WASHINGTON U.S. officials say they are on track to deliver 20 million vaccine doses by the first week of January, but how quickly those shots will get into arms isn’t clear. In a briefing with reporters Wednesday, Operation Warp Speed official Gen. Gus Perna said states are administering doses at a “good pace” and are “immunizing quite a bit of people.” But the chief science adviser for the U.S. vaccine push added that vaccinating people is going “slower than we thought it would be.” Data from the CDC says about 1 million doses had been administered as of Wednesday morning out of the 9.5
Baker plans $668 million in small business relief grants
Matt Murphy
BOSTON A day after announcing new business restrictions aimed at preventing a post-Christmas boom of COVID-19, Gov. Charlie Baker launched a massive new $668 million relief fund to help small businesses build a bridge between now and when commerce can return to normal as vaccines begin to arrive.
The small business relief effort dwarfs the $50 million in grants awarded Monday to 1,158 businesses, and could lead to thousands of new businesses receiving checks as soon as next week.
Baker rolled out the new grant fund two days before Christmas and three days before a new set of business restrictions take effect on Saturday, limiting businesses to 25 percent capacity and further restricting the volume of customers they are able to accommodate at any given time.
Hereâs what small businesses need to know about Governor Charlie Bakerâs $668 million relief program
By Anissa Gardizy Globe Staff,Updated December 23, 2020, 3:24 p.m.
Email to a Friend
A woman set up seating outside Espresso Love on Broad Street in Boston in October.Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff/The Boston Globe
Governor Charlier Baker on Wednesday unveiled a $668 million coronavirus relief program for small businesses affected by COVID-19.
The new aid program will be run out of the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation. Earlier this year, the quasi-public agency disbursed nearly $51 million in coronavirus-related business aid, but was overwhelmed with requests for 10 times that amount.
Small business fund launched; vets home resident dies
December 23, 2020 GMT
BOSTON (AP) Help is on the way for Massachusetts small businesses struggling during the coronavirus pandemic.
Gov. Charlie Baker on Wednesday announced $668 million in new state funding for restaurants, retailers, and other small businesses.
The Republican said the state will begin rolling out assistance to businesses as soon as next week, regardless of what happens with the federal COVID-19 relief bill recently passed by Congress.
He said the state effort builds on a program run by the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation, which awarded nearly $49 million in grants to more than 1,100 small businesses earlier this week.
PHOENIX The top doctor for Arizona's largest hospital chain said Wednesday that three Banner Health hospitals are operating above capacity as the state confronts a surge in coronavirus cases. Dr. Marjorie Bessel, chief clinical officer, says Banner’s Desert, Thunderbird and University hospitals in the Phoenix area have more patients than they’re typically licensed to handle. Systemwide, Banner’s intensive care units are at 160% of their typical winter peak, and nearly six in 10 ICU patients have COVID-19. Non-emergency procedures, such as cancer surgeries and hip replacements, have been