Where Are Mass. COVID Infections Coming From? It's Hard To Tell

Also: An update on the state's drug lab scandal; Biden asks Dr. Fauci to join team and will urge 100 days of mask wearing ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  [Donate [WBUR]]( [View in Browser](  [WBUR]( December 4, 2020 Good Morning Boston, ☁️ Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. All I have to say is: TGIF. Here's your morning rundown: - Let's start with the state's weekly coronavirus report. Nearly 100 communities are now considered high risk, with 23 cities and towns added to that list this week because of their positive test rates. Public schools saw a 9% increase from the week prior, with 527 new cases in the last week. And while we like to look at the seven-day averages to establish a trend, yesterday saw another spike in single day positive cases reported: 6,500. - It's too soon to know for sure, but this may be the start of a spike in cases linked to Thanksgiving. An [NPR analysis of mobile phone location data]( found that many Americans ignored the holiday travel warnings from the CDC. - The state's plan for how it will to distribute COVID-19 vaccines is due today. Gov. Charlie Baker said he thinks distribution should go well, even if it is "a little lumpy." (What do you want to know about vaccines? Today is the last day to[take our survey.]( - When vaccines are available to the general public, Sec. of State William Galvin thinks there should be a national vaccination day, similar to National Voter Registration Day. "If we're going to get herd immunity, which is the goal to put this disease away, we have to do it in an organized way," he said. "And I don't think it can happen by leaving it up to the states." - Massachusetts is [adding 1,300 emergency shelter beds]( to help people experiencing homelessness stay warm and safely distanced from each other this winter amid the pandemic. Existing shelters had to reduce capacity to meet safety guidelines. And in non-coronavirus news: - A good, old-fashioned [early December nor'easter]( may be in store for the weekend. Personally, I'm less than thrilled, but I hear there are people who like snow so this is probably exciting news for them. (I will concede that [this gif]( two storms merging – that is what's creating the conditions needed for a storm like this – is pretty cool.) - Mass. lawmakers are set to vote today on a more than $46 billion budget for the current fiscal year, which started back in July. (The pandemic caused the delay.) In the budget, we'll see a drop of about $2 billion in tax revenue and a more than 5% jump in state spending compared to last year. Also included in the vote: A measure to expand abortion access across the state. - The company behind the Weymouth compressor said it's putting the station into service today. It's a pretty big milestone in the five-year battle over the project, which is designed to transport fracked natural gas to Maine and Canada. P.S.– The Worcester field hospital is being readied for its reopening on Sunday, and we're expected to get more details soon about a second field hospital in Lowell. In the meantime,[here are some photos]( so you can see what the inside of a field hospital looks like. — Meagan McGinnes [@meaganmcginnes]( newsletters@wbur.org The Rundown [1.](url)[More Mass. Residents Than Ever Have The Coronavirus. Where They Caught It Is The Mystery]( As coronavirus cases surge in Massachusetts, health officials have been trying to get a handle on the sources of these infections. But that knowledge is hard to come by. Contact tracing provides a few clues pointing to workplaces, carpooling, small social gatherings and, above all, households. [Read more.](   #%23%23[Twitter](  #%23%23[Facebook](    2. ['Cog In A Wheel': 3 Ex-Prosecutors, Facing Potential Discipline For Drug Lab Scandal, Blame System Or Each Other]( After countless court hearings, judicial rulings, investigations and even a Netflix series, one of the state's two drug lab scandals was the focus of weeks of disciplinary hearings for three former prosecutors essentially turned defendants. [Read more.]( 3. [Q&A: Transit Expert Calls The MBTA’s $89M Plan For New Silver Line Buses ‘Greenwashing’]( The $89 million purchase of "enhanced electric hybrid" buses is part of the MBTA's bus modernization program, which aims to give "better, faster, lower-emissions service." [Read more.]( 4. [Momentum For Coronavirus Relief Bill Builds, But Time Short As Parties Work On Deal]( The time pressure is working against members, as pulling together a measure costing hundreds of billions of dollars in a matter of days is colliding with efforts to finalize a massive government funding bill. [Read more.]( 5. [Biden Asks Fauci To Join His Team, Will Urge 100 Days Of Mask-Wearing]( In an interview with CNN, Biden said he'll urge Americans to wear masks starting Jan. 20 to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. Biden said he would use his authority to require masks in federal buildings and on interstate transportation. [Read more.]( Support the news Anything Else? - Plan accordingly: [Long lines and a high demand for COVID testing]( is expected to last through the winter. - The worsening state of the world's oceans could have major health consequences for humans, according to a[new study.]( - So many people, beyond the transgender community, shared words of delight upon hearing Elliot Page's news, writes Kasey LeBlanc [in this commentary](. Elliot's joy became collective, and in so doing, it became a little less fragile. [WBUR] Your Daily Must Listen [On Point | Why Scholar Loretta Ross Is 'Calling In' Callout Culture]( [Listen]( CORONAVIRUS [Latest Mass. Map And Case Count: Breaking Down Coronavirus Here In Charts]( Vermont Added To Massachusetts' List Of Coronavirus High Risk States. [Read more.]( Coronavirus World Map: Tracking The Spread Of The Outbreak. [Read more.]( Get A Rundown On What's Happening Locally With Coronavirus. [Sign up for our weekly newsletter.]( What We're Reading - The Covid-19 and other vaccines: Where we’re failing to provide the right information ([First Draft]( - Florida Masseuse Ordered to Pay $31,573 After 'Soliciting' Robert Kraft To 'Commit Prostitution' ([Reason]( - This Japanese Shop Is 1,020 Years Old. It Knows a Bit About Surviving Crises ([The New York Times]( Tell Me Something Good [Berklee K-Pop Expert Says Music Students Can Learn From BTS]( Hae Joo Kim is the new assistant chair of the Professional Music Department at the Berklee School of Music, and an expert on K-Pop and popular music in Korea. Now that K-Pop is dominating in America, she tells Radio Boston there are lessons in its success for American music students. Before you go: Get a [behind-the-scenes look]( at how this newsletter is made. 😎 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](