Coronavirus Update: Biden tests positive for Covid—again

Plus: The Covid-19 headlines you need to know, a distraction, and something to read.

View this email in your browser  |  Manage newsletter subscriptions By Eve Sneider | 08.01.22 As the news keeps evolving, we're here to bring you the most reliable coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. Subscribe to support our journalism. Biden experiences a rebound case, the US prepares for updated vaccines, and New Zealand reopens. Here's what you should know: Headlines Biden tests positive in a rebound case of Covid (New York Times) Four days after President Biden tested negative for Covid, he tested positive again, though his symptoms have not come back. Rebound cases after taking Paxlovid seem to be relatively uncommon, but the body of anecdotal evidence is growing, with Fauci and now Biden among those who have experienced them. Still, experts have emphasized that Paxlovid has been instrumental in preventing serious illness and hospitalization. The White House prepares to distribute Omicron-specific shots (ABC) The White House has announced that it will distribute 171 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines reformulated to fight Omicron in September. Moderna and Pfizer have said that they've developed new versions of their vaccines that work better at fighting the highly contagious variant, and officials seem hopeful that the FDA and CDC will sign off on the shots. So far, the government has held off on offering second boosters to Americans under 50 in hopes that variant-specific jabs will be ready soon instead. New Zealand fully reopens its borders (Reuters) For the first time since March of 2020, New Zealand fully reopened to visitors today. Most travelers will still need to be vaccinated and will be required to take two tests after arriving, but there aren't any quarantine requirements if you're negative. Cruise ships and recreational yachts will now be allowed to dock within the country as well. After remaining tightly locked down during the early days of the pandemic, New Zealand began to open up in phases last February. This marks the last stage of its reopening. Science Spotlight Data Centers Are Facing a Climate Crisis Rising temperatures have and will impact every aspect of human-made infrastructure, including the data centers that the internet relies on every day. Can they handle the heat? There's a Monkeypox Testing Bottleneck The Covid-19 pandemic was proof that abundant testing is essential in the face of a fast-spreading disease. But with monkeypox, the US is still struggling to meet test demand. Daily Distraction In his new movie, I Love My Dad, Patton Oswalt plays an estranged father who catfishes his own son in a misguided attempt to reconnect. The craziest part? It's based on a true story. Something to Read Many people doubt that renewables can actually power the planet. But when writer Clive Thompson installed solar panels on his roof, he had an unexpected and delightful realization: He was generating way more electricity than he could use. Sanity Check Password managers aren't sexy or exciting, but if you use the internet, you need one. Here are our favorites. GET WIRED Get WIRED for just $29.99 $5. Includes the print edition plus editor in chief Gideon Lichfield's column, System Update. Subscribe now. Have questions or comments? Reply to this email.   This e-mail was sent to you by WIRED. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our e-mail address, wired@newsletters.wired.com, to your address book.   View our Privacy Policy Unsubscribe or Manage your newsletter subscriptions   Copyright © Condé Nast 2022. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.