Boston ends COVID emergency on April 1

Also: A call to investigate gas prices; how to help Ukraine [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  March 9, 2022 🌞 Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. Good Morning Boston, From snow to spring-like temperatures? The news feels like it's changing as fast as the weather this week. Here's what you should know: - Today [marks two years]( since Gov. Charlie Baker first declared a COVID-19 state of emergency in Massachusetts. Thanks to vaccines and new therapeutic treatments, the state's top health official says "we are in a much better place." - The infection rates in Massachusetts are at their lowest point since last July and statewide hospitalizations due to COVID are under 300 for the first time since early August. - Still, there's been massive loss; nearly 23,000 Bay Staters have died from COVID over the past two years. - Boston Public Health Commission's Infectious Disease Bureau has [new guidance]( for how and when Boston Public Schools should drop its mask mandate. Health officials are recommending that the citywide COVID rate reaches 10 cases per 100,000 residents. As of March 9, Boston is at 13 cases per 100,000 residents. - Ultimately, this is just guidance. It's up to Boston Public Schools leaders to decide whether it uses the commission's guidance or sets an official date for mask-free learning. Right now, masks are staying on. - What's ending? Boston's COVID state of emergency, as of April 1. The health commission voted unanimously last night. The declaration has been in place for nearly two years. - On the agenda today: Mayor Michelle Wu is planning to make an announcement at 11 a.m. about "rent stabilization," which was one of the [defining pillars of her campaign last year](. - It's also an effort that [faces headwinds on Beacon Hill]( amid opposition from State House leaders and Baker. - Boston-area rents were the [sixth highest in the country last year]( with the median one-bedroom apartment going for [$2,535 a month](. - Thousands [paid their respects]( in Revere on Wednesday to the Mass. state trooper who was killed in the line of duty last week. Tamar Bucci died after her cruiser was struck by a tanker truck as she pulled over to help a driver on I-93 in Stoneham. - PSA: it's almost bear season in Massachusetts. That means you should take in your bird feeders, keep your trash covered and put up fencing around chicken coops, especially if you live in the western and northern parts of the state. P.S.— We've [talked a little about legislative proposals]( to provide local residents relief from the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on energy prices. But there's also things you can do right away if you're feeling squeezed. This is [a helpful (and surprisingly extensive) thread]( of practical ways to pare down your energy usage — and your bills. And [NPR has pulled together these gas-saving tips]( help you get the most out of your tank. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow]( Meagan McGinnes Senior Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown ['They were shooting civilians': Ukraine refugees saw abuses]( More and more, those turning up at border crossings are survivors who have fled some of the cities hardest hit by Russian forces. One new arrival from the outskirts of Kyiv says of Russian forces that "they were shooting civilians. That’s absolutely true. I witnessed it. People were scared.” [Read more.]( ['They were shooting civilians': Ukraine refugees saw abuses]( More and more, those turning up at border crossings are survivors who have fled some of the cities hardest hit by Russian forces. One new arrival from the outskirts of Kyiv says of Russian forces that "they were shooting civilians. That’s absolutely true. I witnessed it. People were scared.” [Read more.]( [Facing breakdowns and slow repairs, Mass. wheelchair users call for stronger state law]( Advocates argue Massachusetts offers fewer protections for wheelchair users than other states. [Read more.]( [Facing breakdowns and slow repairs, Mass. wheelchair users call for stronger state law]( Advocates argue Massachusetts offers fewer protections for wheelchair users than other states. [Read more.]( [1 in 5 local election officials say they're likely to quit before 2024]( A new national survey raises alarms from election administrators facing constant threats. Stress and attacks by political leaders on the voting system are top forces pushing them out of their jobs. [Read more.]( [1 in 5 local election officials say they're likely to quit before 2024]( A new national survey raises alarms from election administrators facing constant threats. Stress and attacks by political leaders on the voting system are top forces pushing them out of their jobs. [Read more.]( [Massachusetts highest court considers allowing medically assisted death]( The State Supreme Judicial Court heard arguments Wednesday in a case involving profound questions about a person's control over the end of their life and whether a doctor can legally help. [Read more.]( [Massachusetts highest court considers allowing medically assisted death]( The State Supreme Judicial Court heard arguments Wednesday in a case involving profound questions about a person's control over the end of their life and whether a doctor can legally help. [Read more.]( [Bill Galvin calls for investigation into high gas prices]( The Massachusetts secretary of state says he has no proof of price gouging but is concerned about the price at pumps, which vary widely across the state and were sold before the Russia-Ukraine war began. [Read more.]( [Bill Galvin calls for investigation into high gas prices]( The Massachusetts secretary of state says he has no proof of price gouging but is concerned about the price at pumps, which vary widely across the state and were sold before the Russia-Ukraine war began. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - Want to help Ukraine? Our colleagues at Maine Public [put together a handy guide]( which includes how to find reputable charities and why you should donate cash over supplies. - No, seriously, [you don't need to worry about the palm-sized spiders]( that researchers predict will colonize the East Coast ([including maybe Boston](. - From a book fair to a climate change-focused art exhibit, here are [five recommendations for things to do this weekend.]( What We're Reading 📚 - At the Bottom of an Icy Sea, One of History’s Great Wrecks Is Found ([The New York Times]( - Have We Been Thinking About Burnout All Wrong? ([Bustle]( - The Coronavirus’s Next Move ([The Atlantic]( Tell Me Something Good [Meet Jimmy Cash, the school custodian who moonlights as a standup comedian and TikTok star (The Boston Globe)]( Once class is dismissed and he clocks out for the day, the Worcester native trades in his squeegees and disinfectant sprays for bright lights and microphone stands. [Read more.]( [Meet Jimmy Cash, the school custodian who moonlights as a standup comedian and TikTok star (The Boston Globe)]( Once class is dismissed and he clocks out for the day, the Worcester native trades in his squeegees and disinfectant sprays for bright lights and microphone stands. [Read more.]( Before you go: [A scary game indeed](. 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up [here](. 📣 Give us your feedback: newsletters@wbur.org 📧 Get more WBUR stories sent to your inbox. [Check out all of our newsletter offerings.]( Support the news   Want to change how you receive these emails? Stop getting this newsletter by [updating your preferences.](  I don't want to hear from WBUR anymore. Unsubscribe from all WBUR editorial newsletters [here](.  Interested in learning more about corporate sponsorship? [Click here.]( Copyright © 2022 WBUR-FM, All rights reserved.