It's A Really Tough Summer For Older Adults. Here's Why

Also: a new report on nursing homes that refuse patients who've used opioids; how to elevate your summer cuisine with fresh herbs ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  [Donate [WBUR]]( [View in Browser](  [WBUR]( July 17, 2020 Good Morning Boston, ⛅ Clouds and sun. Pop up shower. Highs in the mid to upper 70s. But the [heat is coming]( this weekend. Happy Friday! This weekend is going to be a hot one. And that falls in line with an overall trend we're seeing: 2020 is likely to be one of hottest summers on record. Make sure you hydrate, stay cool and check in on your older neighbors and loved ones. We'll explain why the latter is more important now than ever later in this email. Let's first start with what you need to know about Massachusetts' coronavirus response today: - Let's talk housing support. Yesterday, Gov. Charlie Baker [announced]( another $20 million in funding for homelessness prevention and other community aid. A decision Baker has yet to make in regards to housing: whether or not he'll extend the temporary ban on evictions and foreclosures. It's set to expire on Aug. 18, and he hasn't dropped any hints about what he'll do. All we know is that the decision is coming "soon." - The state trends are going in the right direction, but it's important to note that the COVID-19 positive test rate remains [above the state average in some of the state's hardest-hit communities](. That includes Lynn, Lawrence, Chelsea, Lowell, New Bedford and Fall River. There will be free testing available in those locations for the next month as part of the state's "Stop The Spread" initiative, as well as Everett and Marlborough. - Heads up: The CDC [won't release]( its guidance this week on how schools should reopen, as was originally expected. Instead, schools and families should bank on seeing something published before the end of the month. - Here's some made-for-TV news about vaccine research that involves [Russian spies](. Apparently, a group of Russian hackers known as “APT29,” “CozyBear” or “The Dukes” – and believed to be linked to Russian intelligence services – has been targeting organizations involved in COVID-19 vaccine development in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. in attempts to steal information and intellectual property, according to cybersecurity officials in those three countries. In response, the NSA, Homeland Security and other U.S. agencies released a joint cybersecurity advisory yesterday. Seeing as a Cambridge biotech company is [one of the farthest along leaders in vaccine creation]( right now, this story is something we'll be watching closely. P.S.– You can skip sad WFH desk lunch today. Eight food trucks will fan out across Boston neighborhoods today as part of a [new city initiative](. They're showing up in different neighborhoods each Friday afternoon. Today, areas include West Roxbury, Charlestown and Brighton. — Meagan McGinnes [@meaganmcginnes]( newsletters@wbur.org The Rundown [1.](url)[First, A Pandemic. Now, The Heat. Why This Summer Poses Extra Risks For Older Adults]( Not only is 2020 likely to be one of hottest summers on record, but the pandemic is exacerbating the risks older adults face from heat, and complicating the traditional solutions people have used to keep them safe. [Read more.](   #%23%23[Twitter](  #%23%23[Facebook](    2. [29% Of Mass. Nursing Homes Refused Patients Who’ve Used Opioids, Study Finds]( The findings are in a study out of Boston Medical Center’s Grayken Center for Addiction. Researchers said they were surprised to see phrases like “do not take people who use drugs” in comments explaining why skilled nursing and rehab centers rejected a referral. [Read more.]( 3. [House Ethics Committee Finds Rep. Trahan Did Not Violate Rules In Campaign Spending Probe]( Last year, the committee began its investigation into allegations that Trahan violated campaign finance laws when she loaned her campaign for the 3rd District seat $300,000 from a joint account with her husband in 2018. On Thursday, the committee released a report clearing her of any wrongdoing. more.]( 4. [Native American Groups Protest Use Of Indigenous Figures In Mass. State Seal, As School Mascots]( Protesters held signs saying "Humans are not mascots" and chanted "Cities and towns, We're going to take these mascots down." [Read more.]( 5. [Lawmakers Leverage Defense Bill To Address Police Reform, Racial Injustice]( Removing Confederate symbols is part of a larger theme that will play into larger focus for the traditionally bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, which is entering its 60th year. Both the full House and Senate are slated to debate the annual legislation next week, including a slew of proposals on use of force, discrimination and diversity in the ranks. [Read more.]( Support the news Anything Else? - Cape hotels were almost [fully booked]( over July 4th weekend. It's a sign that that summer travel is returning to the region, however slowly. - How can you elevate your summer cuisine? [Fresh herbs.]( Here are some tips on how to use them in soups, salads, marinades, dressings and desserts. - My father helped liberate Dachau, the Nazi concentration camp near Munich that gassed Jews and others Hitler deemed unfit, writes Jessica Keener [in this commentary](. After he saw the worst in humanity, he refused to remain silent. [WBUR] Your Daily Must Listen [Here & Now | What You Should Know About COVID-19, Air Conditioning And Indoor Air Quality]( [Listen]( REOPENING GUIDES & INFO [Massachusetts Art Museums Are Reopening. Here's What You Can Expect]( My Gym Is Reopening. Is It Safe To Work Out There? [Read more.]( Know Your Rights: What Your Employer Must Do To Keep You Safe As You Return To Work. [Read more.]( Go In Or Call In? Here's Some Basic Guidance For Routine Health Care During COVID-19. [Read more.]( 📫 Want reopening news from a source you trust, sent right to your inbox? [Sign up for our twice-a-week coronavirus newsletter.]( What We're Reading - N.Y.P.D. Says It Used Restraint During Protests. Here’s What The Videos Show ([The New York Times]( - How Food Media Created Monsters In The Kitchen ([New Republic]( - A Noise Complaint, A Questionable Arrest, And An Alleged Beating At The Lynn Police Station ([The Boston Globe]( Tell Me Something Good [Imagine There's No Virus — The Huntington's Radio Plays Look To The Future In 'Dream Boston']( Four of the area's leading playwrights answered the Huntington’s call to “imagine their favorite locations, landmarks and friends in a future Boston, when we can once again meet and thrive in our city.” The result is a series of new audio plays that make me excited for the post-pandemic times ahead. Before you go: We now know the identity of Norwood's "piano man" – and he has [an encore performance for us.]( 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up [here](. 📣 Give us your feedback: newsletters@wbur.org 📨 Get more WBUR stories sent to your inbox. 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