A bipartisan rebuke of Pa.’s vaccine rollout | Coronavirus Newsletter

The gist: The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a bill that would let Philadelphia’s suburbs run their own mass clinics, a bipartisan rebuke of the state’s rollout. However, Gov. Tom Wolf is unlikely to ever sign the measure into law. Infrared thermometers can measure a person’s temperature by being pointed at the forehead, and have been embraced as a way to screen for COVID-19. But do they really work? Here’s what experts told us.

— Ellie Silverman (@esilverman11, health@inquirer.com)

😷 Philadelphia won’t ease COVID-19 restrictions like the rest of Pennsylvania due to an increase in case counts and hospitalizations.

📈 COVID-19 cases are again rising fast in North Jersey, the Shore, and the Poconos.

💉 Philadelphia has canceled thousands of improperly scheduled vaccine appointments at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

💻 Comcast is committing $1 billion to help close the digital divide as Americans increasingly rely on the internet.

🏥 Philadelphia parents of kids with disabilities aren’t eligible for the vaccine. But they would be if they lived elsewhere in Pennsylvania.

💰 As thousands of unemployment claims expire, Pennsylvania residents refile and wait on federal benefits.

🦠 Sick of pandemic precautions? So were Americans in 1918. Here’s what happened when they eased up.

🇺🇸 The U.S. Senate confirmed former Pennsylvania Health Secretary Rachel Levine, a transgender doctor, for key post in the Biden administration.

📰 What’s going on near you? We organize recent coverage of the pandemic by local counties and Philly neighborhoods to make it easier for you to find info you care about. Now, you can also get those local headlines sent directly to your inbox by signing up here.

📈The coronavirus has swept across the Philadelphia region and cases continue to mount. The Inquirer and Spotlight PA are compiling geographic data on tests conducted, cases confirmed, and deaths caused by the virus. Track the spread here.

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a bill today that would let Philadelphia’s suburbs run their own mass clinics in a bipartisan rebuke of the state’s rollout. However, even if the bill is passed by the state Senate, it’s unlikely that Gov. Tom Wolf will sign the measure into law. “We need the governor and the Department of Health to understand that this is not a partisan issue,” said Rep. Jennifer O’Mara (D., Delaware), chairwoman of the House Democratic Caucus’ Southeast delegation. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a Democratic or a Republican. COVID-19 impacts all of us. This is a life and death issue. That’s the message we sent together today.” Read more here.

Infrared thermometers, devices that are a little bigger than a glue gun that can measure a person’s temperature by being pointed at the forehead, have been embraced as an easy and cheap way to screen for COVID-19. But do they really work? My colleague Marie McCullough asked experts for answers. Here’s what they said.

Sure, we are allowed to go on vacation. The stay-at-home order was lifted months ago, and Pennsylvanians are free to travel. But my colleague Nick Vadala writes about why it is important to think about whether we should travel. Here’s how to think about your risk.

📚 Independent bookstore owners, including one in Haddonfield, look back at a year spent trying to stay afloat.

💰 Philly has launched a $1.5 million initiative to restore pandemic-wracked businesses and cultural vitality.

⚽ How to help kids stay safe during the spring sports season.

Have a social distancing tip or question to share? Let us know at health@inquirer.com and your input might be featured in a future edition of this newsletter.

Enjoy getting our journalism through email? You can also sign up for The Inquirer Morning Newsletter to get the latest news, features, investigations and more sent straight to your inbox each morning Sunday-Friday. Sign up here.