5TYNK
1. The 7 day average of daily new Covid-19 cases in Maine stood at 177 on Tuesday, up from 147.4 a week ago and 38.9 a month ago. Transmission levels in 15 of Maine’s 16 counties are high enough that mask wearing is recommended indoors for all people.
2. Portland Public Schools, will require universal masking when students return to the classroom. Under the plan, mask-wearing is required in the classroom and on buses. Three feet of spacing for students will also be required indoors.
3. Red algae has returned to Pine Point Beach in Scarborough. The smelly but harmless algae coats the waterline. High temperatures play a role in the algae’s growth and expect less of it toward the end of August.
4. Falmouth restaurants have until Friday to discontinue the outdoor dining setups that were allowed under a town COVID-19 emergency ordinance. Owners say it’s premature as they continue to struggle financially during the pandemic.
5. A giant rubber duck has mysteriously appeared in the harbor of Belfast. According to the city’s harbor master, the big bird appeared on Saturday and has more or less been floating in the same place since. No one knows why.