PLUS: The Covid-19 headlines you need to know, a distraction, and something to read.
By Eve Sneider | 07.28.22 |
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| Biden recovers from Covid, China sticks with its zero-Covid policy, and Japan battles a surge. But first, here's this week's big story: | |
Scientists probe vaccines that could ward off Covid—and its entire SARS lineage Staying on top of the ever-changing SARS-CoV-2 virus has proven to be a challenging task. But scientists are working on new types of vaccines that the virus won't be able to out-evolve. The most ambitious of these would hypothetically be able to target the entire coronavirus family, including the strains responsible for many common colds, as well as SARS. Another option would be to develop a shot that could thwart all of the virus's potential future offspring, and there are already several candidates that take this approach. While those vaccines may not be ready for humans for some time, efforts are currently underway to develop shots that take on both Covid and the common cold, as well as more recent mutations of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. At a White House Summit earlier this week, officials outlined a grand vision for nasal mists and skin patches that could prevent infections, not just hospitalizations and deaths. Of course, when it comes to executing that plan, there's one more hurdle to overcome beyond the science: where to get the money. | |
Headlines After five days in isolation, President Biden announced yesterday that he had recovered from Covid, touting the effectiveness of vaccines and therapeutics. (ABC News) At an economic meeting today, China's top leaders didn't indicate that there were any plans to modify the country's zero-Covid policy, or to supply any big stimulus for economic growth. (CNBC) Japan has more new infections than any other country this week, thanks to the BA.5 variant. Experts say this is likely to stall the process of easing border restrictions. (Nikkei Asia) Democratic senators are planning to ask for $21 billion to combat the coronavirus and other emerging outbreaks, like monkeypox. (Washington Post) The BA.5 strain of Omicron is now responsible for 82 percent of cases in the US. Officials are urging people over 50 to get boosted, saying that doing so wouldn't preclude getting a booster tailored to Omicron once they're available later in the year. (Reuters) | |
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| Jordan Peele's third feature, Nope, is a sci-fi Western about a UFO sighting in a quiet California ranch town. But he doesn't stop there. The film also offers a biting commentary on social media and our appetite for spectacle. | |
| The Gulf Coast is home to much of America's oil—and its emissions. Now efforts are underway to store carbon dioxide in the same area that launched the petroleum age. | |
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