Other coronavirus headlines of note

What you need to know today The spread of the delta variant in the United States: At a White House briefing this week, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country's top infectious disease expert, said the delta coronavirus variant is "the greatest threat" to curbing the spread of the virus in the United States. The proportion of delta variant cases appears to be doubling in the country every two weeks, Fauci said. Check out these charts to see how the variant is spreading nationwide. Concerned about how the delta variant could affect kids? Here's what experts are saying about it. The status of vaccinations nationwide: Only 16 states and the District of Columbia have reached what White House COVID-19 response coordinator Jeff Zients calls the "aspirational target" of having 70 percent of adults with at least one vaccine dose. The country itself, as I wrote here yesterday, will fall short of reaching that milestone by President Biden's target date of July 4. But how far off are we from that nationwide threshold? My colleagues Martin Finucane, Ryan Huddle, and Amanda Kaufman took a closer look at the numbers. A proposed two-month tax holiday: In an effort to boost the Massachusetts economy as it emerges from the pandemic, Governor Charlie Baker announced today that he will file a bill to create a two-month sales tax holiday in August and September. "This proposal will help taxpayers keep more money in their pockets and encourage more people to shop locally," Baker said. "It will especially help lower-income residents who are the most affected by the sales tax in the first place." Nearly 40 percent of Massachusetts' remote workers won’t be back to the office until at least January: About 48 percent of currently remote workers in Massachusetts will be back to the office by September, but another nearly 40 percent won't be back until at least January 2022, possibly even later, according to the latest survey from the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership, published on Tuesday. Plus, the survey found, 82 percent of companies plan to offer fully remote or hybrid work options. "This Boston tech company ditched its office during COVID-19 — now its employees are working from restaurants" | By Anissa Gardizy Around the region: In her first major speech to Boston's business community, Acting Mayor Kim Janey focused on equity and economic recovery from the pandemic. Boston Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Cassellius knocked doors today to reach students who dropped out during the pandemic. Salem has dropped mask-wearing requirements in most city buildings. Stories to make you smile: Getting an itch to camp, but need a little help? Check out this luxury camping experience. Seltzer lovers, unite. The Seltzerland festival is coming to Massachusetts this summer. Other coronavirus headlines of note Legislature rejects Baker’s spending plan for federal COVID funds; governor concerned with delay in disbursements (The Boston Globe) Japan’s Olympic responsibility (Globe Opinion) Officials note ‘likely association’ between Covid-19 vaccines and rare heart condition in young people (STAT) COVID surge in Africa raises fears of a calamity like India’s (The New York Times) Nine months after lockdowns, US births plummeted by 8 percent (Bloomberg)