s criminal history when determining whether the defendant may be the subject of this sort of hearing.

 

An Act Relative to the Harmful Distribution of Sexually Explicit Visual Materials: First filed in 2017, this legislation seeks to close a loophole under current law by creating penalties for adults who distribute a sexually explicit image for purposes of revenge or embarrassment. While current law addresses non-consensual recording of an unsuspecting person, it does not address instances where someone distributes an image without consent regardless of whether the initial image may have been taken with consent. This legislation closes the gap in state law by creating a new felony offense and empowering judges in criminal proceedings to ensure an explicit image in question is permanently destroyed.

 

Learn more about the legislation.

 

劍橋合唱團招募新團員 3/18、25試音

劍橋合唱團 (圖片來自臉書)

             (Boston Orange)劍橋合唱團招募新團員，訂3月18日與3月25日晚間6-7點在摩門教堂（65 Binney St., Cambridge, Level 1, Sanctuary Room）試音。

劍橋合唱團指揮顏毓芬籲請有意參加合唱團人士報名，從前述2日時段中，事先約定10分鐘試音時間，並準備一首自選曲後出席。

該團將遵循地方政府及練唱場地的戴口罩，以及出示接種疫苗證明等相關規定，也請參加試音者配合。試音當天，可自由參觀，並加入該團練唱。

劍橋合唱團成立於1992年，是大波士頓地區歷史最悠久、規模最大的中文合唱團，從中文藝術歌曲、台灣民謠、客家歌謠、台灣原住民歌曲，乃至歌劇、音樂劇、宗教歌曲、流行歌曲等皆有涉獵，並每年都在春冬兩季各舉辦一場音樂會。

查詢詳細資訊，可上網：https://www.facebook.com/cccsma，聯絡可洽: contact@mitcccs.org。

波士頓市訂3月5日取消室內場所戴口罩規定

(Boston Orange 整理編譯) 從3月5日起，民眾出入波士頓市的公共室內場合，不必戴口罩了。不過波士頓市公共衛生委員會委員長Bisola Ojikutu表示，民眾搭乘公共交通工具，進出醫療機構，或集體居住場所仍須戴口罩。             波士頓市也仍將要求波士頓公校戴口罩，並建議進出波士頓公共圖書館，波士頓青年家庭社區中心(BCYF)的人戴口罩。波士頓公共衛生委員會將於下週開會討論進學校戴口罩等議題。             由7人組成的波士頓市公共衛生委員會聲稱，新冠病毒感染率，住院率，都已大為降低，已接種疫苗的民眾人數持續增加，各項指標都顯示風險已不那麼大，根據該會委員長Bisola Ojikutu博士的建議，他們在3月1日，週二時投票決定，從這週末的3月5日起，取消民眾出入諸如餐廳，健身房，娛樂場所等室內營業場合必須戴口罩的規定。             波士頓市的社區確診率已從1月份的32%降至2.5%，急診，住院，或住進重症病房的比率都已遠低於需要憂慮的程度。             波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)在2月18日時才因為7天平均的新冠確診率低於5%，一日住院人數少於200，重症病房佔用率低於95%，宣佈了人們進出室內營業場所，不再需要出示已接種新冠疫苗證明。現在只隔不到2星期，又再進一步宣佈進出室內營業場所不需要戴口罩，給了人們生活將逐漸恢復正常的感覺。             吳弭表示，波士頓市將持續注意保護市民的安全、健康。             Bisola Ojikutu建議患病風險高，或是經常和高危人士接觸者，進出公眾場合時，最好還是戴口罩。             波士頓市的戴口罩規定訂3月5日結束，劍橋市的戴口罩規定，則將持續到3月13日。             波士頓環球報稱，這情況讓地跨波士頓市和劍橋市的科學博物館(Museum of Science)等機構有點尷尬。科學博物館董事長Tim Ritchie表示，該館將繼續建議到訪者戴口罩，直到根據聯邦疾病防治中心指導原則顯示的新冠病毒風險程度將至低風險時為止。 BOSTON TO LIFT PUBLIC INDOOR MASK ORDER EFFECTIVE MARCH 5, 2022   Masking is still recommended to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and for those with heightened risk factors

BOSTON - Tuesday, March 1, 2022 - Citing improving COVID-19 metrics in Boston, Mayor Michelle Wu and Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health and Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission, today announced that the City’s indoor masking mandate will be lifted effective Saturday, March 5, 2022. At a meeting held this afternoon, the City’s Board of Health voted unanimously to endorse the recommendation from Dr. Ojikutu to rescind the order. The decision was made based on key COVID-19 metrics, which show continued improvement in the prevalence and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic in Boston.   Beginning this Saturday, residents and visitors to Boston will no longer be required by the City to wear a face covering in indoor public spaces, such as gyms, bars and restaurants, museums, and entertainment venues. Individual operators may still choose to require masking. Public transportation, health care settings, and congregant care settings are still subject to state and federal mask orders. The Boston Public Schools will continue to require masking while BPHC and BPS leaders monitor metrics including school positivity and vaccination rates following last week's school vacation. The Board of Health will hear additional updates on COVID-19 and school masking at its next regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, March 9.     The masking requirement will be lifted at City buildings including for City employees, except for Boston Public Schools and Boston Public Health Commission. Masks are recommended in city buildings where vulnerable populations are served, such as Boston Public Library branches and BCYF community centers.     “I’m grateful that our city is ready to take this step in our recovery thanks to the hard work and commitment of residents keeping our communities safe over many, many months,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “As we continue to make progress even while living with COVID, Boston will continue leading on public health to keep our communities safe, healthy, and prepared.”    “Based on the data we have seen over the past weeks, we can remove some of the prevention and mitigation strategies that have been necessary to protect residents,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health and Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission. “I am optimistic about where our city is headed, and the Commission will continue to monitor our key metrics and adjust our policies accordingly.”   “Mayor Wu and Dr. Ojikutu have guided our City through the latest surge with steady hands and thoughtful, informed public health decisions,” said Manny Lopes, Chair of the Boston Board of Health. “Based on the data BPHC has presented, we feel confident in the recommendation to lift the masking order.”    While masks are no longer mandated in certain indoor settings, the Boston Public Health Commission recommends masking in these settings if you are at high risk for severe illness or if you will be around individuals who are. There are many people in Boston who are vulnerable to COVID-19, including individuals who are immunocompromised, seniors, and those who are unvaccinated, including young children. Wearing a well-fitting mask or respirator while indoors minimizes your risk of getting infected with COVID-19 and spreading it to others. Because masking offers a first line of defense when there is increased risk of COVID-19, a masking mandate may be reinstated if data show an increased risk of community transmission. Be sure to consider your specific situation and risk factors, such as those in your life who may be vulnerable, before going out without a mask.    The best way to protect yourself and loved ones is by getting vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. While case numbers are down, the risk of severe illness remains. COVID-19 vaccines are available for all residents ages 5 and older, and widely available throughout Boston. For more information about where to find a vaccine, visit boston.gov/covid19-vaccine.

23、28、29 3條巴士線今日起免費搭乘2年 吳弭親自搭乘以示慶祝

波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)在推特上發佈短視頻，邀前任
波士頓市代市長Kim Janey，聯邦眾議員Ayanna Presley，聯邦
參議員Ed Markey一起慶祝。

            (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)今 (3月1)日近午時分到藍丘大道的Franklin Field上，和社區民眾一起搭乘29號巴士，慶祝23、28、29等3條巴士線，從今天起，在長達2年的時間中，所有人都可免費搭乘。

            　這3條巴士路線，23號從Ashmont 到Ruggles 車站；28號從Mattapan廣場到Ruggles；29號從Mattapan 廣場Jackson 廣場。波士頓市政府為使這3條巴士線免費2年，動用聯邦紓困款付了800萬元給麻州地鐵局 (MBTA)，以補償麻州地鐵局的車費收益損失。

　            搭乘巴士的費用一般為每趟1.7元。

            　波士頓市長吳弭說，這是踏上回歸正常之路的一個理想方式。免費巴士服務不只減輕人們的財務負擔，還能夠因為司機不必再等人們從口袋中掏錢付車費，縮短每站停靠時間，進而使得巴士運行時刻更為準確，人們的生活品質也得以改善。

波士頓市長吳弭( Michelle Wu) 在Jackson Sq.橘線地鐵站，開心慶祝３條巴士現今日起可
免費搭乘。（周菊子攝）

            　由於巴士站並未張貼這3條巴士路線3月1日起可免費搭乘2年的告示，許多乘客還不知道，上車時仍然拿出查理卡 (Charlie card)，準備付車費。知道可以免費搭車後，都面帶笑容，說是這下可以省下不少錢。

            　在今天之前，28號巴士已經免費營運了6個月。波士頓市街道長Jascha Franklin-Hodge說，根據麻州地鐵的統計數據，在這段時間中，人們等車的時間縮減20%，乘客量增加22%。有21%的乘客可以每月節省20元以上的車費開銷。

            　在車費節省上，對大約三分之二，買月票的乘客來說，這3條巴士線免費，對他們沒有影響。

波士頓市長吳弭( Michelle Wu)在車站和民眾一起等巴士。（周菊子攝）

            　今天近午時分，吳弭市長等20多名乘客，在巴士站前等了將近一小時，才有一輛29號巴士出現。吳弭指出，不必付費後，人們上下車不再需要花那麼多時間，希望巴士的營運班次時刻更準。

            　免費巴士的做法，有漸受歡迎趨勢。Merrimack Valley區域交通局今天才把最後一個收費箱從巴士上拆下來，以全面實施為期兩年的巴士免費搭。

            　吳弭一直以來都在鼓吹地鐵全面免費，但是地鐵行經麻州16個市鎮，牽涉到的不只是波士頓市一個城市而已。今年一月，吳弭和其他15個城市一起要求麻州地鐵總經理Steve Poftak，經由補助款或其他辦法，來使得免費搭地鐵更容易實現。

波士頓市長吳弭( Michelle Wu) 在Jackson Sq.橘線地鐵站，回答記者提問。（周菊子攝）

波士頓市長吳弭( Michelle Wu) 在藍丘大道上等巴士時，用手機做直播，和大家分享喜悅。
（周菊子攝）

數以千計民眾湧進波士頓廣場支援烏克蘭人民 (圖片)

             (Boston Orange) 數以千計民眾，高舉標語牌，半黃半藍烏克蘭國旗等旗幟，2月27日魚貫走進波士頓公園，聲援無辜的烏克蘭人民，呼籲停戰，譴責俄國總統普丁發動戰爭。                 對大部分人來說，世界已經那麼現代化，人們到處旅遊，和不同國家做生意，已經那麼普遍，科技也進步到讓人們可以無遠弗屆的和人溝通。早在15年前，Thomas L. Friedman就已經出版了「世界是平的 (The World is Flat)」這本書，形容著世界各國的國界雖仍存在，但彼此牽連程度，恐怕已深到人們無法獨善其身。             根據波士頓計畫發展局的統計資料，麻州有2萬5365名烏克蘭人，其中1682名烏克蘭人住在波士頓。

                    

 

波士頓市長吳弭到波士頓廣場支持烏克蘭人民。