| New York tries targeted lockdowns, India tops seven million cases, and monoclonal antibodies may be a boon for science and yet a challenge for public heath. Here's what you should know: Headlines New York adopts a targeted approach to containing coronavirus As cases began to rise in New York City and regions upstate last week, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a more targeted approach to combating the spread of the virus. Rather than send the whole city back into lockdown, specific zones, many of them areas with large Orthodox Jewish communities intent on gathering for the holidays, will face localized sets of restrictions. This will only curb the spread of the virus up to a point, but it's an important opportunity to model new types of containment strategy that may soon be relevant across the country. India tops 7 for million coronavirus cases, putting it on track to be the worst-hit country Yesterday, the total number of coronavirus cases in India topped 7 million, putting it on track to surpass the US as the country the worst hit by the pandemic. The number of new cases has actually decreased in recent weeks and the country has a relatively high recovery rate. But health resources are distributed unevenly across the country, and experts warn that India's death toll may not be reliable due to inadequate reporting, health infrastructure, and testing. They also note that, for many people, mask and distancing fatigue is starting to set in. Monoclonal antibody treatment may create logistical nightmares if approved for emergency use The monoclonal antibody cocktail that President Trump claims "cured" him of Covid-19 is on the precipice of being authorized by the FDA for emergency use. The drug consists of manufactured antibodies that are administered right after a Covid-19 diagnosis. Initial data shows that it speeds up the resolution of symptoms and potentially prevents hospitalization. But determining who is eligible for this treatment, where it will be administered, and how much it will cost all have the potential to create logistical and ethical quandries. Daily Distraction Radio is a collective sound, freezing a moment and place in time. On this week's episode of the Get WIRED podcast, senior writer Jason Parham seeks out broadcasts he remembers from when he was a child in Los Angeles in the 1990s. Something to Read Cory Doctorow's Little Brother series of young-adult sci-fi books shaped the worldview of a generation of hackers. The third book in the series comes out this week and reflects the myriad ways our world has changed since he wrote the first installment in 2008. "Now is the time to figure out which side of the struggle you're on," he told WIRED. "The side of computers controlling us, or the side of computers giving us control." Sanity Check The internet is an endless minefield of distractions. Here are a few tools to help you get things done online. One Question Can testing alone stop the spread of Covid-19? Testing is a critical piece of the puzzle. But it's not a foolproof way to keep coronavirus out of an office or other gathering place. The White House is a perfect example. There, anyone who showed symptoms was tested, but people who were negative could go about their business without additional precautions. Evidently, this wasn't enough to stop the virus from spreading. And especially where rapid tests are being used, there may be false negatives. Mask wearing and other social distancing measures are nonnegotiable, whether you're being tested regularly or not. 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
