Survey: Only 57% Would Get COVID-19 Vaccine, if Available

Colin A. Young
State House News Service

While companies and governments around the world race to develop a safe and effective vaccine against COVID-19, a survey designed by a group at Tufts University found that just 57 percent of Americans said they would get a COVID-19 vaccine if one were available today.

Since the coronavirus pandemic emerged, most hopes for a return to normalcy have been pinned to the development of a vaccine that could greatly reduce the risk of infection and therefore help stop the spread of the virus. In Massachusetts, Gov. Charlie Baker has said that the final phase of the state’s reopening is contingent upon there being a vaccine. But in a national survey designed and analyzed by Tufts University’s Research Group on Equity in Health, Wealth and Civic Engagement, about 42 percent of respondents said they either would not get vaccinated (18 percent) or were unsure if they would get vaccinated (24 percent).

“It’s really concerning that only 57% of our respondents said they would get vaccinated. It’s evident that we need to begin working on a national vaccine strategy and education campaign right now — even before we have the vaccine in hand,” Jennifer Allen, a Tufts professor and co-leader of the study, said. “There is still some uncertainty, but some studies show that we need between 60 and 70% of the population to be vaccinated in order to confer herd immunity.”

Tufts said that the results revealed divides in vaccination acceptance among various demographic groups. For instance, whites and Hispanics, Democrats, those with more formal education, and those with higher incomes reported being more likely to get vaccinated than Blacks, Republicans, people with less education, and those with lower incomes, the university said.




Victim in fatal Wareham pedestrian and car accident has been identified

Update: The victim in last nights fatal crash in Wareham has been identified as Lisa Sullivan, 58, of Sandwich.

Original story:

At approximately 9 p.m. Friday, Massachusetts State Troopers assigned to State Police-Bourne responded to reports of a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle on Route 25 eastbound, in the area of Exit 2, in Wareham. The victim suffered fatal injuries.

Upon arrival, Troopers discovered a 58-year-old Sandwich woman suffering from serious injuries incurred after she was struck by a 2013 Toyota Prius operated by a 36-year-old Pocasset woman. The driver remained at the scene.

The victim was transported to Toby Hospital, where she was pronounced deceased.

The crash, including why the pedestrian was in the roadway, remains under investigation by State Police-Bourne, the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, the State Police Crime Scene Services Section, and the State Police Detective Unit for Plymouth County.

No charges have been filed at this time.

Troopers were assisted on scene by Wareham Police and Wareham Fire and EMS. Two travel lanes on Route 25 were closed from the time of the crash until 11:30 p.m. to facilitate the rescue response and investigation.




Senator Tran: Massachusetts police reform bill circumvented legislative process, void of any public hearings

The following was posted by Massachusetts Senator Dean A. Tran on his Facebook page:

S2800, An Act to reform police standards and shift resources to build a more equitable, fair, and just commonwealth that values Black lives and communities of color.

This catchy titled, convoluted, and behemoth of a bill, 72 pages long, was released to the Ways and Means Committee members on Sunday night with a deadline of Monday, 10am to cast a vote. Then a Tuesday, 4pm deadline to file amendments. This bill circumvented the legislative process, that is, bypass the Joint Committee, void of any public hearings, and considered no dialogue with pertinent parties. Further, this bill is vastly different from the proposed Governor’s bill which, at the minimum, contained clarity and input from various groups.

Notwithstanding some agreeable components of the bill such as establishing a commission on the status of African Americans, prohibits racial profiling, creates a police training committee, requires officers to be certified every 3 years, requires “no-knock” warrant be issued by a judge, and removing some of the unnecessary tactics used in law enforcement, the bill also includes the following:

– requires public hearings for any purchase of military-grade equipment
– prohibits schools from cooperating with law enforcement agencies
– prohibits law enforcement officer from using a chokehold for self-defense
– allow individuals to expunge more than 1 charges before their 21st birthday
– prohibits the use of biometric surveillance
– removes the requirement for a school resource officer
– requires law enforcement training to include the history of slavery, lynching, racist legal institutions and racism in the United States
– authorizes AG to bring civil lawsuits against officers
– allows a person to bring civil lawsuits against officers
– removes monetary claims from qualified immunity
– creates a licensing board with no law enforcement representation

The filing of the bill resulted in 145 amendments. I filed the following:

– chokehold in self-defense: to allow officers to defend themselves.
– teaching of the history of racism: if law enforcement is mandated to have this training, legislators should as well.
– collective bargaining: this bill shall not impact the current municipal and state contracts.
– grant programs for municipalities: provide funding for municipalities to implement the bill.
– qualified immunity: removes the section in the bill that impedes on qualified immunity. This section allows civil lawsuits against officers, jeopardizing the public safety service they provide to you.

This bill does not take into account the input from pertinent organizations and will result in resentment and an unsafe environment for everyone. The process in which this bill undertook is troublesome with no public hearings for communities of color and law enforcement to take part. The lack of transparency is extremely disturbing. By no means, does this bill addresses social injustice and inequities rather it is a direct attack on all law enforcement officers, their livelihood, and families. Further, the bill creates layers of bureaucracy and costing the taxpayers over $5 million dollars annually.

Democracy is about working together and getting things done right. This bill should be driven by collaboration and not by politics. We have been able to delay this bill to allow public input. I look forward to continuing to work closely on this bill through the weekend to make sure that it is an acceptable bill for everyone.




Senate Republicans hold up Massachusetts police bill for third day

Michael P. Norton and Chris Van Buskirk
State House News Service

For the third time in as many days, Senate Republicans prevented debate on a wide-ranging police reform bill, but it appears the Senate could launch into its debate on Monday. Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton) used a procedural motion to postpone debate – asking that all of the nearly 130 amendments to the bill (S 2800) be printed in the Senate calendar.

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) said there is bipartisan agreement on 80-90 percent of the bill, but a section dealing with qualified immunity of law enforcement officers is dividing the Senate. He said a bill that’s less expansive and focuses on areas of agreement is more likely to yield “timely action.”

Qualified immunity is a doctrine that prohibits civil rights suits against government officials where unconstitutional conduct had not been clearly established as illegal at the time it occurred.

“Our language is fine. It is solid,” Sen. William Brownsberger (D-Belmont) said on the floor. “It’s just complicated enough that people get confused about it.”

While he said senators would use the rest of the weekend to continue talking through the qualified immunity issue, Brownsberger added, “Delay is the enemy of success here.” Participating in the session by phone, Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton) said senators need to act in response to widespread anger over police brutality. “We must not delay the work on this bill anymore,” she said. House leaders have not unveiled their plan.

The Senate will revisit its bill Monday at 11 a.m.




Dartmouth police seek public’s help in identifying “squid” who allegedly stole a bike

“Calling all cAHs…Calling all cAHs

DPD needs some help identifying this squid, who decided that he wanted to start his Evel Knievel-like career by stealing someone else’s bike near Hixville Road.

Though we realize that the pictures aren’t very good, we are hoping that he opened his mouth just wide enough about the theft, so that someone who doesn’t like him very much heard about his antics, and now wants to see him crash.

If you have any information that can help us identify him, you are encouraged to either send us a private message, or call the Dartmouth Police Investigative Services Division at 508-910-1775.

Thank you!

PLEASE SHARE.”-Dartmouth Police Department.




Massachusetts State Police investigating fatal pedestrian crash in Wareham

At approximately 9 p.m. Friday, Massachusetts State Troopers assigned to State Police-Bourne responded to reports of a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle on Route 25 eastbound, in the area of Exit 2, in Wareham. The victim suffered fatal injuries.

Upon arrival Troopers discovered a 58-year-old Sandwich woman suffering from serious injuries incurred after she was struck by a 2013 Toyota Prius operated by a 36-year-old Pocasset woman. The driver remained at the scene.

The victim was transported to Toby Hospital, where she was pronounced deceased.

The crash, including why the pedestrian was in the roadway, remains under investigation by State Police-Bourne, the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, the State Police Crime Scene Services Section, and the State Police Detective Unit for Plymouth County.

No charges have been filed at this time.

Troopers were assisted on scene by Wareham Police and Wareham Fire and EMS. Two travel lanes on Route 25 were closed from the time of the crash until 11:30 p.m. to facilitate the rescue response and investigation.




New Bedford’s Community Foundation unveils new name, celebrates philanthropy at 25th Annual meeting

The Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts is now the SouthCoast Community Foundation, the organization announced Tuesday at its 25th Annual Meeting.

The Foundation unveiled its new name and logo at the virtual event, also announcing that the organization awarded nearly $3.5 million in grants and scholarships in 2019.

John Vasconcellos, Foundation President, said the new name reflects the momentum, excitement, and aspirations of this region, as well as a growing sense of regional identity. The new name does not change the foundation’s commitment to continuing to serve all 41 cities and towns in our region, he said.

“Over the past year, our Board, with significant input from many of you in our community, has embraced the energy, excitement, potential, and self-defining spirit that is the SouthCoast. This does not change our mission to mobilize philanthropy by matching donors and resources with community needs for the benefit of our region, nor does it change the region we serve – stretching from Cuttyhunk up to Stoughton, from Plymouth over to North Attleboro – nor does it affect the services we provide – but it does embrace the spirit of renewal and vitality of our work,” said Vasconcellos.

The new name also underscores the Foundation’s position as a leader and convener of philanthropy in the SouthCoast. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of regional cohesion, as leaders in health care, government, business, and social services have come together to respond to this health and economic crisis. We are proud to be a leader in this response through the SouthCoast Emergency Response Fund, which since the start of the pandemic has raised more than $4.2 Million and has awarded more than $2.6 Million to non-profits that are on the frontlines of helping the region’s most vulnerable communities through this crisis.

The Annual Meeting celebrated the awarding of more than $3 Million in grants to nonprofits during 2019. In addition, the foundation awarded more than $450,000 in scholarships to students in the region, five percent more than the previous year’s total. These grants and scholarships ranged from $100 to $100,000 and each tells a story of an individual, family or business committed to philanthropy. Since its founding in 1995, the Community Foundation has distributed over $25 million from over 175 funds to humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in the region.

To see the foundations redesigned website, as well as its 2019 Annual Report, visit https://southcoastcf.org/.

__________________________________________________

The SouthCoast Community Foundation is a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common goal of improving the quality of life through philanthropy throughout the region. More information about the Foundation can be found at https://southcoastcf.org/




Bristol County Sheriff’s Office flattens COVID curve

COVID-19 cases are almost nonexistent in Bristol County correctional facilities.

Since June 19, only one staff member and one inmate have tested positive for COVID-19. The staff member, a corrections officer, has recovered and returned to duty. The inmate is currently in medical isolation being monitored by health care professionals and is expected to make a full recovery and move back to general population in the weeks ahead.

The inmate is the only incarcerated individual currently recovering from COVID-19. The 47 other inmates who have tested positive for COVID since the pandemic began have all recovered and returned to general population or have been released as their sentences had concluded.

The corrections officer is the 43rd BCSO staff member to test positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic began. No staff members are currently away from the facility as 42 recovered and returned to duty and one, a health care professional from Correctional Psychiatric Services, left the BCSO to take a different position at a health care facility in Dartmouth.

“The staff here has done an amazing job in the battle against COVID-19,” Bristol County Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson said. “We’ve flattened the curve in our facilities, but we’re not out of the woods yet. The virus is still out there, and we will continue to be vigilant and careful in our day-to-day operations.”

Over the past few months, the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office has instituted many protocols to protect inmates, detainees and staff from the Coronavirus outbreak. Some of those measures include:

· All employees, detainees and inmates were issued masks that must be worn inside the secure perimeter of the facilities.
· All areas of the facilities are being cleaned/disinfected every day on every shift.
· All staff members are being screened before entering the buildings; new arriving inmates are being screened before being accepted into custody.
· In-person visitation has been suspended to limit the number of people coming in and out. It will resume, hopefully soon, based on guidance from the Governor’s Office, DPH and CDC.




Statement of New Bedford’s Mayor Jon Mitchell on the passing of Judge George Jacobs

“I am saddened by the loss of George Jacobs, one of New Bedford’s leading legal minds, a dedicated public servant, and a mentor to countless attorneys.

A graduate of New Bedford High School, Harvard College and Harvard Law School, George served nearly thirty years as a state court judge, including more than a decade as an Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court, and before that as a judge on the Superior Court and Probate and Family Court.

He had a highly successful private practice in New Bedford and served as City Solicitor and as an Assistant Attorney General. In his retirement, he helped to shape future lawyers as a law professor at the University of Massachusetts School of Law and its predecessor, Southern New England School of Law, and he was the author of a leading treatise on professional ethics. George’s mentorship of young lawyers and his friendship to many will be sorely missed, but his commitment to justice and legal education will continue to inspire future members of the bar.

I extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Lois, his children, and the entire Jacobs family.”—Mayor Jon Mitchell.




Massachusetts public health officials announce season’s first West Nile virus-positive mosquito sample

Residents urged to use bug spray to avoid getting bitten.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced today that West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in mosquitoes in Massachusetts for the first time this year. The presence of WNV was confirmed today by the Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory in two mosquito samples collected July 7 in the town of Belmont in Middlesex County. No human or animal cases of WNV or Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) have been detected so far this year. There is no elevated risk level or risk-level change associated with this finding.

“The first WNV positive mosquito sample has been identified this year in Massachusetts,” said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH. “It is important to remember that WNV can cause very serious illness, especially in individuals over 50 and those who are immune compromised.”

WNV is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. There were 5 human cases of WNV in 2019. In 2018, there were 49 human cases of WNV infection acquired in Massachusetts – the greatest number of cases the Commonwealth has ever had in a single year. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe disease. Most people infected with WNV will have no symptoms. When present, WNV symptoms tend to include fever and flu-like illness. In rare cases, more severe illness can occur.

“People have an important role to play in protecting themselves and their loved ones from illnesses caused by mosquitoes,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Brown. “The tools for prevention include using a mosquito repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient according to the directions on the label, wearing clothing to reduce exposed skin when weather permits, draining standing water to prevent mosquito breeding and repairing window screens to keep mosquitoes out of your home,” she said.

Information about current mosquito activity in Massachusetts is updated daily and can be found here.

Avoid Mosquito Bites
Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors. Use a repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] or IR3535) according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.

Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning in areas of high risk.

Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home
Drain Standing Water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change the water in birdbaths frequently.

Install or Repair Screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

Protect Your Animals
Animal owners should reduce potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers such as buckets, tires, and wading pools – especially after heavy rains. Water troughs provide excellent mosquito breeding habitats and should be flushed out at least once a week during the summer months to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas. Horse owners should keep horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. Owners should also speak with their veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals and vaccinations to prevent WNV and EEE. If an animal is suspected of having WNV or EEE, owners are required to report to the Department of Agricultural Resources, Division of Animal Health by calling 617-626-1795, and to the Department of Public Health by calling 617-983-6800.

More information, including all WNV and EEE positive results, can be found on the Arbovirus Surveillance Information web page at https://www.mass.gov/mosquitoesandticks, which is updated daily, or by calling the DPH Division of Epidemiology at 617-983-6800.