What the $1.9 trillion stimulus package means for you | Coronavirus Newsletter
Plus, Pa. continues shifting messages on suburban vaccine shortage
TL;DR: Congress has passed the long-awaited $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, which includes hugely expanded tax relief for the region’s poor and working class. What benefits are you eligible for? We broke it down. The dispute over whether southeastern Pennsylvania has gotten its fair share of coronavirus shots continues, with Gov. Tom Wolf denying that the Philadelphia suburbs have been shortchanged.
— Ellie Silverman (@esilverman11, health@inquirer.com)
What you need to know:
😷 Philadelphia is expanding vaccine eligibility to all residents above age 65, officials announced Wednesday. The city will also open five new city-run vaccination clinics this month and its vaccine registration system can finally keep out people who aren’t eligible.
🍽️ New Jersey restaurants, gyms, salons, and other businesses can increase capacity to 55% on March 19, Gov. Phil Murphy announced.
💰 Pennsylvania’s Labor and Industry Department will hire at least 500 people to answer phone calls from jobless workers, who often wait hours to get their unemployment questions answered.
🇺🇸 The United States will purchase an additional 100 million doses of Johnson & Johnson’s one-dose COVID-19 vaccine, the White House announced.
🦠 From tests to vaccines, Pennsylvania health officials still missing crucial race data for COVID-19. Meanwhile, federally funded health clinics are getting COVID-19 vaccines to more people of color.
💉 A coronavirus testing firm with plans of one day running a massive drive-through vaccination center in the King of Prussia Mall parking lot has temporarily suspended its first-dose vaccine program, scrambling to procure and administer enough second doses from the state. Those stuck between shots wait in worry.
🏥 One year on the front lines: Last March, essential workers told us their stories of fear. Here’s how they’re coping as the pandemic persists.
📰 What’s going on near you? We organize recent coverage of the pandemic by local counties and Philly neighborhoods to make it easier for you to find info you care about. Now, you can also get those local headlines sent directly to your inbox by signing up here.
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.
Congress has passed the long-awaited $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package known as the American Rescue Plan Act and estimates include $13.7 billion for Pennsylvania state and local governments and $10.2 billion for those in New Jersey. This money will aid schools, restaurants, transit agencies, and state and local governments, along with hugely expanded tax relief for the region’s poor and working class. What benefits are you eligible for? We broke it down.
The dispute over whether the region has gotten its fair share of coronavirus shots continued on Wednesday with Gov. Tom Wolf denying the Philadelphia suburbs have been shortchanged in the commonwealth’s vaccine rollout despite an Inquirer data analysis showing those counties received fewer doses per capita than other parts of the state. “I continue to ask for just simple transparency here. … I don’t have the information from the state, and it’s been enormously frustrating,” said Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chair Dr. Val Arkoosh, a physician.
Helpful resources
Here’s what you can safely do once you’re fully vaccinated, says the CDC
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.
How to prepare for your COVID-19 vaccine appointment.
You got this: Try a #NotPizza box
Diana Widjojo at Hardena created a new pandemic trend: #NotPizza box specials, transforming the cardboard pizza containers into “wonder boxes” that, in her case, were packed with Indonesian flavors, my colleague Craig LaBan writes. Now at Stina Pizzeria on Snyder Avenue, chef Bobby Saritsoglou has given the #NotPizza trend a Greek twist with his taverna-style pikilia. Check it out here.
💉 A Delco community pharmacy on the front lines has too little vaccine — but lots of heart.
🎶 Philly’s indie music venue owners may have a new lifeline from the federal COVID-19 relief bill.
🟢 What is and isn’t allowed under New Jersey’s marijuana laws.
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 Atlantic writes about how a year in, the ongoing pandemic is “messing” with our brains.
From NPR: “Workers are moving first, asking questions later. What happens when offices reopen?”
Black communities are being signaled out for vaccine hesitancy. Rolling Stone writes why that is harmful.
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