Baker To Share Vaccine Eligibility Timeline Today

Also: Imagining life in Mass. after the pandemic; details on the fatal shootings at Atlanta massage parlors ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  [Donate [WBUR]]( [View in Browser](  [WBUR]( March 17, 2021 Good Morning Boston, ⛅ Partly sunny, with a high near 50. Southwest wind around 6 mph. Those who have not been vaccinated yet are in luck today – and no, it's not just because it's St. Patrick's Day. We'll finally be [getting a timeline regarding vaccine appointment eligibility]( from Gov. Charlie Baker's office. Here's what you need to know: - In a tweet last night, Baker announced he'd detail a timetable for opening up access to COVID-19 vaccines at some point today. Remaining groups to become eligible include other "essential workers," such as transit and grocery employees, residents with one underlying health risk, and then the general public. - Though more and more people are getting vaccinated (we're now at more than 946,000 residents), the state's seven-day positive test rate is slightly up, now at 1.9%. That's the highest rate since March 1. - We're also finding new variants here in Massachusetts that spread more easily. A [variant of the coronavirus first identified in Brazil]( been found in the state for the first time. And we're up to 213 cases of the variant first detected in the U.K. and six cases of the variant first detected in South Africa. So, this is your very important reminder that you need to continue to wash your hands, wear your mask, distance from others and stay home when sick. And if you're headed to a restaurant tonight to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, stick with the protocols and know that lines forming outside will not be allowed. My suggestion is to get your beef stew and brewski to-go. - All of this news comes as Baker's popularity is starting to lag a little due to the pandemic. His [approval rating]( tumbled since August, according to a new poll. But the Republican would still be the favorite if he decided to run for a third term in 2022. - Boston Public Schools is likely to seek a waiver for the requirement that all kids grades K-5 must be back to in-person learning by April 5. Superintendent Brenda Casselius said the district's size makes that deadline tricky, but that she expects all kids grades K-8 to be back in the classroom full-time by April 26. - ICYMI: The first doses of Modern'a COVID-19 vaccine have now been [given to children]( as the company starts its clinical trials around the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine for kids ages 6 months to 11 years old. - And in non-COVID news: Residents in Massachusetts will be able to use mail-in voting through the end of June, thanks to a new bill signed by Baker yesterday. The ability for all residents to have the option to use mail-in ballots was supposed to end on March 31, but with the virus still around some communities and towns wanted the option to encourage civic participation in a safe way. P.S.– If you only read one thing this morning, [make it this](. Our friends over at Cognoscenti, our opinions and ideas team, asked contributors to imagine what life after COVID may look like. From parenting and health, to faith and friendship, these short personal essays get at the heart of what many of us have been feeling: "Nobody knows exactly what comes next. Uncertainty continues to reign. But for the first time in a long time, it feels like we can reasonably contemplate the future." [Give it a read]( (and be sure to check out the amazing illustrations by local artist Dan Nott.) — Meagan McGinnes [@meaganmcginnes]( newsletters@wbur.org The Rundown [1.](url)[AG Healey Alleges Lynn Landlord Threatened, Harassed Immigrant Tenants]( Attorney General Maura Healey is suing a Lynn landlord, alleging that he intimidated tenants and threatened to report them to immigration authorities so they would not complain about dangerous and unsanitary living conditions in their apartments. [Read more.](   #%23%23[Twitter](  #%23%23[Facebook](    2. [8 People Shot To Death At Atlanta Massage Parlors; Man Arrested]( The Cherokee County Sheriff and Atlanta Police Department are investigating the attacks at three spas. Authorities say many of the victims appear to be of Asian descent. [Read more.]( 3. [Slow-Moving Orange Line Train Derails With 100 On Board]( A spokesman for the T said the northbound train derailed while crossing over to the southbound track and "moving at a slow rate of speed" around 11:40 a.m. Tuesday. [Read more.]( 4. [Biden Supports Changes To Filibuster, Returning It To 'What It Used To Be']( "I don't think that you have to eliminate the filibuster, you have to do it what it used to be when I first got to the Senate back in the old days. You had to stand up and command the floor, you had to keep talking." [Read more.]( 5. [Painting Black Skin, An Artist Navigates Success And Loss In A Pandemic Year]( In a year of widespread hardship, painter Marla McLeod found unexpected professional success amid her private grief. [Read more.]( Support the news Anything Else? - Fenway Sports Group [added]( all-star athlete Lebron James as a partner, making him a minority owner of The Red Sox. Does this mean he'll [retire his Yankee cap for good]( I hope so. - Ready to be blown away? Artist Chris Taylor's [hyperrealistic glass creations]( definitely have me in awe. - We now know the official ranking for [most popular dog breeds of 2020](. At the top of the list? The Labrador Retriever and French Bull Dog. [WBUR] Your Daily Must Listen [‘I Miss The Heck Out Of Him': A Year In, COVID-19 Has Killed More Than 200 Vermonters]( [Listen]( VACCINES [What To Know About Coronavirus Vaccine Distribution In Mass.]( Clinical Trials, Speed And Special Technology: Developing The COVID Vaccines. [Read more.]( Here's Why COVID-19 Vaccines Are Safe. [Read more.]( Asked & Answered: Your COVID-19 Vaccine Questions. [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 - What’s up with those blocked-off stairs in downtown Boston? An answer, one year later ([The Boston Globe]( - Mookie Betts Can’t Stop Getting Better ([GQ]( - Clubhouse Is A Club So Exclusive, It Excludes Disabled People By Design ([Forbes]( Tell Me Something Good [The Serendipitous Story Of How A Stray Dog Changed A Former U.S. Ambassador's Life]( Scott DeLisi, who was at the time the U.S. ambassador to Nepal, crossed paths with a small, bright-eyed pureblood Tibetan mastiff. What happened at that moment is the subject of "The Ambassador's Dog," a book he's written for children and adults. Before you go: A picture is worth a thousand words... 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