THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT of Public Health released a report Monday showing that despite recent increases in breakthrough COVID-19 cases, vaccines remain generally effective in preventing cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. While the state has been producing reports weekly about the numbers of breakthrough cases, the latest DPH report is the first time that the state has publicly analyzed cases per capita, […]
COVID-19
Posted inEconomy, Health Care
Boston institutes COVID vaccine mandate for leisure-related indoor spaces
THE CITY OF BOSTON is instituting a vaccine requirement for entry into leisure-related indoor spaces, including restaurants, gyms, and entertainment venues. “This is just one step in an aggressive approach the city is working hard to implement,” Mayor Michelle Wu said at a press conference Monday. “Given where we are this moment, it’s absolutely a […]
Posted inHealth Care, State House News Service
Back to the future: Red Sox launching booster facility
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE THE START of next year’s baseball season may be in jeopardy, but the turnstiles will be turning again at Fenway Park when it is expected to reopen in January as a COVID-19 booster clinic 10 months after it closed its doors as one of the state’s first mass vaccination sites. Gov. […]
Posted inHealth Care
Baker clarifies stance on vaccine QR codes
A DAY AFTER Gov. Charlie Baker revealed that states are in discussions about a scannable code that could be used as proof of COVID vaccination, the Republican governor clarified that he remains opposed to restricting access to businesses or spaces based on vaccine status. “Governor Baker is not and has never been in favor of […]
Posted inHealth Care
Baker says deal coming ‘soon’ on universal vaccine proof
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER said Monday that a deal could be reached “soon” with a number of other states to create a scannable code that could be used to prove someone has been vaccinated. “We’ve been working with a bunch of other states, 15 to 20 of them, to try to create a single QR code that can be used for all […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
High court sides with DOC on prison COVID rules
THE SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT ruled Thursday that the Department of Correction has not been “deliberately indifferent” to inmates’ health during the COVID pandemic, because it took precautions and, most significantly, offered COVID vaccines to all inmates. Attorneys for prisoners had argued that the department should have done more to release prisoners because of the health […]
Posted inEconomy
Unemployment insurance deficit may have vanished
This story has been updated with a Baker administration response. THE DEFICIT in the state’s unemployment insurance trust fund, expected by some to run into billions of dollars eventually, has apparently vanished, according to a state senator and documents filed with the federal government. The state issued a report for May indicating the trust fund was […]
Posted inUncategorized
2 more House lawmakers provide proof of vaccination
TWO MORE STATE representatives provided proof over the weekend that they have received COVID-19 shots, leaving the House with only five of its 160 members out of compliance with the chamber’s vaccine mandate. House Speaker Ron Mariano did not identify which lawmakers stepped forward over the weekend, but indicated only five remained who either failed […]
Posted inThe Download
The kids are not okay
The memes going around the internet in the early days of the pandemic, as schools and daycares shut down, made it clear: the parents are not okay. A year and a half later, as society reopens, it is becoming increasingly clear: The kids are not okay, either. In a shocking and tragic incident this week, […]
Posted inEducation
The kids are not okay
THE MEMES going around the internet in the early days of the pandemic, as schools and daycares shut down, made it clear: the parents are not okay. A year and a half later, as society reopens, it is becoming increasingly clear: The kids are not okay, either. In a shocking and tragic incident this week, […]