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Think you've done all you can to score a vax appointment. Think again.

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Think you've done all you can to score a vax appointment. Think again.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it you thought you were doing everything you could to get a vaccine by pre-registering on the state’s vax sign up site, think again.
 
That’s because the preregistration system currently only alerts you when an appointment becomes available at the Mass Vax site closest to you.
 
And those seven Mass Vax sites combined have only administered only 15 percent of the total shots across Massachusetts.
 
In contrast, hospitals have administered 34 percent of the total doses, followed by CVS and Walgreens at 22 percent. Also in the mix are regional collaboratives or local health departments (11 percent of the total) and community health centers (6 percent).
 
But none of those options are linked to the state's preregistration system.
 
If you have a lot of time on your hands, you can use the MassVax Finder tool to hunt for some of those other options. (Be prepared to refresh often.)
 
There’s also some independently run sites (such as the site built by Olivia Adams or Zocdoc) plus a Twitter bot, Facebook groups and volunteer groups that may help you score an appointment.
 
Others are being notified by the hospital connected to their primary care physician when an appointment becomes available. That’s terrific, if you are 60-or older (the current cohort). But your hospital is unlikely to know if you’re a grocery store cashier, waiter, funeral worker or one of the other front line categories also currently eligible, leaving many workers who could really benefit right now one less option.
 
Vax help for immigrant populations
 
The wonderful group Newton Neighbors Helping Newton Neighbors has created vaccine information posters in multiple languages to share with employees or neighbors who may need it.
 
In addition, Attorney General Maura Healey’s office offers vaccine resources specifically aimed at immigrant and refugee populations. 
 
And the BBJ took a deep dive this week looking at how employers thinking about vaccine mandates has evolved while Jon Chesto at the Globe reports that John Hancock is offering incentives to its members for becoming vaccinated.
 
A note to our Newton members
 
I'm proud of the work the chamber does daily advocating on behalf of our region's businesses and nonprofits.
 
Recently, many of our Newton-based members have received emails or other communications from representatives from the Save Nonantum Political Action Committee alleging that the chamber was in violation of election laws, our nonprofit status and/or mission during the just-concluded special election in Newton.
 
I’m confident that the chamber has acted, and is acting, in full accordance of all IRS rules, campaign laws and the chamber’s mission to “champion our communities’ economic and cultural vitality through advocacy, education and networking.” 
 
Also, we did not, and do not, endorse political candidates, in spite of misleading claims to the contrary. Some comments or views alleged by Save Nonantum to be mine, were made by someone who has no professional connection to me or to the chamber and has never claimed to speak for the chamber.
 
I’d appreciate having the chance to talk to anyone who has questions, concerns at greibman@nnchamber.com or 617-244-1688.
 
Today is Equal Pay Day
 
Today (March 24) is Equal Pay Day, the date that marks how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year.
 
?As always, the day highlights the persistent gender wage gap but this year is particularly meaningful due to the pandemic’s disproportionate impacts on women, mothers, BIPOC and marginalized workers.
 
Here’s some recommended reading shared at the Gloria Larson Center for Women and Business at Bentley University.
 
 
Outdoor dining programs set to launch
 
Spring has sprung. And local restaurants are gearing up in all our communities with outdoor dining.
 
Newton in particular is expanding outdoor options starting April 1, notes Jenna Fisher at Patch.
 
This includes expanded use of parklets in front of restaurants that don’t have their own parking lot or expansive sidewalks.
 
There will also be more communal dining areas with painted bistro tables, umbrellas, lighting, thanks to Newton Community Pride, with multiple locations in Newton Centre Green, as well as Nonantum, West Newton, the Highlands and Newtonville.
 
In addition, this winter the city designated many spots in front of restaurants and retailers for curbside pickup.
 
"These sunny warm days are wonderful," said Karen Masterson of Johnny's Luncheonette tells Fisher. "We are loving it and looking forward to expanded seating in the next few weeks."
 
Needham hires first female DPW director
 
Needham native Carys Lustig grew up down the street from the Needham Public Works Buildings but never imagined she’d one day work there, let alone run the place.
 
But Lustig has just been appointed the town’s new director of public works. She’s only the fifth person to serve in the role and is the first woman to hold the position. 
 
Prior to being DPW’s interim director, Lustig was DPW’s director of administration & finance for the Needham Public Works Department. She’s been employed by the town for 15 years.

‘Should we still call it ‘commuter’ rail?’
 
That was the headline on a story by CommonWealth’s Bruce Mohl, reflecting a change of direction starting April 5.
 
Under the new program, the MBTA will be running fewer trains during the traditional morning and evening peaks and spreading service out at regular intervals over the course of the day.
 
So, for example, instead of frequent rush hour runs of the Framingham-Worcester line service to Boston (through Newton and Wellesley), trains will depart hourly over the course of the day, with three evening runs.
 
“This shift recognizes that fewer and fewer people commute 9 – 5,” said David Scorey, CEO and GM of Keolis said in a statement. “We plan to offer a schedule that can attract an entirely new type of rider and offers flexibility to add service when the time is right.”
 
While the T has agreed this week to restore service cuts to the Green, Red, Blue and Orange lines, as well as bus service, this new rail schedule is still happening.
 
But Mohl notes that the agency has not clearly stated what will happen with weekend commuter rail service, which has been canceled on all but five lines. (Also it's not totally clear if the bus lines that have been cut are coming back...still trying to confirm that.)

Need to knows
 
Meet the Most Impactful Black Women in Boston
 
Finally, this morning, on the occasion of Kim Janey becoming the first woman and the first Black mayor of Boston, our friend Colette Phillips with Get Konnected! released a list of the 150 of the Most Impactful Black Women in Boston. 
 
Quite a few of the women on this new list also appeared on our list of the "Newton-Needham MetroWest 50 Most Influential Business People of Color" (which we created last fall in partnership with Get Konnected!). But there’s some new locals in here for our next list too. 
 
This video -- featuring the full list with Phillips narration -- is impressive and inspiring.
 
That's all for today. Be back tomorrow.
 
President, Newton-Needham Regional Chamber
617-244-1688
 
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