What's behind the wave of Logan delays?

 

❤️ Donate Thursday, October 9, 2025 ☀️🍂 Sunny, with a high near 57. Good Morning Boston, Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a ceasefire deal to end the war in Gaza. The two sides are set to sign the agreement today, after two years of fighting and tens of thousands of people, mostly Palestinians, killed. NPR has more on the initial steps here. Now, to local news: Up in the air: This week hasn't been the best time for travelers at Logan Airport. As air traffic control staff shortages related to the federal government shutdown disrupted flights across the country, the Boston airport struggled with its own wave of delays yesterday. By the end of the day, the website FlightAware counted 475 delays and 18 cancellations at Logan. On Tuesday, there were 349 delays. Monday was more of the same. Is the government shutdown the reason? Massport officials say no, but the FAA suggests otherwise. Here's a look at the different factors at play: Runway construction: Massport officials point to this as the main reason for delays in the recent past — and near future. Last month, the airport began the first of two 75-day closures of one of its busiest runways for safety upgrades (NBC10 Boston did a segment on it if you want to get into the weeds). During the project, airport officials say travelers should prepare for boarding delays of around an hour for both departing and arriving flights — especially in the afternoon and evening. "Runway 9-27 is one of our major runways and used in every wind configuration," Massport spokesperson Jennifer Mehigan told WBUR. "Without it, the amount of flights the airport can handle per hour is reduced, and therefore some flights get pushed into the next hour." The current runway closure is expected to go until Nov. 16; the second is set to start next July. The government shutdown: Mehigan says Logan has "not seen any impacts due to the federal shutdown." However, there was a "staffing trigger" — which indicates a worker shortage — called in Tuesday night at the FAA's regional air route traffic control center in Nashua, New Hampshire. That tower manages Boston flights before and after they enter Logan's airspace. A reason for the trigger wasn't given, but Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said earlier this week that there has been a national uptick in sick calls among air traffic controllers, who are not being paid during the shutdown. The weather: Yesterday morning was, of course, pretty rainy. And according to Mehigan, heavy rain can cause delays to lots of different aspects of readying a plane: baggage, refueling, catering, etc. Go deeper: Air traffic controllers helped end the last government shutdown. Here's how they could do it again. Heads up: Massachusetts fire officials are urging people to check the fire alarms in their home. That's because we're hitting the end of the lifespan of most fire alarm systems that went into use in 2015, when a new fire code took effect requiring most in-home alarms to have sealed 10-year batteries and a “hush” feature. The change was meant to stop people from accidentally disabling alarms that were going off because of non-emergencies, like cooking smoke. What they're saying: "Our concern right now is that a wave of smoke alarms in homes across Massachusetts won't be reliable in the months ahead," Department of Fire Services spokesperson Jake Wark told WBUR's John Bender. What you should do: Wark is encouraging all residents to "take a look at their alarms, check the manufacturing date printed on the back, and if it's more than 10 years old, replace it right away." Also worth noting: Old sealed-battery alarms shouldn't be thrown in the trash or recycling, because of their flammable lithium-ion batteries. Wark says to dispose of them with hazardous waste. RIP REI: Boston is losing its only REI outlet next year. The outdoorsy retailer announced yesterday that it's closing its co-op in Fenway in late 2026. The 401 Park Drive location opened in 2003. The company didn't say why it's closing. But the news comes after several years of declining revenue and just two weeks after REI's CEO announced a new business strategy that hinted at "tough choices." REI also closed its store in Cambridge Crossing last year, leaving Hingham, Framingham and Reading as its only remaining Boston-area locations. What about the workers? In a statement, REI said its 53 Boston employees "are welcome to apply for open positions at other REI stores." P.S.— Grab that cardigan; fall weather is finally here. After our recent warm stretch, crisp, cool air is moving in today, and should stick around for the foreseeable future. There's even a frost advisory for the Boston area tonight. Meteorologist Danielle Noyes has the full forecast for the long — and mostly sunny — holiday weekend here. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Senior Editor, Newsletters The Rundown Mass. doctors decry Trump administration's delays and misinformation on vaccines On the eve of respiratory virus season, Massachusetts public health officials said Wednesday that confusion and misinformation stemming from the federal government are making it harder for them to keep people safe from vaccine-preventable diseases. Read more. Healey pledges 'zero tolerance' after weekend's illegal street racing reportedly turned violent Gov. Maura Healey on Wednesday issued a stern warning to participants in what she called "illegal street meetups," pledging "zero tolerance" for the drag racing and mass car rallies that occurred across Massachusetts over the weekend. Read more. Former FBI director Comey pleads not guilty to federal charges of lying to Congress The former FBI director, who has long been one of President Trump's most vocal critics, was indicted last month on two counts stemming from his testimony before a Senate committee in September 2020. Read more. Nuclear, fusion energy getting lift in Mass. with new roadmap effort The recent revival of interest in nuclear power among Massachusetts policymakers comes as the offshore wind industry that Democrats here have long promised is both floundering and out of favor with the Trump administration. Read more. Young adults in Mass. favor statewide high school graduation requirement, poll shows In a poll young adults in Massachusetts favored a statewide requirement for high school graduation such as passing required courses with at least a D grade or passing financial literacy classes. Read more. Anything Else? Joan Bennett Kennedy, the first wife of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, died yesterday at the age of 89. The model and classically trained pianist endured a long and troubled marriage marked by family tragedies. However, Kennedy was also commended for being one of the first women in the public eye to open up about her struggles. This week, the price of gold hit $4,000 per ounce for the first time ever. In fact, the precious metal is having its best year since 1979. That's not a good sign for the American economy. Film critic Sean Burns says it's been awhile since a film gave him nightmares. Then he watched Kathryn Bigelow's "A House of Dynamite," in which an intercontinental ballistic missile is going to hit Chicago in a little more than 19 minutes. Bigelow takes us through those 19 minutes three times from different vantage points inside government. Read Sean's full review here. On the heels of $186 billion in cuts to SNAP, the Trump administration announced plans to cancel a long-running annual report on food security. Stopping the count doesn’t stop the suffering, Boston University professors Paul Shafer and Stephanie Ettinger de Cuba write in this Cognoscenti commentary. What We're Reading 📚 Offshore wind’s effects on fish won’t be studied due to federal cuts (The New Bedford Light) ‘Seedy and disgusting’: Davis Square residents vent frustrations at public safety meeting (Boston.com) How TikTok keeps its users scrolling for hours a day (Washington Post) Food For Thought 'They're feeding America' — Northern Maine students learn work ethic on annual harvest break Every year in the early weeks of fall, Aroostook County potato farmers race to dig up their fields before the first frosts hit. Since at least the 1940s, students get a break from school to help out during the busy season. Read more. Play: WBUR's daily mini crossword. Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: How's your week going? 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up here. 🔎 Explore WBUR's Field Guide stories, events and more. 📣 Give us your feedback: newsletters@wbur.org 📧 Get more WBUR stories sent to your inbox. Check out all of our newsletter offerings.               Interested in learning more about corporate sponsorship? Click here. Trustees of Boston University on behalf of WBUR 890 Commonwealth Ave Boston, MA, 02215, US Copyright © 2025 WBUR-FM, All rights reserved.

 

Gov. Hochul warns of new COVID-19 variants, hospitalizations up

by: Lia Tobin

Posted: Jul 6, 2024

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – Governor Kathy Hochul provided New Yorkers an update on COVID-19 as new variants contribute to increases in hospitalizations in parts of New York State and around the country on Saturday. Hochul said hospitalizations have increased compared to the same period last summer in 2023.

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With social gatherings increasing during summer months, and high temperatures forcing people indoors, Hochul reminds New Yorkers to get tested if they experience symptoms, follow the usual precautions including current CDC guidance, stay current with COVID-19 vaccines and seek appropriate treatments if necessary.  

“While we are well below the figures seen during the pandemic, we are closely monitoring activity regarding the latest variants,” Hochul said. “By following the guidance and taking simple precautions, New Yorkers can continue to enjoy a safe and healthy summer.”

Hochul said COVID-19 hospitalizations are well above the rates seen at this time last year, but well below the rates seen during the same period in 2022. 

• On July 3, 2024, the seven-day average for newly reported COVID-19 hospital admissions statewide was 0.72 per 100,000 residents.
• On July 3, 2023, the seven-day average for newly reported COVID-19 hospital admissions statewide was 0.31 per 100,000 residents.
• On July 3, 2022, the seven-day average for newly reported COVID-19 hospital admissions statewide was 1.66 per 100,000 residents.

 “We are seeing an increase in admissions to hospitals, yet below prior year increases. As people move indoors to escape the heat, transmission does increase. This is a good opportunity to remind people to improve indoor ventilation whenever possible,” New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. “Additionally, the standing order I signed last year is still in effect, so anyone who would like an updated vaccine can get one at their pharmacy.”

People who have symptoms should get tested for COVID-19, and those who test positive should contact their health care provider about possible treatments, which have been shown to be effective at reducing the chances of serious outcomes. Hochul said New Yorkers who are immunocompromised, have lung or cardiovascular conditions, or other risk-factors, and those who are seniors, are especially encouraged to discuss COVID-19 treatments with a health care professional. Those who test positive should also avoid contact with others, including staying home from work, school, and social activities.

“The availability of at-home testing has resulted in a significant decline in tests being sent to labs. Researchers at New York State’s Wadsworth Lab rely more on wastewater analysis for surveillance of circulating COVID-19 lineages,” Hochul said. “Federal and state wastewater surveillance indicates the growing presence of new variants both in New York and across the country, which are believed to be one of several potential causes of the current trends in COVID-19 cases and hospitalization rates, including increased travel and social mixing.”

At-home COVID-19 tests remain available at many local pharmacies statewide. Hochul said the COVID-19 vaccine remains one of best prevention steps and has been shown to reduce risk of serious illness. Anyone who has not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine or boosters is encouraged to do so.

Under the Affordable Care Act, most health insurance plans will cover the cost of COVID-19 vaccines, without the need for co-pays. Those who are uninsured, or whose insurance does not cover the updated vaccine, will have access to the shots free of charge through community health centers; local, tribal, or territorial health departments; and pharmacies participating in the HHS’ Bridge Access Program.

NY COVID VARIANT 

Trumpers Suddenly TURN AGAINST Trump for CRAZY Reason

 
NEVER FORGET COVID!

Vaccines Save Lives It's not a debate DAN RATHER AND ELLIOT KIRSCHNER JUN 21 Credit: Malte Mueller When historians look back to analyze this era's toxic irrationality, they may well focus on the anti-vaccine movement.  How tragic that we have to stand up and defend one of the most successful health innovations in the history of our species. Vaccines have saved hundreds of millions of lives and eradicated or greatly reduced scourges like smallpox and polio. They have protected millions from the worst effects of COVID and hastened a return to our pre-pandemic way of life, even though the dangers of the disease are not fully behind us.  Vaccines are also incredibly safe, especially when compared to all the other things people put into their bodies. There is no reputable scientific debate over any of this.  But none of these facts have dissuaded the instigators of ignorance, the cultivators of conspiracy theories, and the sellers of pseudoscience. They have whipped up their throngs of followers into a mania around vaccines that threatens the safety of this country and the world. And they have targeted doctors, scientists, and other medical professionals — the very people trying to keep us healthy.  This past weekend, we saw a particularly grave example of this destructive dynamic. Joe Rogan, the right-wing podcast host and frequent amplifier of conspiracy theories, welcomed notorious anti-vaxxer Robert Kennedy Jr. to his show. Kennedy is running for president as a Democratic challenger to President Biden, even though he sounds more like a MAGA Republican. Not surprisingly, he spouted his usual nonsense about the alleged dangers of vaccines, and Rogan ate it up.  That would have been bad enough. But the incident quickly escalated across social media and into the general press in a manner that speaks to our particularly troubled times. Pediatrician and vaccine expert Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, shared this article from Vice: “Spotify Has Stopped Even Sort of Trying to Stem Joe Rogan’s Vaccine Misinformation.” Spotify, the online music service, hosts Rogan’s podcast.  The response to Dr. Hotez’s tweet — which has now been viewed more than 28 million times — was a tidal wave of bananas. The doctor, a prominent voice on the importance of reputable science, was already a boogeyman for the anti-vaxxers and COVID deniers. They were ready to pounce. Rogan challenged Dr. Hotez to come on his podcast to “debate” Kennedy. Then Elon Musk piled on and attacked Dr. Hotez on Twitter, which further empowered the legions of right-wing radicals. Dr. Hotez said he was confronted by anti-vaxxers outside his home. Scientists, journalists, and even business leaders like Mark Cuban jumped to the researcher’s defense against the onslaught of anti-science nonsense from Rogan, Musk, and their confederates. There are many angles to this particular story that highlight the bad faith of the vaccine critics. They like to paint promoters of inoculations as tools of “Big Pharma.” But Dr. Hotez has developed a patent-free vaccine for COVID, which means neither he nor a big drug company will benefit financially from its use. Furthermore, going onto a podcast to talk about vaccines with Kennedy is not a “debate” — it’s performative nonsense. We don’t have NASA scientists debate flat Earthers. And the idea that this is a matter of free speech is undercut when Musk uses the platform he bought to intimidate responsible voices by unleashing the mob (not to mention that we aren't talking about government prosecution). In the wake of this episode, reports indicate scientists are (understandably) leaving Twitter in greater numbers because it has become an increasingly vile environment for mainstreaming anti-science harassment.  More generally, this episode represents another data point in a very disturbing trend, one exacerbated by, but not limited to, COVID or vaccines. Science is under siege from powerful players in American politics, business, and culture. It is largely a phenomenon of the modern Republican party and its reactionary allies, but not exclusively. It can be seen in our haphazard response to the climate crisis but also in a broad assault on data, expertise, and knowledge. This overall, general attack on science as a whole is a threat to our national security, health, and welfare.  Science can be a wonderfully encouraging and hopeful endeavor. It is a means for learning about the mysteries of life and the universe. It can lead to solutions for seemingly intractable problems. It is why cancer is not always a death sentence, why we can turn sunlight into clean electricity and take pictures of distant stars. Scientists aren't perfect, of course. They are humans, after all. But science offers a way for us to arrive at important truths and then figure out where to go from there.  The likes of Kennedy, Rogan, and Musk are robbing us of this better future. By sowing discord and confusion, they are turning science and medicine into political footballs they toss back and forth at the public’s expense. But ultimately, the truth often wins out. Dr. Hotez and those who support him are standing up to the destructive bullying. In their courage and commitment, we can find reasons for hope.