| The first Johnson & Johnson shots are administered, some states begin opening prematurely, and new variants demand vigilance. Here's what you should know: Headlines US vaccinations increase as the first Johnson & Johnson shots are administered It was a good week in vaccine news. Johnson & Johnson's Covid-19 vaccine was approved for use, and the first doses were administered shortly thereafter. Johnson & Johnson has had some difficulty ramping up manufacturing, but on Tuesday, President Biden announced that a competing drugmaker, Merck, would help manufacture the shots at its factories. With this boost, the White House projects that there will be enough vaccines for every American adult by the end of May. Because the Johnson & Johnson shot requires just one dose and can be stored at regular refrigerator temperatures, some have touted it as a good option to send to harder-to-reach, more rural communities. While the vaccine has proven highly effective, some lawmakers have expressed concern that this could create the feeling that there's a two-tiered distribution system. That said, so far ruralness has actually proven to be a vaccine distribution asset in states like North Dakota, which has administered more than 90 percent of its doses week after week. States try to navigate the many unknowns of reopening As of Thursday, more than 20 percent of American adults have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine. As increasing numbers of people are inoculated, the country is entering a strange gray zone, where individuals and states are disputing how much, if at all, it's OK to return to pre-pandemic living. It seems pretty clear that all of the approved vaccines stop some infection and transmission, but we don't know exactly how much. Regardless, experts agree: It's too soon to declare victory. Even so, this week saw several states rolling back key pandemic restrictions. In Texas and Mississippi, governors Abbott and Reeves rescinded key provisions, including their statewide mask mandates, decisions that President Biden blasted as "Neanderthal thinking." Alabama's governor announced Thursday that her state will follow suit and lift its mask mandate in early April. And Connecticut will do away with many of its Covid-19 restrictions later this month, though mask wearing will still be mandatory. Experts call for vigilance as we work to understand new virus variants To fully end this pandemic, we'll need to understand how this virus changes and evolves within and among people. Recent months have thrown this into relief, as more variants or Sars-CoV-2 have been identified and made headlines. Many of these aren't necessarily cause for alarm. In a recent interview with WIRED, for example, Anthony Fauci said that a new variant first identified in New York City is unlikely to cause major issues. But that's not to say that we shouldn't be watching some of these mutations closely. Brazil, where a new variant appears to be spreading rapidly, recorded its highest single-day death toll on Tuesday. Experts have affirmed that this is all the more reason to stay vigilant, even post-vaccination. "Please hear me clearly," CDC director Rochelle Walensky said earlier this week, "At this level of cases with variants spreading, we stand to completely lose the hard-earned ground we have gained." Daily Distraction Can't stop looking at yourself on Zoom? You're in good company. Something to Read In 2017, Erin and Justin took to the internet in the hope of adopting a child. There, they found a community of like-minded prospective parents—and a thriving, vitriolic army of anti-adoption trolls. Sanity Check New gadgets are shiny and exciting, sure, but buying used tech is good for your wallet and the environment. Here's the best tech to buy and sell secondhand. One Question How can teachers tap into students' strengths during remote learning? There are a few key things teachers can do to help older students in particular press ahead with remote learning. First, it's important to understand, acknowledge, and connect with the collective and individual traumas we've all experienced this year. This can help students see school as an escape from the real world, and boost their engagement. Thoroughly planning virtual classes and making sure they're very interactive is also key. And, as always, flexible thinking creates the space for students to each participate in their own way, which makes a world of difference. 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. | 
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