Requiring proof of vaccination for certain types of travel or admittance to large-scale gatherings is under consideration, but privacy and equity concerns may prevent widespread implementation.
Eric Russell
Staff Writer
Eric Russell has been a general assignment reporter at the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram since 2012 and has been a journalist in Maine since 2004. Because he doesn’t have a specific geographic or topical area to cover, Eric often is free to roam the state in pursuit of the most interesting stories, whether it’s tackling the big topic of the day or chasing ideas that fall just outside the boundaries of everyday news. His favorite assignments are ones where he can leave the office and meet with people in their homes or their workplaces to talk about their struggles and challenges – and sometimes their triumphs. Or to try and answer complicated questions.
Eric grew up in Southern Maine, went to college at the University of Maine and worked in Bangor for eight years before joining the Press Herald. He lives in Brunswick with his wife, a school teacher, and two daughters.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Vaccine sites in Maine gear up for busiest week to date
A record number of doses, coupled with the state opening eligibility to anyone 16 and older, has providers looking ahead to next week.
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Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine’s growing surge in cases threatens vaccination progress
The prevalence of highly transmissible variants coupled with increasing travel and pandemic fatigue have led to a steady increase in new COVID-19 cases, in Maine and many other states.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Maine Republicans reject censure of Collins over Trump impeachment vote
By a vote of 41-19, state party leaders decided not to formally rebuke Maine’s senior senator.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
Maine reports its first case of coronavirus variant from Brazil
The fact that the infected Franklin County resident had not traveled recently indicates that the variant already is in the community.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Updated: Q&A on vaccinations and the state’s new registry
What’s vaccine efficacy? Should I use the state’s new registry? Why do I have to keep wearing a mask after vaccination?
Posted inLocal & State, News
Drug overdose deaths remain high in latest monthly report
The Maine Attorney General’s Office report showed 45 confirmed or suspected deaths in February, down slightly from January but still above the monthly average in 2020, a record year.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics
Maine House speaker proposes overhaul of unemployment system
Democrat Ryan Fecteau has drafted legislation that utilized input from more than 300 people who responded to a worker survey about their experience with the state’s system.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
Silver lining of pandemic: No flu deaths and only 3 hospitalizations this season
By this time last year, Maine had recorded 36 deaths and 494 hospitalizations. Experts say COVID-19 safety measures and an aggressive flu vaccine push last fall likely caused the precipitous drop.
Posted inHealth
Vaccine hesitancy could threaten herd immunity
Although attitudes have shifted, there remains a stubborn block of people in Maine and elsewhere who won’t get vaccinated against COVID-19.