The Vaccine Line Shuffle

Also: Ben Downing starts his campaign for governor; CDC director says "now is not the time to stop wearing a mask" ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  [Donate [WBUR]]( [View in Browser](  [WBUR]( March 4, 2021 Good Morning Boston, 🌞 Sunny, with a high near 40. Shots are on everyone's mind and some are getting a little restless as they wait in what feels like a very long and constantly shuffling line. Here's what you should know today: - Teachers, school staff and day care workers can begin signing up for vaccines [next Thursday](. Boston said it won't be able to get its own vaccine clinic up and running in time, so instead, teachers can use paid time off (an hour for each dose) to get vaccinated. - MBTA and grocery workers are calling for other essential workers to be moved up in the vaccination line – or at the very least, be given an expected date to get vaccinated. The MBTA is also calling on the state to follow through on its initial plan to set up a vaccination site specifically for transit workers, since many work nonstandard hours. - If you're eligible and still trying to sign up for a vaccine appointment, 12,000 new time slots for first doses will go online for the state's mass vaccination sites today. - Gov. Charlie Baker says the state received 58,000 doses of the newly approved Johnson & Johnson vaccine for March. Most of those are going to hospitals and health care systems. A bigger boost in supply from this third vaccine granted emergency use authorization is expected to come later in the month. - If you are Catholic and given a J&J vaccine, the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston wants you to take it, despite church concerns. Catholic bishops have questions about this specific vaccine's permissibility because it was produced in part through the use of cell lines derived from an aborted human fetus. However, the church also acknowledges that the vaccine should only be avoided when there's another choice. Right now, vaccine supply is limited and you can not choose what vaccine you want. The single dose shot from J&J is extremely good at keeping people out of the hospital and the morgue. The more people who are vaccinated, the better. - Hunker down for a little longer and wear your mask when you need to leave the house. That's the advice from [CDC Director Rochelle Walensky.]( told NPR a recent climb in COVID cases nationally – new cases teetering at about 60,000 to 70,000 per day – could be from pandemic fatigue and loosening restrictions. That, combined with highly contagious variants, has her worried about the potential of another spring surge before enough people are fully vaccinated. And in national security news: - The House of Representatives has [canceled]( its session for today after the U.S. Capitol Police said it is aware of a threat by an identified militia group to breach the Capitol complex. The Senate will remain in session to debate amendments to the COVID-19 relief bill. Why today for the potential violence? Some far-right conspiracy theorists believe that former President Donald Trump will return to power on March 4. P.S.– In our second special issue email on vaccines, which hit the inboxes of our coronavirus newsletter subscribers yesterday morning, we focused on clinical trials and speed. Get the details about how the vaccines were made, how they work, why the process was different from earlier vaccines, and what that means for the future [here](. Our last special issue will focus on local vaccine distribution, so if you want to read it in your inbox as soon as it's ready, [sign up]( for the newsletter. — Meagan McGinnes [@meaganmcginnes]( newsletters@wbur.org The Rundown [1.](url)[With A Focus On Inequality, Democrat Ben Downing Starts His Campaign For Governor]( The 39-year-old former state senator, who announced his candidacy in the 2022 gubernatorial race last month, has defied the political odds once before, and is hoping that his early start can help him do it again. [Read more.](   #%23%23[Twitter](  #%23%23[Facebook](    2. [Baker: Educators, School Staff Can Sign Up For COVID-19 Vaccines Starting March 11]( Baker said there will be specific days at state mass vaccination sites for educator appointments, and that he will release more information about that soon. [Read more.]( 3. [Boston Performance Venues Greet Reopening Guidelines With Caution, And Confusion]( Part of the confusion came because it appeared from news reports the governor’s protocols pertained to both to seated clubs and theaters – where chairs and tables can be marked off and it’s feasible to maintain six feet of distance – but also clubs where people stand and/or dance. Did the governor’s dictate include mostly stand-up clubs? Well, yes, but... [Read more.]( 4. ['Embarrassed' Cuomo Apologizes But Won't Resign Over Sexual Harassment Allegations]( New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo apologized for acting "in a way that made people feel uncomfortable," but denied touching anyone inappropriately and said he would not resign. [Read more.]( 5. [Senate Democrats, White House Agree To Tighter Income Limits For Stimulus Checks]( The Senate plan would still allow individuals earning up to $75,000 per year and couples earning up to $150,000 per year to receive the full benefit. But the payments would phase out more quickly and end entirely for individuals earning $80,000 or more and couples earning $160,000 or more. [Read more.]( Support the news Anything Else? - House lawmakers on Wednesday [passed]( the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, a police reform bill that would ban chokeholds and eliminate qualified immunity for law enforcement. Now it's off to the Senate for consideration. - From Anjimilie at the ICA to Women's History Month celebrations, here are [five things to do this weekend.]( - About 50% of medical professionals were dealing with burnout before COVID-19, writes Dr. Jessi Gold [in this commentary](. The pandemic has made it exponentially worse. [WBUR] Your Daily Must Listen [Young Adults Are Struggling With Mental Illness. A New Rhode Island Center Wants To Intervene Earlier]( [Listen]( VACCINES [Here's Why COVID-19 Vaccines Are Safe]( Some Hospitals Resuming New COVID-19 Vaccinations As Supply Increases. [Read more.]( Baker Designates 11 Regional Vaccine Sites, Promises Improvements To Sign-Up Website. [Read more.]( What To Know About Coronavirus Vaccine Distribution In Mass.[Read more.]( 📬 Get the latest on vaccine safety protocols, side effects, local distribution plans & more in your inbox. [Sign up for our coronavirus newsletter and alerts.]( What We're Reading - A friendly dog named Bob brings a bit of comfort and connection to patients ([The Boston Globe]( - Departing Washington Post editor’s comment on listening to staff is everything that’s wrong with the current generation of newsroom leaders ([Press Watch]( - In Texas, We Are The Rescue Team ([Harpers Bazaar]( Tell Me Something Good [From 'Jolene' To Vaccine: Dolly Parton Gets COVID-19 Shot She Helped Fund]( "Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, I'm begging of you please don't hesitate," she sang. "Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, 'cause once you're dead then that's a bit too late." Before you go: I'd like to bring [this]( to the attention of New Hampshire's tourism department. 😎 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 © 2021 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](