Don't blame the summary, it was quoted from the article. Blame author of the article who doesn't understand the phrase "in combination." From the 201 CMR 17.00:

"Personal information, a Massachusetts resident's first name and last name or first initial and last name in combination with any one or more of the following data elements that relate to such resident: (a) Social Security number; (b) driver's license number or state-issued identification card number; or (c) financial account number, or credit or debit card number..."

So are you suggesting that doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, etc. not be in contact with patients? Kinda hard for them to do their jobs that way. The hospital that I work at is seeking 100% compliance for either flu shots or waivers on file for flu shots. So if you refuse the shot they have a record, not as a disciplinary measure but a way to quickly identify who hasn't been vaccinated, and if they are in direct patient contact. Then you have a smaller group of people who you can track and have on precautions such as masks at all times if a pandemic starts. The best thing to do is get vaccinated. If you have health reasons why you cannot get a vaccination (and there are many legitimate reasons) then you take precautions. If you do not believe in vaccinations you should not be working in health care.

Nah, what would be cruel would be to do the same thing only holding your breath while slumped over.

I would argue that some state and local governments make it nearly impossible to dispose of waste properly. For example, Massachusetts has a ban on construction materials in landfills. This is a good thing, but they did not standardize how to deal with the materials on a local level. The town I grew up in has a transfer station. I can drive in with a pickup truck, weigh in, and dispose of materials in marked bins (wood, metal, etc.), I weigh out, and pay a reasonable rate usually $15 or so depending on how full the truck was. They also have areas for propane tanks, fluorescent bulbs, etc. The material is recycled and disposed of properly and takes an hour of my time on a Saturday. The town I live in now has no transfer station. If I want to dispose of a piece of drywall and a few 2 x 4s I am supposed to rent a dumpster for several hundred dollars. No joke, they are not set up to handle it. So instead everyone just puts everything in the garbage because it is prohibitively expensive for the average person to do things the right way.

Agree with all, save for differentiating between Part Time Ivy/Normal. If you've gone back to school at any college while holding a full time job you tend to have your shit together. I'll take an MBA/MIS from a continuing ed program any day over the student who expects everything on a platter after they graduate. Those are the people who know how to work and work hard.