Biden seeks a deal for 100 million more Johnson & Johnson doses, wealthy nations hoard shots, and travel groups advocate for Covid-19 "passports." Here's what you should know: Headlines Biden plans to make a deal for another 100 million Johnson & Johnson doses The Biden administration plans to purchase an additional 100 million doses of Johnson & Johnson's Covid-19 vaccine, on top of the initial 100 million the drugmaker has already agreed to provide. This second order would likely be delivered in the latter half of 2021. The White House is reportedly trying to secure more vaccines to plan for all possible contingencies, like the chance that booster shots would prove necessary to protect against new variants. The pandemic can't end while wealthy nations hoard shots Early on in the pandemic, wealthy nations cut deals with multiple drugmakers knowing not all of their vaccines would make it through trials. This means that now the richest countries in the world have pledged to buy many times more doses than they need—all while much of the rest of the world struggles to secure their share. The WHO- and UNICEF-led Covax initiative is working to right this imbalance, but it can only procure a fraction of what rich countries are buying. This is troubling not just for ethical reasons, but also because we can't eradicate this virus if there are still populations in which it can thrive. Airlines and travel groups ask the White House to develop digital Covid-19 "passports" US airlines and nearly 30 travel and labor groups are asking the Biden administration to develop a Covid-19 digital passport system where people could show proof of negative coronavirus test results or vaccination status to travel and potentially avoid having to quarantine. They hope that this would boost tourism and economic recovery. But White House press secretary Jen Psaki said yesterday that the administration wants to get more people vaccinated before figuring out safe ways to move around the country. And the CDC still advises that even people who've been vaccinated should avoid travel. Daily Distraction Nonfungible tokens—also called NFTs—are essentially digital collectibles, a way to buy things that live online. They first made waves in the art and sport worlds. But now you can even sell your own tweets. Something to Read Chen Quifan has built a career as one of China's foremost sci-fi authors, penning stories that speak to the rapid changes reshaping Chinese society. In recent years, he's been heralded by the tech industry as a kind of prophet. What might his future, and his view of ours, hold? Sanity Check Portable device-makers are banking on the fact that we'll all soon be gathering again. Sonos is the latest to hop aboard that train with its new Bluetooth speaker. One Question How do you cope with grief during a pandemic? Nearly every person in the country has experienced profound loss in the past year. In spite of, or perhaps because of, this, experts say, now is the perfect time to rethink how we handle grief. The best things you can do are to go easy on yourself, move your body regularly (even five minutes of stretching will do!), and develop rituals that feel good to you. Joining virtual gathering, and seeking out community in other ways can also make a world of difference. Covid-19 Care Package 📦 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 a 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. 💻 Whether or not you're a work-from-home pro, 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. |
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