Community Corner
Why Are Churches Exempt From City's Indoor Mask Mandate?: The HUB
Also: Work shortages hit daycares | Health experts say Patriots games likely aren't superspreaders | 110 rescued cats need a new home | More
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 Wednesday, August 25. Let's get started.
The delta variant is bringing pandemic restrictions back to Boston, and on Friday, the city will see the return of indoor mask mandates. That means we'll have to mask up again, whether we're dining out in the North End, going shopping at the Prudential Center, or doing anything else in the city.
But unlike the last mask mandate we all faced in the earlier days of the pandemic, there's one exception to the rule — and that's churches and other places of worship. Nik DeCosta-Klipa from Boston.com does a great job explaining the exception, despite places of worship repeatedly facing blame for superspreader events in Massachusetts and across the United States.
DeCosta-Klipa explores acting Mayor Kim Janey's legal concerns over forcing churches to have mask mandates, while also providing insight from state medical experts who remain perplexed by the exception.
"There's no reason, if we're thinking about the science, for there to be an exemption," Dr. Cassandra Pierre, the associate hospital epidemiologist at Boston Medical Center, told Boston.com.
More Top Stories
With more parents heading back to the office, the demand for child care is back. But a lot of daycares are struggling to keep up with the demand, thanks to the labor shortage. At Teddy Bear Village in Framingham, five teachers left during the pandemic, but some don't want to come back because of health risks and needing to take care of their own children. The situation is worse at Nurtury in Roxbury, where there are nine openings — and the staff is so short that teachers are working longer days and having administrators cover their breaks. (NBC 10 Boston)
If you're looking to escape the city's hustle and bustle and enjoy a summer afternoon, taking a ride down to Foxborough might be an option. Beginning Monday, Patriot Place will open two areas, where shoppers can eat and have a drink outside after ordering takeout. (NBC 10 Boston)
Massachusetts drivers have until Friday, August 27 to enter the Registry of Motor Vehicles' Low Plate Lottery. Two hundred plates are up for grabs at the myRMV Online Service Center. Low-digit devotees say the plates are a status symbol, so enter if adding personality to your ride is your thing. (Boston Patch)
If you have a minute
Patriots season is right around the corner, and I couldn't be more excited. With a totally revamped roster and the quarterback battle between Cam Newton and Mac Jones to be decided in the coming weeks, there's a lot to look forward to this season. And thankfully there's some good news for football fans on the pandemic front. According to researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital, NFL and college football games haven't been associated with high increases in coronavirus cases. (NBC 10 Boston)
A lighter touch
This one is for the cat people out there. If you're looking to give a fury feline friend a new forever home, the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) rescued 110 kittens and cats from Louisiana. Check out one of the MSPCA's shelters in Boston, Centerville, Methuen, or the Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem, if you're looking for a new pet. (WCVB Boston)
Did you know? There are at least 18 cities and towns in Massachusetts that have reinstated indoor mask mandates in some capacity. If you travel a lot, it's probably a good idea to check this map and find out where you need to mask up. (Boston.com)
Weather:
The National Weather Service says it will be sunny with a high near 91. At night, expect a mostly clear night, with a low around 72.
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.
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