Even as the city holds firm with its mask mandates, Philadelphians are making their own decisions about whether to mask or not.White and pink pastel blossoms frosted the trees beneath a blue sky Tuesday afternoon in Old City, the kind of spring day that makes long sleeves optional. For many, though, masks were not.“I do it because it’s the right thing to do,” said Ellen Stroman, as she walked by the colonial columns of the Shambles near Second and Pine Streets with her husband, their daughter, and dog.There is ample evidence that masks help prevent COVID-19′s spread, and their value...…Even as the city holds firm with its mask mandates, Philadelphians are making their own decisions about whether to mask or not.White and pink pastel blossoms frosted the trees beneath a blue sky Tuesday afternoon in Old City, the kind of spring day that makes long sleeves optional. For many, though, masks were not.“I do it because it’s the right thing to do,” said Ellen Stroman, as she walked by the colonial columns of the Shambles near Second and Pine Streets with her husband, their daughter, and dog.There is ample evidence that masks help prevent COVID-19′s spread, and their value...WW…

The city has had to cull more than 1.000 appointments from its system in the past few days because of a software problem that allows people ineligible for vaccination to get shots.A change in Philadelphia’s vaccine registration system should allow only people who are eligible for shots to register for COVID-19 inoculation through the city, closing a loophole that has allowed an untold number of people to get appointments improperly.The fix comes as city health department staff canceled about 1,400 appointments from Sunday to Tuesday made by people who shouldn’t be receiving shots in...…The city has had to cull more than 1.000 appointments from its system in the past few days because of a software problem that allows people ineligible for vaccination to get shots.A change in Philadelphia’s vaccine registration system should allow only people who are eligible for shots to register for COVID-19 inoculation through the city, closing a loophole that has allowed an untold number of people to get appointments improperly.The fix comes as city health department staff canceled about 1,400 appointments from Sunday to Tuesday made by people who shouldn’t be receiving shots in...WW…