CommonWealth Magazine: "Baker stands up vaccine call center"

 

"GOV. CHARLIE BAKER unveiled a 500-person call center on Friday to help residents 75 and older book appointments to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

The center is intended to assist those without internet access or those having trouble navigating the current two-step process, which requires using a state website to find vaccine locations near them and then going to websites for those locations to actually book an appointment. The call center, reached by dialing 2-1-1 and selecting the option for help making a vaccine appointment, will handle the booking process for the individual or put them on a call-back list if no appointments are available.

The service will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with representatives who speak both English and Spanish. Translators for over 100 other languages will also be available upon request."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health/baker-stands-up-vaccine-call-center/

 

Gov Baker's press conference = https://youtu.be/u04KusqT2FI

 

 

One of the new Public Service Announcements (PSA's) on "Trust the Facts. Get the Vax." video link = https://youtu.be/ieT9k83bDaA

 

“Any public communications would promote only the topic, not the elected official”

From CommonWealth Magazine we share an article of interest for Franklin: 

"AN ELDERLY MAN speaks dispiritedly on a TV public service announcement about having been a victim of financial fraud.  But his frown quickly morphs into a big smile as he talks about how Secretary of State William Galvin got him his money back.

“I like to bring good news,” says Galvin on the ad. “If you’ve been the victim of financial fraud, we might be able to help. Call me.”

The public service announcement is another in a long line that Galvin has been running at taxpayer expense since he took office 25 years ago. From April 2019 to March 2020, Galvin spent close to $2 million of taxpayer money to produce and air five different public service announcements, according to documents obtained under the public records law.

The announcements undoubtedly perform a public service by alerting the public to the services Galvin’s office provides. But they also serve as a form of taxpayer-funded advertising for Galvin the politician."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)   https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/galvin-mixes-public-service-promotion/

Not the first time for this issue of Galvin's PSA usage to be questioned  https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/11/22/ethics-officials-say-mass-secretary-state-used-public-resources-for-political-gain/A9lh58iTVfem8xA2GAzFrO/story.html