PROVINCETOWN — The Cape Cod Commission plays an unusual role in the life of the Cape. It’s a kind of hybrid — part technical adviser, part regulator, part community planning […]
Covid-19
Phase Two Vaccination Appointments
Gov. Charlie Baker announced that Phase Two Covid-19 vaccinations would begin next week. Starting Wednesday, Jan. 27, those 75 years old and older could book vaccination appointments online at maimmunizations.org. […]
POLICING AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Police Reform Law Includes New Civilian Oversight
Public reporting of disciplinary actions is now required
PROVINCETOWN — Massachusetts’s new police reform bill will change many aspects of policing, including training and certification, with new use-of-force rules, a duty to intervene and stop other officers from […]
LET'S GET FISCAL
Short-Term Rental Tax Brings Outer Cape $3.8 Million
Revenue boost is received in all four towns
PROVINCETOWN — Even during the pandemic, the short-term rental tax is bringing in serious money to the four Outer Cape towns. The long-awaited tax — technically, an expansion of the […]
TESTING, PART 7
Free Rapid Covid Testing Extended to Feb. 28
Asymptomatic testing is finding new cases every day
PROVINCETOWN — Free asymptomatic coronavirus testing will continue on the Outer Cape. The free rapid-testing program that began here on Dec. 23 was scheduled to end on Jan. 10 and […]
IMMUNITY
‘Rollout’ of Vaccine Gets to Cape Cod
First responders set to receive Covid vaccine starting Monday
PROVINCETOWN — The Outer Cape is getting vaccinated for Covid. Outer Cape Health Services has been inoculating its staff here and in Wellfleet with the Moderna vaccine. Seashore Point Wellness […]
COVID TESTS, PART 6
Bill That Expands Free Testing Lands on Baker’s Desk
Asymptomatic frontline workers would be covered
PROVINCETOWN — A long-running legislative effort to secure free asymptomatic Covid testing for many classes of frontline workers — particularly those employed in health care, restaurants, and retail and hospitality […]
HEALTH
Free Covid Testing Has Come to Outer Cape Health Services
Asymptomatic rapid tests are now available at three clinic sites
PROVINCETOWN — Until this week, only people with symptoms of Covid-19 and those who have had direct contact with infected people have been able to get tested for the coronavirus […]
PANDEMIC RELIEF
Outer Cape Businesses Got $37 Million in PPP Loans
Most can reapply for more under new bill
PROVINCETOWN — A review of records released by the Small Business Administration (SBA) on Dec. 1 shows that small businesses and independent contractors on the Outer Cape received $37 million […]
SCIENCE
‘Docs for Safe Water’ Claim to Be Their Own ‘Peer-Reviewers’
But authors of report attack the town’s peer-review process
TRURO — The 40-page “Report on Private Wells and Truro Safe Water” released in September by a group calling themselves Docs for Truro Safe Water has been promoted by critics […]
ECONOMY
Disaster Loans a Quiet Lifeline for Outer Cape
$32 million for small businesses came in nick of time
PROVINCETOWN — The Covid-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program was so bedraggled in its rollout and early execution, it’s hard to pick which sadsack metaphor to use for it. […]
COVID TESTING, PART 4
County to Open Affordable Testing Sites
Falmouth, Hyannis will open next week; OCHS sites to follow
PROVINCETOWN — Cape Cod’s struggle to get expanded access to Covid testing took a big step forward this week. Legislators and county leaders announced that drive-through testing sites will open […]
PANDEMIC
Wastewater Testing Yields Messy Data
But it’s a still a valued tool for detecting Covid outbreaks
PROVINCETOWN — Testing wastewater for Covid was an unproved idea at the start of this pandemic. If it worked, it would be a way to cheaply test entire communities at […]
PANDEMIC
Outer Cape Expects More Testing in December
County leaders hope for a durable program
PROVINCETOWN — Resources are arriving to expand Covid testing on Cape Cod — at about the same time as the coronavirus itself is arriving. The timing wasn’t exactly planned, but […]
PANDEMIC
As Others Act, Outer Cape Still Lacks Asymptomatic Testing
Upper Cape and Nantucket adopt multipronged approach
PROVINCETOWN — In the popular children’s book Stone Soup, the soup is started with no great resources — in fact, it’s just a large pot of water with one stone […]
