A shot for kids moves toward approval, unexpected animals aid Covid research, and YouTube cracks down on vaccine misinformation. Here's what you should know: Headlines A vaccine for kids gets one step closer to approval—but distribution will be a challenge Yesterday, Pfizer-BioNTech submitted data from its clinical trial of a Covid vaccine for children to the FDA, kicking off the approval process for kids ages 5 to 11. But authorization, when it happens, won't guarantee delivery, and that's what experts are most concerned about now. These shots will likely be delivered to kids in different locations and by different personnel than the adult equivalent. Mass clinics worked well last spring, but parents may want to take kids to a health care provider they're familiar with, though not all pediatric practices have signed up for this. And while school-based clinics could be the easiest solution logistically speaking, politically they may not be an option. The llama and the hamster pave a new potential path to Covid treatment A team at Oxford is researching potential treatments for Covid with the help of an unlikely animal duo: llamas and Syrian hamsters. Llamas produce unusually small antibodies, called nanobodies, which are much easier to manufacture in a lab. When Syrian hamsters that had been infected with SARS-CoV-2 received these nanobodies via nasal spray 24 hours later, they showed signs of beating the virus within days. There's still a lot that needs to happen before these nanobodies can be used to treat people, and there's no guarantee they'll even work. But it's promising—highly original!—early research. YouTube expands its ban on vaccine misinformation YouTube has announced that it won't allow any videos that claim commonly used and widely approved vaccines are ineffective or dangerous, amending an earlier policy blocking videos specifically about Covid-19 vaccines. YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook all banned coronavirus misinformation in the early days of the pandemic, and the lattermost also banned all vaccine misinformation seven months ago, but many unsubstantiated claims remain on the platforms. YouTube's new policy aims to leave room for people with legitimate concerns, and will not police those reporting on their own experiences of getting vaccinated or any scientific discussion of vaccines' historical failures. Daily Distraction No one scientist could ever read all the literature in their own field, let alone anyone else's. So, how can we keep track of the growing volume of scientific knowledge? AI may provide an answer. Something to Read A new take on Dune, Frank Herbert's 1965 magnum opus, is about to hit the big screen. In anticipation, WIRED looked back on the enduring legacy of the sci-fi masterpiece. Sanity Check Happy National Coffee Day! Here are some of our favorite deals on machines, beans, and more. One Question How can I make remote learning work for my kids? Even if your school has kids in classrooms, it's wise to prepare for the possibility of some remote learning, especially as cases among children continue to spike thanks to the Delta variant. The key, experts say, is not to try to replicate everything: Some things may fall by the wayside, and that's OK. It's important to facilitate in-person interactions wherever you can, and to think about how to help your kids pick up the important life skills they also go to school to learn, like self-management and emotional regulation. You'll also want to think about how much time you, or other adults, will need to spend supervising, and work that into your calculations. And if you have the discretionary income, you might want to pick up a few tools to help your kids learn. 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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