Mass. doctors call for public's help combatting RSV

Also: Republicans officially — but narrowly — retake the House; a "sobering" review of BPS's special education program [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  November 17, 2022 ☀️ Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. Good Morning Boston, Don't look now, but the holiday season is nearly upon us. Our seasonal joy newsletter, [The Pick Me Up]( returns this Monday. Thanksgiving is just a week from today. And the [official Boston Common Christmas tree]( has begun its journey from Nova Scotia — although we might have to send it back if it keeps [making puns like this](. To the news: - A trio of top doctors groups in Massachusetts is urging all residents to consider wearing masks in crowded indoor spaces, getting their COVID and flu vaccines and keeping their kids home, even if they seem a little sick, due to a rise in RSV cases that's "stretching capacity in emergency departments and hospitals." - The backstory: we went over [the basics of this fall's RSV surge and its impacts on local hospitals in this newsletter last month]( — and the trend has only continued. Doctors at Mass General Brigham told WBUR’s Priyanka Dayal McCluskey last week that they saw a thousand patients with RSV — which is usually mild but can be serious for babies — across the network in one week. - Now, the three physician groups — the Massachusetts Medical Society, the local chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Massachusetts Academy of Family Physicians — are concerned to the point that they're asking for the public's help. - Their other recommendations include practicing good basic hygiene, like hand washing and not sneezing into your hand. Their mask recommendation also goes further than the [state's official COVID-19 guidance]( which only advises face coverings for those at high risk of severe disease due to age or a medical condition. (Whether there's broad public appetite for the masking recommendations remains to be seen.) - Taken together, the groups say these mitigation measures will both "lessen the burden on our overstressed health care system" as we enter the holidays and help keep kids from missing school. - Better late than never: We may find out the official opening date for the second, longer leg of the Green Line Extension this morning. Ever since the [postponement this past summer]( the five-stop branch through Somerville into Medford has been slated to open in "late November." According to MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo, the T's general manager, Steve Poftak, plans to "provide an update" on the project at [a Board of Directors meeting]( at 9 a.m. today. - Could it be another delay? That's unclear. Some local GLX liaisons [told The Boston Globe earlier this week]( that they've heard the MBTA plans to stick to the "late November" timeline. Still, it will be nearly a year after the branch was [originally scheduled to open]( due to the effects of the pandemic and MBTA staffing shortages. - The Newton judge accused of helping an undocumented immigrant flee ICE back in 2019 has been cleared to return to the bench. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decided yesterday to reinstate Judge Shelley Joseph, after [charges were dropped in September](. - Haverhill High School is canceling the rest of its football season over a hazing incident involving ["some members"]( of the team. That means the schools is forfeiting the rest of their games and putting the coaching staff on paid leave while local police investigate. - [According to Boston 25 News]( a leaked video showed three teenagers — one in a Haverhill football shirt — dragging another individual across a floor and sexually harassing him. - It looks like President Joe Biden will be keeping his Nantucket Thanksgiving tradition alive this year. The Nantucket Current [reports]( the Biden family is expected to arrive on the island this coming Tuesday — and preparations are already underway (i.e. [a very big Air Force plane]( unloading government vehicles and personnel). - You can read [an excerpt here from Biden's memoir]( about his love for Nantucket and his Thanksgiving tradition dating back to 1975. P.S.— Did you miss (or not have time to read) the [investigation we published yesterday]( on the hidden costs Massachusetts homebuyers incur due to the lightly regulated title insurance industry? Not to worry! Here are [five takeaways from the story you should know]( especially if buying a new home is on your horizon. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [Republicans narrowly retake control of the House, setting up divided government]( Focusing on the rising costs of groceries and gas and promising new investigations into President Joe Biden’s administration, Republicans won a slim majority in the House in the midterm elections, ushering in a new era of divided government in Washington. [Read more.]( [Republicans narrowly retake control of the House, setting up divided government]( Focusing on the rising costs of groceries and gas and promising new investigations into President Joe Biden’s administration, Republicans won a slim majority in the House in the midterm elections, ushering in a new era of divided government in Washington. [Read more.]( [New 'sobering' review of BPS special education program highlights disparities]( A new report on BPS’ special education program from the Council of the Great City Schools presented to the Boston School Committee Wednesday includes recommendations such as creating more inclusive practices. [Read more.]( [New 'sobering' review of BPS special education program highlights disparities]( A new report on BPS’ special education program from the Council of the Great City Schools presented to the Boston School Committee Wednesday includes recommendations such as creating more inclusive practices. [Read more.]( [As holidays near, a nationwide rail strike is still on the table. Here's the latest]( So far, three of 12 unions representing freight rail workers have rejected the contract deal brokered by the Biden administration in September. Those unions are holding out for paid sick leave. [Read more.]( [As holidays near, a nationwide rail strike is still on the table. Here's the latest]( So far, three of 12 unions representing freight rail workers have rejected the contract deal brokered by the Biden administration in September. Those unions are holding out for paid sick leave. [Read more.]( [Same-sex marriage bill advances in the Senate with bipartisan support]( Democrats and Republicans advanced a bill to protect same-sex and interracial marriages, clearing a major hurdle towards final passage. [Read more.]( [Same-sex marriage bill advances in the Senate with bipartisan support]( Democrats and Republicans advanced a bill to protect same-sex and interracial marriages, clearing a major hurdle towards final passage. [Read more.]( [Poland says missile strike on its land appears to be an accident by Ukraine]( Two Polish citizens were killed when the missile struck in the eastern part of Poland, just a few miles from the border with Ukraine. Polish President Andrzej Duda calls it an "unfortunate accident." [Read more.]( [Poland says missile strike on its land appears to be an accident by Ukraine]( Two Polish citizens were killed when the missile struck in the eastern part of Poland, just a few miles from the border with Ukraine. Polish President Andrzej Duda calls it an "unfortunate accident." [Read more.]( Anything Else? - Here are [five things to do around Boston this weekend]( including a doo-wop concert in Beverly and the world premiere of a Grammy Award-winning pianist's new show at the ICA. - The words “climate change” are never uttered in “Utama." But film critic Sean Burns [writes that it colors every action in the Sundance award-winning film]( — and you can see for yourself this weekend at the Brattle Theatre. - Two renowned orchestras are [returning to Boston Symphony Hall for sold-out concerts]( a sign that the scare of the pandemic seems to be largely over for many of the region's classical music lovers. - President Biden's eldest granddaughter, Naomi Biden, and her fiancé are set to join a unique club this weekend:[couples who get married at the White House](. While such weddings are a rare event, they actually have a [history spanning over two centuries](.  What We're Reading 📚 - How the Story of Soccer Became the Story of Everything ([Mother Jones]( - In text messages, coordinators of Ron DeSantis’ migrant flights to Martha’s Vineyard reveled in plotting surprise political stunt ([The Boston Globe]( - There Is No One Story About Latino Voters ([The New Yorker](  Life Advice [Michelle Obama's best advice on marriage, parenting and being your authentic self]( In her new memoir, 'The Light We Carry,' the former first lady shares her philosophy on the relationships we have with our partner, our family and ourselves. 'You have to evolve with it,' she says. [Read more.]( [Michelle Obama's best advice on marriage, parenting and being your authentic self]( In her new memoir, 'The Light We Carry,' the former first lady shares her philosophy on the relationships we have with our partner, our family and ourselves. 'You have to evolve with it,' she says. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common talks to senior investigative reporter Beth Healy about [how title insurance fees are gouging local homebuyers](. Before you go: What [actually happens]( if you "donate your car." 😉 😎 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 © 2022 WBUR-FM, All rights reserved.