Is it just me, or have you noticed a modest increase in the number of people wearing face masks inside grocery stores, pharmacies and other stores compared to just a few weeks ago?

 

Is it just happenstance? Concerns about the Delta variant? Or could it be that shoppers who were wary about venturing out a few weeks ago, are just emerging, masks on, now?

 

Should we be following the World Health Organization which says vaccinated people should continue wearing masks indoors or the CDC, which advises that fully vaccinated people need not wear masks indoors?

 

Newton resident Dr. Ashish K. Jha, dean of Brown University School of Public Health, sorts it out in this Globe oped.

 

 

Jacob Bernstein at the New York Times has detected a disturbing “class divide” emerging among who’s wearing a mask and who isn’t. 

 

“Those who are still wearing masks tend to be members of the service class — store clerks, waiters, janitors, manicurists, security guards, receptionists, hair stylists and drivers — while those without face coverings are often the well-to-do customers being wined and dined," he notes.

 

“The resulting class divide may not always be intentional, but it still can be jarring to see how masks have emerged as another symbol of inequality from the pandemic,” he adds.

 
 

 

Are you in the fitness, hotel or restaurant business and hoping Congress will come forward with another round of relief?

 

You’re likely to be disappointed, writes Andy Medici for the BBJ.

 

Among the items languishing before Congress is a $60 billion proposal to replenish the oversubscribed Restaurant Revitalization Fund; $30 billion for the fitness industry; and $20 billion for hotels.

 

“There are dozens of people who have ideas on who else should get money,” Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon, who introduced restaurant relief legislation in 2020 tells Medici.

 

“It’s getting harder because we are trying to get implemented with what we’ve got. I think people need to be realistic. These are huge lifts and it’s not likely we are going to see more items moving forward.”

 

 

 

The City of Newton wants to meet with owners of village center-based businesses and commercial property owners about the future look and needs of the city's village centers. You can provide your insight by participating in a focus group:

 

 

You do not need to live in Newton to participate.

 

Can’t make the focus group? Additional ways you can participate include completing a Vision Kit for your village center(s), or responding to an interactive online forum. If you have questions, contact Zachery LeMel.

 

 

 

 

 

Twenty-four independent Needham businesses are collaborating on a shop local summer passport challenge. Stop in at any of the following participating business to pick up your passport with a chance to win raffle prizes:

 

Barre3 Needham, Learning Express Toys & Gifts, StretchMed Needham, Proud Mary Gifts, Latina Kitchen & Bar, Hearthstone Home, Sweet Tomatoes Pizza, Gari Japanese Fusion BIstro, Volante Farms, Needham Florist, French Press Bakery & Cafe, Your CBD Store Needham, GStarFit, Needham Center Fine Wines, Cappella Restaurant, Pura Vida Gifts, Abbott's Frozen Custard, Self Combat by Lally, Reveler Beverage Company, Goldfish Swim School Needham, Michelson's Shoes, Treat Cupcake Bar, Hearth Pizzeria and Servente Bakery & Cafe.

 

 

 

We will need to start feeding the parking meters in Newton again starting this Monday (July 12). 

 

But you shouldn’t need quarters: The city has replaced 1,100 old and broken parking meters with new solar powered, smart meters that can be fed using the Parking Passport app. Details

 

Needham, Wellesley and Watertown have already resumed requiring charging at meters.

 
 

 

Finally, looking for a way to support the chamber’s advocacy and programming but you don’t work locally, or perhaps you’re retired?

 

That's why we created our Citizen Members program.

 

Citizen Members are individuals who are not directly affiliated with a business or nonprofit organization but share our mission; enjoy participating at a few events each year; and want to support this newsletter and other communications from the chamber. The annual membership contribution is $95.

 

Citizen Membership does not include a business listing, marketing benefits, referrals and access to other tools designed to promote your company. 

 

But it’s a great way to stand up and say that you share our passion for the economic and cultural vitality of our communities.

 

Sign up here. Contact Tracey Antaya if you have questions.

 

That’s today’s need to knows, unless you need to know why YouTube keeps recommending videos that violate the platform’s content rules.

 

There will be no newsletter tomorrow. Have a great weekend!

 

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