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Pharmacists typically wear surgical masks when preparing certain medicines — to keep the drugs sterile. But these masks, as well as of N95 respirators, are more often now going to front-line workers caring for COVID-19 patients.

Mask Shortage Straps Pharmacists Who Need Them To Keep Medicines Pure

Fifteen percent of hospital pharmacists who prepare injectable drugs are going without the protective masks they typically rely on, or are using substitutes for the masks.

WAMC Capital Region Bureau Chief Dave Lucas wears a facemask in March 2020.

Burlington Lifts Mask Mandate For Fully Vaccinated People

Vermont’s largest city is lifting its mask mandate in stores and public buildings for fully vaccinated people.The Burlington City Council on Monday voted…

Atlanta Mayor Orders Masks To Be Worn In Public Spaces

Atlanta is the latest big city to require face coverings when people are in public. Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is moving forward with the plan despite resistance from Georgia's governor.

MA Board Of Education OKs Mask Mandate In Schools

The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has granted Commissioner Jeffrey Riley the authority to mandate masks in schools through at least October 1.

A sign is displayed at a COVID-19 vaccine site in the Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco on Feb. 8, 2021. California is exempting San Francisco from a rule that takes effect requiring all people to wear masks indoors.

California allows San Francisco to maintain existing COVID-19 masking rules

Starting Wednesday, a statewide mask mandate was back in effect, but vaccinated San Francisco residents will be allowed to go without face coverings inside gyms and workplaces.

Nancy Williams, right, who is transgender, talks with a voter as part of a canvassing effort in Los Angeles.

Study Finds Deep Conversations Can Reduce Transgender Prejudice

After a study about support for gay marriage was faked, the debunkers performed the experiment for real. This time, the results suggest canvassing door to door might reduce prejudice long-term.

Springfield Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris with Mayor Domenic Sarno and a chart showing a steady decline in new COVID-19 cases since early September. Sarno announced that because of falling infection rates a face mask mandate will expire on November 1st.

Mask mandate will end in Springfield on November 1st

New COVID-19 cases have fallen in five consecutive weeks

Mexico Election

NPR's Gerry Hadden reports that another election defeat for the party that for years ruled Mexico has re-ignited hopes that the government can reach a peace agreement with guerrillas in the south. The Institutional Revolutionary Party or PRI yesterday lost the gubernatorial election in the state of Chiapas. Only six weeks ago, the PRI lost the presidential election to opposition candidate Vicente Fox . Both Fox and the opposition winner in the governor's race yesterday have pledged to resolve the bloody conflict in Chiapas between government forces and the indigenous Zapatista rebels.

Mexico Economic Development

NPR's Gerry Hadden reports Mexico's President Vicente Fox has proposed an ambitious plan for economic development in the south of Mexico. NAFTA -- the North American Free Trade Agreement -- has so-far only benefited the northern part of the country. In the south, Fox has proposed building a trade corridor to attract factories and investment. But workers in the south are worried about being exploited. And Zapatista Indians say the plan will disrupt their way of life.

Gangs Fire on Haitian Celebrations

Gangs loyal to Jean-Bertrand Aristide opened fire on a crowd of Haitians celebrating the former president's departure Sunday. At least five people are reported dead, with moe than 20 wounded. Among the casualties were two journalists. The celebrations, coming a week after Aristide's ouster, brought thousands of Haitians into the streets of Port-au-Prince. Hear NPR's John Ydstie and NPR's Gerry Hadden.

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