'I Get Survivor's Guilt,' Says UMass Afghan Refugee: The HUB

The HUB is a daily newsletter designed for what you want — to be caught up on the most interesting, important news in 5 minutes or less. It's a little bit of this, a little bit of that, but if there's something you want more or less of, email me at jimmy.bentley@patch.com.

Today is Friday, August 27. Let's get started.

Marwa Khudaynazar graduated from the University of Massachusetts Boston on Thursday, and after she got her diploma and stepped off the stage, she checked her phone hoping to see a congratulatory message from her parents. Instead, she saw the news of the terrorist attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport, in Kabul, Afghanistan, the country her parents fled, before she was born, writes Katie Redefer, of The Boston Globe.

"I get survivor’s guilt all the time. It's this very heavy feeling of, 'Am I doing enough?'" Khudaynazar told the Globe. "It feels wrong to not enjoy myself and not relax, because that's all my family’s ever wanted when they were back home, to be able to have the opportunity to relax and have peace of mind."

Khudaynazar's family left Afghanistan in August 1998, as the Taliban stormed their region. When her family fled, Khudaynazar's mother was nine months pregnant with her. The family escaped to Pakistan, where Khudaynazar was born, and three years later her family made it to the United States as refugees. Khudaynazar's family eventually moved to South Boston, where she grew up.

Khudaynazar was part of the class of 2020 at UMass, but the coronavirus pandemic delayed her ceremony to 2021. She told the Globe she enjoyed celebrating her achievements in-person after a year filled with remote learning. She also carried an Afghan flag on stage to celebrate her heritage. But now, Khudaynazar is flooded with emotion, as she tries to make sense of the situation in her home country and find a way to advocate for other refugees.

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Today is another reminder COVID-19 isn't over. Yes, restaurants are still open, the Sox are back at Fenway and the House of Blues is rocking again — but the delta variant is spreading. And that spread means indoor mask mandates are back in Boston. For you and I, that means a mild inconvenience is back to keep our neighbors safe. But pandemic restrictions stiffening also means plenty of local business owners and employees, especially those in the restaurant industry, are feeling anxious again. (Boston Patch)

As an Emerson alum, I've always found Boston to be a great city to get a meal, whether I'm out on a date or enjoying a night with friends. If you're anything like me, I'm sure you don't like going to the same place every time. So why not try somewhere new? Here's some great suggestions for the steak lovers out there, courtesy of Kev's Best. (Kev's Best)

As the delta variant spreads, hospitals throughout the country are seeing increases in the number of children being hospitalized with COVID-19. But thankfully, Boston and the rest of eastern Massachusetts have largely avoided this trend so far, according to health experts at Massachusetts General Hospital. (Boston 25 News)

If you have a minute

Take a look at this, especially if you have school-aged kids. It's true that students in Massachusetts public schools will have to mask up again, at least until Oct. 1. But there are a few exceptions you should be aware of, including when students are playing wind instruments or having their gym class outside. (NBC 10 Boston)

That's not Coca-Cola

State officials cited a Coca-Cola plant in Northampton for spilling gallons of liquid into the Connecticut River. But that liquid wasn't sugary soda. Officials say it was yellow"juice waste" with a "strong sweet, ripe odor." Algae growth in the river indicated, the discharge was happening for a while, with about 8.3 gallons getting dumped per minute, town officials said. (Boston.com)

Did you know? Basketball, the Toll House Cookie, the sewing machine and chemotherapy were all invented in Massachusetts. Growing up in Whitman, I knew all about the Toll House Cookie's roots, but it was fun to read how else Massachusetts innovation changed the world. See more by checking out this list of 22 inventions born in the Bay State. (The Boston Globe)

Weather:

The National Weather Service says it will be sunny, with a high near 88. At night, expect a mostly clear sky, with a low around 67.

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll see you soon. If you're into these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to read along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Jimmy Bentley

About me: Jimmy Bentley is a Massachusetts and Rhode Island field editor for Patch covering Cape Cod, Braintree, Barrington, East Greenwich, East Providence and North Kingstown. He was a reporter at the Plympton-Halifax Express and interned for Patch while earning his master's at Emerson College. In his free time, Jimmy hits concerts (sometimes reviewing them for Patch), watches movies and plays ice hockey. Email: jimmy.bentley@patch.com Twitter: @PatchBentley

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Boston Daily? Contact me at jimmy.bentley@patch.com.