Mass. lifts one of its last mask mandates

Also: Relief for some student loan borrowers; how COVID forced immigrant-owned biz to adjust [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  April 20, 2022 ☀️ Sunny, with a high near 57. Good Morning Boston, It's a good week to live in the [most bike-friendly state in the country](. With yesterday's rain out of the way, we have a couple crisp sunny days ahead. The view from the WBUR offices already [looks gorgeous](. To the news: - So much for that: After [initially saying]( they would keep requiring face coverings, state officials [announced the immediate end of the MBTA and Logan airport mask mandates Tuesday afternoon](. The decision comes after a ruling Monday by [a conservative judge]( which voided the TSA's transportation mask mandate and led [airlines]( and [transit agencies across the country]( to drop their own face covering requirements. Massachusetts Transportation Secretary Jamey Tesler said the state is being "consistent" with its practice of following federal guidelines, even if the CDC [continues to recommend]( mask wearing in indoor transportation settings. - In the end, it comes down to whether local officials want — and have the resources — to enforce their own mask rules. At least at airports, the TSA mask mandate was "a federal rule enforced by federal agencies," Massport spokeswoman Jennifer Mehigan told WBUR. And while local transit agencies could make their own rules, most of the state's 15 regional transit authorities, like [the WRTA]( are also dropping their mandates. Gov. Charlie Baker told reporters Tuesday that it was the "right decision" at this stage in the pandemic, "both as a policy matter and as a practical matter." - It's not just about big public transit systems, either. The end of the federal mandate also led [Uber]( and [Lyft]( to drop their mask requirements for drivers and riders (as well as allow riders back in the front passenger seat of ride-shares). - But there are some notable exceptions: Masks will still be required by users of MBTA's paratransit service, The RIDE. You'll also need a mask if you're taking the ferry to Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket anytime soon; the quasi-public Steamship Authority [says]( they'll keep following the CDC's guidance for their vessels, buses and terminals. - Remember: If you're nervous about these newly mask-optional settings, wearing a well-fitted N95 or KN95 [gives you pretty solid protection]( even when others are unmasked. Officials have also repeatedly stressed that anyone who wants to keep wearing a mask should feel comfortable doing so. - So, what's next? As some legal experts [raise questions about the rationale of judge's ruling]( President Biden's administration [says it may appeal the decision]( — but only if the CDC says extending the mandate is necessary (it had been extended last week to May 3 amid the recent COVID uptick). - What's the latest on COVID in Massachusetts? Cases are continuing to rise, while hospitalizations and deaths remain low. - Cases: The state is now [averaging]( a 4.2% positivity rate, which is as twice as high as it was a month ago. Boston-area [wastewater data]( is also showing a similar upward trend. - Hospitalizations remains low, but have risen by over 50% to 328 over the last month. Over 200 of those patients are fully vaccinated, but only a third of the 328 are in the hospital for COVID (meaning they were admitted for something else). - After [multiple]( [articles]( dinging her for lacking specifics, Attorney General Maura Healey is digging into the details of what she would do as Massachusetts governor — starting with the climate. In a big new climate plan unveiled Tuesday, Healey pledged to shift the state to a 100% clean electricity supply by 2030. - How? The plan (which you can [read here]( sets ambitious goals, including doubling the state's targets for more offshore wind by 2035, electrifying all public transportation by 2040 and allowing local governments to [ban gas and oil heating in new buildings](. Healey also said she would work to pass a statewide version of [Boston's ordinance]( requiring existing large buildings to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. - Healey recently pledged to be the "[most aggressive governor in the country on climate]( but she does have competition. Healey's plan comes four months after her Democratic primary opponent, state Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz, released [her own climate plan]( — which similarly calls for transitioning Massachusetts to 100% renewable energy-based electricity by 2030. And in a [not-so-subtle subtweet Tuesday afternoon]( Chang-Diaz make a point of noting that, unlike Healey, her plan includes eliminating bus fares across the state to encourage public transit use, establishing [East-West rail]( and "real investments in expanding our public transit infrastructure." - If you plan on getting some sun on the North Shore this summer, you may need to plan your parking ahead. Gloucester officials are implementing a new online system allowing non-residents to reserve and pay for parking up to 10 days in advance — which they hope will reduce traffic (i.e. fewer cars crawling around for eternity looking for a spot). Residents can still get [beach stickers](. P.S.— Have some free time? Bradley Cooper is [looking for extras for his new movie]( being filmed in Western Massachusetts. But a note of caution for men: you "must be comfortable" getting a 1940s haircut. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [Student loan borrowers will get help after an NPR report and years of complaints]( The U.S. Department of Education says it will retroactively help millions of federal student loan borrowers who have been hurt and held back by its troubled income-driven repayment plans. 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[Read more.]( Anything Else? - A small museum in Massachusetts is [thinking about returning objects that once belonged to indigenous people]( — after it got a visit from a group of tribal leaders all the way from South Dakota. - Rich Barlow [writes in this commentary]( that "NIMBY hypocrites" — in Massachusetts and elsewhere — shouldn't be permitted to obstruct the efforts to address climate change. - WBUR film critic Sean Burns [reviews the "especially desolate" portrayal of Nowheresville, U.S.A.]( in the new movie "We're All Going to the World's Fair" opening this weekend at the Brattle. What We're Reading 📚 - Why I’ll continue to wear a mask while traveling ([The Boston Globe]( - Among the Americans fighting in Ukraine: ‘I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t come’ [(The Guardian]( - As inflation soars, how is AriZona iced tea still 99 cents? ([Los Angeles Times]( Tell Me Something Good [The new golden age of wildlife in New England (The Boston Globe)]( After a century of science-based wildlife management, our backyards and backwoods are booming with animals. [Read more.]( [The new golden age of wildlife in New England (The Boston Globe)]( After a century of science-based wildlife management, our backyards and backwoods are booming with animals. [Read more.]( Before you go: Seventy-seven years old — and [all smiles](. 😎 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. 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