Plus: The Covid-19 headlines you need to know, a distraction, and something to read.
By Eve Sneider | 07.25.22 | | | | Shenzhen factories adjust for Covid, the Biden administration looks into the next generation of vaccines, and Australia battles record hospitalizations. Here's what you should know: | | Headlines Shenzhen calls on major factories to set up closed loops (Reuters) The Chinese city of Shenzhen told 100 major companies, including Foxconn and Huawei, to establish "closed-loop" systems at their facilities, according to a government document circulating online. This strategy is meant to limit factory entries and exits to contain the spread of Covid. Shenzhen reported 21 new infections yesterday and 19 the day before. The city hasn't mandated any major restrictions on residents' movements, though some residential buildings have been labeled higher risk. The White House turns its attention to new Covid vaccines (STAT News) Tomorrow, the White House is hosting a group of federal officials, scientists, and pharmaceutical executives to discuss the development of the next generation of Covid-19 vaccines, which will hopefully be able to evolve alongside the virus more effectively. Despite the emergence of new strains, most recently Omicron's BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, current shots still target the version of the virus first identified in 2019. Drugmakers are already working on boosters that fend off these variants. The boosters should be available this fall. Getting a campaign like the one the White House is proposing off the ground will likely require more funds from Congress. Hospitalizations hit a record high in Australia (Al Jazeera) Thanks to the rapid spread of the BA.4 and BA.5 strains, the number of Covid-19 hospitalizations in Australia is the highest it's been since the start of the pandemic. Deaths are also on the rise. Older adults are among those most affected, with more than 1,000 retirement homes across the country suffering outbreaks. Australia has one of the highest vaccination rates in the world, but the convergence of Covid-19 and the flu during winter has had a significant impact. | | | | | Children's hospitals often employ specialists and social workers to support kids while they're dealing with illness. At many hospitals, gaming is becoming an important part of providing care. | | | Vladimir Putin has been cleaving Russia's internet from the rest of the world's for years. But since invading Ukraine in the spring, he's kicked this plan into high gear, increasing censorship and surveillance every step of the way. | | | | |
