| An FDA panel signs off on kids' vaccines, Merck will share its Covid pill formula, and the CDC says some people can get four shots. Here's what you should know: Headlines An FDA advisory panel recommends Pfizer's shot for kids ages 5 to 11 Yesterday a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel recommended that the agency authorize emergency use of Pfizer and BioNTech's vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. Next, the FDA will issue its decision, and then a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory panel will weigh in with its own recommendations and guidelines. The dose for children is one-third of the amount administered in an adult shot, and kids will receive a second dose at least 21 days after their first. The pediatric vaccine is also formulated slightly differently, which means it can be stored in a refrigerator for up to 10 weeks. Children ages 5 to 11 currently have one of the highest case rates of any age group in the US. Merck cuts a deal to let poorer countries make and sell its promising Covid-19 drug Merck announced this morning that it will allow drugmakers in 105 poorer countries, particularly in Africa and Asia, to make and sell its promising pill for treating Covid-19 without having to pay royalties. It is doing so through an agreement with Medicines Patent Pool, a UN-backed nonprofit that works to improve access to medical treatments and technologies. Merck has said the drug reduced the rate of hospitalizations and deaths among high-risk Covid-19 patients by half in trials. Richer countries like the US have already cut deals to buy doses, even though it hasn't yet been approved for use. The CDC says that some immunocompromised people can get a fourth Covid-19 shot In updated guidelines on boosters, the CDC is now saying that some adults who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may receive a booster shot at least six months after getting a third dose of an mRNA vaccine, for a total of four shots. That said, the agency doesn't offer any additional recommendations about the fourth dose. People in active treatment for cancer of the blood or for tumors, some transplant recipients, and some on immune-suppressing drugs are among those who may be eligible for a fourth shot. Daily Distraction Flowers may be beautiful, but in some ecosystems they're also a menace. In West Africa, an unlikely tool is swooping in to detect invasive blooms: satellites. Something to Read Neal Stephenson has long been one of sci-fi's most prescient novelists, chronicling the ways that technology has seeped into modern life. In his latest novel, he takes on a new topical issue, climate change, but he doesn't stop there. Rather than simply diagnose a problem, he's using fiction to explore how we might be able to solve it. Sanity Check Sony launched the Playstation 5 a year ago, but it's still a hot commodity. Here are some tips for securing the latest console if you're on the hunt. One Question What will it take to persuade people to get vaccinated? Researchers have been working to figure out what kinds of incentives, rules, and messaging will be necessary to encourage those who are still hesitant to get vaccinated. For example, the polling company Civis recently released data that found that emphasizing certain things, like protecting kids, did encourage some to say they're more likely to get vaccinated. But other safety and deathbed messages actually caused a backlash. Another study found that the only thing that moved the needle was reminding people of the personal benefits of getting a shot. And, of course, we know now that mandates often seem to work. But none of these is a surefire way to get the entire rest of the population vaccinated. As for what that will take, no one really knows. 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, and 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. 💼 As employers increasingly require workers to return to the office, the routines you built during the pandemic may be thrown into disarray. Here are some tips to help you make the adjustment smoothly. 👋 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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