COVID-19 - Massachusetts Department of Public Health
| Tracking # |
SPR22-0128 OGC-2021-139 |
| Submitted | Dec. 21, 2021 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: Sara Cooke
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, I hereby request the following records:
1) All documents, records, communications (electronic or physical), that contain "Unprotected Exposure Form" from the first covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2) healthcare facility. See 105 CMR 172.000.
2) All documents, records, communications (electronic or physical), that contain the healthcare facility in request 1.
Please redact accordingly as per law.
Surely, the Department of Public Health must have this information. I cannot see officials signing EUAs (Emergency Use Authorizations) or implementing contact tracing, curfews, testing requirements, or mask mandates without having proof that a virus (or a variant of said virus) exists.
I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by the recommendations of the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.
I expect the request to be filled in an accessible format, including for screen readers, which provide text-to-speech for persons unable to read print. Files that are not accessible to screen readers include, for example, .pdf image files as well as physical documents.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Sara Cooke
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Massachusetts Public Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Dec. 21, 2021. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Department of Public Health
Good afternoon Ms. Cooke,
Attached please find the response from the Dept. of Public Health in regards to your recent public records request.
Best,
Jennifer K. Soivilien
Paralegal Specialist - Public Records
MA Department of Public Health
From: Sara Cooke
Jennifer,
In 105 CMR 100.001: General Provisions
The purpose and objective of 105 CMR 100.000 is to encourage competition and the development of innovative health delivery methods and population health strategies within the health care delivery system to ensure that resources will be made reasonably and equitably available to every person within the Commonwealth at the lowest reasonable aggregate cost advancing the Commonwealth's goals for cost containment, improved public health outcomes, and delivery system transformation.
Any action taken by a Provider Organization, **Health Care Facility**, or other Entity in an effort to circumvent the purpose and objective of 105 CMR 100.000 is a violation of 105 CMR
100.000.
Are we suggesting that the health care facility in question, which supposedly obtained the first test and results of a virus in Massachusetts, is in violation of 105 CMR 100.000 et el? The Governor, Mayors, Select people and everyone else that some sort of elected position has been following the guidance set by Mass DPH... Pursuant to 105 CMR 172, yes the forms are held by the healthcare facility in question HOWEVER, DPH would have requested these forms in order to make informed decisions to give Baker his Executive approvals and provide EOs.
At minimum the healthcare facility in question should be provided within this PRR. Please provided, at minimum, the name of the facility that first came into knowledge of a positive COVID-19 (SARS-COV-2) virus test.
Thanks,
Sara
From: Department of Public Health
Good Morning,
Please advise, are you seeking to file an appeal with this Division concerning both the request for records filed and response provided? If so, could you please provide your basis as to what you are specifically appealing in regards to the response provided?
Very Respectfully,
Benjamin
Benjamin Chan
Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth
Public Records Division
One Ashburton Place, Room 1719
Boston, MA 02108
617-727-2832
From: Department of Public Health
Dear Records Custodian,
This office has received an appeal relating to your entity's response to a request for public records. Attached are further details concerning this appeal. If you are able to provide further information or have any questions relating to this matter, please contact the Public Records Division at pre@sec.state.ma.us<mailto:pre@sec.state.ma.us> or 617-727-2832.
Given that the Supervisor of Records must issue a determination within ten business days of receipt of the appeal petition, please provide any additional information to this office as soon as possible.
Thank you,
Jeff Gottfredsen
Staff Attorney
Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth
Public Records Division
One Ashburton Place, Room 1719
Boston, MA 02108
617-727-2832 | Jeffrey.Gottfredsen@sec.state.ma.us
From: Department of Public Health
Hello,
Please be aware, the Supervisor of Records has issued a determination relating to appeals in which you were involved. This determination is attached and available online at: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/AppealsWeb/AppealsStatus.aspx.
If you have any questions, please contact the Public Records Division at 617-727-2832 or pre@sec.state.ma.us<mailto:pre@sec.state.ma.us>.
Thank you,
John Price
Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth
Public Records Division
One Ashburton Place, Room 1719
Boston, MA 02108
617-727-2832
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Massachusetts Public Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Dec. 21, 2021. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #SPR22-0128.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Department of Public Health
Dear Sara Cooke,
Attached is the response from the Department of Public Health to the Determination issued regarding the public records request appeal you submitted to the Supervisor of Records.
Sincerely,
Helen
Helen Rush-Lloyd
Records Access Officer
Department of Public Health
250 Washington Street, Second Floor
Boston, MA 02108
617-624-5223
857-319-9684
Pronouns: she/her (Why does this matter?<https://www.mypronouns.org/what-and-why/>)
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