Letter: “Wu is right to stay the course amid anti-vax misinformation”

“Wu is right to stay the course amid anti-vax misinformation,” Boston Globe, December 31, 2021

During Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s campaign, she promised that she would center public health and equity, listen to experts both in the ivory tower and on the ground, and learn from best practices. And that’s exactly what she has done with her vaccine mandate for restaurants, gyms, and entertainment venues.

It’s disappointing to hear that she and City Hall have been barraged with negative, misogynistic attacks since announcing the order (“Wu facing continued hateful attacks,” Page A1, Dec. 24). But having testified earlier this year at the State House in support of pro-vaccination policies like Senator Becca Rausch’s Community Immunity Act, I find it disappointingly unsurprising. Public health professionals were clear and insistent on the need for stronger state policy, but those seeking to spread misinformation about vaccines dominated the 13-hour virtual hearing, often resorting to outright hostility toward the legislators present.

Wu has shown no sign of backing down, and we are all better for it. But those of us who believe in science, public health, and solidarity as the way forward on the pandemic and other issues need to be more vocal in our support so that we can relegate the misinformation and invective to the mere noise that it is.

Jonathan Cohn

Policy Director, Progressive Massachusetts

Boston

‘Twas the Night Fore the New Year

Twas the night ‘fore the new year
And all through the state,
Not a bus or train was stirring.
They don’t run very late.

The college students were back home,
Their debt burden growing
Like the size of Ole Frosty
When it’s heavily snowing.

The ice on the roads
Was hiding their crumbling.
Like the gusts of the wind
Quelled the old bridge’s mumbling.

The teachers were hoping
For an HVAC or two
To flow some clean air
Through a building not new.

The students were dreaming
Of smaller class sizes,
Because more focused attention
Can be better than prizes.

The top one percent had naught
To want or to fear.
Their needs were all met.
They are every year.

Their wealth had gone up
Like a shining bright star,
The distance ‘tween them and the rest
Was getting quite far.

If we want a true common wealth,
We need to invest.
When the rich pay what’s fair,
we can all get the best.

We don’t need three ghosts
To give Old Scrooge a big scare.
Just show up November 8th
And vote YES on Fair Share.

Redistricting 2021

Curious what your new districts will look like when you go to the polls next year? Here’s an overview of how MA’s legislative districts changed. If you don’t see your district on here, that means it didn’t change.

NOTE: All precinct numbering in the below spreadsheets refer to the precincts as they existed 2012-2021. Go here for the new numbering.