The CDC signs off on shots for kids, the WHO approves another vaccine, and the Netherlands reintroduces masks. Here's what you should know: Headlines The CDC signs off on vaccinating younger kids Yesterday evening the CDC officially gave the green light to vaccinating children ages 5 to 11 against Covid-19 with Pfizer and BioNTech's shot, after the agency's independent advisory committee voted unanimously in favor of it. The Biden administration has said that its pediatric vaccination program will be in full swing by next week. The timing of this decision couldn't be more critical: Last week, children accounted for a quarter of new cases in the US. WHO approves India's Covaxin shot for emergency use The WHO has authorized emergency use of Covaxin, a Covid-19 vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech with backing from the Indian government. The agency said that the shot is 78 percent effective against disease, and recommended administering two doses four weeks apart for anyone 18 and above. It also highlighted that the vaccine is well-suited to distribution in low- and middle-income countries because it's easy to store. India approved the shot last January while Phase III trials were still happening. The Netherlands brings back masks and other measures as cases rise Yesterday the Netherlands reimposed public health measures, notably reintroducing face masks in stores and other public places. People are also being advised to work from home at least half of the time, and the government is going to add more places to the list of those that require proof of vaccination or a recent negative test to enter. Infections are on the rise in the country and reached their highest level since July in the past week. Few social distancing measures have been in place since September. Daily Distraction Electric vehicles may be great, but their batteries are heavy, expensive, toxic, and fire-prone. What happens to them when they're spent? Entrepreneurs are coming up with some creative answers. Something to Read Teleportation has been a sci-fi fixture for years. But what if it were actually possible? Sanity Check This pandemic isn't over, and it's always important to have a mask on hand. Here are some of our favorites. One Question How are experts responding to the pandemic and other big challenges facing the world right now? Great question. Join us next week for RE:WIRED, a virtual global event on November 9 and 10. WIRED will host a number of conversations with all kinds of experts—from Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel to AI evangelist Kai-Fu Lee—about how technology is and can be employed to solve some of the planet's biggest challenges, in particular the pandemic. Learn more and sign up here. 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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