Bay State Banner April 23

inside this week

Grocery workers protest unsafe conditions pg 6

INSIDE ARTS

business news

ALL THAT JAZZ — FREE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY pg 11

Local help for minority businesses pg 10

plus MassArt Auction moves forward online pg 11 Reginald Mobley set to diversify Handel and Haydn programming pg 12 Vol. 55 No. 39 • Thursday, April 23, 2020 • FREE • GREATER BOSTON’S URBAN NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1965

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Walsh urges caution in midst of surge Says police will enforce curfew, bans on sports

By KENNEAL PATTERSON

BANNER PHOTO

A couple takes a walk by the Cochituate Standpipe in Highland Park, Roxbury Sunday, taking advantage of warm spring weather.

Relief is on the way for Mass. renters, owners

Legislature passes anti-eviction, foreclosure law

By YAWU MILLER

Homeowners and renters may be increasingly feeling a pinch, with the COVID-19 pandemic expected to peak in Massachusetts in the next week, an economy that is grinding to a halt and, for many, a loss of income that spells trouble for renters and landlords alike come May 1. But some relief is underway.

The Massachusetts Legislature last week passed a bill that would ban foreclosures and evictions and require that banks

grant up to six months of mortgage forbearance to homeowners who are affected by the COVID19 pandemic. The legislation, which Gov. Charlie Baker signed into law Monday, would extend to owner-occupants of homes with up to four units.

“This gives immediate relief not only to the more than 700 families who received eviction notices after March 16, but also people who received eviction notices before,” said Lisa Owens, executive director of the tenant rights group City Life/Vida Urbana. “This is also a good bill

COVID-19 has infected over 5,500 Bostonians, but certain residents still refuse to follow safety precautions. Mayor Walsh expressed his disappointment with these residents on Monday and warned that the worst is yet to come for many people. Due to this high caseload, he added, schools will likely not reopen.

“I don’t think there’s any question,” he said in his April 20 briefing. “Kids aren’t going back to school May 4.” Walsh was “not too confident” that schools would even reopen before summer. Even in September, he said, the classroom structure will look different.

Massachusetts is ranked third for positive cases, following only New York and New Jersey. Walsh urged residents to stay at home. He noted that social distancing is key to getting through the pandemic.

Some people do not heed this warning, however. Last week’s sunny weather tempted people to leave home and play golf, said Walsh. The golf courses are closed, but groups still gathered outside.

“In one case, the Boston Police Department had to come and tell

them to leave,” said Walsh. “This shouldn’t have happened. You should not need to be told. But we won’t hesitate to send police officers to deliver the message.”

Fines have not yet been implemented, said Walsh, but officers may give citations.

Things may be looking up. The Boston Globe reported Monday that Massachusetts General Hospital doctors are “optimistic that the number of coronavirus patients has plateaued.” But even as the surge slows, healthcare workers must still treat hundreds. The Boston Hope Medical Center was constructed to lessen this burden.

Currently, 162 patients reside there currently, 76 of them homeless individuals who need a place to stay.

“It’s helping us with our hospital capacity and allowing our hospitals to treat the very sick,” said Walsh. The center has the capacity to treat 1,000 people.

Walsh also announced a mask decontamination program to take pressure off sourcing for personal protective equipment (PPE). The N95 face masks will be cleaned and reused, said Walsh,

See COVID, page 6

for homeowners and small business owners.”

Under the moratorium, landlords cannot evict tenants for 120 days or until 45 days after stayat-home order is lifted in Massachusetts. Owens says in the last three weeks, City Life/Vida Urbana’s eviction hotline has received 450 calls.

“These are well-known corporate landlords who are still sending eviction notices,” she said.

“The vast majority of the calls are, ‘Help, I can’t pay my rent

See ANTI-EVICTION, page 2

PHOTO: JOHN WILCOX, MAYOR’S OFFICE

Health and Human Services Chief Marty Martinez addresses reporters.

2 • Thursday, April 23, 2020 • BAY STATE BANNER

“

anti-eviction

During these times of global uncertainty, homeowners and renters in Boston can be certain that we are doing everything we can to help ease the burden brought on by this pandemic and give them much-needed flexibility.”

continued from page 1

and I’m going to get evicted.’ And that’s often tied with, ‘I don’t have money to buy food.’”

For owner-occ upants in Boston, Mayor Martin Walsh has sought help. Two weeks ago, Walsh brokered an agreement with 13 of the largest lenders in Boston, persuading them to offer a minimum of three months of mortgage deferral and waive credit reporting, late fees and interest on the deferred portion of the loan. Under the terms that Walsh negotiated, the deferred payments are tacked on to the end of the mortgage.

“No person should have to worry about losing their home right now,” Walsh said in a statement sent to news media. “During these times of global uncertainty, homeowners and renters in Boston can be certain that we are doing everything we can to help ease the burden brought on by this pandemic and give them muchneeded flexibility.”

The protections at the state and local level mean that, so far, the pandemic and the economic slowdown that it has precipitated will not likely lead to the displacement and dispossession seen in the great recession that followed the housing market collapse in 2008.

While banks received a hefty bailout during that recession, in this go-around, borrowers and tenants are so far receiving a measure of protection.

Maureen Flynn, deputy director of the City of Boston Home Center, said the city has so far not received many calls from homeowners, but added that the agency might still

— Mayor Martin Walsh

PHOTO: JOSHUA QUALLS, GOVERNOR’S PRESS OFFICE

Gov. Charlie Baker, here at a media availablity at the Boston Hope field hospital, signed a bill barring evictions and foreclosure into law last week. see an uptick in delinquencies if borrowers pass the three-or sixmonth limits set by banks and are still unable to pay.

“We have asked banks that if they get to a place where they can’t work with a customer that they refer them to us before they begin a foreclosure,” she said.

Tom Callahan, president of the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance, said his Dorchester-based organization, which runs a first-time homebuyer program, has so far received a trickle of calls from people who had trouble paying their mortgages.

“We haven’t been inundated,”

he said. “Hopefully we won’t be.

But we’re preparing for it.”

While foreclosures are costly for banks, costing an average of $20,000, banks have in the past preferred the finality of foreclosure proceedings to the uncertainty of working with property owners who are in arrears.

Callahan cautioned that the three- and six-month deferrals promised by the banks and the state Legislature might not be enough, noting the economy won’t likely suddenly restart when stay-at-home orders are lifted.

“Some industries won’t bounce back immediately,” he said. “The

lingering effects could last quite a while.”

But while the 2008 mortgage crisis disproportionately affected black and Latino borrowers, the current crisis may cut a broader swath through America, raising the possibility for broader political support for relief, Callahan added.

“The response so far has been more immediate,” he said.

Owens, too, said she’s concerned about what comes after the moratorium on evictions is lifted, given that corporate landlords will likely demand back rent from tenants after the 45-day period is up.

“On day 46, we could see a bunch of eviction orders,” she said.

“That would be unacceptable.”

Owens said City Life and other housing groups are communicating with activists in other states to determine what may work in Massachusetts.

“We’re looking at the best legislative vehicles to address this problem,” she said.

Local tax and fee relief

In other news, Walsh announced that the city has extended the due date for property tax bills from May 1 to June 1. The city is also waiving interest on late property tax and motor vehicle excise tax payments that were originally due after March 10. Residents will have a grace period, with no late fees, until June 30. The due date for residential and personal tax exemptions has been extended from April 1 to June 1.

Thursday, April 23, 2020 • BAY STATE BANNER • 3

Lawrence strains under high number of COVID-19 cases

By KENNEAL PATTERSON Cities like Lawrence and Chelsea, with large Latino and immigrant communities, are suffering higher rates of COVID-19 cases than Boston and other cities.

Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera addressed his city’s mounting issues during a livestream with Sen. Ed Markey on Friday evening.

Rivera noted that residents’ essential occupations contribute to the growing rates of infection.

“Lawrence is the workforce of the Merrimack Valley,” he said.

“And for the most part, people are getting [COVID-19] because they’ve got to go to work.”

Frontline workers suffer from increased exposure to the virus.

Employees risk their lives at grocery stores, construction sites, hospitals and gas stations. Markey and Rivera agreed that the outbreak has redefined the term “essential worker.”

“It’s interesting that in times when these things aren’t happening, these folks are not considered as essential,” said Rivera. “But today they’re totally essential, and they’re in harm’s way.”

COVID-19 is highly contagious, and it spreads fast. Despite risking their lives to go to work, said Rivera, Lawrence workers are still fighting for $15 wages. Massachusetts minimum wage is currently $12.75 per hour.

“You can’t Skype in to work in a grocery store,” said Markey. “You can’t Skype in to be in the sanitation department. You got to show up, got to do the work, and then you’re exposed to other people.

And by being exposed to them you might bring it home to your own family.”

Immigrants make up most of Lawrence’s workforce. These immigrants are hard at work, said Rivera. Some work at New Balance — a company that has recently geared its manufacturing towards facemask production.

“The immigrant work ethic is alive and well,” he said. Nevertheless, many of these workers fear investigations of their immigration status. This fear can prevent immigrants from getting critical treatment. Rivera noted that many avoid dealing with the entire health care system.

“If you’re undocumented, you’re not looking to be on a list,” said Rivera. “You’re not looking to be interacting with the police or the courts or even the hospital for that matter.”

Immigrants also face language barriers. Research from a 2019 Boston Planning & Development Agency study found that in Lawrence, 31% of adults, or more than 25,000 people, are limited English speakers.

Despite large populations of limited English speakers, warnings about COVID-19 are usually

in English. Rivera said that everything should be translated and available in Spanish as well.

He added that the language surrounding COVID-19 should be simple and understandable, without medical jargon or unexplained phrases.

First and foremost, said Rivera, Lawrence needs resources. Markey said that the next emergency stimulus package should include extra support for essential workers. It should include bonus pay, hazard pay and paid sick leave, he said.

Markey addressed these workers: “You’re heroes. But heroes need help.”

Prior stimulus packages allocated $350 billion to small businesses, but Markey said that these funds have been exhausted.

He said that $250 billion more should go to small businesses, and a special pool of money should be set aside for minority and women-owned businesses.

Rivera also acknowledged Lawrence’s “gig economy.” These gigs include working for Uber, UberEats or Lyft. Rivera said that Lawrence has 1,400 Uber drivers alone.

“The story of this epidemic is going to be told in how we treated those people,” he said. These workers are qualifying for unemployment benefits for the first time, and Markey said that he advocated for these efforts.

Markey also said that $100 billion should go toward hospitals.

PHOTO: GOVERNOR’S OFFICE

Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera.

Lawrence hospitals are losing money as they treat COVID-19 infected patients and cancel elective procedures. Patients will need higher-quality care as the pandemic worsens, he said.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) steps in to help cities in times of disaster.

But FEMA funds only reimburse 75% of costs, noted Rivera. He said that the federal government must step up to support the states throughout this crisis.

Markey added that city mayors should receive federal funds and administer them as needed. He said that the next package should include $150 billion for cities and states, and money should go to the mayor to determine distribution.

With these funds, said Markey, the mayor will be the architect of a “life raft” and keep Lawrence afloat throughout the crisis.

Rivera also acknowledged recently issued safety guidelines. He encouraged essential businesses to implement reduced shifts and

facemask requirements. He also said that a designated safety officer should check employees for symptoms of disease.

“If you’re going to be open, you have to live by a standard,” he said.

“You have to make sure that your workplace is set up in a way that doesn’t create more harm.”

As of Monday, Lawrence had 1,117 confirmed cases and 44 deaths. But the data doesn’t account for every resident.

“A lot of people have come down with coronavirus,” said Markey.

“And it’s probably a much higher number, but the testing is so inadequate that we don’t even know the full number.”

Both Markey and Rivera expressed hope for the future, however, and commended the courage of essential workers.

“It’s an immigrant story that just continues,” said Markey. “All these people are just as hardworking, just as ambitious for their children, and deserve the same opportunities.”

4 • Thursday, April 23, 2020 • BAY STATE BANNER

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Established 1965

No easy answers on COVID-19 disparities When there is a disparity in the finance and require the health care distribution of the nation’s benefits to of average-income Americans, just as African Americans, such acts are often they were opposed to Social Security. criticized as the result of bigotry. How- Nonetheless, President Barack Obama ever, they are often something even pushed for enactment of the Affordable more destructive. They could well be Care Act for everyone. It is interestacts of institutional racism. The depriing to note that most states of the Old vation of blacks has become such a part Confederacy, except for Arkansas and of the American culture that it is often Louisiana, have failed to approve the not considered to be something special, Medicaid expansion option. or even something that More than 20 milmany people insist must lion Americans gained change. health insurance Acts that are instituthrough the ACA that Undoubtedly, tionally racist are able to was scornfully called institutional racism in thrive because they do Obamacare by those America will not fade not always appear to be protesting against it. maleficent, in fact they with the disappearance There are twice as can actually be helpful many poor whites in of the coronavirus, to others. A good examAmerica as poor blacks, but whites who are ple is the institution of so once again poor Social Security in 1935. whites were expected attentive will learn an Some conservatives were important lesson.” to forsake benefits in categorically opposed support of the instito the concept of the tutional racism of the government providing well-to-do. retirement benefits for anyone, espeWith such a history of institutional cially the children and grandchildren racism, it is no wonder that some peoof their former slaves. But their oppople have ascribed the same defect to the sition was mollified when they became disparity in the deaths of blacks from aware that in 1935, the life expectancy COVID-19. According to the Center for for a black man was only 51 years of American Progress and the NAACP, age, far less than the required 65. In the data as of April 8 was as follows: addition, farm laborers and domestic ■ In Michigan, black residents are workers would be ineligible for the 14% of the state population but 40% of program. the coronavirus deaths; As we now know, blacks later gained ■ In Illinois, black residents are 15% employment in factories, sawmills, of the state population but 43% of the mines and other lines of work where coronavirus deaths; and enrollment in Social Security was ■ In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, blacks required. In addition, black men are 26% of the county population but became healthier over the years so that 70% of the coronavirus deaths. their life expectancy is now on average However, an April 18 report in the 75 years. Perversely, the white working New York Times indicates that 20% of class did not recognize in this racial all of U.S. fatalities from coronavirus hostility to blacks that the upscale are tied to the American nursing home whites were willing to sacrifice the facilities. While many blacks have interest of working-class whites who service jobs and live in the crowded had struggled through the Depression. neighborhoods, it will be some time The average life expectancy of white before the basic reasons for fatalities men in 1935 was only age 61, not quite are known. enough years for them to benefit from Undoubtedly, institutional racism in Social Security.

America will not fade with the disapBy now, one would hope that workpearance of the coronavirus, but whites ing-class whites would have observed who are attentive will learn an importthat institutional racism has its roots ant lesson. The race of their alleged in economic domination. Conservaantagonists is far less important than tives did not want the government to the economic status of their opponents.

“COVID-19 is certainly raging against us working folks.”

“

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OPINION

Joe, just pick the best woman for VP

Coronavirus forces us to confront the reality of environmental racism

By IVÁN ESPINOZA-MADRIGAL and LAUREN SAMPSON

By EARL OFARI HUTCHINSON Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden made it perfectly clear more than once that he will pick a woman as his VP running mate. Then it got interesting. Now the demand was not just to pick a woman VP, but a black woman VP. A short list of names is bandied about; former Georgia Rep. Stacey Abrams and California Sen. Kamala Harris top the list.

The gender and race mandate for Joe’s VP is rife with symbolism, importance and peril. Biden does not need a woman on the ticket to get most Democratic women to vote for him. He does not need a black woman to get most blacks to vote for him. Conversely, Trump, with his load of gender baggage and a male Mike Pence as his VP pick, still managed to get a significant number of women to back him. Gender and feminism didn’t mean a hoot to them.

Biden tacked onto his VP requirement two other requirements: that his VP pick be able to hit the ground running if he is incapacitated or unable to perform his duties, and that she has the requisite administrative and political experience and savvy to do the job.

I’ll add one more: that Biden’s VP help him win the Oval Office in a tough, no-holds-barred contest with a guy and a party that will pull out all stops to make sure he doesn’t.

This tosses a hard glare on whether VPs really do count for much in the larger political equation. Yes and no. No in the sense that voters don’t vote for VPs, they vote for presidents. Most know that a VP does not make policy. It’s not exactly a ceremonial position, but other than stepping in in the event of a catastrophic illness or death of a president, it’s not far from that.

However, the vice presidency does have a lot of value in other places, going back to the 1960 election. That year, John F. Kennedy picked Lyndon Johnson as his running mate. Kennedy was a moderate, wealthy, erudite Massachusetts senator who needed the Southerner Johnson to assure the popular and electoral votes of the South. Since then, presidential candidates have picked their running mates for balance on gender, region, age, and in the case of Pence, a temperament in contrast to shoot-from-the-lip Trump.

In 2016, Trump and Hillary Clinton needed VPs that had few negatives and solid party insider status, were fairly young, and as an added boost, seen as good governors and administrators. The youth and good administrative skills factors couldn’t be minimized since Clinton and Trump were at or near age 70 and would be nearing 80 if they won two terms. If there was a health challenge to either one in office, voters would want assurance that a VP would be able to hit the ground running at the top.

This election brings the issue of the independents. They now make up more than 40% of the general electorate, a historic high.

Trump and Biden engender towering doubt and skepticism among a big swath of them. They could be the X-factor in a close vote in the half-dozen must-win swing states.

Here’s where the right VP can help. Pence and Biden’s VP will spend a lot, if not most, of their days on the campaign trail in those swing states courting voters and talking rationally about the tax, trade and job creation policies that Trump and Biden are pitching to the independents and waverers. The idea is to show that they will bring the required straightforward, steady hand to the administration in the White House.

The single biggest asset that a VP pick brings, though, is that he or she can turn on more voters than their potential boss can or has turned off, no matter what part of the country they hail from, their gender or their rank in the party. Pence was tapped precisely because he was viewed as being able to accomplish that tricky feat.

That’s more important than ever, since the VP must be more than someone who won’t harm the ticket, but someone who will help the Democratic ticket win. The only way that can be done is for a VP to be a showpiece for the qualities that many voters think Biden lacks. This has absolutely nothing to do with race and everything to do with winning.

“

The gender and race mandate for Joe’s VP is rife with symbolism, importance and peril. Biden does not need a woman on the ticket to get most Democratic women to vote for him.”

Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst.

There may be no greater example of the enormous gulf dividing America, separating the haves from the have-nots, then the trend of rich and powerful people calling COVID-19 an “equalizer.” From Madonna to Governor Andrew Cuomo, people of privilege have taken to social and mass media to emphasize the shared experience of the virus. Anyone can get sick.

Everyone is locked up. We’re all in this together.

Except, that is not and has never been true. Coronavirus may not discriminate. But America certainly does.

Public health researchers have long warned that an individual’s zip code is a better predictor of their health than their own genetic code. Your zip code determines your relationship to a multitude of social determinants of health, ranging from access to green spaces and reliable transportation, availability of healthcare services and healthy foods, and proximity to industrial waste and pollution.

The unequal distribution of these resources can influence the health of entire communities. For example, exposure to air pollution is associated with higher levels of cardiovascular and respiratory disease, while living in an older residential building in crowded and unsanitary conditions may lead to increased levels of lead in the blood, as well as asthma.

Because of the lingering effects of redlining and other racist federal housing policies, which presaged today’s continuing racial wealth gap, many American zip codes — particularly in urban regions — remain racially segregated. To take the example of St. Louis, Missouri, a single road divides a “poor, predominantly African-American neighborhood” from a “more affluent, largely

“

When the pandemic subsides, we cannot simply resume life as normal. Instead, we must confront a single, simple truth: Far from being an equalizer, the virus has exposed the vast environmental inequality of American life.” white neighborhood.” Whether you live to the north or south of the line predicts the likelihood that you attained a bachelor’s degree, or the likelihood you have heart disease or cancer.

In zip codes home to predominantly black and Latinx populations, researchers have noted a distinct lack of so-called auxiliary health care practitioners, ranging from mental health specialists to dentists, which harms the ability of those communities to receive quality health care and manage chronic conditions. Unsurprisingly then, across the United States, rates of asthma, obesity, diabetes, and other cardiovascular risk factors are much higher among black and Latinx individuals than in whites.

Right here in Massachusetts, the Boston-Cambridge-Newton area was ranked, by one measure, as the seventh most segregated metropolitan area in the country, with over 40% of the population living in segregated areas. In the low-income communities of color bordering Logan Airport, including Chelsea, Revere, and East Boston, aircraft emissions contaminate homes and schools with a “harmful air pollution” that can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

All of these cities, along with Lowell, Brockton and Lawrence, are also “food deserts,” areas with limited access to the healthy food that can help regulate weight, diabetes, stroke, and heart disease.

Higher percentages of cold-related illness, overcrowding and second-

hand tobacco smoke exposure are reported in the South End, Roxbury, Dorchester, East Boston and South Boston.

Unsurprisingly then, the racial health gaps in our region are stark.

Black and Latinx Boston residents bear a disproportionate burden of morbidity and mortality from ailments associated with socially determined circumstances, suffering from higher rates of asthma emergency department visits, obesity, hypertension, diabetes hospitalizations and tuberculosis than their white counterparts.

Is it any wonder then, that communities of color were so vulnerable to COVID-19, which is most fatal in individuals with asthma, heart conditions, obesity, and diabetes — the very illnesses shaped by our segregated environments? Is it sheer coincidence that the airborne particles polluting communities of color may also be assisting the spread of COVID-19?

Is it truly surprising that, from Chelsea to Chicago, people of color across the United States are falling ill and dying from coronavirus at disproportionate rates?

When the pandemic subsides, we cannot simply resume life as normal. Instead, we must confront a single, simple truth: Far from being an equalizer, the virus has exposed the vast environmental inequality of American life.

Iván Espinoza-Madrigal is executive director and Lauren Sampson is a staff attorney at Lawyers for Civil Rights.

IN THE NEWS

NATE BRYANT Nate Bryant, vice president and chief of staff to President John Keenan at Salem State University, was unanimously approved to become North Shore Community College’s interim president when current President Patricia A. Gentile retires in July.

NSCC’s board of trustees interviewed Bryant in a special virtual public meeting on Thursday, April 9th, from 4- 6 pm. and debated his candidacy at a regular meeting on April 14 after which they voted to support his candidacy, which must now be approved by the state Commissioner of Higher Education Carlos Santiago. If confirmed, Bryant’s term will begin in early July 2020.

COURTESY PHOTO

Bryant has 30-plus years of experience in public higher education, including senior-level leadership in enrollment management, student support services, and fundraising. He is a longtime resident of

Salem and civic leader in the region, serving on the boards of the North Shore Medical Center, Salem Chamber of Commerce, and Marblehead Bank, among other organizations.

He holds a doctorate of education from the University of Massachusetts-Boston and his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Salem State.

“Everything I have done has prepared me to be the president of North Shore Community College and I am humbled and honored to be considered for this position.

I am interested in providing better opportunities for our students and seeing that they achieve their goals, whatever those may be,” Bryant said.

6 • Thursday, April 23, 2020 • BAY STATE BANNER

Grocery workers protest unsafe conditions

By CATHERINE MCGLOIN Boston-area grocery store workers lined up six feet apart, faces masked, along Harrison Avenue outside Whole Foods on the morning of April 7.

They were joined by compassionate customers and workers’ rights activists to demand that employers Stop & Shop, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Shaw’s provide more masks and gloves, fully paid family and sick leave, and time-and-a-half “hazard pay” during the coronavirus pandemic.

“People have really experienced a lot of abuse going on,” said Debra Falzoi, 43, a protester and lobbyist for the Workplace Dignity Act, who drove in from central Massachusetts to show her support. “We’re hearing more and more staff are not getting personal protective equipment … are receiving salary reductions and no paid family or sick leave,” said Falzoi. “They’re not really caring about the welfare of their employees.”

Despite the megaphone and signs that read “Protect the front line, not the bottom line,” Falzoi said it did not look like a normal protest.

But this is the new normal. A world where even community activists must adhere to social distancing rules, grocery workers risk their lives serving customers and shelf-stacking is a hazardous occupation.

The South End protest came on the same day that the death of a Market Basket employee in Salem due to coronavirus was confirmed. Positive COVID-19 cases have been reported at all four of the stores involved in last week’s action.

“The narrative is that we’re all in this together,” said Falzoi, cofounder of End Workplace Abuse, “but it’s an interesting message when the employers aren’t doing everything they can … there is a sense of greed.”

Stop & Shop, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Shaw’s are offering associates an additional two weeks of paid sick leave, have stepped up deep-cleaning and are supplying protective equipment to staff. In line with new guidance issued by Gov. Charlie Baker’s office last week, employers are also limiting the number of people allowed into stores, operating at 40% standard occupancy.

“There is no higher priority for us than taking care of our team

COVID

continued from page 1 and supplied to workers and first responders.

“They can be reused up to 20 times each if we have the proper decontamination,” Walsh added.

The city is also expanding its COVID-19 testing services. Walsh said that more testing sites will be available across the city, and new testing data has been released.

Starting Monday, said Walsh, the city will share testing results at the neighborhood and zip code levels.

“We’re looking at this kind of information and data every day to inform our strategy for deploying

PHOTOS: CATHERINE MCGLOIN

Demonstrators line up outside the Whole Foods in the South End.

“

Whole Foods is a very wealthy organization, Jeff Bezos is one of the wealthiest men in the world. Surely these companies can look after their employees.”

— Deb Robison

members,” said a Whole Foods spokesperson, who also confirmed each employee is receiving an additional $2 per hour on top of hourly base pay and receiving “enhanced overtime.” Those in quarantine or diagnosed with COVID-19 will receive two weeks of additional paid time off, the spokesperson told the Scope.

But employees and customers say this isn’t enough.

In an anonymous account, shared on Workers Speak Out’s blog, one Whole Foods employee explained why, for them, Whole Foods’ response to COVID-19 is inadequate.

“Amazon has allowed us to take unlimited sick days during March and April. But there’s a catch — we would only be paid for 5 of them,” wrote the anonymous worker, who also described the

additional $2 per hour “hazard pay” offered by the grocery chain as “shameful.” For them, this extra cash totals $50 a week. “We need real hazard pay of time and a half for all hours worked, period,” they wrote.

“I’ve been transitioning away from Whole Foods towards Trader Joe’s,” said South Boston shopper Deb Robison, 51.

“Whole Foods is a very wealthy organization, Jeff Bezos is one of the wealthiest men in the world,” said Robison. “Surely these companies can look after their employees.”

Whole Foods is owned by Amazon CEO Bezos who, as of April 2020, is worth $117.2

billion.

At Robison’s preferred grocery store, Trader Joe’s, store hours have been revised and, for those displaying symptoms of COVID19, staff are offered two weeks of extra paid sick leave.

On her most recent visit to Trader Joe’s in the Seaport district, Robison said she observed six-feet-apart checkout line spacing, hand sanitizer stations and wipes to clean shopping baskets.

Robison has an auto-immune condition that puts her in the at-risk category for contracting COVID-19. She called the store manager to find out if they were offering special services for people like her who are

resources, conducting outreach, and providing communications to the community,” he said.

As of Monday, there had been 39,643 COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts and 5,749 in Boston.

Boston’s death toll rose to 187.

Texted information is now available in 11 different languages.

The text message alert system was expanded on Monday to include the languages Somali, Chinese, Arabic, Russian and Vietnamese in addition to English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, French, Cabo Verdean Creole and Portuguese.

It’s unlikely that schools will reopen, but Walsh said that students are still receiving food at sites around the city. Six new sites just opened, he noted, in Dorchester,

Mattapan, East Boston, South Boston, Brighton and Roxbury.

“Our support for Boston school children does not take a break,” he said.

Walsh also noted that two teenagers and a child were shot in Boston within the last week. On Wednesday, a 17-year-old girl was murdered in Dorchester. On Saturday, a 16-year-old was shot in Jamaica Plain and a 10-year-old was injured by a stray bullet in Roxbury.

“To anyone that fires a gun right now, you’re a coward,” said Walsh.

“You will face justice.” Walsh noted that the Roxbury tragedy arose after a crowd ignored curfew and distancing guidelines.

“We’re doing everything we can

to protect every community from a pandemic that is taking peoples’ lives,” he said. “We’re doing everything we can to support people in need of resources. The last thing our community needs right now is violence.”

On a positive note, said Walsh, there was little activity on the Boston Marathon route on Monday. Even though residents

immunocompromised.

“The manager was super helpful,” Robison said, even offering to build a basket of groceries ready to collect so Robison need only come into the store to pay.

“I just thought that was super kind, especially as she’s probably swamped right now.”

But Trader Joe’s management is accused of disseminating “sharp anti-union propaganda” during the pandemic, according to a copy of the invitation to protest on April 7, obtained by the Scope.

In an email leaked to the New York Times earlier this month, Trader Joe’s store managers have been urged to discourage employees from unionizing by warning employees about the cost of union dues.

Robison was disappointed to hear these accusations.

“I thought Trader Joe’s was a good company,” she said.

Trader Joe’s did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Although the four companies were the focus of last week’s action, it’s not just Stop & Shop, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Shaw’s facing criticism for their response to COVID-19.

“The thing being exposed is that more people, the people living paycheck to paycheck, need safety nets,” said Falzoi.

Ann Smith, 36, a cashier at a Dollar Tree store in Wyoming, told the Scope she had to choose between self-quarantining after her brother contacted COVID-19 and keeping her job. She said she is disabled and at risk of contracting the virus, yet management at her store threatened to fire her if she took time off to self-quarantine. In addition, they told her not to wear protective equipment and have not imposed limits on store capacity. She said she cannot afford to fall ill, as she has no health insurance.

As grocery shopping around the nation remains a risky but essential task, “I hope that these organizations step up and take care of their employees,” said Robison. “I’m definitely going to keep watching.”

Do you work in the service industry? Do you know someone who does? Graduate research students specializing in Media Advocacy: Strategic Communications for Social Change, at Northeastern University are collecting information from service workers about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected their lives. Take their survey and share your story: http://getcovidfacts.com/survey/.

couldn’t celebrate a traditional Patriot’s Day, he urged people to reach out to one another. Everyone has a role to play in overcoming the pandemic, said Walsh.

“We need to be a united community,” he said. “We need to continue working together. We need to be staying focused on keeping every single community safe from harm.”

RESOURCES To sign up for text alerts in English: Text BOSCOVID to 888-777 For keywords to receive texts in other languages, visit: Boston.gov/covid-19 Food distribution site map: www.boston.gov/departments/food-access/map-covid19-

food-resources Boston Public Health Commission: BPHC.org COVID-19 testing sites map: bphc.org/whatwedo/infectious-diseases/Infectious-Diseases-

A-to-Z/covid-19/Pages/COVID-19-Testing.aspx

Thursday, April 23, 2020 • BAY STATE BANNER • 7

Councilors address COVID inequities, barriers

By KENNEAL PATTERSON Data from federal, state and local sources show that the COVID-19 pandemic is placing a disproportionate burden on black and Latinos across the country.

Boston City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo noted Wednesday that this inequality may be exacerbated by recent rationing guidelines from the state’s Executive Office of Health and Human Services. The guidelines advise hospitals to prioritize patients without underlying conditions — conditions that are more often found in people of color.

“If we deny ventilators and ICU beds based on preexisting conditions — caused in part or in whole by racism — it will impact people of color disproportionately,” said Arroyo. “It would be a continuation of systemic racism directly leading to worse health outcomes for people of color.”

People of color have the highest rates of diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease and certain respiratory diseases. The Department of Health and Human Services in 2017 found that black Americans are twice as likely to die from diabetes as whites. The data also found that black Americans are 20% more likely to die from heart disease. COVID-19 patients with these diseases often require intensive care and have the highest likelihood of death.

During the April 15 council meeting, Councilor Andrea Campbell noted that these disparities have existed in communities of

color for a long time. She agreed that racism is the driving force behind the health inequities; it has dictated where people live, work or go to school.

“As a result of this marginalization, oppression and exclusion, these communities have suffered tremendous devastation, including economic hardship, poverty, health diseases — and of course, death,” she said.

Arroyo called for a hearing to discuss the guidelines and to ensure that race doesn’t dictate medical care.

Immigrant communities are also disproportionately affected by the outbreak. Councilor Ed Flynn offered a resolution supporting these communities.

“Emergency doctors have reported an influx of Latinx, Spanish-speaking patients who are critically ill,” said Flynn.

He said that many immigrants are frontline workers; they are exposed to the virus in hospitals, grocery stores and custodial jobs.

They face barriers when seeking help, he said. Many do not qualify for assistance because of their immigration status.

Councilor Lydia Edwards added, “Too many of the narratives around immigrants are negative, they’re blaming, they’re scapegoating them. Today’s resolution is uplifting and reminding us of who we are as a nation … a country that should continue to welcome immigrants.”

Councilor Julia Mejia also sought to reduce barriers for immigrants by improving citywide

WHITTIER STREET HEALTH CENTER IS PROVIDING COVID-19 TESTING FOR ALL WHO MEET THE CURRENT DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDELINES: ■ We will test you for COVID-19 if you have fever, cough, or trouble breathing. You should also tell us about chills, shakes, muscle aches, headaches, and sore throat, or if you can’t smell or taste.

■ If you have a health condition such as asthma, chronic lung disease, diabetes, extreme obesity, cirrhosis of the liver, heart condition, other health conditions or a physician’s order, we will take care of you.

■ Some jobs, such as grocery store clerk, car service driver, or home health aide, make it easier to get COVID-19. If your job puts you in contact with a lot of people or sick people, we may want to test you even if you don’t feel sick.

■ Anyone can call us, whether they are a patient at the health center or not. If we think you might be sick with COVID-19 and need a test, we will take care of you.

“

If we deny ventilators and ICU beds based on preexisting conditions — caused in part or in whole by racism — it will impact people of color disproportionately. It would be a continuation of systemic racism directly leading to worse health outcomes for people of color.”

— Ricardo Arroyo

language access. She said that many non-English-speaking residents are not getting necessary information and called for a hearing order to address these issues.

“When information does come out in regard to any relief fund or any resource, it usually rolls out first in English,” she said. “By the time people get the information, it is either too late for them to apply or they need to work a little bit harder to find people to help them translate.”

Mejia noted that more than 140 languages are spoken in Boston, and some multilingual neighborhoods, like Mattapan or Dorchester, also have the highest rates of COVID-19 cases.

“Access to information during times like this is crucial to ensure that our residents remain safe and healthy,” she said.

Council President Kim Janey addressed disadvantages for people receiving SNAP benefits and offered a resolution to support expanding SNAP to online services. Many residents who receive

benefits either suffer from food insecurity or potentially risk their lives when walking into crowded supermarkets. Many do not have the luxury of food delivery apps.

“By forcing those who rely on SNAP to physically go to the grocery store to use SNAP benefits, our federal partners are exacerbating the racial and socioeconomic disparities evident with this crisis,” said Janey. She warned not to underestimate the importance of SNAP, as 19% of Suffolk County residents rely on these benefits.

Campbell addressed the local school closures and offered a resolution urging Boston Public Schools to ensure equal access to online learning for all students.

She said that many low-income students in communities of color don’t have access to technology.

Campbell’s resolution asks BPS to release certain data: the number of students who have access to remote learning; the number who have requested internet service or computers but do not have it; the students unaccounted for; and

attendance and assignment completion rates for all classrooms.

“There is not a citywide standard for high-quality remote learning,” said Campbell. Due to this, she said, achievement gaps might deepen.

The councilors also took up the issue of COVID-19’s potential impact on in-person voting.

Despite the outbreak, many states have still held primary elections recently. Congressman Joe Kennedy III has advocated for vote-by-mail, sending a letter April 11 to Massachusetts House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Karen Spilka, urging legislators to enact vote-by-mail in Massachusetts for the entirety of the election cycle.

Councilor Matt O’Malley on Wednesday spoke in favor of voteby-mail elections in the coming months. COVID-19 is highly contagious and it could spread easily between clusters of people lining up to vote. O’Malley called for a hearing to start preparations for the upcoming September and November elections.

Councilor Lydia Edwards said, “Nobody should be forced to think between their health and voting.”

Councilor Kenzie Bok warned that even prior to COVID-19, elections were not designed to ensure participation. Now, the state has a chance to protect voters and maximize the franchise.

“This public health emergency, which is ravaging us in so many ways, does provide an opportunity to at least set right something that has been wrong,” Bok said.

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8 • Thursday, April 23, 2020 • BAY STATE BANNER

Unbanked face long wait for stimulus checks

By CHARLENE CROWELL As the COVID19 pandemic continues to unfold with surging confirmed cases and ever-rising deaths, the Department of Labor announced on April 16 that more than 22 million consumers filed new unemployment claims since late March. For these and other Americans, the federal government’s one-time financial stimulus is intended to lessen the financial stress of all households during the health crisis.

According to the Internal Revenue Service, single tax filers whose adjusted gross income was $75,000 or less can expect a one-time payment of $1,200. For married couples who filed joint tax returns, the stimulus would increase to $2,400. Retired consumers receiving either Social Security or Railroad benefits are automatically included.

Consumers who electronically filed their returns and have a bank account attached to their tax refunds will be the first to gain stimulus access. Many of these checks reached bank accounts by April 15.

Conversely, workers who filed paper tax returns will be among the last to receive stimulus checks. The federal law authorizing payments gives IRS until the end of the 2020 calendar year to remit payments. According to IRS’s web, the agency plans to begin mailing paper checks the

first week in May, at the rate of 5 million checks per week over 20 weeks’ time.

For America’s unbanked households, a stimulus check may have been needed April 1st instead of sometime in the future. According to the FDIC’s most current national report on the nation’s unbanked, approximately 24.2 million households comprised of 48.9 million adults do not have a financial relationship with a bank.

Even so, access to these federal funds can be far less than the amount issued if it is seized by financial institutions to repay overdraft transactions. Additionally, creditors holding delinquent accounts may also garnish these funds for repayment.

As much of America awaits the stimulus payments, IRS’ intent to issue paper stimulus checks has attracted broad and strong pushback from the nation’s banking industry, formalized in a recent communication to the Treasury Secretary, Steve Mnuchin.

In an April 3 letter, these industry leaders said, “Checks are slow to print and mail, expensive to deliver, prone to being lost, stolen, forged and altered…

Our strongest recommendation as private sector payments practitioners is that paper checks be viewed as a last resort or use of checks is avoided completely.”

“We fear too, that underbanked Americans will turn to expensive check cashers or unscrupulous lenders, which will dampen

intended stimulus effects,” added the bankers.

“

If America is indeed one nation, one of the important lessons to be gleaned from the COVID19 pandemic is that communities of color are marginalized in multiple ways through a diminished access to: health, wealth, income inequality, credit, homeownership, business opportunities and more.”

But according to FDIC, the number one reason (52.7%) unbanked consumers cited for not having a bank relationship was a lack of sufficient money to maintain it. Other key reasons for remaining unbanked are a distrust of banks, and account fees believed to be too high.

For black Americans, a threeyear decline in the number of unbanked households did nothing to remove the dubious distinction of having the nation’s

highest rate of unbanked compared to other races and ethnicities. Black Americans still lead the nation in the percentage of the nation’s unbanked at 16.9%, followed by Latinos at 14%. By comparison, whites comprise only 3% of the unbanked. At all income levels, FDIC’s report states that blacks and Latinos are the most likely consumers to lack access to mainstream credit.

When FDIC added the number of underbanked consumers – those who maintain a bank account but also use alternative financial services – the South was the most impacted region with nearly 29% affected consumers, followed by the West at 24%.

If America is indeed one nation, one of the important lessons to be gleaned from the COVID19 pandemic is that communities of color are marginalized in multiple ways through a diminished access to: health, wealth, income inequality, credit, homeownership, business opportunities and more.

More than a one-time stimulus check, here’s hoping that all levels of government will finally face and reckon with the effects of maintaining a permanent underclass. Black Americans’ unique journey from slavery, to the Civil War, Reconstruction, Jim Crow, and forward to today, has been characterized with unfulfilled promises despite our contributions and sacrifices.

Nor should black America

forget that we were intentionally omitted from federal, state, and local economic recovery efforts like the New Deal that expanded the middle class for white Americans. Historically, we have lost revenues and resulting wealth that benefited from taxpayer investments.

In an April 8th comment letter to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Center for Responsible Lending reminded the federal regulator currently reviewing the proposed re-write of the Community Reinvestment Act. “Regrettably, today’s racial wealth gap and lending disparities are in large part the result of decades of government policies and practices that enabled the redlining of communities of color for most of the 20th century…

Not only did this redlining segregate residential neighborhoods across the United States, but it granted whites the ability to build wealth through homeownership while denying equal opportunities for families of color to build similar home equity over the same period.”

Without question, blacks have borne the burdens of America’s ills; it is past time to partake of its bounty. Here’s hoping the nation’s response to the pandemic will result in changes that are permanently inclusive and equitable.

Charlene Crowell is a Senior Fellow with the Center for Responsible Lending.

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Thursday, April 23, 2020 • BAY STATE BANNER • 9

What’s the deal with coronavirus stimulus checks?

Here’s what you need to know about your cut of the federal stimulus funds

By KRISTEN DOERERFOR PROPUBLICA The IRS is responsible for dispersing coronavirus stimulus checks to Americans who qualify and has started doing so as of midApril 2020. But for many people, lots of questions lie between them and their “checks.” Here’s what you need to know.

At the end of March, the federal government passed a $2.2 trillion bipartisan emergency coronavirus relief package, offering some of the most hard hit a much needed stopgap. The legislation includes small business loans and coronavirus stimulus checks for low- and middle-income Americans.

Will I get a coronavirus stimulus emergency check?

You should receive a coronavirus stimulus check if you meet all of the following criteria: ■ You have a Social Security number.

■ You are a U.S. citizen or legal immigrant.

■ You are not claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return.

■ You make less than $99,000 as an individual, $136,500 as a head of household or $198,000 as a married couple who filed their taxes jointly.

■ You have filed or will file your 2018 or 2019 taxes; are taking Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability Insurance or Railroad Retirement benefits; or if you legally are not required to pay income tax (known as a “non-filer”), you give basic information to the IRS via the “Non-filers: Enter Payment Info Here” tool. More for “non-filers” below.

How much will I receive?

How much you will receive depends on your income. You will receive the full stimulus check amount of $1,200 if you made less than $75,000 as an individual or $112,500 as a head of household.

Married couples who filed their taxes jointly and made less than $150,000 will receive $2,400.

Parents will also receive an additional $500 for each qualifying child — that is, children under 17 who are claimed as dependents.

Individuals who made between $75,000 and $99,000, married couples who made between $150,000 and $198,000, and heads of households who made between $112,500 to $136,500 will receive a reduced stimulus check. The payment amount is reduced by $5 for every $100 made

above the $75,000 threshold for individuals, $112,500 threshold for a couple or $150,000 for heads of household. The cutoff range is higher for those with kids, according to IRS spokesperson Eric Smith, who encourages recipients to use an online calculator like this easy-to-use option from The Washington Post.

When will I get the check?

The IRS will begin sending money via direct deposit first. It started sending out the “checks” via direct deposit the week of April 13, 2020 and will continue to send them throughout the summer. Most eligible Americans will have received their payments

by April 17, according to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. If the IRS put your refund (from 2018 or 2019) into a bank account — that’s how you’ll get the money.

If you did not get a tax refund and instead owed money, you can read eligibility requirements and check on the status of your payment on the IRS website. The IRS may need more information from you on where to send the check.

The first paper checks will be sent on April 24 to the lowest-income Americans who make $10,000 or less, according to reporting by the Post. On May 1, paper checks will be sent to Americans making between $10,000 and $20,000, on May 8, to Americans making $20,001 to $30,000, and so forth.

You can find out more about how you will get the money by using the IRS’ “Filers: Get My Payment” tool.

How do I sign up to receive a stimulus check?

The IRS will automatically determine your eligibility and calculate your check. There is no need to sign up if you submitted your 2018 or 2019 tax return or are taking Social Security, Social Security Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income or Railroad Retirement benefits; you will automatically be sent money.

If you do not fall into the above categories and are not what the IRS considers a “non-filer,” you will need to submit your 2019 tax return.

Do I have to use a tax preparer like TurboTax or H&R Block to get my check?

No. If the IRS does not have tax information on you and you do not have to pay taxes, you can sign up at this IRS page: “Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here”

“

Otherwise, it will send The first paper checks will be sent on April account. a paper check to the address you last used to file taxes, even if you 24 to the lowest-income Americans who make do not live there. $10,000 or less. On May 1, paper checks will be sent to Americans making between $10,000 and The IRS doesn’t have my bank information. How can $20,000, on May 8, to Americans making $20,001 account I get my check sooner?

The IRS’ “Get My Payment” to $30,000, and so forth.”

If you are required to pay taxes, the “Filers: Get My Payment” tool lets you check the status of your stimulus check, including where and when it will be sent.

The IRS stimulus product is built by Intuit, the maker of TurboTax. On April 15, ProPublica published a look at the company’s competing “stimulus registration product.” Though the product is marketed as “free,” we found multiple trap doors leading users to paid products. Also, TurboTax users sign away their personal data to the Silicon Valley firm, which the company can use to pitch third-party financial products to its customers.

What if I didn’t file my taxes?

You will need to submit your 2019 tax return UNLESS you: ■ Receive Social Security ■ Receive Supplemental Security Income ■ Receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits ■ Are a railroad retiree ■ Are a “non-filer” There are many ways to file for free with the IRS’ Free File program. The deadline for federal income taxes has been pushed back from April 15 to July 15, 2020.

What if I’m not legally required to file my taxes?

If you are a legal non-filer, you

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two options: 1. You can register for economic impact payments via the Treasury Department and the IRS’ new “Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info” web tool. You will need to provide basic personal information such as your birthdate, Social Security number, and the names and ages of your dependents. People who are not legally required to file a tax return include individuals who made less than $12,200 or married couples who made less than $24,400 in 2019.

2. You can file your taxes via the IRS Free File options — which are free — and you may be eligible for a refund, too.

Those taking Social Security, Social Security Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income or Railroad Retirement benefits will receive $1,200 checks without having to file a tax return.

However, if you have dependents under the age of 17 and have not filed a tax return, you will want to register via the IRS’ “Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info” web tool to receive the additional $500 per qualifying child.

Will the check be sent to my address?

If you provided your direct deposit information when you filed your taxes AND received a tax refund, the IRS will deposit the check directly to your bank

Post your own real estate properties and job openings.

tool allows you to provide the government with your direct deposit information, so you won’t have to wait for a paper check and can get your money deposited to your bank account immediately.

What if I qualify for a stimulus check but owe the IRS money?

These checks are being treated differently than your tax return.

You will still receive the stimulus check even if you owe money to federal or state agencies, with some exceptions like outstanding child support.

Is this a loan? Is it an advance on next year’s tax refund?

Will I have to pay taxes for the stimulus check next year?

No, no and no. The stimulus check is a no-strings-attached payment.

What if I qualify for the stimulus check based on my 2018 tax return but don’t qualify based on my 2019 tax return?

The stimulus check will be based off of the most recent tax return you filed.

If you filed your 2018 taxes but have not filed your 2019 taxes, you can wait to file your 2019 taxes until you receive the check. But don’t miss the new July 15 deadline to file your taxes; taxpayers who file late will still face penalties and fees. The longer you wait to file your taxes, the longer it takes to receive your tax refund.

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10 • Thursday, April 23, 2020 • BAY STATE BANNER

BUSINESSNEWS Local help for minority businesses www.baystatebanner.com

CHECK OUT MORE BUSINESS NEWS ONLINE: WWW.BAYSTATEBANNER.COM/CATEGORY/NEWS/BUSINESS

By KENNEAL PATTERSON Most small business owners are struggling in the wake of shutdowns ordered during the coronavirus pandemic, but black and Latino entrepreneurs are especially affected. A coalition of nonprofits came together to address this crisis by creating the Business Equity COVID-19 Emergency Fund (BECEF) to provide economic relief for businesses owned by people of color.

“A lot of our companies, black and Latino, are in a level of crisis,” said Glynn Lloyd, executive director for the Foundation for Business Equity (FBE), one of the coalition partners.

The coalition has already raised $1 million and the first round of funding is closed. $10 million is the ultimate goal, and Lloyd said that the application process will reopen if enough money is raised.

When there’s a “shock and awe” event like a pandemic, said Lloyd, the racial equity gap may increase.

“We’re asking people who understand that to take in racial equity as part of their giving, or part of their donating or part of their response,” he told the Banner. “And this is a vehicle for folks to show that.”

Many small business funds are geared towards a specific type of business owner, said Lloyd.

Owners need to have a good relationship with lenders. Lloyd said that people with the most resources or larger loan amounts are “taken care of in a different way.

And that’s usually not black and Latino entrepreneurs.”

Lloyd addressed the differences between BECEF and funds like the federal Paycheck Protection Program. He noted that Paycheck Protection Program loans must go through Small Business

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Traffic through Nubian Square is light as businesses remain shuttered and MBTA service has been cut Association (SBA)-approved lenders or banks. These loans are also only forgiven for certain expenses.

BECEF loans, on the other hand, cover additional needs.

“Our funds are not specifically going to be forgiven for just payroll and rent,” said Lloyd.

Business owners will also receive advice regarding the future of their companies.

“What makes this fund different in a lot of ways is not only are we deploying relief capital, but also we’re matching it with teams who go in and help with strategy and planning and crisis management,” said Lloyd. “So you’re getting a two-for-one.”

Lloyd said that these teams are critical in a time like this. The teams assess damage, plan ways to lessen the negative impact and

“

What makes this fund different in a lot of ways is not only are we deploying relief capital, but also we’re matching it with teams who go in and help with strategy and planning and crisis management. So you’re getting a two-for-one.”

— Glynn Lloyd, executive director, Foundation for Business Equity

connect business owners to government resources.

Massachusetts-based blackand Latino-owned businesses with revenues of at least $250,000 qualify for the BECMA loans. These no-interest loans are up to $100,000 for two- to threeyear terms, and payments are

ARTS& CULTURE

Thursday, March 28, 2019 • BAY STATE

8 • Thursday, January

24, 2019 • BAY STATE

BANNER

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E

FILM REVIEW

‘Cuba’

Thousands turned out

Film explores the island’s unique heritage

Wil B. (left) and Kev Marcus COURTESY PHOTO

Forwa rd organi zed by March affiliated is not Massachusetts, Inc., the

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By COLETTE weeks and people GREENSTE tinue to fight for gender to women cultures, now for twothe IN CHECK if I’m OUT MORE arts,matter technological and scientific me if I’m disillusioned, tell other issues that you not asked “I s, but that ts advancemen and more.” ed,” Pressley said. luxury and our familie the weight dismay cynicism is notThe classical a and hip-hop tion duo intersec The film threads forget the them that information day composed everyViolin, Black ’s most constant and we can afford. I wake up of clasof this country about Cuba’s history Tani- and culture purpos ed feet and ned violist sically-trai foe: racism,” said Wilner persistent through clear eyed, with you three Boston of different that nt ion story lines. n, preside of convictBaptiste (Wil B.) and violinist sha SullivaOne for a strength follows Washington and justice Patricia Torres deliveraed me toKevin NAACP. “Equality haveDiaz, Sylvester (Kev Marcus), ” for justice. young non-negotiable.”hoping a manda to land te to fight women of color is aballet dancer has been smashing musical sten’s March, with Wome a highly sought-afte The Boston r spot in the

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MUSIC REVIEW

Feminist Fusion

By CELINA COLBY

On Thursday, March 21, the feminist Latina band LADAMA performed at Berklee as part of the Celebrity Series of Boston Stave Sessions festival. The group combusiness news prises four talented female muk inside this wee sicians from four countries: Lara Klaus (Brazil); Daniela Serna (Colombia); Mafer Bandola (Venezuela); and Sara Lucas (United plus States). Pat Swoboda accompanied them on the bass. Fusing music Latina band LADAMA rocks and education, cultural heritage the Berklee stage and contemporary flair, the group aims to transcend boundaries and bring people together.

Film review : ‘Cuba’ at Throughou t their two-hour Museum of Science Stave Sessions set, each LADAMA many possibilities to as wide an musician seamlessly played mulBUSINESS NEWS ONLINE: WWW.BAaudience as possible.

YSTATEBANNER.COM/CATEGORY/NEWS/B tiple instruments and sang everywww.baystatebanner.com USINESS Part of what fuels them, they thing from protest songs to unifySINCE 1965 say, is the way that the kids’ eyes ing ballads. Gonzalez strummed N’S URBAN NEWS SOURCE Black Violin’s genre-bend- light up when they see Black FREE • GREATER BOSTO magic from the chords of the baning sound, which has been deay, March 28, 2019 • Violin perform.

Vol. 54 No. 35 • Thursd dola llanera, a traditional Venescribed as “classical boom,” has “I know for sure that somezuelan instrument with few wellexposed them to an ever-growthing about what we do comknown female players. Serna spat ing fan base and opened the pletely transforms them,” says reotypes for more than a decade.

Spanish rhymes with a casual ease. door to numerous opportuniCuban National Ballet Company.

Baptiste, a father of three young The two musicians met in ties.

Stave Sessions is a series that feaAnother follows Eusebio Leal, city They performed at Presi- children. orchestra class at Dillard High tures up-and-co ming musical dent Obama’s inauguration ball historian of Havana, in his life’s Sylvester and Baptiste are School for the Performing Arts trailblazers in an intimate setting. in 2013, headlined their own work to preserve the unique archistrong proponents for educain Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The series ran for five nights, from show on Broadway, and opened tecture and history of the capital tional outreach. In 2017 they Years later, they reconnected March 19 to 23, and featured mufor Kanye West in Dubai and city. Lastly, viewers learn about the were announced as Turnaround after attending separate colleges sicians from a variety of genres and Jay-Z in Switzerland. They have work of Fernando Bretos, a marine Artists for Mary M. Bethune Elin South Florida and combined backgrounds. collaborated with Alicia Keys, biologist, and Dr. Daria Siciliano, a ementary School in their hometheir love for hip-hop music Everything about LADAMA’s Wu-Tang Clan, Aerosmith, Lil marine scientist. The duo is studytown of Broward County, Florwith their classical training to work transcends boundaries. The Wayne and Wyclef Jean. In ing Cuba’s coral reefs, which have ida. Turnaround Arts, founded form Black Violin. The duo permusicians fly across country and 2016, the duo composed the thrived and grown while other reefs

by President Obama’s Comforms with DJ SPS and drumcontinent lines to rehearse and score for the Fox television worldwide die out. mittee on the Arts and the Humer Nat Stokes. record together. Their rhythms series “Pitch.”

These storylines ground the film manities in 2011, is a national Black Violin’s breakthrough fuse chords from traditiona Currently on their “Impossi- education in the human experience while l program of the John moment came with a win at ERING GRADES K1-5 ble Tour,” which began in Janualso explaining why the island is F. Kennedy Center for the PerFOR STUDENTS ENT “Showtime at the Apollo” in ary, Black Violin is slated to persuch a unique ecosystem and culSee LADAMA, page 14 SEATS AVAILABLE forming Arts that infuses arts 2005. The duo’s appearance on emy form through the summer, with tural melting pot. “Cuba” doesn’t A BPE Teaching Acad into struggling schools to supthe talent competition set the a stop at The Wilbur in Boston delve into the political challenges port overall reform efforts. stage for what was to come next. on Friday, April 5 at 8 p.m. The with the country has encountered, but it The musicians say they love “It solidified us mentally. It Impossible ctations for learning, also doesn’t sugarcoat the country’s Tour began shortly being involved High academic expe provided for all students made us really realize that we in the program after the group wrapped last past. Instead, Director Peter Chang chment and with an organization they had something special,” says support and enri year’s successful Classical Boom illustrates how economic chalbelieve in.

Wil B., speaking to the Banner al Tour, which included more than lenges have created a distinctive rerams in the visu prog “This is what we’re about. recently time by ing phone. “That gave 90 concerts sourcefulness and resilience in the and back-to-back This is what Extended learn ical fitness whole.” a as phys us we’re the unity confidence and meant for,” comm ce, to really go sold-out performances at the and the e, scien island’s residents. Cuba’s economic says Baptiste. “This is what I’m week after full force.” arts, music, danc The policy comes a Kennedy Center in Washingchallenges have Y LAVER even contribhere to do. If I have something,

By TREA Libert ies Since Amer Civil strong ties to have ican recorded ton,aD.C. uted to the unique ecosystem that the then, they I want to be able to give it back Family-centered with ity partners three albums, Massa releasedIn with the chuset third,ts “Steof Bretos addition and Union Siciliano to the mun ey group’s are studying. to the universe.” t Attorn reotypes,” marking their the tenure County Distric major neighborhood com Suffolk own tours, Black Violin has perusing data from “It’s the architecture , the ly large released alabelreport Dan debut on Universal official Music. ey formed el Rollins unspoiled r District Attorn Rachaswaths for more than 100,000 of land and of forme theincludes“Stereotype BANNER PHOTO 2013 s” debuted that1 in students Monday that atdNo. cities.policy and in more than 125 Cubamemo that reveale is so unique Conley and fas-promiseon the Billboard Classical campaign Municipal Building as City cinating.

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Boston Teachers Union haven, In additio and the young people join them on Black cityscapes . of the band reon. on this large crimes percen Violin: http://blackviolin.net/ 60the leased songt “Dreamer”tand Councilor Kim Janey looks thatFor Baptiste and Sylvesse to the resstage. canvas will promirealize make apeople percen of cases “I made Info/tickets for April 5 Boston show: its accompanyi only about ng10 video last afall, y that for ition ter, who were exposed to music https://thewilbu what’s there, just Count Suffolk miles from uted to dispos our idents of 90 prosec r.com/artist/black-violin/ were plan to release I they a fourthexclus offenses,and in ively middle school, it’s about shar- Turnaround border.” lent nonvio were vel, time low-le that Arts program: album this summer. ing their love of music and its http://turnaroun Prosdeclination or during e to “Declin the darts.kennedy-center.org would emphasize from s le,” Rol- charge

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LADAMA— Their rhythms fuse chords from traditional instruments with a contemporary message on whenever possib ecute” list.

ON THEdiversi WEB n: , which was “This the questio is“Our what is begs here lins said in the memo analysI’m to do. empowering women to If I have something, ay Learn more at: being charged for uted to her staff Mond people distrib are Why y www.mos.org/imax/cuba Monda own their own talents I want prosetothat being be able Shamso to are Ahmed and released to the public hasnot created agive salon in it univers the back South End to e.”canWilner wherethe n was part of a crimes observant Muslim women PHOTOS: KAREN MORALES Carol Rose, executive haveBaptiste and experience. night. “That decisio their hair styled in privacy. tant cuted?” said y to achieve two impor ACLU of Massachu-

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Latina band LADAMA rocks the Berklee stage

BANNER PHOTO

s March Saturday.

for the Boston Women’

deferred for a year.

The applications are examined by a review committee made up of coalition members.

“We’re trying to figure out if you’re set up to weather the storm,” said Lloyd. “We want to help you get to the other side of this thing.”

Lloyd encourages business owners to apply if the fund reopens. He said that the application process is business- and user-friendly, and “not one to shy away from.”

“This is made up of folks who come from the community,” he said. “We live and breathe supporting our black and Latino entrepreneurs.”

Recent studies from the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (BECMA) show that blackowned businesses are severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In a survey, 90% of respondents experienced “somewhat to severe negative financial impact” due to COVID-19, and only 13.2% predicted that their business would last longer than a year.

Massachusetts has yet to experience the virus’s peak. Some estimations predict that the peak won’t occur until April 28. In the midst of the crisis, however, Lloyd said that the coalition organizations are committed to backing black and Latino entrepreneurs.

Besides FBE, the nonprofits organizing BECEF include Amplify Latinx, BECMA, the Business Equity Fund at the Boston Foundation, CommonWealth Kitchen and Ujima Boston. Members of the coalition are currently reviewing the first round of applications.

Initial funding has come from Berkshire Bank, Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation, Accordia Partners and others. Donations to the fund are still open, said Lloyd, who added: “We’re hoping that we’re not losing sight of the importance of the racial equity equation as we respond to the crisis.”

www.baystatebanner.com

BIZ BITS TAX PREP How the property tax deduction works The property tax deduction is one of many benefits of being a homeowner, but you don’t need to own a house to get this tax break — there are other ways to qualify.

The Bay State Banner—online and in print—a new issue every Thursday. SEE FOR YOURSELF.

WHAT’S DEDUCTIBLE

You might be able to deduct property and real estate taxes you pay on your: n Primary home n Co-op apartment (see IRS publication 530 for special rules) n Vacation homes n Land n Property outside the United States n Cars, RVs and other vehicles n Boats In 2018, there’s a new limit: You may deduct up to $10,000 ($5,000 if married filing separately) for a combination of property taxes and either state and local income taxes or sales taxes.

WHAT’S NOT DEDUCTIBLE

The IRS doesn’t allow property tax deductions for: n Property taxes on property you don’t own n Property taxes you haven’t paid yet n Assessments for building streets, sidewalks or water and sewer systems in your neighborhood.

(Assessments or taxes for maintenance or repair of those things are deductible, though.) n The portion of your tax bill that’s actually for services — water or trash, for example n Transfer taxes on the sale of house n Homeowners association assessments n Payments on loans that finance energy-saving home improvements.

(The interest portion of your payment might be deductible as home mort-

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Thursday, April 23, 2020 • BAY STATE BANNER • 11

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Sold!

MassArt Auction moves forward online

By CELINA COLBY The Massachusetts College of Art and Design’s 31st annual MassArt Auction will press on amid the COVID-19 closings, adapted into an online-only format. The annual event raises money for student scholarships and other academic programs and has raised over $1 million for these programs each year in the last five years.

“More than 90% of the students that attend MassArt get some kind of financial aid assistance,” says Kathy Calnan, MassArt’s executive director of advancement, who is managing the auction. “Right now it’s more important than ever that we try to reach our fundraising goals, all of which go towards supporting student scholarships and academic programs here at the college.”

“

Since so many artists are struggling and galleries are shut down, moving ahead with the auction on a virtual platform allows them to gain exposure and potentially money if their piece sells.”

— Kathy Calnan, MassArt executive director of advancement

The event will now take two forms, a silent auction that is currently active and will remain open until 9 p.m. on April 25, and a live online auction that will begin at 8 p.m. on April 25. Both auctions are hosted on the online platform Bidsquare, but Calnan notes that bidders must register for the events separately to participate.

Bidders can view the live auction items now to get a sense of the merchandise.

When art pieces sell, the money is split between the artist and the college’s scholarship programs.

As a result, the auction also serves to promote artists’ work during a challenging time for sales. “Since so many artists are struggling and

See MASSART, page 13

ON THE WEB

All that

JAZZ Free for the whole family!

By SCOTT HAAS

U

nder the leadership of Managing and Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis, Jazz at Lincoln Center recently announced that it is suspending all concerts, classes and public programs but offering, through its online portal, “consolidated access to all of the online activities we are offering globally, for free.”

“We hope these programs, concerts, and discussions bring you solace, comfort, and community during this challenging, unprecedented time,” reads the message on the Jazz at Lincoln Center website, jazzatlincolncenter.squarespace.com.

Jazz at Lincoln Center is a world-class institution, and this is a rare opportunity to enjoy and make use of its array of instructors and performances that usually require trips to Manhattan and a big budget.

Highlights of the free offerings include classes, interviews and archival material.

The classes offer remarkable avenues for appreciating jazz and learning while doing so. “Jazz 101,” for example, is a great introduction, while master classes provide a glimpse of what it means to be proficient. The full schedule of live events, Monday through Friday, is available at jazzatlincolncenter.squarespace.com/ weekly-online-program-schedule-covid-coronavirus.

“Conversations with Wynton” is a weekly discussion on Monday evenings at 9 p.m. As an educator, composer and musician, Marsalis remains unique in the world of jazz for his ability to provoke listeners to think about what they are hearing as well as to integrate education with art.

Marsalis’s passion for and knowledge of jazz started with his late father, the great pianist Ellis Marsalis, who passed away on April 1. His is one of America’s most musically accomplished families. Wynton’s brothers, too, are all famous in their own right: Branford on saxophone, Delfeayo on trombone, and Jason on drums. The brothers typically perform independently of one another, but the interest that Wynton has in educating youth (and grownups) about jazz comes from being schooled in music by his father from an early age.

So Marsalis’s desire to educate listeners is fundamental to his character as a human being.

A third component of Jazz at Lincoln Center’s online programming is its full-length jazz concert every Wednesday. Pulled from its archives, each of these highlights superb performances. The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, led by Marsalis, offers, for example, the music of Miles Davis, the South African Songbook, or the music of Wayne Shorter. Each week, it’s something new, and you can hear work from earlier weeks, too. Find it at www.youtube.com/user/jazzatlincolncenter.

Another good resource for listening to and learning jazz at home comes from Jazz at Lincoln Center’s free video library: academy.jazz.org/media-library. This is a stunning collection of lessons from the Center’s instructors. The lessons are for individuals as well as families, and one of the

As an educator, composer and musician, Marsalis remains unique in the world of jazz for his ability to provoke listeners to think about what they are hearing as well as to integrate education with art.

See JAZZ, page 13

See auction items and register to bid:

www.bidsquare.com/auction-house/massachusetts-college-of-art-and-design-foundation

www.baystatebanner.com

(above) Wynton Marsalis PHOTO: CLAY MCBRIDE (right) The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra in concert. PHOTOS: LUIGI BEVERELLI

12 • Thursday, April 23, 2020 • BAY STATE BANNER

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Reginald Mobley set to diversify Handel and Haydn programming

By CELINA COLBY On March 31, the Handel and Haydn Society announced Reginald Mobley will pioneer the new role of programming consultant, a position created to diversify the historic organization’s programming and to broaden their audience. Mobley forged Handel and Haydn’s “Every Voice” community concert series and plans to bring the same energy and diverse programming to the regular season.

“I’ll present music of black composers or I’ll present women in Boston, but there are so many composers that are female or black or queer that have existed long before we really thought of race or sexuality as a social construct,” says Mobley of his work on the “Every Voice” concerts.

“What it does is gives a sense of belonging … to all of these various communities that have always felt unwelcome or left out of classical music or ‘high art.’”

While researching music to bring into these concerts, which are held for free in community gathering spots like the First Church in Roxbury, Mobley realized diverse music could easily

“

I’m happy that an early music ensemble that has ties to the past is able to see that we should be the ones to change, leading the charge.”

— Reginald Mobley

be incorporated into the main program as well. The Handel and Haydn team came to the same conclusion and brought Mobley on to spearhead that effort. He

PHOTO: CHRIS PETRE-BAUMER

Reggie Mobley leads an Every Voice community concert. will continue directing the “Every Voice” concerts, and the newly diversified Symphony Hall concerts for H&H will debut during the 2021-2022 season.

As an example of a forgotten talent, Mobley offers Chevalier de Saint-Georges, a black composer who worked at the same time as Mozart and was equally accomplished with next to no historical fame.

“Even tying back into the ensemble’s long main focus of those bewigged white men, they’re not all straight themselves. As we

understand it, we believe now that Handel himself was queer,” says Mobley. “Our history in music and our history in general isn’t as white and as straight as we’ve allowed ourselves to understand.”

The Handel and Haydn Society is the oldest continuously operating arts organization in the United States. They’ve been performing baroque music on period instruments in Boston since 1815. That an organization this entrenched in history and classical tradition can consciously and without damaging their mission

bring diverse artists into their repertoire illustrates the diversity that has always existed and can be highlighted everywhere.

Mobley says, “Things are changing and it’s time for everything to change. I’m happy that an early music ensemble that has ties to the past is able to see that we should be the ones to change, leading the charge.”

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Learn about these black achievments and more in “Boston’s Banner Years: 1965-2015”

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ARTS&CULTURE CHECK OUT MORE ARTS NEWS ONLINE: WWW.BAYSTATEBANNER.COM/CATEGORY/ARTS-AND-CULTURE

jazz

continued from page 11

PHOTO: CELINA COLBY

The annual MassArt Auction will be held virtually this year on April 25.

MassArt

continued from page 11 galleries are shut down, moving ahead with the auction on a virtual platform allows them to gain exposure and potentially money if their piece sells,” says Calnan.

This year, the auction has a few firsts that go beyond the new online structure.

MassArt photography student Tavon Taylor ’20 has become the first student ever to have a piece in the live auction. He’s also one of a just a handful of artists in the

whole event to have multiple pieces up for sale.

Typically, MassArt chooses a select few student works to include in the silent auction, but Taylor’s probing and intimate portraits of black subjects are so exemplary he was selected to break new auction ground. Calnan says, “His photos are stunningly beautiful and he himself is an amazing young man, we’re proud to feature his work this year.”

This year MassArt also introduces wearable art jewelry into the live auction, another first.

With the aid of Mobilia Gallery in

Cambridge they sourced close to two dozen pieces to bring this new medium into the event.

Though the pound of the auction gavel will be missing this year, the community of art lovers coming together to support MassArt students will live on.

“Art makes the world a more beautiful place and art is what brings people together,” says Calnan. “What I’ve really been struck by during this pandemic is that people are looking for ways to connect with others, and so many of the ways they’ve been doing that is through the arts.”

best is from Patrice E. Turner, “Welcome My Baby,” at academy. jazz.org/Video/Patrice+E+Turner+Swings+Welcome+My+Baby +for+WeBop. The range of lessons makes it possible to entertain little kids as well as teenagers.

Jazz at Lincoln Center is joined by other sites that provide educational opportunities paired with music.

Classics for Kids, for example, while not limited to jazz, has some fine programs geared to essentials in historical experience. African American composers featured on Classics for Kids can be found on links within the site to sections including William Grant Still, Scott Joplin, and Black Composers of Classical Music: www.classicsforkids.

Jazz at Lincoln Center: jazzatlincolncenter.

squarespace.com Classics for Kids “The Music of Freedom”:

www.classicsforkids.com/music/music_freedom.php

PHOTO: LUIGI BEVERELLI

ARTS & CULTURE baystatebanner.com

Submit local arts, culture and entertainment news to yawu@bannerpub.com

ON THE WEB

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra in concert.

Stay up to date with local news and reviews at

com/music/music_freedom. php.

With families at close quarters for weeks (and perhaps months) on end, music can be a source of joy. Or it can be a source of friction. Even with their headphones on, if kids are listening to sounds that parents find objectionable, what’s heard by them may disrupt the flow of family life. And what parents prefer may seem corny to youth.

Jazz creates a space for young and old to be together. It’s timeless, harmonic and an art form powerful enough, as jazz great Kenny Garrett puts it, to push the world away.

14 • Thursday, April 23, 2020 • BAY BAY STATE STATE BANNER BANNER

Congress investigates ventilator price gouging Dutch firm comes under fire for quadrupling price of equipment

By PATRICIA CALLAHAN and SEBASTIAN ROTELLA PROPUBLICA A congressional subcommittee is investigating whether the U.S. government is paying too much for ventilators made by a Dutch company that received millions in tax dollars to develop an affordable one for pandemics, but is now charging quadruple the price under a new deal.

“This all seems very fishy to me,” said Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who chairs the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy. The subcommittee falls under the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.

The deals between the Department of Health and Human Services and a U.S. division of Royal Philips N.V. were the subject of two ProPublica stories in recent weeks, and a letter from Krishnamoorthi to the head of Philips’ North American operations on behalf of the subcommittee cites those reports. His subcommittee demanded records and information from Philips dating to 2014, when the agency’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, known as BARDA, struck a $13.8 million

deal with the company to develop ventilators for the Strategic National Stockpile. Based on the advice of experts, the agreement called for the devices to be low cost, portable, durable and easy to use by personnel with limited medical training.

Once Philips’ Respironics division received clearance for that ventilator from the Food and Drug Administration last year, BARDA ordered 10,000 of them for $3,280 each — a price agreed upon when Philips entered into the original deal in 2014.

As ProPublica previously reported, Philips never produced any of those devices for the stockpile. Instead, as the coronavirus spread, the company manufactured commercial versions of the ventilator at its factory outside Pittsburgh and sold them for far higher prices overseas. Then, rather than pushing the company to accelerate the delivery of the ventilators developed for the stockpile, HHS this month agreed to buy 43,000 of the commercial version at a price of $15,000 per ventilator.

Kristhnamoorthi, a Democrat from Illinois, said he found Philips’ actions “very troubling.”

BARDA, he said, rightly recognized that the U.S. needed lowcost ventilators to “preserve people’s lives” in a pandemic and was able to get the private sector to “develop exactly such a ventilator.”

But once Philips got the crucial FDA clearance for the new design, Krishnamoorthi said, “they turn around — at the very time we most need these ventilators — and use the fruits of taxpayers’ dollars to essentially sell a high-margin version of what taxpayers wanted to foreign consumers and deprioritized the sales of what taxpayers wanted.”

In its letter to Philips, the House subcommittee is asking questions that Philips has declined to answer so far and that may reveal whether the commercial version, known as the EV300, is virtually the same as the one developed with taxpayer funds. The subcommittee has asked the firm to detail the differences between the stockpile ventilator and the commercial version.

The subcommittee is also trying to find out what Philips was charging others for the commercial version before the pandemic and whether it is now charging the federal government more. It has asked how many ventilators Philips has sold, at what prices and to whom since September 2019, the month that HHS placed

“

This seems like such a clear cut example of why the Defense Production Act was created, and this is a situation that’s quite frankly life and death in a lot of cities and hospitals.”

— Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy

its order for stockpile ventilators.

Steve Klink, a Philips spokesman, said his company was reviewing the letter and looks forward to assisting the subcommittee.

“We take this matter very seriously,” Klink said in an email to ProPublica. “Philips is working very closely with the U.S. government to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, and we will continue those efforts.”

As coronavirus sweeps the globe, there is not a single Trilogy Evo Universal ventilator — developed with government funds — in the U.S. stockpile. Meanwhile, Royal Philips N.V. has sold higher-priced versions to clients

around the world.

HHS originally gave Philips three years to deliver the stockpile ventilators. Klink told ProPublica last month that Philips planned to stick to that timeline. He said that the company had only made the stockpile ventilator in small batches and did not want to ramp up production on a product that had not been mass produced. Instead, it is increasing production of the more expensive commercial version. Though based in Amsterdam, the company only makes ventilators in the U.S. The House subcommittee has asked Philips for the fine print of the contracts, which neither Philips nor HHS would turn over to ProPublica. It also requested all records of communications between Philips and the government team that struck the recent deal.

Kristhnamoorthi questioned why President Donald Trump didn’t use the Defense Production Act to order Philips to produce the ventilators designed for this very situation and at the price BARDA originally agreed to pay.

“This seems like such a clear cut example of why the Defense Production Act was created, and this is a situation that’s quite frankly life and death in a lot of cities and hospitals,” he said. “Why would you ever not invoke the full authority under the law to make sure that we preserve the lives of the taxpayers, the investors into this technology?”

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the following number and pin: +1 260-676-0209 PIN: 364 435 094# . All interested parties may attend the Virtual Bidder’s Conference. Completed proposals must be submitted via the Supplier Portal or to the Area Agency on Aging no later than 12:00 PM , Wednesday, May 27, 2020 . All agencies will be notified of funding decisions by Wednesday, July 1, 2020 for start-up on Thursday, October 1, 2020.

should scan their bonds or checks and upload to the Bid Docs Online page with their general bid. Cash bid security will not be accepted.

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BANNER CLASSIFIEDS NATIONAL CENTER OF AFRO-AMERICAN ARTISTS MUSEUM EXTERIOR RESTORATION The National Center of Afro-American Artists, the Awarding Authority, requests bids for exterior masonry repairs at their museum at Abbotsford Mansion, 300 Walnut Avenue, Roxbury, Massachusetts, which is listed in the State & National Registers of Historic Places. The project is being partially funded with a grant from the Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund through the Massachusetts Historical Commission.

All work must be performed in accordance with the documents prepared by and available from Spencer, Sullivan & Vogt, 1 Thompson Square, Suite 504, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129 (617-861-4291) and meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. State law prohibits discrimination. Awarding of this contract is subject to Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity guidelines.

Bids shall be evaluated on the basis of price, previous experience with similar types of construction projects, ability to perform the work in a timely manner, and references. All bids must be delivered to the architect’s office at the above address no later than 12:00 noon, Friday, May 8, 2020 to be eligible for consideration.

LEGAL NOTICE Boston Area Agency on Aging Age Strong Commission NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL Titles III-B and D ONE YEAR FUNDING PERIOD, WITH OPPORTUNITY FOR ONE YEAR RENEWAL OCTOBER 1, 2020 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 Title III-B Ombudsman THREE YEAR FUNDING PERIOD OCTOBER 1, 2020 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 OLDER AMERICANS ACT FUNDING The City of Boston Age Strong Commission/Area Agency on Aging Region VI invites all interested agencies serving Boston’s older adults to submit proposals for: • Title III-B Support Services, Bid event EV00007803 • III-D Evidence Based Disease and Disability Prevention Programs, Bid event EV00007803 • Title III-B Ombudsman, Bid event EV00007801 The purpose of the funding is to support a comprehensive health and social service system for Boston’s older adults by ensuring good service, effective programming and quality care.

The Request for Proposal (RFP) will be made available at 9:00 AM on Wednesday, April 29, 2020 on the City’s purchasing website and Supplier Portal, www.boston.gov/procurement, and will be available until the proposal deadline. An optional Virtual Bidder’s Conference for Titles III B, D and Ombudsman will be held 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Wednesday, April 29, 2020 on the Virtual Meeting Platform, Google Hangout Meets, which can be accessed through this link: meet.google.com/cjb-yiby-vkz or by phone using

The City reserves the right to reject any and all bids, or any part or parts thereof, and to issue a contract as the Official deems to be in the best interests of the City. This contract/award shall be subject to the availability of an appropriation therefore. If sufficient funds are not appropriated for the contract/award in any fiscal year, the Official may cancel the contract. The issuing of this contract/award shall be subject to the approval of the Mayor of Boston.

Please contact Alison Freeman, the Area Agency on Aging Director, at 617635-0027 or via email Alison.Freeman@boston.gov for further information.

The City of Boston is an EO/AA Employer.

Bid Bonds shall be a) in a form satisfactory to the Awarding Authority, b) with a surety company qualified to do business in the Commonwealth and c) conditioned upon the faithful performance by the principal of the agreements contained in the bid.

A Performance and Payment Bond satisfactory in form to the Awarding Authority in the amount of one hundred percent (100%) of the contract and from a surety authorized to do business in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is required of the successful bidder.

The project will be advertised via the Central Register on April 22, 2020. Bid Forms and Contract Documents will be available for pick-up at www.biddocsonline.com (may be viewed electronically and hardcopy requested) on April 22, 2020. Contact BidDocs ONLINE, Inc. for pricing and shipping options.

MASONRY REPAIRS AT THE BROOKE CHARTER SCHOOLS 150 AMERICAN LEGION HIGHWAY MATTAPAN, MASSACHUSETTS GALE JN 836250

Due to current Federal and State mandates on public gatherings, a pre-bid conference will not be held at the site. Public access to the rear of the building is available to all bidders who wish to visit the site prior to the submission of bids. Those wishing to visit the site are asked to follow the Federal and State guidelines for social distancing. The use of aerial and satellite imagery is also encouraged to be utilized for additional information regarding the site location. Bidders are cautioned to carefully examine the Contract Documents, the sites, and the documents relating to existing conditions contained within the specifications.

THIS PROJECT IS BEING ELECTRONICALLY BID AND HARD COPY BIDS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Please review the instructions in the bid documents on how to register as an electronic bidder. The bids are to be prepared and submitted at www.biddocsonline.com. Tutorials and instructions on how to complete the electronic bid documents are available online (click on the “Tutorial” tab at the bottom footer).

Attention of all bidders is specifically directed to the construction scheduling requirements and to the requirements of the Supplemental General Conditions concerning Equal Employment Opportunity, Anti-Discrimination, and Affirmative Action Program of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as the requirement of prevailing wages, which is incorporated in the Contract Documents.

The Brooke Charter Schools, hereinafter called the Owner, invites electronic proposals from Contractors for the Masonry Repairs at the Brooke Charter School, 150 American LegionHighway, Mattapan, Massachusetts, in accordance with the Contract Documents prepared by Gale Associates, Inc., 15 Constitution Drive, Bedford, NH 03110.

General bidders are also advised that before contract award, the lowest general bidder shall be required to provide the Owner with documentation stating how is intends to meet the minority and women business enterprise goals for the project. The combined MBE and WBE goal is 10.4%.

INVITATION TO BID

Bids for the General Contract shall be filed electronically with Bid Docs Online by May 6, 2020 @ 1 PM. At this time bids will be publicly opened online forthwith. Please note, public bid openings are not required to be in-person and may be videotaped, livestreamed, or opened on public TV. Bidders may participate in bid opening via conference call arranged by the Owner.

The Owner reserves the right to issue an addendum postponing the scheduled bid opening prior to the due date.

General bidders must be certified by the Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) for the category of Masonry.

General bids shall be accompanied by a DCAMM Certificate of Eligibility for the category, and an Update Statement. Failure to provide a DCAMM Certificate of Eligibility and an Update Statement will result in the bid being rejected.

Each general bid shall be filed electronically with Bid Docs Online and accompanied by a bid deposit in an amount of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid. Bid deposits shall be in the form of a bid bond, cash, certified check, or a treasurer’s or cashier’s check issued by a responsible bank or trust company, payable to the Brooke Charter Schools. Bid deposits

All bids for this project are subject to the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 30, Section 39M as amended, and Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 149, Section 26 - 27b inclusive and Section 44A 44I inclusive. Attention is directed to the minimum wage rates to be paid on the work as determined by the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development.

All bid deposits will be returned in accordance with applicable statutory provisions.

The Awarding Authority will reject general bids when required to do so by the above-referenced General Laws. In addition, the Awarding Authority reserves the right to waive any informalities in bidding and to reject any and all general bids if it deems it to be in the public interest to do so.

GALE ASSOCIATES, INC. 15 Constitution Drive Bedford, NH 03110 For the: Brooke Charter Schools 190 Cummins Highway Roslindale, MA 02131

Thursday, April 23, 2020 • BAY STATE BANNER • 15

BANNER CLASSIFIEDS LEGAL

LEGAL

REAL ESTATE

associated with this contract, the Authority strongly encourages the use of Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises as prime contractors, subcontractors and suppliers in all of its contracting opportunities.

Mixed-Income Apartment Community

1 Bedroom / Selection by Lottery

http://bc.mbta.com/business_center/bidding_solicitations/current_solicitations/ MASSACHUSETTS BAY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY 10 PARK PLAZA BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02116 NOTICE TO BIDDERS Electronic proposals for the following project will be received through the internet using Bid Express until the date and time stated below, and will be posted on www.bidx.com forthwith after the bid submission deadline. No paper copies of bids will be accepted. Bidders must have a valid digital ID issued by the Authority in order to bid on projects. Bidders need to apply for a digital ID with Bid Express at least 14 days prior to a scheduled bid opening date.

Electronic bids for MBTA Contract No. S17CN01, AQUARIUM STATION FLOODPROOFING IMPROVEMENTS, BOSTON, MA (CLASS 7, BUILDINGS AND PROJECT VALUE - $1,366,699, can be submitted at www.bidx.com until two o’clock (2:00 p.m.) on May 15, 2020. Immediately thereafter, in a designated room, the Bids will be opened and read publicly.

Work consists of the following floodproofing improvements at Aquarium Station on the Blue Line in Boston, MA: demolition, removal and replacement of the existing Long Wharf Blue Line Tunnel emergency egress kiosk, including installation and flood testing of a new flood door and louver vent covers provided by others; installation of anchors, deployment, flood testing and storage of floodproofing barriers provided by others, including drop-in panel barriers and support posts, removal of existing pavements and replacement of pavements, and installation of waterproofing at Aquarium Station East Headhouse; installation of anchors, deployment, flood testing and storage of floodproofing barriers provided by others, including drop-in panel barriers and support posts, removal of existing pavements and replacement of pavements, installation of waterproofing and removal and installation of new removable bollards at Aquarium Station Southwest Headhouse; and installation, deployment, flood testing and storage of drop-in flood panel barriers and supports provided by others, installation of a new granite-clad concrete parapet, and installation of a new steel fence/gate at the Aquarium Station Headhouse lobby at Marketplace Center.

Bidders attention is directed to Appendix 1, Notice of Requirement for Affirmative Action to Ensure Equal Employment Opportunity; and to Appendix 2, Supplemental Equal Employment Opportunity, Anti-Discrimination, and Affirmative Action Program in the specifications. While there is no DBE goal

On behalf of the MBTA, thank you for your time and interest in responding to this Notice to Bidders Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Steve Poftak MBTA General Manager

Rents & Income Limits: Type # of Apts. Rent 1BR $1,165 44 1BR ** *12

April 15, 2020 Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Department SUFFOLK Division

Docket No. 20W0285

You are required to serve upon Shelly Ann S. Cummings whose address is 18 Academy Court, Roxbury, MA 02119 your answer on or before 05/21/2020.

Felix D. Arroyo, Register

Affordable Housing Lottery

Medfield Meadows Apartments 41 Dale Street, Medfield, MA *Rents subject to change in 2021. Tenants will pay own Gas Heat, Gas Hot Water, Gas Cooking, Electricity, Water and Sewer.

MAXIMUM Household Income Limits: $67,400 (1 person) $77,000 (2 people) $86,650 (3 people) $96,250 (4 people) $103,950 (5 people) $111,650 (6 people) Completed Applications and Required Income Documentation must be delivered, or postmarked, by 2 pm on June 15th, 2020. Applications postmarked by the deadline must be received no later than 5 business days from the deadline.

A Public Info Session will be held on May 18th 2020 at 6 pm via: • A YouTube Livestream at https://youtu.be/6b8l05Z0lA8 (or just type “SEB Housing” in YouTube and click on the thumbnail for Medfield Meadows Information Session) AND • by Conference Call at 425.436.6200 (Access Code 862627)

baystatebanner.com facebook.com/ baystatebanner @BayStateBanner

AMI - Area Median Income as of 4/1/20. Income, asset & use restrictions apply. Rents, Income limits & utility allowances based on HUD guidelines and subject to change.

For more info, language assistance, or reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities, please call or email.

REAL ESTATE

online at www.baystatebanner.com

The lottery will be on June 25th 2020 at 6pm via: • A YouTube Livestream at https://youtu.be/3m-6A-s5p9k (or just type “SEB Housing” in YouTube and click on the thumbnail for Medfield Meadows Lottery) AND • by Conference Call at 425.436.6200 (Access Code 862627) For Lottery Information and Applications, or for reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities, go to www.sebhousing.com or call (617) 782-6900 (x1) and leave a message or postal mail SEB Housing, 257 Hillside Ave, Needham MA 02494.

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∙ *12 rental assisted units with a preference for Homeless Families. ∙ Local preference for those who live, work or have children in school in Sudbury. ∙ **Rent determined by PHA based on income of applicant. ∙ 3 mobility accessible units and 2 sensoryhearing units available. ∙ Minimum income is not applicable to mobile voucher holders.

Information Session: In an abundance of caution, and based on current CDC guidance, information session will be available online.

Please visit CoolidgeSudbury.com for more information or call 781794-1044 or email at coolidgesudbury@peabodyproperties.com

Witness, Brian J. Dunn, Esquire, First Judge of said Court, this 26th day of March, 2020.

Medfield Meadows Apartments is a 24-unit rental apartment community located on Hennery Way (formerly 41 Dale Street) in Medfield. 6 of these apartments will be made available through this application process and rented to households with incomes at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. Medfield Meadows is situated in a coveted location, just a short walk to Medfield’s vibrant town center which features Starbucks, Dunkins, Brother’s Market, and many other shops and restaurants. These apartments also provide convenient access to Routes 27, 109 and 95 and Legacy Place. All units have a private balcony, hardwood floors, tiled bathroom, keyless entry, smart thermostats, in unit laundry, stainless steel appliances and stone worktops. This property allows dogs.

PRINT • ONLINE MOBILE • SOCIAL

Deadline: Last day for paper application distribution is 6/18/20 with a postmark date for of 6/20/20. Lottery to be scheduled at a later date.

If you fail to do so, the court will proceed to the hearing and adjudication of this action. You are also required to file a copy of your answer in the office of the Register of this Court at Boston.

now you can easily post your own events, jobs, real estate and obits directly to the banner’s new website.

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Mail completed application to: Peabody Properties c/o Coolidge2 Lottery, 536 Granite Street, Braintree, MA 02184 or email to CoolidgeSudbury@peabodyproperties.com

A Complaint has been presented to this Court by the Plaintiff, Shelly Ann S. Cummings seeking a Complaint For Custody-Support-Parenting Time filed on 02/20/2020.

One 1BR @ $1,660*, Four 2BRs @ $1,825*, One 3BR @ $2,002*

your classifieds in the banner

Heat, HW & AC included in rent.

To the above named Defendant: Jean Y. Traore

FIND EVEN MORE CLASSIFIEDS

Income Minimum Limit Income 60% $34,950 30% n/a

MAXIMUM INCOME 60% AMI 30% AMI $53,760 $23,850 $61,440 $30,700

#HH 1 2

Applications available 4/20/20 thru 6/18/20.

Apply online CoolidgeSudbury.com or pick-up from dropbox at 189 Boston Post Road, Sudbury. or by phone 781.794.1044 (TTY 711) or email: coolidgesudbury@peabodyproperties.com

Shelly Ann S. Cummings, Plaintiff v.

Jean Y. Traore, Defendant

online at baystatebanner.com

ADVERTISE

189 Boston Post Road Sudbury, MA

Summons By Publication

REAL ESTATE

do it your self

~ A 55+ Community ~

DND Affordable Rental Opportunity Talbot Commons - Phase 1 Multiple Addresses in Dorchester, 02124: 14 & 18 New England Ave

•

15 & 17 Mallard Ave

•

207 Norfolk Street

•

4-6 Norfolk Terrace

40 Income-restricted Units 19 New Construction and 7 Moderate Rehab to be rented through lottery 14 units are currently occupied with no waiting list. Filled on turnover by this lottery NUMBER OF UNITS NUMBER OF BEDROOMS

3 6 3 25 3

2-Bedrooms* 3 Bedroom* 1-Bedroom 2-Bedroom** 3 Bedroom

RENT

MAXIMUM INCOME IN AMI

up to 30% household income up to 30% household income $1,359 $1,530 $1,359

30% AMI 30% AMI 60% AMI 60% AMI 60% AMI

* The three 2 bedrooms and one 3-bedroom units are Homeless Set-asides filled through direct referral from HomeStart. For more information, please visit https://www.homestart.org/bostonhsa or call 857-415-2139 **Two of these units are built out for people with mobility impairments + one is built out for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing

Maximum Yearly Income based on Number of People in Household (2019 limits, provided by DND) NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN HOUSEHOLD

30% AMI

60% AMI

1 2 3 4 5 6

$24,900 $28,450 $32,000 $35,550 $38,400 $41,250

$49,800 $56,880 $64,000 $71,100 $78,800 $82,500

Minimum Yearly Income Based on the Number of Bedrooms NUMBER OF BEDROOMS

30% AMI

60% AMI

1 2 3

No Minimum No Minimum No Minimum

$41,133 $49,371 $57,024

Minimum Incomes do not apply to households with housing assistance like Section 8, MRVP, Vash

Applications are available March 30, 2020 through April 24, 2020 After careful consideration and an abundance of caution, the City of Boston has decided to cancel the in-person application distribution period.

To request an application online please go to: http://bit.ly/talbotcommons1 If you cannot complete the application online (recommended), please call us at (617) 287-9580 to request that we mail you one and to ask for any guidance you might need to complete the application.

When you call, you will be asked for your full name, complete mailing address, and phone number.

This is a City and HUD requirement.

Application must be submitted online OR postmarked by April 24, 2020.

Reasonable accommodations made.

Selection by Lottery.Income, Asset, & Use Restrictions apply. Preferences apply. For more information, language assistance, or reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities please call or email.

For more information, language assistance, or reasonable accommodations email WinnResidential at TalbotCommons@winnco.com or call (617) 287.9580 / TTY/TDD: (800) 439-2370

MORE CHECK OUT OUR ONLINE CLASSIFIED LISTINGS: MORE JOBS! BAYSTATEBANNER.COM/JOBS JOBS!

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