| Los Angeles recommends masks for everyone, seven Australian cities lock down, and Kim Jong Un speaks of a "grave incident" in North Korea. Here's what you should know: Headlines Los Angeles County encourages masking even if you've been vaccinated On Monday, Los Angeles County strongly recommended that everyone wear masks indoors in public places, regardless of whether they've been vaccinated or not, due to the highly contagious Delta variant, which is responsible for an increasing number of cases. This decision comes after the WHO said last week that everyone should keep wearing masks. Other cities like New York and Chicago, on the other hand, are sticking with the CDC guidance regarding masks for those who are fully vaccinated. Seven Australian cities are in lockdown as the Delta variant spurs a rise in cases Seven Australian cities—and nearly half of the population—are now in lockdown as the Delta variant threatens to undermine the country's stringent pandemic response. Today officials announced a slight increase in cases, bringing the count to more than 200. While this is still low, there is concern that the situation could worsen, especially because, to date, just 5 percent of the population is fully vaccinated. Some government leaders are also calling for Australia to reassess what kind of travelers it's allowing into the country. Kim Jong Un chastises senior North Korean leaders for a major lapse in pandemic protocols North Korean state media reported today that Kim Jong Un chastised senior government officials for a "grave incident" due to some kind of failed pandemic prevention measures. Thus far, North Korea has not reported a single case of Covid-19, though experts say it's highly unlikely that the country has stayed virus-free. Given North Korea's weak public health infrastructure, a major outbreak could have dire consequences. The state media report doesn't specify what happened, but if it was significant enough to cause the government to admonish and potentially replace senior leaders, experts say it must be a major setback. Daily Distraction For the past year, a network of organizations called Black in X has worked to amplify the voices of Black scholars across the disciplines. This week, at their first conference, they turned their attention to what comes next. Something to Read Tech companies like to tout themselves as forward-thinking, the ideal workplace for employees of all stripes. But by failing to make inclusivity the baseline setting, especially when it comes to basic office tech like email, they're still not meeting the mark. Sanity Check Both coasts are battling heat waves this week. Here are our tips for taking care of yourself and staying cool if you don't have air-conditioning. One Question What's the best gear for working from home? Many Americans are well over a year into working entirely or largely remotely. While offices are beginning to reopen, it's likely that WFH will be a reality of the work lives of many for years to come. With that in mind, we've put together a list of the tried-and-true gear you need for the ultimate home office.
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. 😷 If you're planning to go out in public, you're still likely to need a mask for some time to come. Here are the best ones you can buy, or how to make one at home. 💉 The data is in, and the vaccines are working. 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. 😔 It's hard not to be anxious about a global pandemic, but here's how you can protect yourself and your family without spiraling and how to not hate the loved ones you're quarantined with. ✂️ Here are some ways to keep yourself lookin' fresh after over a year at home. 🦠Read all of our coronavirus coverage here. | 
