| Pfizer says its Covid treatment is effective, NYC kids will reap vaccine rewards, and Vienna devises a plan for inoculating kids. Here's what you should know: Headlines Pfizer says its Covid-19 pill is highly effective Pfizer released preliminary results from trials for its antiviral Covid-19 pill today, which cut hospitalization and death rates by 89 percent among high-risk adults. The drug takes an approach to fighting Covid-19 that has also been used to treat HIV and hepatitis C. Independent experts recommended stopping the trial early because results were so strong, and Pfizer said it will apply for emergency use authorization as soon as possible. Another pill, from Merck, is under review in the US and was approved in the UK on Thursday. Kids in New York City will get $100 when they get vaccinated at school or city-run sites Yesterday, New York City mayor Bill de Blasio announced that children who get vaccinated at school sites or city-run clinics will receive $100, an incentive the city has offered to adults since late July. After kids get their first doses, families will receive emailed instructions for getting a prepaid $100 debit card or another incentive like free tickets to a sporting event. There will be vaccination clinics at more than 1,000 school sites in the city. Second doses won't be available at school sites but, staffers will help families set up appointments. Vienna plans to have pediatricians authorize off-label use to vaccinate younger children Vienna, Austria, has announced that it will vaccinate children as young as 5 starting November 12, even though the EU has not yet approved shots for younger kids. The plan, which is the first of its kind organized by a government body, is for pediatricians to authorize off-label use of Pfizer and BioNTech's shot for kids ages 5 to 11. Cases are on the rise in Austria, and the city has also said that Covid restrictions will be tightened on November 12. EU regulators are expected to make an official decision about shots for kids in the coming months. Daily Distraction Everyone concerned with climate change agrees that carbon is bad and emissions need to be reduced. The question is, how? Something to Read In the wake of Facebook's rebrand, it seems that all of Big Tech is talking about the "metaverse." But what is the metaverse, exactly? That depends on which person, or company, you ask. Sanity Check When you're spending hours every day in front of a computer, a good keyboard makes a world of difference. Try one of these if you're looking to upgrade. One Question How has the pandemic changed the role of pharmacies in the US? Community pharmacies in the US have spent decades advocating to have their services enhanced. Then, amid the pandemic, they underwent a major shift almost overnight. Federal actions like the PREP Act made it possible for pharmacy technicians to administer vaccines to children and Covid shots to anyone eligible, with proper training and under the supervision of a pharmacist. And when health care practices closed their doors, pharmacists in some places were able to step in not just to dispense drugs to those in need but to make sure they were being used properly and effectively. Now, some in the industry say, these changes may well prove to be the new normal. Covid-19 Care Package 📦 To end this pandemic and prevent future ones, we'll need a good way to track and surveil emerging diseases. Here's a look at the latest efforts. 😷 Masks may not be mandatory where you live, but they're still recommended for many situations. Here are the best masks you can buy, and how to make one at home. 💉 Vaccines are the most effective way to protect yourself and others against Covid-19. 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. 💼 As employers increasingly require workers to return to the office, the routines you built during the pandemic may be thrown into disarray. Here are some tips to help you make the adjustment smoothly. 👋 So you're fully vaccinated! Congrats. Here are some ways you can let others know. 🦠Read all of our coronavirus coverage here. | 
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