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Boston's Morning Newsletter
'Unconscionable' violence: Gov. Healey and Mass. delegation respond to attacks on Israel
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Here's hoping you're reading this on a day off from work to mark either Indigenous Peoples’ Day or Columbus Day, depending on which your city commemorates. (You can listen to a great episode from The Common here to better understand the movement to officially change the holiday's name to the former.) Still, whether you're back to the grind or ready to frolic through another fine fall day, be aware of what's opened and closed for the holiday.
Now to the news:
Massachusetts leaders are reacting to the conflict in Israel that was sparked this weekend after militant Hamas rulers of the Gaza Strip carried out an unprecedented attack early Saturday morning. Gov. Maura Healey is expected to attend a gathering on Boston Common today to show "solidarity with Israel." According to NPR as of this morning, more than 700 people were killed by Hamas, per Israeli media. The Associated Press reported the militants claimed to have taken 130 captives, including women and children, but that number has not yet been officially confirmed. In Palestine, NPR reports that health officials said at least 493 people have been killed in Israel's strikes on the Gaza Strip, including 91 children and 61 women; about 2,750 have been reportedly injured.
- What Healey (and others in the "all Dem" delegation) are saying: Healey has called the violence "unconscionable." Rep. Seth Moulton described the situation as "devastating." Sen. Ed Markey shared he thinks a war between Israel and Hamas would be "catastrophic." Rep. Ayanna Pressley called for an immediate cease fire and de-escalation, saying the weekend violence was "deeply alarming."
- From the White House: President Biden said he told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the U.S. “stands with the people of Israel in the face of these terrorist assaults. Israel has the right to defend itself and its people, full stop. There’s never a justification for terrorist attacks and my administration’s support for Israeli’s security is rock solid and unwavering.’’ He added that his administration pledges to ensure Israel has “what it needs to defend itself.” You can read more about Biden's full remarks here.
- Study abroad woes: Northeastern University is working to evacuate three of its students from Israel; they have been studying there as part of a co-op program. University officials say the students are safe.
- Zoom out: To understand what's happening in Israel now, you must know the timeline and context of the deadly clashes of recent decades. The New York Times did a good job breaking down the main events of the centuries-long conflict here; we highly recommend the read.
Dashboard redesign: Massachusetts health officials have given the COVID data dashboard we got to know over the past few years an overhaul to include other respiratory diseases, too. With peak season for respiratory illnesses approaching, the dashboard now incorporates hospital admissions due to flu and RSV. It also shows COVID and flu season severity levels, a little like a Smokey Bear fire danger sign. Officials plan to keep updating it every Thursday.
- Another change: The dashboard now highlights the percentage of residents who are keeping up with their annual COVID and flu shots. The current rates: 2.5% of Massachusetts residents have gotten the new COVID vaccine and 8.96% have gotten the flu shot.
Eye on the (Nobel) prize: Another Massachusetts local has earned the most prestigious prize out there. Claudia Goldin, a Harvard professor, won this year's Nobel Prize for economics this morning. Her work studying the gender pay gap earned her this major recognition.
- A little about Goldin: She's been at Harvard since 1990 and was the first woman to be offered tenure in the school's economics department.
Heads up: Jamaica Pond is closed thanks to a harmful algae bloom. You can still walk around the path, but Boston Health officials say the bacteria causing the bloom can be harmful to people and pets, which is why they want you to stay out of the water. The pond will re-open for swimming and fishing once the bacteria is back to a safe level. How long will that take? Up to three weeks, so plan accordingly.
P.S.— Next year's solar eclipse is now less than six months away, and local cartographer Andy Woodruff has created a neat, interactive tool to track its timing and path, including through New England. Better start making those Vermont Airbnb reservations pronto!
