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From YouTube: First Night Press Conference - 12/30/21
Description
Mayor Michelle Wu and members of her administration share how the City is prioritizing public health and safety for Friday’s First Night celebration at a press conference in City Hall, with a particular focus on COVID-19 health and safety amid the rise in cases. Officials also discuss fireworks safety, transportation changes and general public safety surrounding the event and New Year’s Eve.
B
Welcome
to
city
hall
and
our
preparations
for
ringing
in
2022
safely
very
very
excited
to
be
here
with
a
group
of
city
leaders
who
have
been
working
with
awesome
I'll.
Take
this
off
a
group
of
city
leaders
who've
been
working
incredibly
hard
to
make
sure
that
our
preparations
will
keep
public
safety,
public
health
and
community
building
going
strong
in
the
next
couple
days,
so
that
we're
off
to
the
best
possible
start
for
2022.
B
We
have
joined
here
as
well,
commissioner
brad
garrett
from
the
boston,
transportation
department,
dusty
rhodes,
president
of
conventures,
who
has
been
a
partner
in
this
for
many
many
years,
director,
kate
davis
from
the
mayor's
office
of
tourism
and
special
events,
and
miss
frederica
williams,
president
and
ceo
of
whittier
street
health
center,
who
is
one
of
our
strongest
partners
as
we're
really
putting
public
health
first.
This
new
year's
first
night
began
in
boston
46
years
ago,
and
now
first
night
celebrations
happen
all
over
the
world.
B
B
Our
families
and
our
communities
at
large,
welcoming,
2022
and
gathering
to
make
plans
for
the
new
year
is
an
important
healing,
joyful,
ritual
and
tradition
that
happens
in
boston
and
this
year.
We're
making
sure
that
public
health
leads
the
way
so
today
we're
announcing
some
changes
to
our
first
night
program,
you'll
hear
from
some
of
our
speakers
about
the
details,
but
by
and
large
this
involves
shifting
our
indoor
activities
to
outdoors
and
ensuring
that
we
are
having
vaccinations
and
boosters
right
on
site.
So
I'm
very
very
excited.
B
B
After
the
fireworks
celebration
at
seven,
people
will
continue
to
be
able
to
get
vaccinated
all
the
way
up
until
11
pm
inside
the
boston,
public
library,
central
branch
right
at
copley,
thanks
to
the
boston,
public
health
commission
and
the
hours
that
our
city
staff
and
partners
will
be
putting
in,
and
so
this
is
really
important
that
we
want
to
make
sure
people
who
are
coming
visiting
boston
coming
into
the
city
to
enjoy
the
time
with
your
family
and
friends.
Remember
that
there
will
be
a
vaccination
and
booster
clinic
right
on
site.
B
We
hope
you
take
advantage
of
it.
In
addition,
we
have
important
safety
precautions
for
celebrating
the
new
year,
so
we'll
hear
from
chief
hooley
and
superintendent
bailey
as
well,
and
we
will.
We
want
to
just
remind
everyone
to
pay
attention
to
street
closings
and
parking
restrictions
to
keep
our
roads
clear
so
that
everyone
will
be
safe
where
possible,
and
I
highly
encourage
anyone
from
boston
who's
coming
in.
B
B
First
night
is
an
opportunity
to
share
the
great
cultural
and
artistic
offerings
of
our
city
to
celebrate
new
beginnings
and
this
year
I
am
very
excited
that
we're
able
to
bring
it
back
in
a
way
that
continues
making
our
city
safer,
healthier
and
more
prepared
for
the
new
year.
Okay.
So
now
I
will
pass
it
over
to
dr
basola
ojukuchu.
C
Thank
you,
mary
marawu,
and
thanks
everyone
for
being
here
tomorrow.
We
will
more
safely
celebrate
the
new
year
together,
thanks
to
the
careful
planning
and
precautions
that
have
been
implemented
by
the
city
of
boston.
During
our
planning
for
first
night,
we
have
been
resolutely
focused
on
protecting
boston
residents
and
every
visitor
who
will
be
attending
the
event.
C
C
We
are
also
pleased
to
announce
the
important
addition
to
first
night
events,
and
that
is
that
we
are
offering
covet
19
vaccination
and
boosters
to
attendees
from
12
noon
to
7
p.m.
In
copley
square
whittier
street
health
center
will
provide
an
initial
dose,
a
second
dose
or
a
booster
to
adults
or
adolescents.
C
Children's
age
children,
ages,
5
to
11,
can
also
receive
a
pediatric
dose
during
that
time
and
we're
joined
here
today
by
frederica
williams,
president
ceo
of
whittier
health
street,
who
can
provide
more
details
after
7
pm
vaccines
for
those
12
and
older
and
booster
doses
will
also
be
available
through
boston
ems
and
the
boston
public
health
commission.
Please
note
that
these
are
walk-in
clinics,
so
no
appointments
are
necessary
by
prioritizing
equitable
access
to
vaccines
and
instituting
appropriate
prevention
measures.
C
C
A
few
additional
additional
city-sponsored
testing
sites
will
be
available
in
early
january
and
more
details
on
testing
and
vaccination
will
be
finalized,
and
you
can
read
about
these
on
boston.gov,
whether
you're
attending
first
night
or
celebrating,
with
friends
or
family
elsewhere.
It
is
critical
that
we
all
remain
vigilant.
D
D
We
have
found
that,
as
the
infection
rates
are
increasing,
as
people
have
questions
about
the
safety
and
effectiveness
of
the
vaccination,
people
frequently
just
walk
up
and
want
to
have
questions
answered,
so
we
will
have
dr
wright
on
hand
to
educate
you
about
mixing
and
matching
vaccinations.
So
if
you
had
a
pfizer-
and
you
now
want
to
do
a
modern,
that's
an
opportunity-
ask
questions
about
your
children.
Ask
questions
about
the
boosters.
Our
nurses
will
be
on
hand.
We
have
a
wonderful
team
that
will
be
there
from
noon
to
7
00
pm.
D
This
is
we're
so
grateful
to
mayor
wu
and
for
interdoctor
ojukusu
for
putting
public
health
as
a
priority.
This
has
been
a
long
two
years
and
we
thank
all
of
our
front
line
workers
who
have
sacrificed
their
lives,
including
the
wedia
team
that
will
be
out
there
providing
vaccinations.
We
take
your
health
safely
and
seriously.
D
E
The
boston
police
department
will
have
a
large
police
presence
around
the
first
night
celebrations
in
the
periphery
area.
Of
those
events,
the
neighborhoods
throughout
the
city
will
also
have
an
increase
in
uniform
police
presence,
do's
and
don'ts
for
the
first
night.
Please
do
not
consume
alcohol
or
smoke
marijuana
in
public.
This
is
a
family-friendly
event.
E
Please
do
not
fly
drones
at
any
of
the
first
night
celebrations
activities.
Please
dress
accordingly
for
the
expected
weather
conditions.
Please
use
public
transportation.
The
mbta
is
the
way
to
go
as
there
will
be
many
parking
restrictions
in
effect,
please,
if
you
see
something,
say
something,
and
we
just
want
to
wish
everyone
a
safe
and
happy
new
year.
Thank
you
very
much.
F
Thank
you,
mayor,
hey
good
morning,
everybody,
you
know,
although
we're
going
to
be
starting
2022
in
the
midst
of
another
cover
19
case
surge,
I'm
optimistic
that
next
next
new
year
will
be
a
lot
better
time
and
time
again
when
the
city's
tested,
we've
proven
our
strength
through
coming
together,
looking
out
for
each
other
and
doing
what
is
right.
F
On
that
note,
I
ask
that
whatever
your
plans
are
for
new
year's
eve,
you
not
only
look
out
for
your
own
safety,
but
also
for
the
well-being
of
others.
Help
steer
your
friends
towards
responsible
decisions,
help
ensure
that
we
all
get
home
safely,
be
responsible
host,
be
a
good
friend,
be
a
good
wing
man,
woman
person,
whatever
you
are,
if
you're
out
with
your
buddies,
you
know
a
lot
of
people
are
going
to
celebrate.
F
I
get
that
could
be
home
parties
whatever,
but
there's
a
lot
of
unnecessary
trips
to
an
emergency
room
that
can
be
avoided
by
just
some
common
sense.
Many
of
the
calls
that
we
sponsor
are
on
new
year's
eve
could
be
avoided.
F
F
They
continue
to
do
the
job
with
professionalism
and
clinical
excellence,
and
we
will
be
deploying
additional
personnel,
both
the
dispatch
operations
and
in
ambulances
to
ensure
that
residents
across
the
city
have
access
to
our
services.
Should
they
experience
medical
emergency
because,
as
as
everyone's
pointing
out,
this
is
a
city-wide
event.
It's
not
just
goblin
downtown
the
waterfront
there's.
You
know
there's
gatherings
all
across
the
city,
and
we
know
that
that
said
as
great
as
our
personnel
are
and
as
prepared
as
they
will
be
for
the
additional
demand.
F
I
encourage
you
to
take
every
action
to
not
require
our
services,
be
safe,
celebrate
responsibly
and
be
a
good
friend
and
neighbor.
Thank
you
all
and
from
everybody
at
boston,
ems
happy
new
year.
G
G
The
mbta
will
run
on
a
saturday
schedule,
but
will
increase
service
after
3
pm.
Also
fares
will
not
be
collected.
Starting
8
pm,
mbta
riders
are
reminded
that
federal
and
state
regulations
continue
to
ensure
face
coverance,
while
using
not
excuse
me
continue
to
require
face
coverings,
while
riding
the
mbta
vehicles
and
within
the
mbta
system,
regardless
of
a
person's
vaccination
status.
G
G
G
Currently,
there
is
no
known,
credible
threat
to
this
event
or
regarding
mbta.
However,
we
will
be
will
continue
to
be
in
close
contact
with
our
local
state
and
federal
law
enforcement
partners
throughout
the
night.
As
always,
we
ask
the
public's
help.
If
you
see
something,
please
say
something
be
our
extra
set
of
eyes
and
ears
our
force
multiplier.
If
you
will
and
know
this
that
you,
the
public,
are
the
best
resource
that
law
enforcement
has
so
together
working
together,
we
can
ensure
that
we
all
have
a
safe
and
enjoyable
first
night.
B
B
We
have
just
received
word
from
the
state
as
well
that
teachers
will
also
have
tests
available
to
ensure
that
everyone
can
come
back
to
school,
safe
and
tested.
We
also
saw
very
very
long
lines
right.
We
saw
a
tremendous
tremendous
demand
for
testing
that
has
been
impossible
to
keep
up
with
all
the
way
from
the
city's
perspective
alone,
so
we're
continuing
to
work
with
partners
at
the
state
and
federal
level
to
address
some
of
those
shortages
as
well
as
stand
up
our
more
permanent
ongoing
testing
sites.
Dr
ajikutu.
C
So
I'll
just
add
that
our
plan
is
to
add
three
additional
standing
testing
sites
by
early
to
mid
january,
we're
moving
as
fast
as
we
can
to
do
that.
We
realize
that
there
is
a
shortage.
This
is
just
a
shortage
in
boston,
it's
shortage,
statewide,
it's
the
shortage
nationally.
C
We
are
working
with
our
state
partners
and
as
soon
as
we're
able
to
access
more
rapid
tests
from
them,
we
will
order
as
many
as
we
can
get
our
hands
on
and
distribute
them
in
a
way
that
we
think
is,
you
know
equitable
across
the
city,
which
I
think
is
what
we
were
trying
to
accomplish.
I
believe
we
did
accomplish
that
with
the
last
amount
that
we
were
offered.
I'd
also
like
to
give
frederica
williams
a
chance
to
speak.
They
will
be
doing
some
distribution
on
first
night.
D
Thank
you,
doctor
ojukutsu.
Fortunately,
on
my
way
here,
we
received
a
delivery
from
the
state
and
will
be
distributing
rapid
tests
at
the
event.
In
addition,
through
a
federal
and
also
through
the
state,
a
lot
of
community
health
centers,
including
the
whitish
rehab
center,
will
have
distribution
of
rapid
kits.
So
what
we
wanted
to
do,
in
addition
to
getting
your
vaccination
in
your
boosters,
we
will
be
giving
out
rapid
kits
to
people
who
present
and
for
those
who
miss
the
event
they
can
come
to
us
or
go
to
another
community
health
center.
D
We're
also
expanding
our
pcl
fixed
based
testing
site.
The
team
at
wedia
has
been
testing
since
march
of
2020
and
we
were
sad
to
ask
them
and
of
course,
they
stepped
up
because
we're
seeing
the
infection
weights
increasing
we're
seeing
the
illnesses.
So
again,
I
just
want
to
stress
that
the
vaccines
are
safe,
they're,
effective,
they're
saving
lives
and
they're
preventing
illnesses.
So
please
get
vaccinated
and
boosted
and
we'll
give
you
a
rapid
case.
Thank
you.
B
And
I
just
want,
I
want
to
note,
because
again
I
I
hear
so
many
of
the
experiences
of
our
residents,
who
had
been
hoping
to
get
a
kit
and
were
standing
in
line
and
and
the
supplies
ran
out.
So
we
hear
you
and
and
really
I'm
so
sorry,
that
the
supplies
haven't
been
able
to
keep
up
as
much
as
what
we
need
right
now,
we're
working
as
hard
as
we
can
at
the
city
level,
but
for
folks
who
are
needing
access
to
these
kits.
We
really
just
are
grateful
for
your
patience.
D
That
is
the
plan,
so
we'll
bring
a
thousand
to
so
that
people
have
multiple
kits
and
we
will
give
them
out
until
we
run
out
of
the
supplies
and
again,
if
we
run
out
the
locations
that
people
could
go
to
get
rapid
kits,
so
our
goal
is
to
bring
a
thousand
kids
to
the
event.
Thank
you.
B
And
we
ask
people
to,
you,
know,
take
up
to
one
for
each
family
member,
but
take
only
what
you
need
for
this
round,
because
there
are
many,
many
folks
who
have
no
access
and
even
if
they
are
available
for
purchase,
we
want
to
make
sure
that
there's
equity
and
how
these
are
distributed.
And
so
julie
just
asked
folks
to
be
mindful
of
the
the
need
and
and
the
need
across
the
entire
community.
Karen.
C
So
there
are
many
reasons
to
be
tested.
Certainly
if
you're
having
symptoms
of
cova
19,
particularly
upper
respiratory
tract
infection,
sort
of
symptoms,
you
should
be
tested.
If
you
have
been
exposed
and
you're
aware
of
that
exposure,
you
should
be
tested
if
you
are
going
to
a
gathering,
and
you
want
to
protect
the
other
people
at
the
gathering,
we're
suggesting
that
people
be
tested.
The
way
that
we
are
suggesting
doing.
That
testing
is
over
the
course
of
a
few
days.
C
So,
in
fact,
if
you
have
two
kits
two
tests
inside
one
test
kit,
then
you
could
take
one
of
those
a
bit
more
than
24
hours
before
your
event
and
then
immediately
prior
to
your
event
like
within
an
hour
or
so
you
can
take
the
second
test
kit
and
that
you
can
take
the
second
test
and
that
will
increase
the
sensitivity
of
the
the
test.
So
you'll
know
if
you're
positive
or
not
so
those
are.
Those
are
the
reasons.
C
C
Certainly,
there
are
higher
priority
reasons
to
be
tested,
and
I
agree
with
you
if
you're
going
to
attend
an
event
and
there's
any
concern
and
you
want
to
protect
the
other
people
at
the
event
you
should
be.
You
should
be
testing
prior
to
that
event,
and
if
you
have
symptoms,
as
I
said,
you
should
be
tested,
certainly
we're
in
a
situation
of
scarcity
right
now.
So
we
want
to
be
careful
about
that,
but
we
also
want
to
make
this
particular
mitigation
strategy
as
available
to
people
as
possible.
The
supply
is
going
to
increase.
A
D
So
I'm
not
going
to
attempting
to
speak
in
spanish
like
mayor
wu,
so
in
addition
to
making
the
the
tests
available.
At
this
event,
we
also
have
a
lot
of
partnership
with
community
with
the
latinx
community
aliens
and
spanner
we're
working
with
the
lawyers
for
civil
rights.
Taking
our
mobile
health
team
are
going
to
locations,
we
45
of
our
patients
are
spanish-speaking,
so
our
staff
reflect
that
population.
D
So
the
diversity
is
there,
whether
it's
haitian
creole,
spanish,
so
wherever
the
mobile
team
is
going
we're
going
to
public
housing
developments,
we're
going
to
several
of
the
schools,
we're
going
to
street
corners,
we're
going
to
mars
and
cast
meeting
people
where
they
are
because
it's
wonderful,
it's
important
to
work
with
trusted
partners
so
that
when
the
mobile
events
are
there,
they
can
ask
questions
and
engage
people
in
care,
so
we're
meeting
people
where
they
are,
but
working
with
our
trusted.
Latinx
partners.
B
Oh
sure,
so
this
is
in
regards
to
the
updated
requirements
for
vaccination
for
city
the
city
workforce
and
to
ensure
that
the
nearly
90
percent
of
city
workers
who
are
vaccinated
that
we
grow
that
rate
to
ensure
it's.
Everyone
is
vaccinated
to
keep
all
of
our
workforce
safe
to
keep
the
public
safe,
because
our
city
workforce
is
has
multiple
unions
and
collective
bargaining
units
that
kicks
off
a
process
in
which
we'll
be
engaging
with
each
union
to
really
go
through
the
impacts
and
talk
through
what
this
means.
K
B
C
So
certainly,
we
are
always
concerned
and
trying
to
mitigate
the
risk
of
transmission
on
transportation,
and
we
encourage
people
first
and
foremost.
You
know
we
should
be
vaccinated
and
we
should
be
boosted,
but
secondly,
in
regards
to
using
our
public
transportation,
we
should
be
wearing
well-fitting
snuggly,
fitting
masks,
and
these
are
masks
that
aren't
single
layer,
we're
not
talking
about
simple
single-layer
cotton
masks,
we're
talking
about
double
or
triple
layer
mass.
C
G
So,
as
I
said
earlier,
state
and
federal
regulations
require
everybody
to
wear
masks,
so
we're
hoping
that
that
people
heed
to
our
request.
You
know
if
it's
not
for
themselves,
it's
for
the
fellow
riders
yeah,
so
we'll
be
out
there
we'll
ensure
and,
like
I
said
earlier,
if
people
aren't
wearing
masks,
then
you
know
we
will
at
certain
stations
supply
mass
for
them
or
we
will
ask
them
to
leave
our
station.
B
A
L
B
We
are
in
a
much
more
hopeful
and
empowered
place
because
vaccinations
are
widely
available
to
everyone,
because
we
are
seeing
more
and
more
increase
in
the
supply
and
availability
of
testing,
and
so
those
tools
are
are
within
our
reach
right
now
we
just
have
to
make
sure
we
are
saying
I
know
I
can
hear
dr
ojokutu
hopeful,
but
vigilant,
not
alarmed
hopeful,
but
vigilant
in
making
sure
that
we're
enjoying
each
other
in
a
safe
way
being
together
with
public
health
as
an
extra
consideration
and
the
burden
really
shouldn't
be
on
residents
to
feel
like
you're,
not
doing
the
right
thing
or
you're
being
you
know,
discouraged
or
or
you're,
not
supposed
to
have
any
fun
or
not
celebrate.
B
This
is
a
joyful
time
for
the
city
and
that's
why
city
government
from
the
boston,
public
health,
commission,
all
of
our
public
safety
and
first
responders
agencies
are
arts
and
tourism
and
special
events
agencies.
We
are
all
here
to
work
as
hard
as
we
possibly
can
to
make
these
celebrations
safe,
and
so
the
reality
is
that
we
are
not
out
of
this
pandemic
and
we
won't
be
out
of
this
pandemic
tomorrow
or
next
week
or
next
month.
B
Many
many
of
our
workers
across
the
city,
essential
workers,
have
been
at
this
for
nearly
two
years.
They're
exhausted
they're,
seeing
hospitalizations
continue
to
creep
up.
We
are
hearing
tremendous
stress
from
those
who
have
been
at
the
front
lines
even
more
intensely
than
those
of
us
who've
had
the
privilege
and
the
luxury
of
working
remotely
in
some
ways,
and
so
for
their
sake,
for
our
workers,
who
have
no
choice
but
to
be
saving
lives
at
the
front
lines
every
single
day.
B
B
Not
how
bleak
you
know
it
can
feel
stressful,
but
actually
how
empowered
we
are
to
make
a
difference
not
only
for
ourselves
but
for
every
single
person
we
care
about
who
we
might
not
even
know
but
we're
sitting
next
to
on
the
t
or
working
next
to
in
our
offices
or
coming
into
to
interact
with
across
the
city.
You
can
do
something
to
keep
everyone
in
our
community
safe
and
that
is
to
get
vaccinated,
get
boosted
and
make
sure
your
whole
family
is
doing
the
same.