The Race Between Vaccines & Variants

Also: Research finds not prosecuting low-level crime leads to less crime; Joe Castiglione on being behind the mic for the Red Sox ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  [Donate [WBUR]]( [View in Browser](  [WBUR]( March 29, 2021 Good Morning Boston, 🌬️ Sunny and breezy, with a high near 51. Happy last-Monday-of-our-second-pandemic-March. While we're in a very different spot than this time last year, we're still talking about rising case numbers, the importance of distancing from others and the overall need for vaccines. Here's what you need to know: - The good news: Nearly 200,000 more people in Massachusetts are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 compared to this time last week. The bad news: highly-contagious variants are still causing concerns around rising case numbers and severe illness. Statewide, there are now 657 people hospitalized with COVID. The seven-day average test rate is down slightly from last week to just under 2.3%. - In the race between vaccines and variants, a health official on Cape Cod wants to make sure his community is in a better position to win. Yarmouth health director Bruce Murphy is calling on the state to open more vaccination clinics on the mid-Cape, especially as more cases of variants spread. So far on the Cape, there have been about 20 cases of the variant first identified in Brazil, as well as some cases of the variant first identified in the U.K. Right now, Cape Cod only has one mass vaccination site at Cape Cod Community College. - PSA: The state's homebound vaccination program starts today. If you want a vaccine and are unable to leave your house, you can learn more about [scheduling an appointment here](. - Acting Boston Mayor Kim Janey wants the MBTA to go back to its full service schedule ASAP. The T's oversight board is reviewing a plan today to walk back some of the service cuts, but they said the cuts were necessary to save money and match pandemic ridership numbers. The congressional delegation isn't buying it, and thinks promised federal relief funding should take care of those concerns. - Today marks the start of the fourth week of a nurses' strike at Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester. Nurses want increased staffing levels, but hospital officials think they've been adequate during the pandemic. It's getting heated, to the point where the hospital has installed security cameras to monitor the picket line for alleged "aggressive tactics." - Attention sports fans: For the first time in more than a year, Celtics fans will be allowed to watch a game inside the Garden. About 2,200 fans will be in attendance tonight, wearing face masks, observing distancing and not congregating in the concourse. Courtside fans also get access to rapid testing upon entering the building. And later this week, Fenway Park will have their first fans in the stadium since 2019. Yes, Thursday is Opening Day. P.S.– The popular environmental podcast Drilled covered the Weymouth compressor last week. Host Amy Westervelt looked at the history of the project, and spoke with WBUR's own Miriam Wasser about her [recent reporting]( on how a federal proceeding has the natural gas industry hyper-focused on the Weymouth compressor. [Give it a listen!]( — Meagan McGinnes [@meaganmcginnes]( newsletters@wbur.org The Rundown [1.](url)[As Classrooms Refill, Teachers Relive A Year Of Anticipation — And Anger]( While many teachers are excited to return to something like normal, they also harbor anger and frustration about the politics of the past year. [Read more.](   #%23%23[Twitter](  #%23%23[Facebook](    2. [Not Prosecuting Low Level Crimes Leads To Less Crime In Suffolk County, Research Finds]( People arrested but not prosecuted on low level, non-violent misdemeanors — like shoplifting, drug possession or motor vehicle offenses — were 58% less likely to commit another crime in Suffolk County in the following two years, according to the study. [Read more.]( 3. [White House Causes Frustration In Private And Public Responses To Gun Violence]( Gun violence prevention advocates were stunned when Biden said infrastructure would remain his next priority. Private White House efforts to avoid reactively dealing with guns also raised questions. [Read more.]( 4. [U.S. Is In A Race Between Vaccines And Variants, Says Public Health Expert]( Calling it a race between vaccinations and variants, Ashish Jha, a public health policy researcher and dean of Brown University's School of Public Health, tweeted: "Well, despite phenomenal vaccination rates, variants pulled ahead this week." [Read more.]( 5. [Indonesia Church Bombing Wounds 20 On Palm Sunday]( The attacks happened on Palm Sunday, the beginning of the Holy Week leading up to Easter. In a televised address, Joko called on people to remain calm and said "the state guarantees the safety of religious people to worship without fear." [Read more.]( Support the news Anything Else? - Yes, the massive Ever Given container ship is [still blocking]( the Suez canal. But rising water levels today might help salvage crews make better progress. - Here are [15 spring art exhibits]( worth escaping the house for. (Don't forget your mask and to follow distancing protocols!) - Beverly Cleary, the children's author who died last week, helped us understand ourselves, writes Laura Shea Souza [in this commentary](. She never forgot what it felt like to be a child, where so much of life is beyond your control. [WBUR] Your Daily Must Listen [Radio Boston | How The Pandemic Has Tipped The Balance Between Work And Motherhood]( [Listen]( VACCINES [What To Know About Coronavirus Vaccine Distribution In Mass.]( Homebound Vaccination Program To Start Today. [Read more.]( Low Vaccination Rates Among Latinos Raise Concerns In Chelsea, Ravaged By The Pandemic. [Read more.]( Latest Mass. Map And Case Count: Breaking Down Coronavirus Here In Charts. [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 - I’m old, and I know things ([The Boston Globe]( - The Crimson Klan ([The Harvard Crimson]( - How at-home pandemic recordings are changing pubmedia’s standards for audio quality ([Current.org]( Tell Me Something Good ['Baseball Is A Radio Game': Joe Castiglione On Being Behind The Mic For The Red Sox Since 1983]( In the midst of a disorienting year, one beacon of reassuring familiarity is Joe Castiglione. The Red Sox radio announcer signed on with the team in 1983 and his voice has become part of the emotional fabric of Boston. Before you go: I guess Salem drivers think [stop signs are suggestions](... 😎 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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