The US reaches a new vaccination milestone, Delhi goes into lockdown, and researchers examine PPE litter. Here's what you should know: Headlines Half of America's adults have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine Yesterday, the government reported that half of all US adults have received at least one Covid-19 shot, and about 32.5 percent of the total adult population has been fully vaccinated. The announcement came just a day before all adults in the country officially became eligible to get vaccinated. Polls show that willingness to get vaccinated has also risen in recent months: In January, 67 percent of Americans intended to or had been vaccinated, and now that number is up to 75 percent. Delhi enters a weeklong lockdown as cases continue to rise in India Starting tonight, India's capital, Delhi, will enter a weeklong lockdown. Cases have been surging since the start of the month, and on Sunday the city reported its highest single-day case count so far—24,462. One in three people in the city is testing positive, crematoriums are overwhelmed, and ICU beds and oxygen are in short supply. Experts say the government ignored signs of a new wave earlier this year, allowing large election rallies and religious gatherings. In response to the surge, the country also recently announced that all adults will be eligible to get vaccinated starting May 1. Researchers start to uncover the impact of PPE litter on wildlife Scientists have suspected that increased use of disposable PPE like plastic gloves and masks will affect animals since the pandemic's outset. Now, they're starting to see the impact in more concrete ways. A survey from the Ocean Conservancy, an environmental nonprofit, found that 94 percent of respondents who had been at trash pick-up events in the last year saw PPE pollution. Researchers have observed birds weaving latex gloves into their nests and other animals getting tangled in masks. Still, it may be a while before we understand the full extent of the damage, not least because many animal-PPE snares may be hard to observe. Daily Distraction Early this morning, Ingenuity, NASA's very first Mars helicopter, touched down on the Red Planet. One scientist behind the operation told WIRED, "We're ecstatic." Something to Read Once, the Logitech Harmony remote seemed poised to eliminate the need for lots of separate controllers and streamline home entertainment. Last Friday, the company discontinued the product with an unceremonious announcement. What happened to the smart remote? Sanity Check Sometimes, the moment you want to write a message isn't the moment you want someone else to receive it. Here are some tips for scheduling emails and texts to go out at the perfect time. One Question What has the pandemic revealed about sewage systems? In the early days of the pandemic last spring, scientists became concerned that sewage could be a cause of Covid-19 outbreaks. While this turned out not to be the case, the pandemic has underscored the reality that our toilet systems are in serious need of an upgrade. US sewage technology was developed more than a century ago, and much of the hardware in place at the moment is crumbling with age. Not to mention, many key sanitation workers are nearing retirement. Biden's recent infrastructure bill seems to recognize the urgent need to modernize how we handle wastewater. But giving sewage systems the revamp they need will require a combination of innovative solutions, sufficient funding, and fresh policies. 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. 💉 The data is in, and the vaccines are working. Here's how to get an appointment in your area. 💻 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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