"It's An Oasis": A Small Mattapan Farm Blooms, Despite The Pandemic

Also: Mass. sees steady incline in coronavirus cases over the last month; Trump signs executive order to ban TikTok ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  [Donate [WBUR]]( [View in Browser](  [WBUR]( August 7, 2020 Good Morning Boston, 🌞 A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Happy Friday! From a lovely story about a small urban garden in Mattapan, to interesting historical pieces on Crispus Attucks and Martin Luther King Jr.'s ties to Boston, there are some real gems in today's newsletter. If you don't have time to read all of them this morning, be sure to bookmark some of these stories for your lunch break. Now, back to the news. Here's what you need to know: - We've said repeatedly throughout this pandemic that in order to best understand the spread of the coronavirus in Massachusetts, we need to look at the overall trend of the data, not the day-by-day case numbers. Well, the trend data is showing us an important change: The number of active COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts rose nearly 25% over the last week and has been[steady or climbing for nearly a month](. - Does Massachusetts have enough contact tracers to control its outbreak? [According to a new NPR report, no.]( The state would need approximately 1,257 tracers, but its current staffing is 500. - The state has finally given us a look into the[pandemic's impacts on area hospitals](. The survey found that Massachusetts hospitals experienced sharp declines in financial well-being at the start of the pandemic, and many ended April and May in the red despite the boost from federal stimulus money. - How much will [vaccines against the coronavirus cost?]( Moderna has already made deals at between $32 and $37 per dose of its experimental coronavirus vaccine in agreements with some foreign countries, but consumer advocates fear an unfair deal for U.S. taxpayers given the upfront investment in the Moderna vaccine by the government. (Speaking of vaccines, here's an interesting explainer about the ["special sauce"]( that makes some vaccines work.) - Moving on up: As Boston's biggest moving day of the year looms, many moving companies across the state say they're [just as busy]( this month as they have been in previous years. P.S. We want to know: What music is getting you through this pandemic? Share your favorite songs by replying to this email or [answering via our Instagram story](. We'll put together a playlist to share with you soon. — Meagan McGinnes [@meaganmcginnes]( newsletters@wbur.org The Rundown [1.](url)[A 'Touchstone' For Equality And Racial Justice: Reflecting On Crispus Attucks' Legacy At Old State House]( An exhibit at the Old State House in Boston is taking a fresh look at the first person to die in the American Revolution — and how advocates have used his legacy for social and racial justice throughout American history. [Read more.](   #%23%23[Twitter](  #%23%23[Facebook](    2. [How Markey And Kennedy Are Working For Workers]( When the Democratic primary between Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Joe Kennedy began, Massachusetts boasted one of the strongest economies in the country. Now, the candidates find themselves representing the state with the nation's highest unemployment rate. [Read more.]( 3. [A Boston Theater Posted About Reopening. It Got Called Out For Racism]( After announcing plans to reopen on Facebook, the Lyric Stage Company's director of marketing and PR had heated exchanges with users who called into question the theater's racial equity and safety policies. [Read more.]( 4. [Trump Signs Executive Order That Will Effectively Ban Use Of TikTok In the U.S.]( The move puts pressure on the Chinese-owned app to sell its U.S. assets to an American company. In the order, which takes effect in 45 days, any transactions between TikTok's parent company and U.S. citizens will be outlawed for national security reasons. [Read more.]( 5. [Beirut Explosion Update: Lebanon Detains 16 People In Inquiry As Anger Mounts]( Some of Beirut's residents, angered by their city's seeming negligence that led to this week's deadly warehouse explosion, took to the streets late Thursday to demand reform. [Read more.]( Support the news Anything Else? - Before crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge or leading protesters in the March on Washington, Martin Luther King Jr. came to Boston and fell in love with Coretta Scott. [This documentary]( explores their early days in Boston together. - I've been on the hunt for a bike for a couple weeks now, but options have been really limited. Now I know why. While there's a retail slump happening due to the coronavirus, [outdoor and sporting good stores in Massachusetts are rebounding]( as more people seek refuge outside. - Surfers learn to plan for uncertainty, writes Chris Ritter [in this commentary](. It's a good lesson for life during a pandemic. [WBUR] Your Daily Must Listen [Endless Thread | A Reddit Smorgasbord: Harry Potter, Billie Eilish and 'Soup Tubes']( [Listen]( ELECTION 2020 [Mass. 2020 Primary: What To Know About Voting By Mail Or At The Polls]( We Asked, They Answered: 4th District Candidates Vying For Kennedy's Seat Tell Us Why They're Running. [Read more.]( Fact Checking Kennedy And Markey On Their Black Lives Matter Claims. [Read more.]( NPR: Fueled By Suburbs, Democrats Are Poised For Gains In Key States, Analysis Finds. [Read more.]( What We're Reading - I Hate Cars, But Thanks To COVID I’m Buying One ([Boston Magazine]( - What Ebola Taught Susan Rice About The Next Pandemic ([Politico]( - Silicon Valley Has A Caste Discrimination Problem ([Vice]( Tell Me Something Good [A Small Mattapan Farm Blooms, Despite The Pandemic]( The Urban Farming Institute in Mattapan is adapting to the pandemic, and helping fight food insecurity. Before you go: Our social media editor's pup is [hungry for news.]( 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up [here](. 📣 Give us your feedback: newsletters@wbur.org 📨 Get more WBUR stories sent to your inbox. [Check out all of our newsletter offerings.]( Support the news [WBUR]( [95289b97-66e8-43d4-a174-3bc3520a79a9.png]( [Instagram](  [Twitter]( [Facebook]( Want to change how you receive these emails? [Stop getting this newsletter by updating your preferences.]( I don't want to hear from WBUR anymore. [Unsubscribe from all editorial newsletters.]( Interested in learning more about corporate sponsorship? [Click here.]( Copyright © 2020 WBUR-FM, All rights reserved. You signed up for this newsletter at wbur.org. Our mailing address is: WBUR-FM 890 Commonwealth AveBoston, MA 02215-1205 [Add us to your address book](