Solving the mystery of long COVID

Plus, cases rise as Thanksgiving approaches [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  November 23, 2021 Sunny today, highs in the low 40s. Good Morning Boston, Here's what you need to know today: - With Thanksgiving just two days away, the pandemic metrics in Massachusetts keep getting worse. Since the start of the month, the seven-day rate for people testing positive for the virus is up a full percentage point to over 3%. More than 700 people are hospitalized with COVID (a 40% jump from two weeks ago). - However, because of vaccination rates, Gov. Charlie Baker [says]( that Massachusetts families "should enjoy their Thanksgiving" this year. He suggested families concerned about the virus could purchase rapid tests for an added layer of security. - More than 150,000 people have received COVID booster shots in the last week. - Grants are now up for grabs for any Fall River or New Bedford small business looking to encourage COVID-19 vaccination. Both cities have vaccination rates below the state average. Local businesses can use the money to give workers paid time off, or offer free goods to customers showing proof of vaccination. It's part of a project by the nonprofit Lawyers for Civil Rights and health insurer Point32Health. - President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are planning to arrive in Nantucket tonight. They're resuming their family tradition of spending Thanksgiving on the island after skipping it last year because of the pandemic. - The Massachusetts Audubon Society is unveiling plans today to open a nature center along the Charles River in the spring. The center, which will be located on Magazine Beach in Cambridge, will host events like guided nature walks, kayak river tours and live animal demonstrations. - New Massachusetts congressional maps now have the final OK. Gov. Baker signed the redistricting measure into law last night. The new map keeps Fall River and New Bedford in separate congressional districts even though leaders in those cities wanted that to change. - Today on Beacon Hill, lawmakers will hear testimony on a proposal to ban most state agencies from using facial recognition technology. Currently, only law enforcement is regulated in the use of facial recognition. P.S. The Boston Public Library, in collaboration with the Greater Boston Food Bank, is asking for donations to its new Spice Bank Collective in an effort to make flavor more accessible. You could drop off unopened containers at many BPL branches through 2022. Amy Gorel Digital producer [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [What specialized clinics may do for long COVID, as many questions remain]( Post-COVID clinics are emerging to support patients with this still mysterious, debilitating disease and treat their symptoms. Patient advocates want more attention on the cause of and remedies for long COVID. [Read more.]( [What specialized clinics may do for long COVID, as many questions remain]( Post-COVID clinics are emerging to support patients with this still mysterious, debilitating disease and treat their symptoms. Patient advocates want more attention on the cause of and remedies for long COVID. [Read more.]( [Afghan evacuees begin arriving from U.S. military bases to New Hampshire]( Over the past 1 days, at least 45 Afghan evacuees have arrived in Manchester to rebuild their lives with help from the International Institute of New England. They're coming from U.S. military bases after fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over in August. [Read more.]( [Afghan evacuees begin arriving from U.S. military bases to New Hampshire]( Over the past 1 days, at least 45 Afghan evacuees have arrived in Manchester to rebuild their lives with help from the International Institute of New England. They're coming from U.S. military bases after fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban took over in August. [Read more.]( ['Numbers that we should be paying attention to': A doctor on rising COVID cases as holidays approach]( This Thanksgiving is coming at the same time as coronavirus indicators are ticking up in Massachusetts. [Read more.]( ['Numbers that we should be paying attention to': A doctor on rising COVID cases as holidays approach]( This Thanksgiving is coming at the same time as coronavirus indicators are ticking up in Massachusetts. [Read more.]( [Here are the victims of the Waukesha Christmas Parade incident]( At least five people died and 48 others were injured, the Waukesha, Wisconsin, police chief said. Officials have also identified one suspect. [Read more.]( [Here are the victims of the Waukesha Christmas Parade incident]( At least five people died and 48 others were injured, the Waukesha, Wisconsin, police chief said. Officials have also identified one suspect. [Read more.]( [Judge dismisses criminal charges against former Holyoke Soldiers Home leaders]( A judge on Monday dropped criminal charges against two of the top officials at the Holyoke Soldiers Home, saying their actions did not lead to the deaths of five veterans in their care. [Read more.]( [Judge dismisses criminal charges against former Holyoke Soldiers Home leaders]( A judge on Monday dropped criminal charges against two of the top officials at the Holyoke Soldiers Home, saying their actions did not lead to the deaths of five veterans in their care. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - With winter holidays approaching and COVID cases rising, Miles Howard argues in [this commentary]( that rapid tests should be free for all. - During her husband’s medical ordeal, former Gov. Jane Swift thought a lot about the advantages her family had. Now, she writes in [this essay]( she has some ideas about how to make the system better for all caregivers. - Critic Sean Burns [says the new film]( "House of Gucci" is a "fine Thanksgiving film for dysfunctional families." What We're Reading 📚 - To Breed or Not to Breed? ([New York Times]( - COVID Sure Looks Seasonal Now ([The Atlantic]( Tell Me Something Good [How to make the perfect roast turkey, a vegan main course and homemade cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving]( Here & Now chef Kathy Gunst shares recipes and tips for a Thanksgiving feast. [Read more.]( [How to make the perfect roast turkey, a vegan main course and homemade cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving]( Here & Now chef Kathy Gunst shares recipes and tips for a Thanksgiving feast. [Read more.]( Before you go: "[Starch me up.]( 😎 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   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 WBUR editorial newsletters [here](.  Interested in learning more about corporate sponsorship? [Click here.]( Copyright © 2021 WBUR-FM, All rights reserved.