How are you staying connected to your community amid the coronavirus outbreak?

The Inquirer wants to hear from you.

Christ Church holds service to an almost empty church because Coronavirus concerns in Old City, Philadelphia, PA on Sunday, March 15, 2020.Read moreMIGUEL MARTINEZ / For the Inquirer

Published March 16, 2020, 5:42 p.m. ET

Every day, we get more instructions. Don’t shake hands. Avoid the gym. Engage in social distancing. Avoid gatherings. Order take-out. The coronavirus has made many of us feel helpless, but even more of us are wondering what we can do in the midst of this crisis to feel connected to our region and the communities that are most important to us.

The Inquirer wants to hear from you: How are you staying connected to your community amid the coronavirus outbreak? Some answers may appear in our Sunday Currents section.

Staff Reports

Coronavirus

What to know about COVID vaccines — and whether you need one this fall

Vaccination remains the best way to decrease the likelihood of severe outcomes from the virus, as well as protect those around you who might be at higher risk.

Kathleen Felton, Washington Post

Philly Tips

How to stay cool without air conditioning in Philly

There are ways to cool your body, and your house, down in Philly's intense heat.

Nick Vadala

National Politics

CDC won’t publish report showing COVID shots cut likelihood of hospital visits

The move has raised concerns among current and former officials that the vaccine’s benefits are being downplayed because they conflict with the views of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Lena H. Sun, Washington Post

Coronavirus

CDC delays publishing report showing COVID vaccine benefits

The acting CDC director cited concerns with the methodology, but the design has long been used to test vaccine effectiveness.

Lena H. Sun, Washington Post

Coronavirus

After a chaotic COVID-19 vaccine rollout, here’s what to know about getting your fall shots

Flu, pneumonia, and respiratory syncytial virus vaccines, along with COVID shots, are broadly available at major retail and community pharmacies in the region.

Aubrey Whelan

Coronavirus

New Jersey expands access to COVID-19 vaccines amid federal restrictions

Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order that allows anyone over 6 months to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

Aubrey Whelan

Health

Pennsylvania allows leading medical societies to guide vaccine access as new federal restrictions create confusion

The move allows pharmacies to begin administering the latest COVID vaccines. Previously, pharmacists in the state had been in a holding pattern when it came to distributing updated COVID shots.

Aubrey Whelan

Coronavirus

CDC removes language that says healthy kids and pregnant women should get COVID shots

The change comes days after U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that COVID-19 vaccines will no longer be recommended for healthy children and pregnant women.

Mike Stobbe, Associated Press

Coronavirus

New Trump vaccine policy limits access to COVID shots

Federal health officials will no longer routinely approve annual COVID-19 shots for younger adults and children who are healthy.

Matthew Perrone and Lauran Neergaard, Associated Press

New Jersey

A South Jersey gym is suing Bellmawr for $10 million over COVID-19 shutdown

Frank Trumbetti, who owns Atilis Gym, says Bellmawr officials retaliated against him because of his statements against COVID-19 business closures.

Abraham Gutman

Coronavirus

‘Something was wrong with my brain’: How COVID leaves its mark on cognition

In March 2020, Hannah Davis fell ill, and everything changed. Her respiratory symptoms were mild, but the neurological and cognitive fallout was frightening.

Richard Sima, Washington Post

Philadelphia

Former Philly health department employee who raised concerns about racial equity in the COVID-19 response sues the city

Dianna Coleman accuses the health department of racial discrimination, retaliation, and creating a hostile work environment.

Abraham Gutman

Coronavirus

Long-COVID patients are frustrated that federal research hasn’t found new treatments

Along with claiming the lives of 1.2 million Americans, the COVID-19 pandemic has been described as a mass disabling event. Estimates vary, but the CDC puts it at 17 million adults.

Sarah Boden, KFF Health News

Health

Penn’s royalties from Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine grow to at least $2 billion after new settlement

The new $467 million includes $400 million in royalties for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine from 2020 through 2023.

Abraham Gutman

Health

Where to find free vaccines in Philadelphia this winter

Learn where to get free or low-cost COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines in Philadelphia. Find city health centers, eligibility details, and tips for staying protected this winter.

Henry Savage

Coronavirus

Federal program offering free COVID tests is now open

In late September, Americans can order free COVID-19 tests for their household. Here's how it works.

Henry Savage

Coronavirus

Some federal funding for COVID vaccines has been cut, but you can still get a free vaccine in Philly

Health officials here say they hope to encourage more residents to get vaccinated ahead of the winter “sick season.”

Aubrey Whelan

Coronavirus

FDA approves new COVID vaccines for fall

The FDA approved updated vaccines on Aug. 22. Vaccines will be shipping out to doctors and pharmacies within the week.

Henry Savage

Coronavirus

COVID is now endemic, the CDC says. What does that mean for Philly?

Some epidemiologists are not necessarily convinced that the disease itself is endemic because COVID is still relatively unpredictable.

Aubrey Whelan

Flyers/NHL

Flyers vs. Avalanche photos

The Flyers take down the Avalanche, 3-2 at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Monday, October 19, 2026.

Yong Kim

Flyers

Matvei Michkov scores twice, including a power-play goal in Flyers’ 3-2 win over Avalanche

The Flyers fielded a roster that had 10 players age 25 or younger on Monday night, with Michkov and Trevor Zegras leading the way. Oliver Bonk and Denver Barkey each recorded assists in the win.

Jackie Spiegel

Music

World Stage, the venue previously known as World Cafe Live, will close at the end of October

The West Philly music venue which has been wracked with tension and labor issues since being taken over by new management last year, will shut down after two Halloween shows.

Dan DeLuca

Crime & Justice

Trial date set in Gaudreau brothers vehicular homicide case, as unseen photos of N.J. crash site become available

Sean M. Higgins, 45, is set to take his case to trial in January, a judge said Monday.

Jesse Bunch

Media

6abc picks Adam Joseph to replace Cecily Tynan on ‘Action News’

New chief meteorologist Adam Joseph has been with the station since 2005.

Rob Tornoe

Education

The Pa. House voted to ban cell phones in schools, bringing the bill one step closer to law

The measure passed by the House would require all Pennsylvania schools to ban cell phones from the start of the school day to the end. Gov. Shapiro has voiced support for a ban.

Maddie Hanna