| White House chief of staff downplays virus response, AstraZeneca says its vaccine is effective, and pandemic quiet helps scientists understand endangered animals. Here's what you should know: Headlines White House chief says the goal is to "mitigate," not "control," the pandemic as US cases reach all-time high Yesterday, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told reporters that "we're not going to control the pandemic" as the US reported an all-time high of new Covid-19 cases. Instead, he said, the government would focus on "mitigation" efforts like developing vaccines and therapeutics. This weekend it was also announced that several top aides to the vice president had been infected. Both events emphasize again the administration's refusal to implement measures that could seriously curb the virus's spread, nationally and within White House grounds. AstraZeneca says its vaccine produces an immune response as trials resume in the US Today British drugmaker AstraZeneca announced that its Covid-19 vaccine, developed by the University of Oxford, produces an immune response in adults of all ages. The fact that it appears to have been effective among older people is particularly significant, as they are more at risk, and the immune system tends to weaken with age. In the US, trials for the vaccine, paused earlier this fall for safety reasons, were greenlit to resume last Friday. Lockdown quiet helps scientists understand how dolphins talk to each other For scientists at Australia's Marine Mammal Foundation, the pandemic has had its perks. With local boat and car traffic virtually nonexistent, they've been able to record and interpret the language of an endangered dolphin species, the Burrunan, for the first time. MMF scientists have studied the species for over a decade but this is the first time they've been able to hear the dolphins clear enough, and over a long enough period of time, to begin understanding how they talk to each other. Daily Distraction New video games are being released constantly. But if there's one you love and just keep playing, you're in good company. Something to Read Mark Kelly has served in the Navy, logged nearly two months in outer space, and made history as the control subject in an unprecedented scientific study on how space travel affects the human body. Now, he's embarking on a new adventure: a high-stakes run for one of Arizona's seats in the US Senate. Sanity Check If you're planning to get dressed up for Halloween this year but don't know how to find a costume during this especially spooky season, we can help. One Question How can I make the most of telehealth? The pandemic has forced much of medical care to migrate online. It may seem daunting to talk to your doctor over a video call, but with good communication and a little patience, it doesn't have to be a difficult transition. Before your telehealth appointments, be sure to check your tech and gather any relevant records or imaging to make the process more seamless. But more importantly, try to remember that seeing a doctor via telehealth will probably be easier than you think. Physicians have adjusted quickly to their new set-ups, and so far telemedicine software has worked well. 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 an updated look at 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. | 
