Omicron is in Mass. Now what?

Also: How to mitigate omicron risk over the holidays; NPR investigation finds pro-Trump counties have higher COVID death rates [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  December 6, 2021 🚿 Showers off and on, with a high near 61. Good Morning Boston, Put on a rain coat and head outside to enjoy the spring-like temperatures while they last! It will be back to winter again by this time tomorrow morning. Here's what else you should know to kick off your week: - The omicron variant is officially here in Massachusetts. The state says it was detected in a fully vaccinated woman in her 20s who lives in Middlesex County. She had traveled out of state and had a mild case of COVID-19. - How can you best keep yourself and loved ones safe? For those who are already vaccinated, get your booster shot. In Massachusetts, [the demand]( for them has already increased. In the last week, roughly 141,000 people across the state have gotten their booster shots, up from roughly 129,000 during the last week of October. - If you're unvaccinated, health experts urge you to get your first shots. Vaccinations are proven to lower your risk of serious illness and death from COVID-19. Until you're fully vaccinated, keep masking up in all indoor settings. - Boston Mayor Michelle Wu will likely announce today the members of a new COVID-19 Advisory Committee to help the city navigate the next phase of the pandemic and this new omicron variant. - Speaking of Wu, she's criticizing the decision to reinstate a police officer accused of using racial slurs against a group of Roxbury Prep students. Officer Joseph Lynch was put on leave two years ago after he responded to a noise complaint at a McDonalds and called a group of high schoolers names while on the call. An arbitrator sided with Lynch, saying he should be reinstated, with back pay. - Your electric bill may go up next year. Eversource is asking state regulators to raise electric rates 25% for the first half of next year. That means an extra $30 a month for the average customer. - Eversource says it needs the extra cash because the price of natural gas used to generate electricity has risen significantly. But some state lawmakers think the price hike would be too much for families already struggling to pay the bills amid the pandemic. - PSA: If you're traveling internationally, President Biden's new COVID testing rules take effect today. Anyone flying into the U.S. must have a negative COVID test within one day of departure. Plan accordingly! P.S.– Because many in Massachusetts (rightfully) have a [fascination with stolen art]( I think you'll find this story about this Pennsylvania man very interesting. Why? Thomas Gavin [might be America's most prolific artifact thief]( but the jig is up! Meagan McGinnes Senior Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [The omicron variant has been detected in Massachusetts. Now what?]( Tufts' Dr. Shira Doron says we don't know much about how omicron will impact the pandemic yet, but we do know that delta is the variant currently driving cases in Massachusetts. She recommends all unvaccinated individuals get the shot as soon as possible, and that vaccinated people consider a booster. [Read more.]( [The omicron variant has been detected in Massachusetts. Now what?]( Tufts' Dr. Shira Doron says we don't know much about how omicron will impact the pandemic yet, but we do know that delta is the variant currently driving cases in Massachusetts. She recommends all unvaccinated individuals get the shot as soon as possible, and that vaccinated people consider a booster. [Read more.]( [Pro-Trump counties now have far higher COVID death rates. Misinformation is to blame]( An analysis by NPR shows that since the vaccine rollout, counties that voted heavily for Donald Trump have had more than twice the COVID mortality rates of those that voted for Joe Biden. [Read more.]( [Pro-Trump counties now have far higher COVID death rates. Misinformation is to blame]( An analysis by NPR shows that since the vaccine rollout, counties that voted heavily for Donald Trump have had more than twice the COVID mortality rates of those that voted for Joe Biden. [Read more.]( [Reginald Dwayne Betts is on a quest to build 1,000 micro-libraries in prisons across the U.S.]( The MacArthur Genius Award-winner talks about his vision, and how his experiences have shaped where he is today. [Read more.]( [Reginald Dwayne Betts is on a quest to build 1,000 micro-libraries in prisons across the U.S.]( The MacArthur Genius Award-winner talks about his vision, and how his experiences have shaped where he is today. [Read more.]( [These moms overcame homelessness. But the fight for a better life is far from over]( After battling homelessness as single mothers, these four women strive to become advocates for other struggling families and create a better life for their children. [Read more.]( [These moms overcame homelessness. But the fight for a better life is far from over]( After battling homelessness as single mothers, these four women strive to become advocates for other struggling families and create a better life for their children. [Read more.]( [Chris Cuomo, newly fired from CNN, faces an allegation of sexual misconduct]( "My client came forward at this time because she felt in sharing her story and related documentation, she could help protect other women," said attorney Debra Katz on Sunday. [Read more.]( [Chris Cuomo, newly fired from CNN, faces an allegation of sexual misconduct]( "My client came forward at this time because she felt in sharing her story and related documentation, she could help protect other women," said attorney Debra Katz on Sunday. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - With omicron looming over the holidays, NPR spoke to several infectious disease experts about [how to mitigate risks.]( - Many of us are on a shopping spree to get loved ones gifts for the holidays. But there is an environmental impact each time you hit "buy now." [Here's an alternative.]( - After a recent bout with a breakthrough case of COVID, Rich Barlow is thinking about what he's grateful for this holiday season. [Read his personal essay here.]( What We're Reading 📚 - Opinion | Spotify Wrapped is the perfect celebration of Internet egoism ([The Washington Post]( - Apple's Frontline Employees Are Struggling To Survive ([The Verge]( - Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff’s Hanukkah menorah comes on loan from Aaron Feuerstein’s family in Brookline ([GBH]( Tell Me Something Good [Patriots safety Devin McCourty continues to make a difference off the field, as well as on (The Boston Globe)]( As a member of the board at Boston Medical Center, Devin McCourty has an opportunity to affect equality in health care in communities of color. [Read more.]( [Patriots safety Devin McCourty continues to make a difference off the field, as well as on (The Boston Globe)]( As a member of the board at Boston Medical Center, Devin McCourty has an opportunity to affect equality in health care in communities of color. [Read more.]( Before you go: We miss you. Rihanna misses you. 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