The New Vaccine Preregistration System, Explained

Also: House gives final approval to COVID relief package; state climate bill goes to Senate vote ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  [Donate [WBUR]]( [View in Browser](  [WBUR]( March 11, 2021 Good Morning Boston, 🌞🎉🍹 Partly sunny, with a high near 68. Let's start with the big news from Gov. Charlie Baker yesterday: - Massachusetts will launch a [new preregistration system]( tomorrow, around mid-morning, that officials say will make it easier to book appointments at the state's mass vaccination sites. This will partly replace the current booking platform, which means no more waiting diligently by your computer to get onto the site at the exact moment new appointments are added. Phew. It only applies to the mass vaccination sites, but other appointments, like those at pharmacies and community health centers, will still be posted on the older platform. - Here's how it will work: Eligible residents will complete an online form to request a vaccine. They can choose to be contacted by text message, email or a phone call, and then will be notified when an appointment becomes available. Don't worry, people have 24 hours to accept it before being sent back to the queue. - An important reminder: It could still take several weeks for eligible residents to be notified that there is an appointment available for them. Baker said that's because the state is still receiving a limited supply of vaccine doses from the federal government. - So what does the new system mean for this week's appointments being added by the state this morning? We're on the old, waiting room system one last time. The state said it plans to add 40,000 new appointments for first doses at mass vaccination sites today. - The other major headline out of yesterday's press briefing: There will be four dedicated dates for teachers, school staff and child care workers to sign up for appointments at mass vaccination sites. Those are March 27, April 3, April 10 and April 11. About 25,000 doses of vaccine will be available on those days, according to the state. But if educators don't want to wait, they are eligible to sign up for vaccines through the state's website starting today. In non-COVID news: - An updated climate bill is going to the state Senate [for a vote]( today. In case you need a reminder, a month ago Baker returned the original sweeping climate and emission reduction bill with recommended changes. This new version has a bunch of revisions, but rejects the governor's most noted suggestion, which was to relax an interim 2030 emission target and soften the proposed new building codes. - The Senate is also expected to extend mail-in voting and early voting through the spring. Regulations are set to expire this month, but over 250 towns and communities are set to hold elections between April and June. - A fun fact: The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston is lending its portrait of John F. Kennedy to The White House. It was installed in Biden's private study. P.S.– Earlier this week, the CDC released its [list of safe activities]( for people who are fully vaccinated. One reunion that was highlighted is that fully vaccinated grandparents can feel safe visiting their local, low-risk family members – which is such a wonderful thing. Are you, as a vaccinated grandparent or their family member, planning a reunion with your loved one for the first time since the pandemic started? We want to talk to you for a future story. Reply to this email to share. — Meagan McGinnes [@meaganmcginnes]( newsletters@wbur.org The Rundown [1.](url)[Mass. To Launch Preregistration System For Mega Vaccine Sites, Designate Days For Educators]( The preregistration tool will be found at [mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine]( when it goes live Friday. [Read more.](   #%23%23[Twitter](  #%23%23[Facebook](    2. [A Year Of School Like No Other: How A Teacher, A Student And A Parent Have Coped]( By Labor Day, 62% of U.S. students were still learning virtually, according to the organization Burbio. That number dropped significantly during the fall and rose in the winter as COVID-19 surged. And today, just under 1 in 4 public school students attends a district that still hasn't held a single day of in-person learning. [Read more.]( 3. [Jeff Turco Voted For Trump And Mocked Warren. Then He Won A Democratic Primary In Mass.]( He voted for Donald Trump, suggested that Barack Obama is mentally ill, and ridiculed Elizabeth Warren and Hillary Clinton. But Jeff Turco is the favorite to win a special election in liberal Massachusetts for state representative — as a Democrat. [Read more.]( 4. [House Gives Final Approval To $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Relief Package]( The House voted 220-211 with no Republicans voting in favor of the bill, despite calls for bipartisan support from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and other Democratic leaders. [Read more.]( 5. [Garland Confirmed As Attorney General 5 Years After Thwarted Supreme Court Bid]( The 70-30 vote for his confirmation comes five years after then-President Barack Obama nominated Garland to serve on the Supreme Court — a goal frustrated by Senate Republicans who refused to even consider a hearing for that post. [Read more.]( Support the news Anything Else? - There's a surge in anti-Asian attacks reported since the start of the pandemic, but that number [may be even higher]( originally thought, according to one civil rights group. - In this [new exhibit]( at the Fuller Craft Museum, Argentinian artist Tamara Kostianovsky is dissecting the "savage legacy" of humans. - From Kaki King at MASS MoCA to maple sugaring, here are [five things to do]( this weekend. [WBUR] Your Daily Must Listen [On Point | Vaccine Passports: Public Health Tool, Or Invasion Of Civil Liberties?]( [Listen]( VACCINES [Clinical Trials, Speed And Special Technology: Developing The COVID Vaccines]( What To Know About Coronavirus Vaccine Distribution In Mass.[Read more.]( Here's Why COVID-19 Vaccines Are Safe. [Read more.]( Asked & Answered: Your COVID-19 Vaccine Questions.[Submit questions here.]( 📬 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 - There's Another "Secret Boston" in Town, and the Original Isn't Happy about It ([Boston Magazine]( - One year later: The last photos you took on your phone before COVID changed everything ([The Boston Globe]( - These Mothers Wanted to Care for Their Kids and Keep Their Jobs. Now They're Suing After Being Fired ([TIME]( Tell Me Something Good [Zesty Lemon Recipes That Take The Citrus Beyond Garnish]( Bright yellow, with a zesty, sour, tart, bright and acidic flavor, lemons can lift the taste of virtually everything we cook — from soups and sauces to meat and fish dishes to cakes, puddings, marmalade, souffles and pies. Here are some perfect recipes to try on this sunny, spring-like day. Before you go: I'm [scared](. 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up [here](. 📣 Give us your feedback: newsletters@wbur.org 📨 Get more WBUR stories sent to your inbox. 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