| J&J says boosters enhance protection, the US donates more shots, and Germany introduces rules to encourage vaccination. Here's what you should know: Headlines Johnson & Johnson says boosters for its Covid vaccine improve protection Johnson & Johnson announced yesterday that receiving a booster following the one-dose shot improves protection against the coronavirus according to its Phase 3 trial. The company said that when people got a booster shot two months after their initial dose, protection increased to 94 percent from 72 percent in the US. So far, only Pfizer and BioNTech have sought approval for booster doses in the US. After an FDA panel rejected the drugmakers' proposal to give another shot to healthy Americans over 16 last week, a CDC panel will weigh in today to determine which Americans should have access to boosters. The US makes plans to donate 500 million more Pfizer-BioNTech shots to lower-income countries Pfizer and BioNTech will provide another 500 million vaccine doses to the US, which will then donate those shots to lower-income countries that have struggled to procure shots. These are expected to be delivered by the end of next September, and will follow another 500 million doses the US has already gotten from the drugmakers and started donating to nations in need. While more than 43 percent of the world has received at least one shot, this is true for only 2 percent of people in low-income countries. Germany says it will stop paying unvaccinated workers during quarantine Germany's health minister announced a handful of new rules pertaining to vaccination today as part of the country's attempts to make it inconvenient to stay unvaccinated. Notably, the country will end quarantine pay for unvaccinated workers who have to stay home. The government's rationale is that it's unfair for tax money to subsidize pay for people who haven't gotten their shots. Another new provision is that Covid tests, which are required for many activities like dining indoors, will no longer be free of charge. These rules will go into effect by October 11. Daily Distraction For some trans gamers, having a voice that doesn't match their gender identity can up the odds that they'll be harassed while playing. New deepfake software may be able to help. Something to Read Life in the farthest north reaches of the planet is challenging and expensive. And as oceans warm and ice caps melt, it's only getting harder. In an excerpt from her new book, writer Devi Lockwood shares stories of the impact of climate change on the tiny town of Igloolik, Nunavut, just 1,400 miles south of the North Pole. Sanity Check Apple just dropped its latest software update. Here are the security settings you should change ASAP. One Question How can I assuage my persistent Covid anxiety? It's hard to find ways to kick back and recharge when summer has ended, case counts aren't dropping fast enough, and everyone is still trying to figure out how to interact with other people. WIRED's Swapna Krishna has a counterintuitive suggestion for disconnecting: arming yourself with a handheld gaming device. With a Nintendo Switch or the like, you can decompress in small doses, and whenever the need strikes. Covid-19 Care Package 📦 To end this pandemic and prevent future ones, we'll need a good way to track and surveil emerging diseases. Here's a look at the latest efforts. 😷 Masks may not be mandatory where you live, but they're still recommended for many situations. Here are the best masks you can buy, or how to make one at home. 💉 Vaccines are the most effective way to protect yourself and others against Covid-19. Here's how to get an appointment in your area. 💻 Whether or not you're a work-from-home pro, here's how to stay productive without losing your mind. 🚗 Itching for a vacation but not quite ready to get on a plane? Hit the road instead. Here's everything you need to plan a post-pandemic road trip. 👋 So you're fully vaccinated! Congrats. Here are some ways you can let others know. 🦠Read all of our coronavirus coverage here. | 
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