AstraZeneca halts Phase III trials, UK bans gatherings of more than six, and Chinese internet users archive the pandemic on GitHub. Here's what you should know: Headlines AstraZeneca halts its Phase III Covid-19 vaccine trial Phase III testing for the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine was put on pause yesterday after one participant in the UK reportedly developed the neurological symptoms of a rare but serious spinal inflammatory disorder. Though this is the first coronavirus vaccine trial to be halted, clinical holds aren't uncommon, and this is a reminder that the vaccine development process is hardly linear. The participant in question is expected to recover. UK bans gatherings of more than six to curb coronavirus resurgence Starting next Monday, gatherings of more than six people will be banned in England, indoors or out, with a few exceptions. Until now, gatherings of up to 30 have been permitted. These new rules are designed to curb the recent resurgence of coronavirus in the UK. According to health secretary Matt Hancock, they will be in place "for the foreseeable future." GitHub provides an unlikely place to preserve Covid-19 information in China During the peak of China's bout with coronavirus, the country's censors scrubbed many social media posts about the pandemic from the internet. That is, except on GitHub, the world's largest open source software site, which is encrypted but still allowed in the country. In China, users looking to avoid censorship and document the outbreak repurposed the platform to create a Covid-19 archive, including news articles, medical journals, and personal accounts. Daily Distraction Today, WIRED announced this year's WIRED25, a group of people ranging from artists to security experts who are making our world better. Join us for a virtual celebration of the list over the coming weeks! Something to Read The last few months have been a whirlwind for illustrator and writer Lisa Hanawalt, who saw her cartoon, Tuca & Bertie, get canceled by Netflix and then picked up by Adult Swim. In an interview with WIRED, Hanawalt explains, "In my show, at the end of the day, things are going to be OK." She believes the same is true for the real world, too. Sanity Check Has working from home left your back an achy mess? Maybe it's time to try out a posture corrector. One Question What is the latest on coronavirus testing? The US is still struggling to meet the demand for testing. At present, guidance as to whether people without symptoms should get tested is entirely unclear. And many people are waiting so long to get their results back that by the time they do, it doesn't mean anything. Many companies are developing tests that can test patients at the point of care and produce results quickly, and four have been approved by the FDA. Others are focusing on affordable options. Plus, antibody testing is becoming more widespread, though the results are mixed so far and the FDA recently tightened its regulations. 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 of days, depending on the surface. Here's the research. 😷 If you're planning to go 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. |