There’s no simple strategy for ending COVID-19 | Coronavirus Newsletter
Plus, the FEMA vaccine site in Philly still can’t screen out people who aren’t eligible
TL;DR: We’re one year into this pandemic and vaccines are bringing us hope that life may soon return to normal. My colleague Marie McCullough reports on how the coronavirus will continue to evolve into a more mild “endemic” form and what that means for our futures. Also, three days into running a mass vaccine site with FEMA, Philadelphia still can’t screen out ineligible people who sign up for appointments using forwarded links.
— Ellie Silverman (@esilverman11, health@inquirer.com)
What you need to know:
😷 Suburban Philly lawmakers are demanding answers on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout amid frustrations over the region’s dose supply.
📚 Pennsylvania will open daily vaccine sites for teachers and school staff using Johnson & Johnson vaccine. New Jersey teachers hope vaccine priority gets them back in the classroom — ”where we belong.”
🏖️ Gov. Phil Murphy said he’s “highly confident” that most New Jersey adults who want a vaccine will be able to get one by Memorial Day weekend at the end of May. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf sees “light at the end of the tunnel” of the COVID-19 pandemic.
🏥 Why COVID-19 vaccination has become an issue for some who oppose abortion.
💉 Philadelphia will receive about 40,000 first doses of coronavirus vaccine next week, roughly doubling what it had been receiving a few weeks ago, Health Commissioner Thomas Farley said Friday.
📰 What’s going on in your county or neighborhood? We organized recent coverage of the coronavirus pandemic by local counties and Philly neighborhoods mentioned in the stories to make it easier for you to find the info you care about.
Local coronavirus cases
📈The coronavirus has swept across the Philadelphia region and cases continue to mount. The Inquirer and Spotlight PA are compiling geographic data on tests conducted, cases confirmed, and deaths caused by the virus. Track the spread here.
Three days into running a mass vaccine site with FEMA, Philadelphia still can’t screen out ineligible people who sign up for appointments using forwarded links. There are more people eligible for the vaccine in the current 1b phase than there are doses, so the city was aiming to inoculate people who are particularly high-risk and who live in zip codes that have seen lower rates of vaccination. This is just one of the many hurdles the government is facing in its effort to quickly and efficiently vaccinate residents. Wondering where you can get a COVID-19 vaccine in the Philly area? Use our lookup tool.
We’re one year into this pandemic and vaccines are bringing us hope that life may soon return to normal. My colleague Marie McCullough reports on how the coronavirus will continue to evolve into a more mild “endemic” form but stick around, and what that means for our futures. Read more here.
Helpful resources
Where can I get a COVID-19 vaccine in the Philly area? Use our lookup tool.
Symptoms of COVID-19, flu, common cold, and allergies can overlap. How to tell the difference.
What to know about face masks, including whether to double up and when it might be time to replace yours.
These principles of social distancing can help you figure out what you can and can’t do.
Here’s how to avoid coronavirus vaccine scams.
You got this: The Flower Show will be different this year
The Philadelphia Flower Show will be held outdoors for the first time in its nearly 200-year history. The show will run for nine days (June 5 to 13) at FDR park. Read more here and see images of past shows here.
🍩 Where to get vegan donuts in and around Philadelphia.
🥡 Head to these Northeast Philly restaurants for takeout dishes from around the world.
🏒 Here’s what to expect at the Wells Fargo Center when the Flyers welcome fans back.
Have a social distancing tip or question to share? Let us know at health@inquirer.com and your input might be featured in a future edition of this newsletter.
What we’re paying attention to
The Washington Post reports why it is bad that fewer Americans are getting coronavirus tests.
Black communities have been hard hit by the coronavirus. Because of that, Black families in New Jersey are making the “heartbreaking” choice to keep kids in virtual school, North Jersey Media Group reports.
STAT explains the “short-term, middle-term, and long-term future of the coronavirus.”
Enjoy getting our journalism through email? You can also sign up for The Inquirer Morning Newsletter to get the latest news, features, investigations and more sent straight to your inbox each morning Sunday-Friday. Sign up here.