Experts share their 2021 Covid predictions, US officials consider halving Moderna doses, and India approves two vaccines. Here's what you should know: Headlines Researchers warn that 2021 will look a lot like 2020 2020 is over and thousands of people are getting vaccinated every day. But we're not out of the woods yet. Researchers stress that it will be awhile before the vaccine brings widespread immunity, especially as new cases and deaths continue to increase every day. And just as the virus peaked in different states at different times, the whole country won't reach herd immunity at once. Until then, it's critical that we continue to behave as though everyone is vulnerable to this virus. US officials weigh administering half doses of Moderna's vaccine to speed up immunization On Sunday, top Operation Warp Speed adviser Moncef Slaoui said the government is talking to Moderna about giving half the shot's recommended dose to people between 18 and 55 to speed up immunization. So far, vaccine distribution has been slower than expected, and officials say around 80 percent of the population will need to be vaccinated to reach herd immunity. The same day, Anthony Fauci warned that the government shouldn't deviate from the doses used in clinical trials but must distribute shots more efficiently. Indian regulators approve two vaccines and begin drive to inoculate 300 million people Regulators in India have green-lit two vaccines: Oxford and AstraZeneca's, and one made by local firm Bharat Biotech. The country—which has the second-highest number of infections in the world—plans to inoculate around 300 million people by July. Though the regulatory body in charge of drug approval said both manufacturers submitted sufficient safety data, some politicians and experts are skeptical. Bharat Biotech's vaccine in particular has not yet been through large-scale trials. Daily Distraction Writing a book may be lonely, but selling it is the opposite. Until 2020, that is. WIRED talked to five writers about what it was like to do book tours during lockdown. Something to Read In contrast to platforms like Facebook and YouTube, Wikipedia emerged from 2020 as a bastion of accurate information online. But this year, Noam Cohen writes, it faces a new challenge: "Can the community of editors and administrators who collect and present the facts become as sturdy and reliable as the facts themselves?" Sanity Check Still shivering even with the heater on? Here are our tips for staying warm in your home this winter. One Question How do you illustrate a virus like SARS-CoV-2? Throughout this pandemic, medical illustrators have been working hard to create images that can help us understand how this coronavirus works and how we can avoid getting it. Crafting these pictures requires a careful combination of scientific expertise and artistic flair. Illustrators might consult with several researchers, read up on the scientific literature, and examine databases of protein structures before putting pen to paper. They also face important decisions about when to sacrifice accuracy in favor of clarity. The goal is to get viewers interested in the virus, and, in doing so, to demystify the science. 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. |