More local mask mandates lift today. Here's why

Also: Watch out for that wind; how the Mass. pension fund wants to fight climate change [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  February 18, 2022 🌧️ Rainy and windy this morning, with a high of 55 (temperatures will fall back into the 30s by night as things clear up later today). Good Morning Boston, Remember just over a month ago when the number of COVID-19 infections in Massachusetts was at unprecedented levels? Now, the cases are at their lowest rates since early November — with the omicron surge receding as quickly as it took off. So what's next? That's the subject of a special edition newsletter that will be hitting your inboxes later this morning. We talked to several local experts about the shift toward so-called "endemicity," potential future surges and how to navigate this disorienting phase of the pandemic. So, keep an eye out. In today's news: - Add Newton to the list of cities and towns in Massachusetts that are dropping their indoor mask mandates. Officials say they will lift the rule at the end of the day, allowing people to go maskless in indoor public places, if they choose. Worcester is also dropping its indoor mask mandate today. - Officials cite the rapid decline in cases over the past month, lessening strain on hospitals and high local vaccination rates (more on this below). - That said, don't throw away your mask quite yet. Even after [easing the state's public mask advisory]( Gov. Charlie Baker said Thursday that he views face covering requirements in hospitals and certain congregate care settings with vulnerable populations as "standard operating procedure unless and until there is no COVID," [according to The Boston Globe](. Federal rules requiring masks on public transportation and in airports and Ubers also remain in place until at least March 18. - There are 15,000 power outages this morning across Massachusetts due to strong winds and rain overnight. The National Weather Service has a "high wind warning" in effect right now for areas south of the Mass Pike. But [according to WBUR meteorologist David Epstein]( the weather should die down by the afternoon. - Can the Massachusetts state pension fund be used to fight climate change? Well, we're about to find out. The state's Pension Reserve Investment Management Board voted in favor of Treasurer Deb Goldberg's plan to use the $104 billion fund to pressure companies to reduce their carbon footprint. - How does it work? The plan instructs PRIM managers to use their vote at the shareholder meetings of companies the fund is invested in to oppose directors if the company's business plans aren't aligned with certain emission reduction goals. Basically, they have to be on the same page as the Paris climate agreement. - This is different than divestment, a popular route among climate activists where fund managers withdraw their investment from companies that aren't doing enough. Goldberg's "shareholder activism" plan exerts pressure from the inside and she thinks that could potentially have "a great deal more impact," per the State House News Service. P.S.— A new state law expands who EMTs could treat. Do you know why the law was created? Then take [our Boston News Quiz]( and test your knowledge of the local stories we covered this week. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [Why Mass. is rolling back its mask and vaccine mandates]( The latest COVID numbers are dropping and help explain why many communities are dropping mask and vaccine mandates. But some doctors warn we've had three big spikes since this pandemic began two years ago - and could still have another. [Read more.]( [Why Mass. is rolling back its mask and vaccine mandates]( The latest COVID numbers are dropping and help explain why many communities are dropping mask and vaccine mandates. But some doctors warn we've had three big spikes since this pandemic began two years ago - and could still have another. [Read more.]( [As omicron surge wanes, long COVID clinician expects 'continued high demand' for care]( Many Massachusetts residents are rethinking precautions as the latest COVID surge peters out. But concerns over an ensuing potential increase of so-called long COVID are starting to crop up among experts studying and treating the condition. [Read more.]( [As omicron surge wanes, long COVID clinician expects 'continued high demand' for care]( Many Massachusetts residents are rethinking precautions as the latest COVID surge peters out. But concerns over an ensuing potential increase of so-called long COVID are starting to crop up among experts studying and treating the condition. [Read more.]( [Despite the threat of war, some Americans in Ukraine are staying put]( The U.S. government is telling Americans it's "past time" to leave Ukraine. But James Berk, an optician from New Jersey, has a Ukrainian wife and a newborn baby. For now, they're staying put. [Read more.]( [Despite the threat of war, some Americans in Ukraine are staying put]( The U.S. government is telling Americans it's "past time" to leave Ukraine. But James Berk, an optician from New Jersey, has a Ukrainian wife and a newborn baby. For now, they're staying put. [Read more.]( [Former coal power site to host offshore wind cable plant]( Italian cable-maker Prysmian will build a subsea transmission cable manufacturing plant in Somerset, in the place where until about five years ago a coal-burning power plant operated. [Read more.]( [Former coal power site to host offshore wind cable plant]( Italian cable-maker Prysmian will build a subsea transmission cable manufacturing plant in Somerset, in the place where until about five years ago a coal-burning power plant operated. [Read more.]( [St. Vincent nurses asked whether to throw out union, just after strike ends]( A petition to decertify the Massachusetts Nursing Association was filed by a group of nurses just weeks after the union helped members win a new contract following a nearly 10-month strike. [Read more.]( [St. Vincent nurses asked whether to throw out union, just after strike ends]( A petition to decertify the Massachusetts Nursing Association was filed by a group of nurses just weeks after the union helped members win a new contract following a nearly 10-month strike. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - Harvard isn't the only local university [getting an international star]( to speak at its commencement. World Trade Organization director-general and MIT alumna Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala [will return to her alma mater in May]( to address graduating students. - RIP: Myrtle Milledge – a Mexico, Maine, woman recognized as the world's oldest New England Patriots fan – [has died at the age of 106](. - "Dreaming Zenzile," the first play by Grammy-nominated jazz singer Somi Kakoma, opens next week at ArtsEmerson. WBUR's Jacquinn Sinclair [has a preview of the musical here](. - Radio Boston did a full show Thursday — yes, a [full show]( — devoted to our favorite companions: dogs. The full hour includes a look at [what's going on now with all the "pandemic puppies]( an "[Ask the Vet]( segment and [15 minutes on the deep intelligence and skills of service dogs](. It's a fun Friday listen. What We're Reading 📚 - The Millions of People Stuck in Pandemic Limbo ([The Atlantic]( - A Vibe Shift Is Coming ([The Cut]( - What Min Jin Lee Wants Us to See ([The New Yorker]( PSA [Want to find an affordable college? There's a website for that]( The U.S. Department of Education has updated its College Scorecard — a trove of college-based performance data meant to help prospective students choose the best school for them. [Read more.]( [Want to find an affordable college? There's a website for that]( The U.S. Department of Education has updated its College Scorecard — a trove of college-based performance data meant to help prospective students choose the best school for them. [Read more.]( Before you go: If you need me this weekend, I'll be watching [every single one of these meditative Boston timelapse videos](. 😎 Forward to a friend. 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