| The Biden administration increases vaccine shipments, WHO research trip returns from China, and the UK approves a Covid-19 human challenge study. Here's what you should know: Headlines Biden administration increases vaccine shipments to states and pharmacies On Tuesday, the Biden administration announced that it will be sending out 13.5 million vaccine doses per week, up from 11 million last week. Going forward, the White House will also increase the number of doses going to pharmacies from 1 million to 2 million, and plans to eventually send vaccines to 40,000 stores around the country. Vaccinations have been picking up speed in recent weeks: As of Sunday, more than 52.8 million doses of the 70 million sent to states had been administered. WHO research trip returns from China with few insights into the pandemic's origins Last week, a team of WHO-appointed scientists returned from a month-long trip to China, where they investigated the origins of Covid-19. A summary report will be published in the next week, followed by a full report sometime after that. But if the initial briefing is any indication, the team didn't unearth any groundbreaking new insights. In response, some experts are saying we need a better strategy for assessing the origins of global events like a pandemic. Organizations like the International Atomic Energy Agency or the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons could offer a useful template. The world's first Covid-19 human challenge study receives ethics approval in the UK The UK's Ethics Committee has approved the world's first Covid-19 human challenge study, which will begin in the next few weeks. For the study, up to 90 healthy, low-risk volunteers between 18 and 30 will be exposed to Covid-19 under controlled conditions. The study aims to shed light on how the virus affects people, and exactly how much virus is needed to cause infection. After the initial study, some volunteers may receive approved vaccines and then be exposed to the virus to help researchers understand which vaccines work best. Daily Distraction Why don't TV characters ever seem to have text history? WIRED's Zak Jason digs into one of the great questions of our time. Something to Read For almost as long as it's existed, the internet has been a place for young people to seek out sexual information and exploration. Now, the first generation of girls to grow up with the internet is entering parenthood. As they raise their own children, they'll have the opportunity to shift the paradigm around sexual education and the internet. Sanity Check The thing about emergency gear is that once you need it, you won't be able to get it. We compiled a list of essentials you should always keep on hand. One Question How has Covid-19 gummed up the court system? The pandemic has made it even more difficult for courts to uphold the rights to public access and to fair and open trials, which was often a struggle even before much of the country went remote. With in-person proceedings limited at best, officials have turned to video and phone conferences, which can be unpredictable and glitchy. The virtual proceedings have made it harder for lawyers and clients to communicate with each other during hearings. And while remote proceedings eliminate courthouses' accessibility issues, there are other barriers to access, particularly for people with disabilities. Going virtual can also pose issues for people without reliable internet at home, particularly among historically marginalized communities. Covid-19 Care Package 📦 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 a 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. 💻 Whether or not you're a work-from-home pro, 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. | 
[New post] 5 more titles are coming to the NES & SNES Switch Online collections on December 18th
0 Comments:
Post a Comment