Still playing vaccination catch-up | Morning Newsletter
And, your infrastructure bill breakdown.
The Morning Newsletter
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter
Hello, Tuesday readers of The Inquirer Morning Newsletter.
First: The reach of the vaccine has still not been universal. Here’s where we stand.
Then: This is what Pa. and N.J. could get from Biden’s infrastructure bill.
And: Meet a Philadelphia activist who just started his fifth walk to D.C. to bring attention to police brutality and gun violence.
P.S.: Have we ever met a celestial spectacle we didn’t like? This should be a primo year for the annual Perseid meteor shower viewing. Looks as if it’s the season, and it’s peaking this week.
Be sure to check out our new photo of the day at the end of this newsletter, and let us know what you think.
— Ashley Hoffman (@_AshleyHoffman, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
Philadelphia’s least-vaccinated zip codes at the beginning of the summer continue to lag, despite outreach this summer like door-to-door visits, local clinics, a lottery, and targeted ads to get people to roll up their sleeves.
As the delta variant spreads at a quick clip, and the threat of other variants looms, the city’s least-vaccinated zip codes are likely to be the most vulnerable to serious illness and death. And some of the least-vaccinated zip codes have had the highest case counts throughout the pandemic. Yes, vaccination numbers continue to climb, and the pace has been slightly higher in the least-vaccinated areas, but a large gap remains between Philadelphia’s most- and least-vaccinated areas — and it isn’t on track to be closed in the near future.
Look no further than the charts in this story showing the numbers in context for evidence of the profound inequality.
Health reporter Jason Laughlin and data editor and reporter Jonathan Lai break it down in their story on the struggles to vaccinate everyone at the same rate.
Officials, advocacy groups, and transit agencies across Pennsylvania and New Jersey are excited about the projects that could be possible as the U.S. Senate moves a $1 trillion infrastructure program forward, with $550 billion in new money that would pour into upgrading roads, bridges, and airports. Other projects: expanding broadband internet access, upgrading mass transit, and other priorities.
This would be the first big federal investment in “hard infrastructure” in more than a decade, which officials say is desperately needed because of chronic underfunding.
Reporters Jonathan Tamari, Julia Terruso, and Thomas Fitzgerald looked at the proposal and called people from all over to ask: How might Pennsylvania and New Jersey put the money to use?
Reopening resources
🆕 If you lost your vaccine card, here’s what to do.
And, here’s what to do with your vaccination card — and what not to do.
Here’s what Philly experts are thinking about COVID-19 risk, while the delta variant’s outdoor transmission is still unclear.
Track the latest data on COVID-19 cases in the region.
Before you go out to eat, here’s a list of Philly restaurants requiring vaccination proof to dine in.
Do you need to upgrade your mask?
What you need to know today
A Philadelphia activist just started his fifth walk to D.C. to bring attention to police brutality and gun violence. He says this time, it’s “not just a local thing.” Read on for the march’s dual purposes.
This year, respiratory viruses like RSV are spreading earlier than usual. Some doctors fear that flu could be next.
Researchers presented plenty of theories as to why Black children with type 1 diabetes experience higher average blood-sugar levels, more severe complications and more hospitalizations from the autoimmune condition than white children. But decades of research that tracked childhood type 1 diabetes have debunked them.
Philly’s teachers’ union supports a vaccine mandate. But Mayor Jim Kenney is still trying to convince city workers.
Philly DA Larry Krasner announced his office is holding roundtable meetings to make young voices on gun violence heard.
Sen. Bob Casey is aiming to raise an ABLE savings account age to 46 yrs old from 26 years.
Philly paid $5 million to a North Philadelphia man who spent 27 years in prison for a murder he said he didn’t commit.
Through your eyes | #OurPhilly
That Lady Justice knows how to pick a side — and a backdrop. Thanks for sharing.
Tag your Instagram posts with #OurPhilly, and we’ll pick our favorite each day to feature here and give you a shout-out.
That's interesting
🧂 Before you go out to eat, here’s a list of Philly restaurants requiring vaccination proof to dine in.
🍫There’s a reason we don’t have Mallomars in summer. And a Philly candy company had good and plenty to do with the air-conditioning’s rise. This week? This story about candy is gonna come in handy.
🏖️This is where you can rent bikes at the Shore to earn that funnel cake.
Opinions
“Even if declaring a gun violence emergency wouldn’t mean more resources, residents need reassurance that the city recognizes that it is experiencing a major crisis,” columnist Jenice Armstrong writes.
All good with your doctor? This is why you should get to know more than one of the clinicians in your doctor’s office, primary-care physician Jeffrey Millstein writes.
In the wake of DaBaby’s homophobic remarks, it’s time to celebrate authentic work from Southwest Philly’s Black, queer, openly HIV-positive Donja R. Love, organizer Abdul-Aliy Muhammad writes.
What we're reading
Variety’s TV critic has plenty to say about the falling viewership of the Olympics.
The San Francisco Chronicle unpacks five things to know about the new U.N. report on climate change.
The Philadelphia Tribune goes in depth on the cost of West Philly’s real estate landscape right now.
The Athletic can help you with a fantasy football cheat sheet.
Photo of the day
Nice catch.