News Briefs the Operator Determines That Bus That Can Accommodate on Public Transit
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VOL. 124 - NO. 29 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, JULY 17, 2020 $.35 A COPY MBTA Advisory for Monday, July 20th Updated Boarding Protocols for Buses, Mattapan Line, and Customers at Some Green Line Stations; Standard Fare Collection Procedures at Front Doors The MBTA announces that, and employees remain vigi- doors only and exit via the rear effective on Monday, July 20th, lant in our efforts to stop the doors. there will be updated boarding spread of COVID-19,” said The MBTA temporarily insti- protocols for customers using MBTA General Manager Steve tuted rear-door boarding in buses, the Mattapan Line, and Poftak. “By taking steps like March in an effort to encour- the Green Line at street-level wearing face coverings and age social distancing measures stations. Standard fare collec- social distancing, we’re able and protect the health of MBTA tion processes will continue at to continue to make progress operators and riders. Temporary the front doors of buses and and keep customers safe and barriers were also installed on trolleys. Protective barriers have healthy.” vehicles at that time. The MBTA been installed to support physi- On July 20th, front-door has completed the installation cal distancing between opera- boarding resumes for all buses, of permanent protective barriers tors and passengers, allowing for the Mattapan Line, and for that allows more space for cus- front-door boarding to resume Green Line trolleys at street- tomers while continuing to sup- and providing more space for level stops. It is required that port social distancing. If there is customers than the previous all MBTA customers wear a a substantial statewide increase temporary barriers. face covering and riders should in active COVID-19 cases, the “We’re glad to be able to avoid sitting or standing in MBTA may revisit the updated return to the normal boarding areas (designated with decals) boarding procedures and rein- Photo of clear protective barrier on Green Line trolley. process, and as we continue closest to the bus or trolley stitute rear-door boarding on through the reopening process, operators. Customers should buses and trolleys at street-level alerts the Control Center, will vehicles and within the MBTA it is important that customers board vehicles via the front stops with customers notifi ed in notify that individual that the system. The MBTA urges area advance of the change. stop is being passed due to employers to continue to allow To avoid overcrowding on crowding, and will alert the telecommuting and to con- buses, operators also have the customer to the approximate sider staggered work schedules discretion to bypass a stop if time of the next available to promote social distancing News Briefs the operator determines that bus that can accommodate on public transit. The MBTA the bus has reached its safe them. also encourages cities and by Sal Giarratani capacity. If a customer with a Customers should continue towns to assist in this effort disability is able to be identi- to make efforts to distance and be expanding available space fi ed while waiting at a stop to are reminded that face cover- I Stand with Kelly Loeffl er be bypassed, the bus operator ings are required while onboard (Continued on Page 8) U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffl er, R-Georgia, who also hap- pens to co-own the Georgia Spirit WNBA franchise has come under much criticism from the cancel culture anarchists out there who believe anyone who disagrees Update on Phase 3 of Reopening in Boston with them is the enemy and to be taken out to stifl e any semblance of free speech in this nation. Phase 3, Step 1 of the state place, or else we risk moving The City will continue to I heard her being interviewed on Fox News and I reopening plan launched in backward. screen everyone who enters the agree with her taking a stand against injecting more Boston on Monday, July 13th. • For businesses and non- building for COVID-19 symp- and more divisive politics into our sports teams. She On Friday, July 10th, the Mayor profi ts, that means operating toms and elevated temperature. doesn’t want any BLM support printed on team attire provided an overview of City workplaces with caution and The Mayor reiterated that, and I think she is one hundred percent correct. Already programming and business care; following all state require- despite state guidelines allow- everyone on the other side is now telling folks to boycott guidelines in Phase 3. Those ments; listening to concerns ing larger gatherings, the City the team and kick her out of offi ce. resources can be found at of workers and customers; will not be hosting public or I remember Loeffl er. She was the pick of Gov. Kemp boston.gov/reopening. and consulting the city’s sec- private meetings in City Hall or to fi ll a vacant seat. President Trump was pushing the The Mayor gave some national tor guidelines at boston.gov/ other city buildings. The City governor to pick someone else. He didn’t. I like her and context about the coronavirus. reopening. will continue to provide online think the governor did the right thing. Loeffl er sounds Right now, the U.S. is in the • For individuals, it means meetings and other ways to a hundred times better than either of my two jokers worst place it has been since wearing a face covering when- make residents’ voices heard. in the U.S. Senate. the pandemic began. He gave ever you are out; keeping six Already, the City and After Data Shows 11 Weeks of some examples: the California feet of distance and avoiding the Boston Planning and Decline, U.S. Center for Disease governor yesterday had to shut crowds; washing your hands Development Agency have held down indoor businesses for frequently; and cleaning your virtual conversations on the Control and Prevention Says, “We’re the second time, and Florida, surfaces. planning studies moving for- Below the Epidemic Threshold” But Texas, Arizona, and other states The City is available for help ward in East Boston, Mattapan, Lags in Data Reporting Could Change are seeing dire situations in and guidance. Since March, and Newmarket. the Recent Numbers ... their hospitals. the City has kept essential city POLICE REFORM He said Boston and services available while protect- LISTENING SESSIONS: Encouraging news you won’t see leading the nightly Massachusetts don’t have to ing the health of workers and The City is also providing news, and you won’t see in the Globe or the Herald. go down that path. The Boston visitors. As many city services opportunities for robust public Currently, the number of reported cases continues Public Health Commission and as possible are available online, input and community leader- to rise as more and more testing is made available, the City are monitoring the data and the City’s 311 staff are ship in our work to advance but if you watch the news, you don’t hear that deaths every single day, including test ready to answer questions and racial justice in Boston. are not increasing (increases in testing positive, and results, positive test rates, hos- provide assistance. The Mayor noted that Boston in a few locations increases in hospitalizations, but pital activity, and neighborhood UPDATE ON CITY SERVICES has already instituted a number (Continued on Page 10) and demographic differences. AND PROCESSES: of reforms in public safety policy The City is ready to make Starting on July 23rd, City and budget reallocations. The whatever adjustments are Hall will be open to the public City is also moving forward with needed, should we see the num- on Thursdays: bringing in-per- equity investments to combat bers move in the wrong direc- son services to 3 days a week, systemic racism in education, POST-GAZETTE SATELLITE OFFICE tion. But the Mayor stressed on a Tuesday, Thursday, housing, and public health. that every single person has Friday schedule. The Mayor pledged to con- 343 CHELSEA ST., DAY SQ., EAST BOSTON the ability to influence what Services will remain by tinue this conversation as a Tues. 10:00 AM-3:00 PM; Thurs. 11:00 AM-2:00 PM happens with the spread, and appointment, so people must city — not in a top-down man- must accept that responsibil- call ahead to the relevant ner, but by centering the voices Call 617-227-8929 for more information ity. Everyone must continue to department. A good starting follow the precautions put in place is to call 311. (Continued on Page 7) PAGE 2 POST-GAZETTE, JULY 17, 2020 Res Publica by David Trumbull Fact Check: Joe Biden Will Kill Good-Paying Union Jobs AESCULAPIUS & HIPPOCRATES Joe Biden pretends to be an Union of North America said in The ancient Greek god look upon him who shall have advocate for union jobs, but his a recent statement. The left’s of Medicine was named taught me this art even as one so-called “Build Back Better” war on energy infrastructure Aesculapius. He was often of my parents. I will share my Plan and radical proposal to projects, they acknowledged, is portrayed clad in a cloak while substance with him, and I will spend $2 trillion in four years “killing construction jobs by the carrying a staff that had a ser- supply his necessities, if he be in on Green New Deal policies tens of thousands for working pent (snake) coiled around it. need. I will regard his offspring make it clear that union jobs families.” Mythology identifi es him as a even as my own brethren and I related to oil, natural gas, frack- Biden isn’t sticking up for son of Apollo who was taught will teach them this art, if they ing, and energy infrastructure these union workers and their the art of healing by Chiron, a would learn it, without fee or will be on the chopping block families.