J&J shot is approved, House passes Covid aid bill, and more

PLUS: The Covid-19 headlines you need to know, a distraction, and something to read. View this email in your browser  |  Manage newsletter subscriptions 03.01.21 As the news keeps evolving, we're here to bring you the most reliable coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. Subscribe to support our journalism. Johnson & Johnson's shot is approved, the House passes $1.9 trillion aid bill, and the EU plans for vaccine passports. Here's what you should know: Headlines Johnson & Johnson's vaccine is approved in the US The FDA and the CDC gave Johnson & Johnson's Covid-19 vaccine the go-ahead this weekend. The first shipments are expected to go out this week. J&J told lawmakers last week that it would be ready to ship almost 4 million doses as soon as the shot was approved, and that it should have 20 million doses ready by the end of this month. Officials say that the vaccine, which only requires one shot and can be shipped at regular refrigerator temperatures, could be helpful for overcoming logistical hurdles and getting harder-to-reach populations inoculated. House passes Biden's $1.9 trillion aid package, paving its path to the Senate Over the weekend, the House passed President Biden's $1.9 trillion pandemic aid bill, largely along party lines. Now, it will go to the Senate as legislators race to get it approved before some federal unemployment aid expires on March 14. The plan includes provisions to extend unemployment benefits, send $1,400 stimulus check to many Americans, and provide more money to state and local governments. Plans are underway for EU-wide vaccine passports In a speech today, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said that later this month the EU will put forward a proposal for vaccine passports. These would provide proof that someone has gotten a Covid-19 vaccine, evidence of negative test results if they're not yet vaccinated, or information about their recovery if they've had the disease. If enacted, this proposal would make it easier for Europeans to travel during the summer, and has received particular support from some countries that rely on tourism. Daily Distraction In 1996, computer researcher Sherry Turkle was the first woman featured on the cover of WIRED. 25 years later, she's unpacking her remarkable career in a new memoir. Something to Read Recently, politicians on both sides of the aisle have called for the reform of Section 230. But before we overhaul the law, WIRED contributor Michael Waters writes, we need to look back at how internet regulation in the '90s affected queer users. That history holds warnings about which communities stand to suffer most from categorical content bans. Sanity Check Trying to spend more time outside as the weather warms? Here are our favorite fitness trackers to help you make the most of it. One Question What will define the coming months of the pandemic? As we've seen with the onset of new variants, questions of how the virus evolves inside of humans and how it changes as it travels from person to person will be central to this next phase of the pandemic. Viruses that kill efficiently don't get to be viruses for very long, because dead hosts can't walk around infecting other people. So some experts say that the most successful mutations largely improve the way the virus gets into and infects humans. Over time, of course, the virus will stop adapting to people as rapidly as it seems to be now. And higher rates of vaccination will make a huge difference in the rate that it spreads and evolves at, as well. But as we learn more about how to live with SARS-CoV-2, understanding viral evolution will be key. 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. Sherry Turkle Talks Going Remote, Loneliness, and Her New Book In The Empathy Diaries, the pioneering computer researcher finally studies her own life. She tells WIRED why now was the right time. The Raging Evolutionary War Between Humans and Covid-19 Fighting the pandemic isn't only about vaccines and drugs. It's about understanding how viruses mutate and change inside us, and among us. Warnings From the Queer History of Modern Internet Regulation Section 230 faces countless reform efforts. But a look back reminds us that categorical content bans often come at the expense of marginalized groups. The Best Fitness Trackers and Watches for Everyone Whether you're backcountry skiing or running around the backyard, we have an activity tracker for you. GET WIRED Get 1 year of WIRED access for less than $1 a month. Tech news and analysis you won't find anywhere else. Subscribe now.     This e-mail was sent to you by WIRED. 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