A FEMA-run mass COVID-19 vaccination site officially opened today at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Center City. The site will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. through April 30. It receives its own allocation of the Pfizer vaccine directly from the federal government (separately from the city’s allocation) and has a capacity to vaccinate as many as 6,000 people per day.

The site is operating by appointment only with no walk-ups accepted. Philadelphians from phases 1A and 1B who have completed the city’s COVID-19 Vaccine Interest form are receiving invitations to register for an appointment at the site. (Check out this report by WHYY on how vaccine appointment invitation links sent out by email to eligible individuals were shared with ineligible folks who were also able to register for an appointment. The city has canceled those ineligible appointments and is working on fixing this issue for future appointments).  Continue Reading

Pre-K through second-grade students will begin returning to school buildings for in-person learning on a rolling schedule beginning Monday, March 8, according to an announcement today by the School District of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Federation of Teachers.

The announcement was made following the conclusion of the mediation process between the District and the PFT, which will allow the union to review the safety plan for each school building.  Continue Reading

The number of COVID vaccine doses coming to Philadelphia is about to increase considerably, according to the city’s Department of Public Health’s announcement. As was reported earlier, a new FEMA-run mass COVID vaccination site is expected to open in Philadelphia Convention Center as early as March 3rd. The site will be receiving its own allocation of vaccine doses, about 42,000 a week, directly from the federal government and separately from Philadelphia’s allocation. The site will operate from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., seven days per week, for at least the next six weeks, by appointment only (read more here).

As of this week, Philadelphia’s allocation is 28,000 first doses a week, so together with the FEMA-run site, the city will be able to administer more than a double of the current amount of doses to residents.  Continue Reading

Philadelphia public school students in grades preK-2 who had opted for the hybrid learning model were supposed to return back to school buildings on Monday, March 1. However, due to the ongoing dispute between the School District of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Federation of Teachers and the mediation process by a third party currently underway, virtual instruction for all District students will continue until further announcement.

The City-led third-party mediation process between the School District and PFT on the phased reopening of the city’s public schools is nearing conclusion, according to today’s announcement by Mayor Jim Kenney. Details will be finalized over the next few days, and will be announced publicly at a joint press conference with the City of Philadelphia, School District of Philadelphia, and Philadelphia Federation of Teachers on Monday, March 1, at 1 p.m.

UPDATE (2/26/2021): All of the available slots are booked for this Saturday’s clinic. Penn Medicine will be hosting another vaccination clinic next week – on March 6th. Stay tuned for more information.

(2/25/2021): West and Southwest Philadelphia residents who are currently eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine (Phases 1A and 1B of COVID vaccine distribution) are invited this Saturday, Feb. 27 to a mass vaccination clinic that will be held at the Francis Myers Rec Center (58th and Kingsessing).

Those who live in the following zip codes are eligible to get vaccinated at this clinic: 19104, 19131, 19139, 19142, 19143, 19151, 19153.

The clinic will be open from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Registration is required. Please text READY to (267) 263-7464 to register for the clinic. Continue Reading

Each year Campaign for Working Families (CWF) offers free tax preparation and filing services to qualified individuals and families. This year, the organization has again opened several locations around the city where IRS-certified preparers can help many Philadelphians file their taxes for free. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, all sites are open by appointment. All appointments are for a brief visit so that individuals can drop off their information and documents.

The following sites are open in West and Southwest Philadelphia:  Continue Reading