Thanksgiving is seen as a test that will make or break the United States’ coronavirus response. / The Associated Press

The share of Americans who plan to eat Thanksgiving dinner with people outside their household is highest among Libertarians. / The New York Times

“These holidays are going to be the real marshmallow test for Americans, the chance to find out, at the end of this terrible year, what we’re still made of.” / The New Yorker

Covid-19 cases have declined in the UK over the past two weeks. Australian states reopen borders. / The Associated Press, BBC News

Related: Vital lessons from the pandemic can be learned “from African countries’ powerful response.” / The Financial Times

Two coronaviruses closely associated with SARS-CoV-2 have been found in bats in China and Japan. / Nature

Your weekly white paper: During pandemics, trust in science falls—a decline driven by people with little training in science. / National Bureau of Economic Research

See also: “Nation Can’t Believe They Spent So Long Overlooking Obvious Solution Of mRNA Instructions For Spike Protein Encapsulated In Lipid Nanoparticle.” / The Onion

Why are folks eating in restaurants, if the odds of catching the virus are about 20 times higher indoors? Blame “comparative optimism.” / The Atlantic

Anonymous New Yorkers describe partying during the pandemic. "I’m aware that what we are doing is pretty stupid." / The Cut

The most trusted source on how the pandemic is unfolding in the US—the Covid Tracking Project—is mostly run by volunteers. / Bloomberg

From two weeks ago, but still interesting: how people in Beijing responded to Biden’s win. / The Morning News

After weeks of delay, President-elect Joe Biden’s team ”plunges” into a formal transition. / The Washington Post

A hostage negotiator, an animal-control officer, a toddler whisperer and other experts explain what to do if Trump won’t leave. / The Boston Globe

For your lockdown wanderlust: a Swiss ski movie that involves more than the usual fair share of philosophizing while hiking through the mountains. / The Morning News

Did you know? Staff on long-haul flights relax in "crew rests," purpose-built rest areas that are off-limits to passengers. / The Points Guy

One job in the travel industry that is presently thriving: "flight nannies," or people who hand-deliver rare breeds of dogs. / The Wall Street Journal

Elena Ferrante names her 40 favorite books by female authors. / The Guardian

A website points you to other websites that feature things—people, cats, snacks—that don't exist. / This X Does Not Exist

We’ll resume publishing on Saturday. For our American readers, we wish you a very safe, very small, happy holiday.