Everything Philly’s new vaccine mandate affects | Morning Newsletter
And home ownership is still just a dream for many Black Philadelphians
The Morning Newsletter
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It’s Tuesday and we’re again expected to top out in the low 50s, but you will need those sunglasses.
Today we take a look at the city’s new vaccine mandate and the many things it will affect.
Also, why the dream of homeownership hasn’t gotten any easier for Black Philly over the past 30 years.
— Kerith Gabriel (@sprtswtr, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
Patrons of city bars, restaurants, sporting events, gyms, and more will soon have to show proof of vaccination to enter under the mandate announced yesterday. There are some exceptions, but it’s a short list.
The new requirement to hit up your favorite restaurant or a Flyers game, which starts Jan. 3, comes as COVID-19 hospitalizations in Philly have increased by as much as 50% in the past few weeks.
Our reporter Nick Vadala breaks down what you need to know about the mandate, including which venues are included. And our reporters Laura McCrystal and Anthony R. Wood have the full story. It’s a good time to get your booster shot.
What you should know today
Philly DA Larry Krasner and Pennsylvanian AG Josh Shapiro squared off in court with a $1 billion opioid settlement in the balance.
Also, Krasner apologized for controversial comments he made about Philly’s crime rate. Despite the outcry, many are sticking by Krasner.
In a medical emergency, a defibrillator could be the difference between life and death. But there isn’t one in every establishment.
Need a holiday gift idea for mom and all her friends? Tickets for PHS’ annual Flower Show just dropped.
Meet the Philly man who took eight bullets and lived. Now he tells us his story of redemption.
Pennsylvania’s top health official Alison Beam is calling it quits at the end of the year.
While you slept last night, you missed a meteor shower. But there will be more opportunities to check it out this week.
Center City Restaurant Week returns in January, with 60 confirmed spots to chow down.
Local Coronavirus Numbers: Here’s your daily look at the latest COVID-19 data.
And this is over a 30-year-period, according to a new report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. Why? Because entrenched inequities in employment and income mean owning a home is relatively more expensive for Black residents than for white residents.
What’s slowing progress? While owning a home is the most surefire way to build generational wealth, Black Philadelphians are finding that banks use credit history blemishes that typically affect people of color to deny loans.
By the numbers: Lenders cited credit history as a reason for denying 16% of rejected white applicants but 29% of rejected Black applicants.
A solution? Philadelphia Fed researchers said one way to increase Black borrowers’ access to loans is to give them credit for rent payments and other monthly expenses.
The big picture: The gap is cause for concern for the economy as a whole, said Theresa Singleton of the Philadelphia Fed, who co-authored the report. Too often, [the] disparity in homeownership “is viewed as an issue of a specific demographic group when it has larger economic implications.”
Our reporter Michaelle Bond has more on the situation and what experts say needs to be done to start leveling the playing field.
🧠 Philly Trivia Time 🧠
Norm Van Brocklin is the seemingly iron-clad quarterback credited with leading the Eagles to their second-ever championship. Today’s question: What year did the Eagles win with Van Brocklin? Our columnist Mike Sielski provides the answer along with this look at a much softer side of the revered QB.
📸 Photo of the day
I appreciate your time, as always. I’ll get at you all bright and early tomorrow. 👍🏽