At Medford's Memorial Day observance, Veterans Service Officer Michael L. Durham gave us some sobering information; the first part of this newsletter contains excerpts of his remarks. He told us that many service members survive injuries that would have been fatal in previous wars, But many of those who survive carry visible and unseen injuries that require care. This makes it even more important to consider the changing needs of veterans as we plan to replace the Holyoke Soldiers' Home.

Before the news, a question: What lessons have we learned during the pandemic? What should we change in a "new normal?" The Senate listening sessions, along with many other people are asking these questions. I'd like to hear your answers. What changes in education, health care, work.... that have happened during COVID should we keep or adapt? Are there other changes based on our experiences? The answers aren't all obvious. Let me know yours.

Today, Thursday, is the first of several Senate briefings on "Re-imagining Massachusetts Post-Pandemic Resiliency." This one will focus on childcare, K-12 education, higher education, and regional issues in northeastern Massachusetts. Testimony is by invitation only and will be streamed live and available later at www.malegislature.gov. Here's the schedule:

Last week, Joe Lynch and I hosted three Somerville High students on our cable show at the Somerville Media Center.
Jace Connolly is a freshman who works with Teen Empowerment. Joao DeOliveira is a senior who works with LIPS (Liaison Interpreter Program of Somerville, part of the Welcome Project). Kate Johnson is a junior who works with Somerville Positive Forces (part of Somerville Cares About Prevention).

This has been a stressful year for all of us, including students, their families, and educators. They have faced daunting challenges, most learning on-line for the first time. As many of them prepare to return to school in person full-time, and others prepare for changes in their remote learning, many of them question why they should precious remaining class time taking days of standardized tests.

Gov. Baker's cuts to MBTA service were based on temporary drops in ridership, though we still saw photos of crowded trains. Cutting T service endangers public health, and disproportionately affect Black, brown and Latinx communities and all those who rely one public transit. It would prevent public transit recovery, drive up traffic, and stall efforts to combat climate change. All to save only $21 million in the short run. He ignored almost $2 billion in federal emergency funding to the T this year.

On Monday, Gov. Charlie Baker announced that people over 75 years old would be eligible for COVID vaccinations beginning February 1.
On Tuesday, Baker announced, in his State of the Commonwealth address, a website where they could sign up, beginning Wednesday.

On Wednesday at 12:01 a.m., within hours of the announcement, seniors tried to sign up on the website. Others tried after reading their morning news.
Within hours of the launch, legislators and reporters heard from angry people that the site simply didn't work.