Why Moderna Is Ramping Up Vaccine Production

Also: Students shift their college plans; listener tips for getting outside this winter ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  [Donate [WBUR]]( [View in Browser](  [WBUR]( February 2, 2021 Good Morning Boston, ⚠️ Rain likely, possibly mixed with snow before 3 p.m. Then a chance of rain and sleet for the rest of the evening. High near 37. Last night's storm shifted west, meaning some of us have a little less fluffy white stuff to deal with this morning than previously expected. Here's what you need to know: - Most of Massachusetts saw some snow accumulation, but it really varied depending on where you were. The western part of the state saw over a foot, whereas the National Weather Service reports about 3 inches for Boston. - There are nearly 5,200 people without power statewide this morning. The largest cluster of outages is in Newbury and Salisbury. - There will still be lingering snow showers today, but it won't accumulate to much, if anything at all. - Despite the storm, the MBTA says it's operating on a regular schedule so far this morning. If you're driving, try to stay off the roads for a little bit longer if you can; they're expected to be cleaned and cleared by midday. If you have kids at home, here's where you can find [storm-related changes to school schedules.]( And in coronavirus news: - Massachusetts hit a hard milestone yesterday: more than 500,000 confirmed COVID-19 infections statewide since the pandemic began. And we passed that big number on the one year anniversary of the first confirmed infection here. - Let's talk about vaccines. Before the Biden administration can buy more, much-needed vaccine doses, Pfizer and Moderna have to first fulfill their commitments under their original federal supply contracts: 100 million doses by March 31. That means both companies need to [ramp up production]( by quite a bit to hit this deadline. Right now, it appears Moderna is the one kicking it into high gear; the company increased production by 35% over the past week. Pfizer saw less than a 2% increase. - Dr. Dan Barouch is the director of the Center for Virology and Vaccine Research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center – and he's one of the core researchers behind the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. He chatted with Radio Boston yesterday about his work and the local outbreak. [Give it a listen]( or read the interview highlights. P.S.– I know it's cold but there are still plenty of ways to get outside and have some fun this winter. If you got enough snow, I suggest making a snowman today – and then sending me a picture of your snow creation. (To inspire you, check out [this adorable mini snowman]( with berry features.) [Radio Boston listeners]( had some other outdoor suggestions as well. Whatever you choose, bundle up, get some fresh air and have some laughs! We could all use more of that. — Meagan McGinnes [@meaganmcginnes]( newsletters@wbur.org The Rundown [1.](url) Dream Shattered: Why One Student Shifted Plans In Hopes Of Earning A Degree]( Last semester, over 600,000 Massachusetts residents changed their college plans, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Two-thirds of those students canceled all plans to take college classes in the fall. The biggest reasons: being sick with or worried about COVID-19, and not being able to pay for courses because their income was affected by the pandemic. [Read more.](   #%23%23[Twitter](  #%23%23[Facebook](    2. [Here Are The Immigration Actions President Biden Plans To Sign]( President Biden has been working to unwind many of the executive actions taken by former President Donald Trump. Next up: a series of actions on immigration. [Read more.]( 3. [Fitchburg Sees A Flurry Of New Small Businesses Amid Pandemic]( According to the Secretary of State's office — which registers new corporations and limited liability corporations — almost 54,000 new entities were formed in Massachusetts in 2020, up almost 3,000 from the year prior. [Read more.]( 4. [Secret Addiction Treatment Shoppers Log Hard Sell Tactics At Some Residential Programs]( “If a hospital was admitting anyone who walked into the emergency room regardless of how sick they are, giving them treatment that may or may not help them, we’d find that absurd,” said Dr. Michael Barnett, the study’s senior author. “But for some reason we tolerate it in this residential rehab community.” [Read more.]( 5. [New Boston Police Commissioner Dennis White Sworn In, Fulfilling His Mother's Dream]( White has been with the Boston Police Department for 32 years. He is now the second Black police commissioner in Boston, after William Gross who retired last Friday. [Read more.]( Support the news Anything Else? - ICYMI: Dustin Pedroia, the four-time, all star second baseman who spurred the Boston Red Sox to a pair of World Series victories, is [now retired](. - Will the COVID vaccine protect against variants? Will you need a booster? NPR is [answering some of your questions.]( - Dr. Alexa B. Kimball spent the day vaccinating hospital colleagues. [In this essay]( she writes: "We can't hug but we bump elbows, and that is my final gesture for the day to protect the people who have given so much during the pandemic." [WBUR] Your Daily Must Listen [Playlist: Haitian Rhythms And The Music Of New Orleans]( [Listen]( VACCINES [Tips From Mass. Residents Who Successfully Booked Coronavirus Vaccinations Online]( What To Know About Coronavirus Vaccine Distribution In Mass. [Read more.]( Complete Coverage Of Vaccines In Mass. [Find it here.]( With Latinos Dying At Higher Rates From COVID, Brigham And Women’s Hospital Intervenes. [Read more.]( 📬 Get the latest on vaccine safety protocols, side effects, local distribution plans & more in your inbox. Sign up for our [coronavirus newsletter and alerts.]( What We're Reading - An Oral History of Wally’s Café ([Boston Magazine]( - Labor Nominee’s Brushes With Scandal Loom Before Confirmation ([Bloomberg Law]( - The Numbers Don’t Tell the Whole Story ([The Cut]( Tell Me Something Good [Sign Up For The Next]( Town Hall: The Vaccine Is Here]( This event on Feb. 16 is just the first in a four-part WBUR Town Hall series on the science, roll out and safety of the coronavirus vaccine. It's free but you'll need to register. Before you go: More of [this]( please. 😎 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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