| The UK approves its first coronavirus vaccine, lawmakers announce a $908 billion stimulus plan, and two teams search for the virus's origin. Here's what you should know: Headlines UK regulator approves Pfizer and BioNTech's coronavirus vaccine The UK medicine regulator has approved Pfizer and BioNTech's coronavirus vaccine, making the country the first in the world to do so. The UK has already ordered 40 million doses—enough for 20 million people—and the first 800,000 are due to arrive in the next few days. They will go first to elderly people living in group homes and their caretakers, then to anyone over 80 as well as to healthcare and social workers. The first vaccinations are likely to happen at hospitals that already have the facilities to store the vaccine at ultra-cold temperatures. Bipartisan group announces $908 billion coronavirus stimulus plan On Tuesday a bipartisan group of lawmakers put forth a $908 billion coronavirus stimulus plan. It includes provisions for $300 a week in unemployment benefits for the next four months, $160 billion in funding for state and local governments, a temporary moratorium on some coronavirus-related lawsuits against companies, and more. It was drafted as negotiations between Senate leadership and the administration stalled. Two global teams are searching for the origin of the novel coronavirus Two teams of international researchers are working to trace SARS-CoV-2 back to its origin and, hopefully, discern lessons that can help stop something like this from happening again. Spearheaded by the WHO and The Lancet, the missions face both scientific and political obstacles. Virus spillovers from animals to humans are often less linear than one would think. And the Chinese and US governments have both peddled questionable theories about the virus's origins for political gain. Daily Distraction What stories will we tell about future American presidents? You tell us! Submit an entry to this month's Six-Word Sci-Fi, and check out the illustrated archive of past favorites while you're at it. Something to Read Online role-playing games let users manifest the best versions of themselves. So it's unsurprising that some forge deep friendships—and even find love—while they game. Sanity Check Looking for a gift for the music lovers in your life? Here are a few ideas. One Question How has the pandemic changed how we get around cities? Over the second half of the 20th century, American cities became more and more car-centric. Indeed, in some ways the entire country is built around this one mode of transportation. But if you were out on city streets this summer, you may have noticed people occupying urban space in new ways. Cars have been replaced by scooters, bikes of all kinds, and foot traffic. And new robots—like Gita, the first to be approved to roam freely on sidewalks—are an early indicator of the ways that automation might radically expand the variety of vehicles we use. There's reason to hope that more innovations await as the pandemic creates an incentive to transform how we move around our cities. Covid-19 Care Package ❓ From social distancing to viral spread to staying sane, here's everything we know and advise about the coronavirus. 📦 The Covid-19 virus can linger on objects for as little as a few hours or as long as a couple of days, depending on the surface. Here's an updated look at the research. 😷 If you're planning to go out in public anytime soon, you're going to need a mask. Here are the best ones you can buy, or how to make one at home. 🧼 It's not just your hands that need washing—your gadgets, clothes, and home need it too. Here's how to properly disinfect your stuff. 💻 Some of you are work-from-home pros, but if you're new to it, here's how to stay productive without losing your mind. 😔 It's hard not to be anxious about a global pandemic, but here's how you can protect yourself and your family without spiraling and how to not hate the loved ones you're quarantined with. ✂️ It may still be a while before you can see your hairstylist, so here's how to cut your hair at home, plus other ways to keep yourself lookin' fresh. 🦠 Read all of our coronavirus coverage here. | 
0 Comments:
Post a Comment