Omicron now dominant variant in Mass. & U.S.

Also: Mixed reviews to Wu's vaccine mandate; Rollins prepares to take over as Mass. U.S. attorney [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  December 20, 2021 🌞 Mostly sunny, with a high near 43. Good Morning Boston, Well, that was quick. The omicron COVID-19 variant is now the dominant strain in the U.S. It has [made up 73% of new cases in the last week]( according to the CDC. For perspective, as of just 10 days ago, omicron was only detected in 12.6% of positive COVID cases. It's also the dominant strain in Massachusetts, and it's been that way since last week. Here's what you need to know about the local and national response: - Let's start local and then zoom out, shall we? In Boston, Mayor Michelle Wu announced that starting next month, all city workers must be vaccinated. There will no longer be a weekly testing option. And for the general public, anyone who wants to go into a Boston bar, restaurant, gym or entertainment venue must show proof of vaccination, with phased rollout starting Jan. 15. More on all of this below. - PSA: As of yesterday, the Boston Public Library started giving out free COVID-19 take-home rapid tests at select branches. You can pick one up at Copley, Brighton, Codman, Grove Hall, East Boston, Mattapan, South Boston, Roslindale and Roxbury. You can take up to one kit of two tests for each member of your household. - Two Harvard-affiliated researchers are calling for faster, more targeted action against omicron. Specifically, they're calling on CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky to place short-term restrictions on high-risk activities they're calling "circuit-breakers." [Here's why they think this approach]( could have significant impact, including alleviating strain on hospitals. - Gov. Charlie Baker is giving an update on COVID-19 this morning at 9 a.m. to talk about health care capacity. You can watch the livestream on [wbur.org](. - Across the U.S., things are looking grim for understaffed hospitals that are already coping with increased patient demand heading into the holidays. If there's a new wave of patients, they will have a hard time accommodating them, [according to this NPR report.]( - To help, President Biden is [expected to announce]( a plan today that will deal with omicron, including increased aid to overwhelmed hospitals and buying a half billion at-home COVID test kits to be mailed to people who want them. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in January. - Notably, the Biden administration is saying those who are vaccinated and boosted should still celebrate the holidays as planned, taking precautions like wearing a mask while traveling. Biden will not be adding new restrictions on schools or businesses as of now. - Globally, [countries are announcing new restrictions]( to try to slow down the spread of omicron. It ranges from stricter vaccine requirements for travel and limitations on social gatherings, to a full lockdown in the Netherlands as of Sunday. - What is the best way to protect yourself and others, according to public health experts? Get fully vaccinated and boosted. Pre-omicron, the [risk of infection comparison]( for Massachusetts residents who've been vaccinated or boosted and those who have not were stark. And the[initial booster data for Moderna's protection against omicron]( is promising, so researchers are hopeful the trend will continue. P.S.– This is worrisome and stressful. I hope you take a moment today to breathe and find peace. From pictures of cute animals to soothing sounds, [NPR's joy generator]( is a good place to start. Meagan McGinnes Senior Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [You'll need a vaccine to go inside Boston restaurants, entertainment venues and gyms]( The requirement, which begins Jan. 15, will apply to three categories of businesses: indoor dining (including bars and restaurants), indoor fitness; and indoor entertainment and event venues (including sports arenas, theaters, museums). [Read more.]( [You'll need a vaccine to go inside Boston restaurants, entertainment venues and gyms]( The requirement, which begins Jan. 15, will apply to three categories of businesses: indoor dining (including bars and restaurants), indoor fitness; and indoor entertainment and event venues (including sports arenas, theaters, museums). [Read more.]( [Boston businesses and workers give mixed reviews to Wu's vaccine mandate]( Vaccines will soon be required for city employees and almost anyone who visits restaurants, gyms, sports arenas and entertainment venues. [Read more.]( [Boston businesses and workers give mixed reviews to Wu's vaccine mandate]( Vaccines will soon be required for city employees and almost anyone who visits restaurants, gyms, sports arenas and entertainment venues. [Read more.]( [Suffolk DA Rachael Rollins prepares to take over as Massachusetts U.S. attorney]( Rollins tells WBUR that she has received several threats after the U.S. Senate debate over her confirmation. [Read more.]( [Suffolk DA Rachael Rollins prepares to take over as Massachusetts U.S. attorney]( Rollins tells WBUR that she has received several threats after the U.S. Senate debate over her confirmation. [Read more.]( [Bill set to overhaul voter-approved animal welfare law heads to Baker's desk]( A last-minute legislative deal to rewrite key sections of a voter-approved animal welfare law landed on Gov. Charlie Baker's desk on Monday, less than two weeks before the scheduled start of new regulations that could impact the availability of eggs and pork. [Read more.]( [Bill set to overhaul voter-approved animal welfare law heads to Baker's desk]( A last-minute legislative deal to rewrite key sections of a voter-approved animal welfare law landed on Gov. Charlie Baker's desk on Monday, less than two weeks before the scheduled start of new regulations that could impact the availability of eggs and pork. [Read more.]( [Stocks around the world were hit hard by omicron fears. Here's 3 things to know]( The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 433 points and other exchanges around the world tumbled on Monday over fears about the omicron variant. [Read more.]( [Stocks around the world were hit hard by omicron fears. Here's 3 things to know]( The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 433 points and other exchanges around the world tumbled on Monday over fears about the omicron variant. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - If you have lost a loved one, the holidays can be an especially difficult time of year. NPR took a closer look at [how our brains cope with grief]( and why it takes time to heal. - We're taking a moment to reflect on the past year. Here are some of our [favorite arts and culture moments of 2021.]( - Performances returned to the stage this year, too. Here are 10 of the [best theater performances of 2021]( according to our critics. - As a child, Barbara Moran's mother taught her an Eastern European fable about animals talking on Christmas Eve. Now in that tale, she sees[a lesson for climate change.]( What We're Reading 📚 - A QAnon con: How the viral Wayfair sex trafficking lie hurt real kids ([The Washington Post]( - Fast-Food Fashion Is Everywhere — Except on Fat People ([Eater]( - ‘Worry Burnout’ Is Real ([The New York Times]( Life Advice [Move more, sit less and celebrate outside this holiday season]( The holidays don't have to be defined by lazy days in your pajamas. Discover 11 festive ways get your body moving and get outdoors this year. [Read more.]( [Move more, sit less and celebrate outside this holiday season]( The holidays don't have to be defined by lazy days in your pajamas. Discover 11 festive ways get your body moving and get outdoors this year. [Read more.]( Before you go: "You’re the [Boston pillow fighting elf]( 😎 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.