| Vaccine rollout begins in the US, a bipartisan group of legislators plans to release coronavirus relief package, and Germany announces holiday restrictions. Here's what you should know: Headlines The US begins its rollout of Pfizer and BioNTech's vaccine This morning Sandra Lindsay, an ICU nurse in Queens, became the first New Yorker, and one of the first Americans, to receive a coronavirus vaccine outside of clinical trials. After it was granted emergency use authorization on Friday, the first 2.9 million doses of Pfizer and BioNTech's vaccine were shipped out on Sunday, 11 months after the first Covid-19 infections were detected in the US. Bipartisan group to release its $908 billion coronavirus relief plan A bipartisan group of congressional leaders plans to release a $908 billion relief package today in the hopes of getting pandemic aid approved before government funding lapses next weekend. The group plans to introduce two separate bills, one for some of the more divisive provisions like a legal immunity plan for small businesses, and the other for everything else. The package would extend unemployment benefits that are set to expire the day after Christmas but would not include another direct payment program. Germany institutes new restrictions ahead of the winter holidays Germany is introducing new and stricter lockdown measures to keep Covid-19 case numbers from rising further over the winter holidays. Beginning this Wednesday until January 10, schools will be closed or go remote, non-food stores must close, and no more than five people can gather indoors, except on Christmas. Religious services will be permitted if distanced and masked, but public singing is not allowed, nor are fireworks or outdoor gatherings for New Year's. Daily Distraction Fantasy books typically provide a window into other worlds. But in 2020, the best of the genre told us more about our own rather than taking us elsewhere. Something to Read Nothing went according to plan in 2020. But that doesn't mean everything went wrong. For writer Laurie Penny, the year held at least one delightful surprise: She fell in love with someone on the other side of the world. Sanity Check Green Monday, the second Monday in December, is historically the busiest retail sales day of the month. Here are a few of the day's best deals. One Question What will conferences look like in a post-Covid world? Massive, packed, in-person conferences will probably be one of the last things to resume once the pandemic is over. But even when event organizers can go back to planning things in person, it's likely that they'll retain some of the elements of their virtual programming. Holding events primarily online is cheaper, so more people can join at less of a cost, and it makes it easier for organizers to aggregate data about attendees. Recording content in advance also expands the range of possibilities for programming and for participants. And, much to everyone's delight, digital events have driven home that brevity is key. As such, event organizers have gotten more creative with the kinds of programs, and breaks, they offer, which is more fun for everyone. 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. | 
