Soldiers’ Home plans continue to stir buzz
Signs, flags, flowers and wreaths are placed at the entrance to the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, Wednesday, Apr. 8, 2020. GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
Published: 2/3/2021 10:27:06 AM
More than 80 lawmakers signed a letter state Sen. John Velis circulated flagging concerns with plans for a new Soldiers’ Home facility in Holyoke, and one western Massachusetts legislator who was not among the group – Chicopee Rep. Joseph Wagner – sent his own letter back to Velis, outlining his reasons why.
Velis’ letter to Gov. Charlie Baker raised concerns that the plans call for a 192-bed facility, instead of the current 235, and asked the Baker administration to “allow input and opinions” from lawmakers as the effort proceeds.
Massachusetts looking to make up ground on COVID vaccinations amid data showing the state has administered only half as many shots as it has received
Updated Jan 27, 2021;
Massachusetts has administered about half as many COVID shots as the state has received since the federal vaccine rollout began in December, according to federal data compiled by Bloomberg.
The state, known for its world class medical centers and health care, has so far a lower percentage of shots administered, and fewer overall vaccinations per capita compared to other states, the Bloomberg data shows.
As of Tuesday, Massachusetts has been giving on average 6.29 does of vaccine per 100,000 people, the lowest rate in the region. Connecticut leads New England in per capita vaccinations with 9.29, followed by Vermont with 8.59 and Maine with 8.21.
Coalition led by Holyoke officials press Baker to vaccinate educators earlier
Holyoke School Committee member Devin Sheehan is leading a coalition of school committee members statewide to encourage Gov. Charlie Baker to vaccinate teachers and other school personnel earlier. SUBMITTED PHOTO
Holyoke High School GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
Published: 1/19/2021 6:57:59 PM
HOLYOKE As students and teachers in Holyoke prepare to soon head back to school under a hybrid learning model, a coalition of school committee members from across the state is calling on Gov. Charlie Baker to prioritize vaccination for educators in urban and low-income school districts, like those in the Paper City and Springfield.
Wicked Local
BOSTON – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has launched a new phase of the #StateWithoutStigMA public information campaign aimed at reducing the stigma of substance addiction that prevents people with substance use disorders from seeking treatment. The campaign launches at a time when the state is experiencing a slight rise in overdose deaths as it continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As we continue to fight COVID-19, we remain aware of the impact the pandemic has had on the recovery community and residents struggling with addiction,” said Gov. Charlie Baker. “Building on the Commonwealth’s previous efforts to reduce the stigma around addiction, we are proud to launch the next phase of #StateWithoutStigMA to encourage people to seek the treatment they need and deserve, especially in these uniquely challenging times.”
Early ed virus testing pilot in the works, Peyser says
Massachusetts Secretary of Education James Peyser AP FILE PHOTO/STEVEN SENNE
Published: 1/13/2021 9:36:05 AM
State officials are working to develop a COVID-19 testing pilot program focused on early education and care, Education Secretary James Peyser said Tuesday.
Peyser’s comments, during a Board of Early Education and Care meeting, came as Massachusetts is rolling out a new pooled testing initiative in K-12 schools and a day after more than 250 early education, care and out-of-school time providers, advocates and associations wrote to the Baker administration, blasting their sector’s exclusion from the plan.