The NIH director says states with vaccination rates below 70% are at increased risk for future outbreaks. / CNN See also: Charts and maps show how Covid cases are declining across the US. / BuzzFeed News Say what you will—and many have—about the AstraZeneca vaccine, but it was instrumental in
The president of Tokyo 2020 says the Olympics will go ahead "100 percent," though perhaps without spectators. / BBC News American and Southwest Airlines won't resume serving alcohol until passengers stop attacking their flight attendants. / Food & Wine Movie theater chain AMC offers free popcorn to retail
Innovative shifts in manufacturing processes have resulted in huge profit windfalls—and now, massive supply shortages globally. / The New York Times A recruiter explains why restaurants really can't find enough staff. "Restaurants are just going to have to pay people more or have better benefits." / Washingtonian
We're taking a long weekend to rest and will resume publishing on Wednesday (the same day Camp ToB 2021 commences). See you then! Helen Branswell: As Covid dissipates in the US, cold and flu viruses may return with a vengeance. / STAT Millions of people registered with Dr. B
It's entirely possible that most Covid deaths could occur after there are enough vaccines to protect those most at risk globally. / The New York Times See also: "Coronavirus Variant Excited To Compete With World's Top Mutations In Tokyo This Summer." / The Onion "It
President Biden tells the US intelligence community to redouble its efforts in investigating the origins of Covid-19 and report back in 90 days. / CNN Daniel Engber: The shift in public thinking about the lab leak theory is "all the more remarkable for its lack of any major associated
The Wuhan "lab leak" theory suddenly goes mainstream, leading to renewed calls for a real investigation. / The Washington Post Jonathan Chait: Notice how the media originally dismissed the theory and smeared its supporters. / New York Magazine Maggie Haberman: The media was responding to Trump making it instantly political.
After being deployed on Jan. 6, the National Guard will fully depart the US Capitol grounds this week. / The Washington Post Texas Gov. Abbott is set to sign a bill that will allow Texans to carry handguns without a license. / The Texas Tribune "White tears hit different in a
Helen Branswell: Here's how the Covid pandemic in the United States reaches its end. / STAT Stores in the US start to give away their abundance of hand sanitizer. "It's worth more to us gone." / The Wall Street Journal Kaitlyn Tiffany: We've just
In 2020, more than twice as many folks were displaced within their own country by climate disaster as were forced out as refugees. / The Guardian "We think we're taught history. But we're really taught propaganda." Geography is the chessboard of history. / Uncharted Territories Israeli
