| Global deaths top 900,000, LA adopts Citizen's contact-tracing app, and schools' 44-square-foot rule comes into question. Here's what you should know: Headlines Global deaths surpass 900,000 as cases climb in India The coronavirus pandemic has officially killed more than 900,000 people worldwide since the first cases were detected in China last December. The US remains the country with the most cases and deaths, but the pandemic's epicenter is rapidly shifting to India, where an average of more than 1,000 people have died daily for the past two weeks. Los Angeles County partners with Citizen app developer on contact-tracing initiative Yesterday Los Angeles county announced that it will use SafePass, an app developed by the makers of public safety app Citizen, for contact tracing. Participation will be voluntary, and the app is free to download. SafePass can track symptoms, help users find testing sites, and use Bluetooth to keep track of whether you have come into contact with someone who tested positive. US schools say kids need a buffer of 44 square feet for safety—why? Schools across the US have stipulated that students must have 44 square feet of space for in-person learning to be safe. But as a matter of geometry, that number simply doesn't make sense. An investigation of the number's origins found that a combination of poor leadership, lack of technical assistance, and confusing math is to blame. Daily Distraction The trailer for the movie adaptation of the sci-fi classic Dune dropped yesterday. Fans of the cult favorite have lofty expectations, and this first look is promising. Something to Read An attempted July merger between two online advertising companies was billed as an opportunity to save journalism, an industry where once-reliable ad revenue has plummeted. But in reality, it would have done the opposite. What will it take to save the news industry and control the wild world of digital advertising? Strict merger rules. Sanity Check Seeking serenity? Noise-canceling headphones won't solve all your problems, but they're a good place to start. One Question How is the pandemic changing different industries? From airlines to influencers, every industry will be changed by this pandemic. Those that have adapted quickly—whether that means taking your business online or placing robots on the assembly line—indicate that embracing technology may be necessary for survival. For essential businesses, this crisis has spurred new conversations about workers' basic protections and benefits, like sick pay. As some businesses reopen, workers who fear returning face difficult decisions. From pro sports to patio dining, everyone is trying to come up with ways to keep patrons and participants safe. Tech companies whose employees are all at home have modified their workplace perks accordingly. And when those of us working remotely do return to the office, it likely won't look the same. Some may never go back to the office at all. 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. | 
WordPress.com
