Philly is opening standing vaccine clinics | Coronavirus Newsletter
Plus, new parents are concerned pandemic life may delay their baby’s development
TL;DR: Philadelphia opened its first standing coronavirus vaccination clinic on Tuesday, with two other sites set to open later this week. New parents are concerned pandemic life may delay their baby’s development. But experts say we should be more worried about how social isolation and financial hardship are hindering parents’ mental health.
— Kelly O’Shea (@kelloshea, health@inquirer.com)
What you need to know:
⚾ The Phillies are “likely” to have fans for their home opener, scheduled for April 1 against Atlanta, city health commissioner Thomas Farley said.
📉 Philadelphia’s coronavirus case counts have decreased by 80% since peaking in late December. Farley attributed the decline to the virus following the pattern of most respiratory viruses, which peak in the winter months and decrease as spring arrives.
👨🏫 Chester and Delaware Counties are considering new guidance that could spur nearly 30 public school districts to begin welcoming back more students to their classrooms.
💉 Johnson & Johnson’s one-shot COVID-19 vaccine was found to safely prevent hospitalizations and deaths from the coronavirus, according to a review by the Food and Drug administration released Wednesday.
🏘️ Demand is high for newly built homes, as buyers face a record-low number of choices, but builders are still facing supply-chain disruptions, price hikes for materials, and other pandemic fallout.
💰 President Joe Biden’s proposed $1.9 trillion coronavirus stimulus would send hundreds of millions of relief dollars to Philadelphia, which is facing a $450 million budget deficit.
📰 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.
Philadelphia opened its first standing coronavirus vaccination clinic on Tuesday at North Philadelphia’s Martin Luther King Jr. Older Adult Center, where staff were set to vaccinate 256 eligible residents. Two other clinics are set to open in the city later this week: One at the Community Academy of Philadelphia in Kensington on Thursday, Farley said, and another at the University of the Sciences in West Philadelphia on Saturday. They will vaccinate Philadelphians who have been given appointments after preregistering online.
The coronavirus pandemic has upended the support systems families rely on to raise their children, and while the youngest won’t remember missed birthday parties and mask wearing, it may still have lasting effects for infants and toddlers. Parents worry their infants’ speech and social skills will lag for lack of interaction with others. But doctors and development specialists say we should be more worried about how social isolation and financial hardship during the pandemic are hindering parents’ mental health and, in effect, their ability to withstand the pressures of new parenthood.
Helpful resources
Where can I get a COVID-19 vaccine in the Philly area? Use our lookup tool.
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.
Symptoms of COVID-19, flu, common cold, and allergies can overlap. How to tell the difference.
You got this: Up your food delivery game
Want restaurant-quality food like meats, seafood, and cheeses delivered to your door? If you’re a bulk buyer with a freezer, or have a big family, Philly-area food distributors can serve. Their minimum orders may be higher than grocery services such as Instacart, but the quality is typically better. My colleague Mike Klein rounded up a collection of restaurant suppliers that deal with the public and offer delivery in the Philadelphia region.
👂 What has living through the COVID-19 pandemic been like for you? Tell us here and we’ll publish a selection of reactions from Philly-area residents in the weeks ahead.
📚 Here are the best comic book shops in the Philly area to check out when you’re looking for your next issue.
🥃 Pennsylvania rye used to be famous. Can its reputation be revived?
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
Is history repeating itself? NPR explains how COVID-19 vaccine inequities echo the HIV crisis.
The Atlantic details the most likely timeline for life to return to normal.
For some workers, creating a “fake commute” paves the way to work-from-home balance, the Washington Post reports.
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.