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Doctors Call for Mask Mandates as COVID Cases Rise in Massachusetts

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Doctors Call for Mask Mandates as COVID Cases Rise in Massachusetts


A bunch of medical doctors are pushing for stronger masks advisories and mandates as COVID instances proceed to rise in Massachusetts.

COVID-19 instances have been rising steadily in Massachusetts in latest weeks, with a lot of the state now within the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention’s excessive threat class. Specialists say COVID instances are seemingly 3 times increased than the numbers being reported by the state, since most individuals are taking at-home assessments.

The Massachusetts Coalition for Well being Fairness held a digital occasion Wednesday, the place a number of medical doctors and different neighborhood consultants mentioned the most recent surge and the necessity to implement extra stringent coronavirus insurance policies, together with masks mandates.

Prime Boston medical doctors clarify why some folks residing in the identical family get COVID whereas others don’t, how BA2.12 is taking on because the dominant pressure and why the virus is creating a resistance to the antiviral drug remdesivir throughout NBC10 Boston’s weekly collection, “COVID Q&A.”

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Ought to Massachusetts implement a masks mandate for colleges, public transit?

“We need to urge the Division of Public Well being to instantly subject an advisory, mainly saying that, that the general public ought to be carrying masks indoors and avoiding giant gatherings,” Dr. Lara Jirmanus of Harvard Medical Faculty mentioned.

The group of physicians and public well being consultants are pushing for colleges and the MBTA to reinstate a masks mandate till the most recent surge passes. In addition they need to improve entry to testing, remedy and vaccines.

Boston COVID wastewater information rising, hospitalizations stay low

Wastewater information reveals COVID is on the rise within the Boston space, but it surely’s nonetheless nowhere close to the place it was in the course of the omicron surge earlier this 12 months. Gov. Charlie Baker mentioned Wednesday that the quantity people who find themselves within the hospital as a result of they’ve COVID remains to be low.

“Our hospitalization numbers which are for COVID are nonetheless very low and the rationale they’re low is as a result of 80% of the grownup inhabitants is absolutely vaccinated and about half of these people are boosted,” Baker mentioned.

When requested about the opportunity of going again to masks mandates, Baker advised reporters that if folks need to put on them, they need to, however the focus ought to be on vaccines and coverings.

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New Massachusetts bill would reinstate commercial driver’s licenses for hundreds of drivers

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New Massachusetts bill would reinstate commercial driver’s licenses for hundreds of drivers


Hundreds of commercial drivers in Massachusetts could get licenses back if new bill passes

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Hundreds of commercial drivers in Massachusetts could get licenses back if new bill passes

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BOSTON – Relief may be on the way for hundreds of truck and bus drivers in Massachusetts, who lost their commercial driver’s licenses due to violations from decades ago.

Nearly 500 licenses revoked

Weeks ago, the I-Team uncovered that Registry of Motor Vehicles revoked the commercial driver’s licenses of nearly 500 drivers, effectively putting them out of work. Mike McDonald is one of the hundreds of commercial drivers that got caught up in the RMV dragnet. McDonald said losing his license means he can’t work and has no income coming in. He has been a truck driver for Ground Effects Landscaping in Carver for 17 years.

Until recently, the RMV had not fully enforced Melanie’s Law, which prohibits anyone charged with repeat drunk driving, refusing to take a breathalyzer or leaving the scene crashes from holding a commercial driver’s license, no matter how long ago the violations may have been. The law had been on the books for nearly 15 years.

It wasn’t until 2019 when a truck driver whose license should have been suspended was involved in a New Hampshire crash that killed seven members of a Marine motorcycle club. Since then, hundreds of drivers like McDonald have had their licenses and their livelihoods taken away. 

10-year limit proposed

Now the I-Team has learned that the legislature is taking action with a new bill that would limit the look back period to 10 years, the same as the federal law. If it passes, it would allow drivers with clean records and no violations during the last decade to keep their licenses and their jobs.

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Attorney Brian Simoneau represents dozens of drivers like McDonald. He told the I-Team, “What I’m hoping is the registry got the message loud and clear that this is outrageous and egregious and it’s a case of the punishment not fitting the crime. I’m hoping that this may pressure the registry now into delaying these disqualifications to give the legislature some more time to act because they can see that there is a huge strong interest in fixing this problem.”

All of this could happen quickly. If no one in the legislature objects to the bill it would pass quickly and move to the governor’s desk. If she signs it, the law would into effect immediately. 



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Flags are at half-staff in Massachusetts today. Here’s why

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Flags are at half-staff in Massachusetts today. Here’s why


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Governor Maura Healey announced that state and national flags will fly at half-staff in Massachusetts on Friday, Sept. 27 to honor Pvt. Kwack K. Woo of Los Angeles, California.

Pvt. Woo served in the United States Army Infantry Division during World War II, during which he was killed in action in February 1945 near Biesdorf, Germany. Today, Sept. 27, the remains of Pvt. Woo will be laid to rest at the Massachusetts Veteran Memorial Cemetery in Agawam.

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In honor of Pvt. Woo and his service to the country as he is brought to his final resting place, flags will be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset.

Why are flags flown at half-staff?

According to the official website of the U.S. General Services Administration, flags typically fly at half-staff when the country or specific state is in mourning. Observances include national tragedies, days of remembrance and deaths of government or military personnel.

The president, the state governor or the mayor of Washington, D.C. can order flags to fly at half-staff.

More: Quincy thanks vets with tax relief. What new benefits they’ll be getting

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Half-staff vs. half-mast

While half-staff refers to lowered flags on land, half-mast refers to those at sea. Both refer to a flag being flown beneath the top of its staff as a sign of respect.



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Massachusetts line workers, first responders head to Florida for Hurricane Helene

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Massachusetts line workers, first responders head to Florida for Hurricane Helene


Massachusetts line workers, first responders head to Florida for Hurricane Helene – CBS Boston

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WBZ-TV’s Brandon Truitt reports.

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