Changing how police respond to mental health calls | Morning Newsletter

First: The way Philly police respond to some mental health calls is about to change.

Then: The pandemic gave us such things as focaccia gardens, but it also gave us things we should keep doing, such as telemedicine. Some families say it’s been so beneficial they’d like to stick with it.

And: It’s time for another election, and this is not news to snooze on. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2021 Pennsylvania primary.

— Ashley Hoffman (@_ashleyhoffman, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

Within weeks, police and behavioral health officials are rolling out a pilot “co-responder unit” program, pairing a health-care provider with a police officer.

Experts say behavioral health professionals can defuse mental health crises, such as the one faced by Walter Wallace Jr. the day he was shot and killed by police. In the wake of his death, the pressure to accelerate reforms mounted. And the city is about to take steps toward that reform. When it comes to the co-responder model, cities such as Los Angeles and San Antonio are already there.

Advocates say this is an effective way to de-escalate crises. Others want police out of the equation entirely. The police only when “extremely necessary” idea? The city hasn’t ruled that out for the future.

Read on for reporter Anna Orso’s story on Philly’s plan to soon start sending specialists alongside cops to some mental health calls.

While an in-person doctor visit cannot be beat, some families and doctors are saying that the telemedicine treatment the pandemic has required has its key advantages.

Doctors say it helps seniors, in particular, who can benefit from the support of their caregivers at appointments. Remote translators can get involved, members of extended families can now be included when it comes to discussing major health decisions, and when getting to the office isn’t possible for patients with dementia, sitting down at the screen is more convenient.

Read on for reporter Stacey Burling’s story on what people are saying about why telehealth is worth keeping.

This is what we know about rare “breakthrough” COVID-19 infections in vaccinated people.

Here’s what you need to know about taking allergy medicines before getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

Here’s when you need to wear a mask, according to CDC guidance. We broke it down with our expert-informed guide, whether you’re vaccinated or not.

Where can you get a COVID-19 vaccine in the Philly area? Use our lookup tool.

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🚣‍♂️ Thousands are flocking to Pa. state parks to take in the natural splendor by horse, by kayak, or by bike.

📱 We talked to the father of Kyle Pitt, who was fourth in the NFL draft last week, about the heart-dropping moment he got The Call.

🦅 Meet the nine new rookies the Birds selected in their 2021 draft class, including one athlete who can come in and strengthen the team immediately.

🔮 Also, we crunched some numbers to size up the Eagles’ trades and how things could shake out in 2022.

🎓 Want a shiny new job in a virtual/hybrid hiring environment? Check out our guide for new college grads on how to get a job in 2021.

🍦 Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is opening not one but two locations in Philly.

“Taxpayers put their trust in elected officials to ensure that responsible contractors pay local workers properly to complete the infrastructure work we all rely on. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania has construction organizations that do not meet the standards the taxpayers deserve,” — William Sproule, executive secretary-treasurer of the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, writes of the need to crack down on wage stealing by combating worker misclassification.

Philly’s musicians, actors, dancers, and other performers are staging shows all over the wide outdoors, for in-person audiences of actual people. From a drive-in production of a play to indie concerts and modern-dance pop-ups, here are dozens of performances that are scheduled to entertain you alfresco across the region this spring.