| The US tops 6 million cases, another vaccine enters Phase III trials, and New York City delays the start of school. Here's what you should know: Headlines US tops 6 million coronavirus cases The US reached a new milestone Monday, reporting more than 6 million confirmed cases of Covid-19, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins. In the last three weeks alone, the US has reported a million new infections and around 21,000 more deaths. The US currently accounts for about 24 percent of all confirmed cases in the world. AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine becomes third to begin Phase III trials in the United States The AstraZeneca vaccine, developed with Oxford University, has officially entered Phase III trials in the US, the British drugmaker announced. Moderna and Pfizer also currently have vaccines in late-stage trials. The government is providing funds for AstraZeneca, which plans to enroll around 30,000 volunteers in the US in order to evaluate efficacy of the shot. New York City delays start of school to ready for in-person classes New York City children will return to classrooms 10 days later than planned, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced today. The delay will give teachers, parents, and administrators—all of whom had voiced concerns over the mayor's promise to return in-person—extra time to prepare for the school year. The New York City school district, which is the nation's largest, is currently the only major city district in the US that intends to bring kids back into classrooms right away. School is now scheduled to begin on September 21. Daily Distraction For decades, inventors have hypothesized ways to stop hurricanes in their tracks. The latest idea, from Norway, suggests stretching a submerged "bubble net" across the path of an oncoming storm. But can that really work? Something to Read As a millennial, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia has long understood the power of social media to shape public opinion. That's why, when anonymous critics of his family emerged on Twitter in 2014, his team quickly began devising a plan to unmask them. Though the court case in the US is still underway, an ongoing investigation reveals how the Saudi Arabian government allegedly infiltrated Twitter—and managed to get away with it. Sanity Check If the lack of commute and gym sessions has left you behind on your podcasts, you're not alone. Here are some tips on how to tackle those accumulated episodes, and finally listen to everything in your queue. One Question What do we know about the safety of reopening schools? As districts around the country and across the world try to devise plans for the upcoming school year, the science on the spread of the coronavirus in classrooms is still evolving. While data from other countries has provided some insights, the question of how likely children are to infect teachers, staff, and fellow classmates still hasn't been settled. One large study from South Korea found children under the age of 10 appear to not transmit the virus very well, while older students are more like adults with respect to spreading the disease. Of course, no two classrooms, schools, or districts are the same, and the risk will vary. Overall, experts say, success will depend on class size, distancing, the age of the students, and how prevalent the virus is locally. But whether your children are beginning the new school year in-person or remotely, here are some safe ways to improve the experience—for both them and you. Covid-19 Care Package ❓ From social distancing to viral spread to staying sane, here's everything we know and advise about the coronavirus. 📦 The Covid-19 virus can linger on objects for as little as a few hours or as long as a couple days, depending on the surface. Here's the research. 😷 If you're planning on going out in public anytime soon, you're going to need a mask. Here are the best ones you can buy, or how to make one at home. 🧼 It's not just your hands that need washing—your gadgets, clothes, and home need it too. Here's how to properly disinfect your stuff. 💻 Some of you are work-from-home pros, but if you're new to it, 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. ✂️ It may still be a while before you can see your hairstylist, so here's how to cut your hair at home, plus other ways to keep yourself lookin' fresh. 🦠 Read all of our coronavirus coverage here. | 
.jpg "Hurricane Laura at night")
WordPress.com
