The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated socioeconomic and political shock has created fertile grounds for the dissemination of conspiracy theories. In an article for the Atlantic Monthly, political scientists Joseph E. Uscinski and Adam M. Enders provide an overview of why conspiracy theories have developed and spread, and how they are being exacerbated by political polarization, groupthink, group identity, and misinformation. The authors also examine the different types of COVID-19 conspiracy theories, showing that certain kinds of conspiracy theories are associated with political identities and exacerbated by conspiratorial statements made by politicians.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated economic shock have created fertile conditions for the development and spread of conspiracy theories, especially about the nature of the pandemic. These conspiracy theories have begun to permeate the lives of many Americans, disrupting personal relationships through arguments and disgust. In an article for the Atlantic Monthly, journalist Joe Pinsker provides readers with advice on what to do if someone in their personal circle shares conspiracy theory videos, particularly the Plandemic documentary. Rather than be combative and insulting, Pinsker advises his readers to be emphatic and understanding. This allows readers to pivot the conversation toward addressing the conspiracy theorist's concerns, while also not causing them to be more entrenched in their positions. When these tactics do not work, however, Pinsker advises readers to give on them as a lost cause.

With the development of two viable COVID-19 vaccines, it appears that the end of the pandemic appears to be at hand in the near future. In an article for the Atlantic Monthly magazine, journalist Sarah Zhang explains how these viable vaccines were developed using new technologies and how the resolution of the pandemic is now more dependent on policy choices made by political leaders, namely the President of the United States. During the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic, medical professionals, epidemiologists, and vaccinologists were in the dark about the symptoms, treatability, and curability of the disease. After months of intense hands-on experience and in-depth genomic research, the companies Pfizer and Moderna have developed viable vaccine candidates. But these vaccines are different from typical vaccines: they are mRNA vaccines. This means that they work by injecting mRNA which encodes viral proteins, rather than injecting a weakened or dead SARS-CoV-2 virus. mRNA vaccines, according to Zhang, were once thought to be potentially unviable, but the positive preliminary results of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines may mark the beginning of a new era of vaccine research and development. In the future, Zhang says, mRNA vaccines may be developed for the Zika virus or for personalized forms of cancer. However, a major drawback of mRNA vaccines is their fragility, as they require extremely cold temperatures to be preserved. Now that these vaccines may be available for public use in the near future, it is up to the United States' political leadership to formulate policies to promote the vaccination of the populace and the mitigation of COVID-19 infections during the winter. According to Zhang, "Every infection we prevent now—through masking and social distancing—is an infection that can, eventually, be prevented forever through vaccines."

The advent of COVID-19 has made it more difficult for isolated, rural communities to maintain access to basic necessities such as food, water, and personal care products. In an article for the Hustle, journalist Zachary Crokett recounts the story of a Gustavus, Alaska grocer named Toshua Parker, who has taken it upon himself to supply the needs of his fellow townspeople in a time of crisis. Through the use of a shipping freighter, business connections, and a trusty Costco membership card, Parker has mostly succeeded in supplying the community's consumer needs and has made his business, Toshco, an economic pillar of Gustavus. The success of Parker's small, rural business in the face of COVID-19, according to Crockett, is representative of a "renaissance" of rural businesses, which are an important component of supplying a town's consumer needs. Without these businesses, isolated rural communities such as Gustavus would have a harder time enduring the pandemic relative to communities with robust economic centers.

With more states requiring face coverings to prevent the spread of COVID-19, gaiters and bandannas have become popular accessories. But tests show those hipper face coverings are not as effective as surgical or cloth face masks.

For millions of working women, the coronavirus pandemic has delivered a rare and ruinous setback. Job losses, childcare closings and remote schooling are not just pushing women out of jobs they held, but also preventing many from seeking new ones.

Some people have started to get tests for the coronavirus as a way to clear themselves to attend dinner parties without needing to wear masks or keep their distance. That’s absolutely the wrong thing to do.

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a limited stay at home order on Thursday that would require non-essential work and gatherings to stop between 10 pm and 5 am in counties with high rates of COVID-19. The order is set to take effect on Saturday at 10 pm and will last for one month.

The interviewee discusses her life and daily activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. She addresses her role as an essential employee while caring for her family.

新型コロナウイルスの有力な治療薬になる可能性があります。京都府立医科大学などの研究チームは新型コロナウイルスが細胞に侵入するのを防ぐ特殊なたんぱく質を開発したと発表しました。 　京都府立医科大学・星野温助教：「（新型コロナウイルス）治療薬がまだ『これ』というのが確立されてませんので、その一つの大きな候補となる開発技術になりますので、大きく社会に貢献できるものと期待します」 　新型コロナウイルスは表面にあるトゲが人の細胞の表面にある「ACE2」と呼ばれる突起と結合することで細胞内に侵入します。京都府立医科大学の星野温助教らの研究チームは細胞の突起に結合する前に、ウイルス表面のトゲと結合する特殊なたんぱく質を開発しました。トゲと結合する力がACE2よりも100倍以上強いということです。このたんぱく質を軽症や中等症の患者に投与することで感染した後に症状の悪化を抑える効果が期待できるということです。また、似たような仕組みの抗体製剤と比べてウイルスが変異しても効果が変わらないとしています。 　京都府立医科大学・星野温助教：「抗体製剤は比較的スパイク（ウイルスのトゲ）と点でくっついている感じですね。私たちのたんぱく質製剤は元々、スパイクがACE2（細胞の突起）にくっつく面をすべてカバーしているので」 　今後は企業と協力して来年度に臨床試験を始め、再来年度の実用化を目指したいとしています。 It has the potential to be a powerful remedy for the new coronavirus. Research teams including Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine have announced that they have developed a special protein that prevents the new coronavirus from invading cells. Assistant Professor Atsushi Hoshino, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine: "(New coronavirus) Therapeutic drug has not yet been established, so it will be one of the major candidates for development technology, and will greatly contribute to society. I expect it to be possible. " The new coronavirus invades the cells by binding the spikes on the surface to the protrusions called "ACE2" on the surface of human cells. A research team led by Assistant Professor Atsushi Hoshino of Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine has developed a special protein that binds to spikes on the surface of the virus before it binds to the protrusions of cells. It means that the force to bind to spikes is more than 100 times stronger than ACE2. By administering this protein to patients with mild or moderate illness, it can be expected to have the effect of suppressing the worsening of symptoms after infection. In addition, compared to antibody preparations with a similar mechanism, the effect does not change even if the virus mutates. Atsushi Hoshino, Assistant Professor, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine: "It feels like antibody preparations are relatively sticking to spikes (virus spikes). Our protein preparations already have spikes sticking to ACE2 (cell protrusions) and it covers all of them. " In the future, we would like to cooperate with companies to start clinical trials next year and aim for practical application in the following year of next year. Video translated by Youngbin Noh

This is a news that talks about the highest number of COVID cases in Tokyo. I believe this is caused by all the GO TO Travel which promoted people to travel despite being in COVID, and how all restaurants are open to dine-in and no one doing take-out. Also, Izakaya, a drinking/eating type of restaurants are usually have seats close to each other and do not have good ventilation. 東京都できょう、新型コロナウイルスの感染者が534人確認され、２日連続、過去最多を更新しました。 都は４段階の警戒レベルを「最高」に引き上げました。 きょう、都内で感染が確認されたのは534人できのうの493人を上回り最多を更新しました。 １日の新規感染者数が500人を超えるのは初めてです。 重症者はきのうから１人減った38人です。 こうした中、都は専門家と会議を開き、「感染状況」についての警戒レベルをおよそ２ヵ月ぶりに４段階で最も深刻な「感染が拡大している」に引き上げました。 特に重症化のリスクがある高齢者が大幅に増加したとして注意を呼びかけました。 （小池知事）「急速な感染拡大の局面にあるということ。高齢者・基礎疾患のある人は会食への参加を控えてもらいたい。避けてもらいたい。」 ただ、飲食店の営業時間の短縮要請については、「時短の効果とマイナスの影響を比較して考える必要がある」など慎重な意見もあり、現時点では行わない方針です。 In Tokyo, 534 people were confirmed to be infected with the new coronavirus, which was a highest number for the second consecutive day. Tokyo has raised the four levels of alertness to "highest". Today, the number of confirmed infections (543) in Tokyo exceeded 493. This is the first time that the number of newly infected people exceeds 500 per day. The number of seriously ill people is 38, one less than yesterday. Under these circumstances, the city held a meeting with experts and raised the alert level for "infection status" to the most serious "infection is spreading" in four stages for the first time in about two months. In particular, Tokyo has stated that the number of elderly people at risk of becoming severe has increased significantly. (Governor Koike) "We are in a phase of rapid infection spread. We would like elderly people and people with underlying illnesses to refrain from attending dinner. Please avoid it." However, regarding the request to shorten the business hours of restaurants, she stated that "It is necessary to compare the effect of shortening the time with the negative effect", so we will not make that decision at this time. Video translated by Youngbin Noh

As schools reopened around the world, countries saw surges in new COVID-19 cases. In response, some countries have re-closed schools while others have remained upon and employed strict guidelines.

The once mildly disliked man is now disputed moreso as a general failure when it came to Red for Ed and the COVID-19 cases in Arizona.

The expected second wave hits and now some countries must lockdown once again.

Last week I felt sick and had a slightly metallic taste in my mouth. I completely understand that many underlying issues can cause this, but because the testing at ASU is fairly quick and easy, I decided to get a test. The test is super fast and easy. You sign up, get a QR code, and drive through a huge parking lot off of Rio Salado behind the stadium. You spit into a cup through a straw, they scan your code and take the sample, and that's it. I had my results in less than 48 hours and all electronically. COVID-19 infection rates are on the rise across the United States, and it's better to know. My test came back negative, but my daughter was sent home from school Monday for coughing and a runny nose. She can't go back to school without a doctor's note or a COVID test, and unfortunately, she can't use the ASU testing site. There's community testing, Embry Women's health, and as far as I can tell, a rapid response site in Mesa that charges $100 for quick results.

The FDA has approved an at-home, self-test for COVID-19.

This story, which also appears on NPR, talks about how smaller cities like Burlington, Vermont are experiencing an increase of new "remote workers". They're escaping the big cities for multiple factors, many exacerbated due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The San Diego Union-Tribune has published a short series chronicling local musician's experiences and struggles during COVID-19. This story is about drummer Nathan Hubbard and how he has gone from performing almost every day to having very little work.

According to Vancouver Island Mother, a man purposefully coughed on her and her 4-month-old baby while at the hospital. This comes as BC Covid-19 cases have been at an all time high.

Hokkaido, a region up north of Japan, has been having increased number of cases. A lot of people are saying this is happening because it is cold there. 新型コロナウイルスの感染拡大が続いている北海道では17日から札幌市の警戒ステージを引き上げ、不要不急の外出自粛などを要請します。 　北海道・鈴木直道知事：「明確な減少傾向にしていくためには、さらに強いお願いをしなければならない」 　札幌市・秋元克広市長：「不要不急の外出の自粛をお願いするなども含めてさらに強い対策を取って行く必要があるのではないか」 　北海道では16日も189人の感染が確認され、このうち札幌市では124人と感染拡大が続いています。鈴木知事と札幌市の秋元市長は札幌市の警戒ステージを「4相当」に引き上げ、感染リスクが回避できない場合、「札幌市内での不要不急の外出自粛」や「札幌市と他地域との往来自粛」を要請する方針で合意しました。道は17日午後、対策会議を開いて正式決定します。 In Hokkaido, where the infection of the new coronavirus continues to spread, they decided to raise the alert stage of Sapporo City from the 17th and request that we refrain from going out unnecessarily. Governor Naomichi Suzuki of Hokkaido: "In order to make a clear downward trend, we must make a stronger policy." Mayor of Sapporo City, Katsuhiro Akimoto: "Furthermore, we will be asking people to refrain from going out unnecessarily. It may be necessary to take strong measures.” In Hokkaido, 189 people were confirmed to be infected on the 16th, of which 124 people continued to spread in Sapporo City. Governor Suzuki and Mayor Akimoto of Sapporo City raised the alert stage of Sapporo City to "equivalent to 4", and if the risk of infection cannot be avoided, they have agreed on agreed on a policy of requesting "self-restraint from traffic" to "refrain from going out unnecessarily in Sapporo City" or "Sapporo City and other areas". The policy for the roads will be officially decided by holding a countermeasure meeting on the afternoon of the 17th. Video translated by Youngbin Noh

アメリカのバイオテクノロジー企業「モデルナ」は開発中の新型コロナウイルスのワクチンについて、「94.5％の効果が得られた」とする臨床試験の暫定的な結果を発表しました。 　モデルナは16日、ワクチン開発の最終段階となる大規模な臨床試験の結果を発表しました。新型コロナウイルスに対して「ワクチンが94.5％の確率で効果を示した」としています。アメリカではファイザー社のワクチンでも「90％以上」の有効性が確認されていて、来月中にも両社のワクチンの緊急使用が始まる可能性が出てきました。ただ、このタイプのワクチンは低温で保存・運搬する必要があるなど課題も残されています。日本政府はモデルナと2500万人分のワクチン供給を受ける契約を結んでいます。 American biotechnology company "Moderna" has announced the preliminary results of a clinical trial that "94.5% of the effect was obtained" for the new coronavirus vaccine under development. On the 16th, Moderna announced the results of a large-scale clinical trial, which is the final stage of vaccine development. "The vaccine has a 94.5% chance of being effective against the new coronavirus," he said. In the United States, Pfizer's vaccine has been confirmed to be "90% or more" effective, and it is possible the emergency use of both companies' vaccines will begin by the end of next month. However, there are still issues with this type of vaccine, such as the need to store and transport it at low temperatures. The Japanese government has a contract with Moderna to receive vaccines for 25 million people. Video translated by Youngbin Noh

With concert halls unable to open due to COVID-19, many performing arts groups have to find alternate ways to perform and raise money.

The rural community of Tuttle, Oklahoma honored their class of 2020 high graduates with a sign made out of a round bale of hay. The round bale was located just off of State Highway 37 next to the Tuttle Grain & Supply. As part of the creativity, the bale had a sign saying: "Class of 2020" with comments such as "Proud of You!" and "Congrats!" as well as "Great Job!" The sign then covered the face of the hay bale in the design of a large face mask. The community was acknowledging the circumstances that altered the 2020 senior year and graduation to be a smaller event.

On November 3, 2020 I took a photo of the voting line that was spread across the Legacy Bank and Library parking lots in Blanchard, Oklahoma. The small community has several voting precincts and this is just one of them. At one point it was mentioned that people were waiting up to three hours to vote at this voting location. The crowd appeared to be somewhat spaced apart and some were wearing masks. The pandemic affected how people stood near each other, which would've been normally much closer.

On July 10, 2020 the local bank had a sign displayed that warned of the coin shortage that was caused by the pandemic. Due to the shortage, local businesses were limited in the amount of coins they could request from the National Bank in Blanchard, Oklahoma. On July 24, 2020 we decided to do our part and cashed in all of our coins. This gave us some extra cash and gave the bank some extra rolls of coins to distribute to the local businesses. Signs at local fast food restaurants still display their signs on the coin shortage and occasionally cannot make exact change. For certain restaurants like Taco Bell, they were encouraging over the summer to donate the remaining change to a charity they would then distribute the money to. This is example of how the pandemic has changed our lives in unpredictable ways.

On August 7, 2020 I received a message from a relative that their health insurance company had mailed them a small envelope with a cloth mask. At the time in Oklahoma, masks were still fairly difficult to find in stores and reusable masks were still available mostly online at considerable costs. The elderly relative said that her and her husband were told to use these if they went to a doctor's appointment or to a hospital. The pamphlet also advised them on the best way to wash and dry the mask for further use. This is something that seems like a small cost to the company, but could benefit everyone if it helped prevent people from getting sick, especially from COVID-19.

On September 15, 2020 I received a post card mailer from the U.S. Postal Service. The message is: "If you plan to vote by mail, plan ahead." The reverse side had my information and a note detailing a list of suggestions to prepare for mailing in a ballot during the 2020 U.S. Election. Personally, I've voted in many elections over the past few decades and voted by mail for a long time before this election as well - I've never received any information like this. You can tell that during the pandemic there was going to be a lot of pressure on voting by mail. Personally, I turned in my ballot at least a month before the actual day in fear that the postal system would be overwhelmed in the days right before the election. This is the first year where voting by mail didn't seem like a convenience, but felt like it was a large part of election history. The pandemic seems to be shifting our daily lives in ways that no one would've expected at the beginning of 2020.

On October 1, 2020, Ramin Karimloo, who starred in several musicals on West End, held a livestreamed concert on his Youtube channel to help raise money for healthcare workers. The charity he featured was Care Not Profit, a Canadian-based charity lobbying for living wages for people who work in for-profit long-term care facilities, better conditions for residents of those facilities, and better benefits for the workers.

Eva Noblezada, who has starred in Broadway musicals such as Miss Saigon and Hadestown, will be giving a virtual concert and will host a Q&A session afterwards via Zoom. This concert is one that you have to buy tickets for.

The Shows Must Go On! is a Youtube channel that started near the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The channel is owned by Universal, and so has rights to many popular musicals, including Andrew Lloyd Webber's. Periodically, they stream performances and keep them up for 48 hours. This production of Macbeth stars Sir Patrick Stewart and will be available for a week when it's aired 11/16/2020. While it's up, the channel will be using it to raise money for The Actor's Fund to help performers struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The article describes the recent challenges to obtaining an abortion in the US during the COVID-19 pandemic due to several states attempting to add further restrictions on abortion rights. It is important to understand that while it was already difficult for many to obtain abortions to begin with, the pandemic has added even more challenges for those seeking reproductive healthcare as well as more opportunities for anti-choice lawmakers to restrict abortion care.

After the city council expressed a desire to defund and possibly disband the police altogether, a vast number of officers decided to leave the department on their own, frustrated with the lack of support. Now, Minneapolis is scrambling to find additional officers from other agencies to deal with the rapidly escalating crime surge in their city.

Oh woe, the struggles of wealth! To own a plushie of love of great size or own a machine of entertainment? Someone give me 1200 dollars as I must discover which is the best. It is for science.

An image shared by the person linked describing an image that is the digital equivalent of putting photos on a tack board and connecting them with strings while saying "Pepe Silvia". Apparently people think "extreme radical democratic liberals" used a bioweapon to kickstart a "communist" revolution or something in some sort of crazy bio-Posadist horror fantasy laced with a bit of the anti-semitic fear of the elites. Truly strange.

In Mexico, the COVID-19 pandemic has seen the revitalization of an ancient, indigenous farming method: chinampas, or floating gardens. As described in Amanda Gokee's article for Atlas Obscura, this indigenous farming method had been in decline for several centuries, but the disruption of Mexico's food supply chain has created an opening for indigenous farmers to sell their produce on the market. According to Gokee, the chinampa system, which dates back to Pre-Columbian times, is one of the most productive agricultural systems in the world. So it is no surprise that it has seen a resurgence thanks to the pandemic. Gokee's article showcases the efforts of one agricultural collective Colectivo Ahuejote, to further develop the use of the chinampa system in the Valley of Mexico.

新型コロナウイルスが変異したことで感染力が強まったことを確認したということです。 　東京大学医科学研究所の河岡義裕教授は新型コロナウイルスが変異したことで感染力が強まったと発表しました。変異はD614Gと呼ばれ、ウイルスの表面にある突起部分で起きたもので、変異の前よりも細胞に結合しやすくなったということです。河岡教授はハムスターなどを使った実験で変異したウイルスが従来のウイルスよりも飛沫（ひまつ）感染しやすいことを確認しました。現在、世界で蔓延（まんえん）しているのはこの変異ウイルスですが、変異前のウイルスをもとに作ったワクチンも効果が期待されるとしています。 It was confirmed that the infectivity of the new coronavirus was strengthened by the mutation. Professor Yoshihiro Kawaoka of the Institute of Medical Science, the University of Tokyo, announced that the mutation of the new coronavirus increased the infectivity. The mutation, called D614G, occurs in a protrusion on the surface of the virus (Spikes), which means that it is easier to bind to cells in humans than it was before the mutation. Professor Kawaoka confirmed in experiments using hamsters, hamsters with mutated version of viruses are more susceptible to droplet (himatsu) infection than hamsters with conventional viruses. Currently, it is this mutant virus that is widespread in the world, but it is expected that vaccines made based on the virus before mutation will also be effective. Video translated by Youngbin Noh

Like other countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan is experiencing a rising interest in learning new cooking recipes, particularly local culinary traditions. In a short article for Atlas Obscura, Makiko Itoh looks at how the recent cooking craze has hit Japan through the lens of a particular dairy product, known as so. Recently, the Japanese dairy industry had a problem with being unable to sell its surplus milk supply overseas due to the transit disruptions created by the pandemic. In response, Japanese consumers were encouraged to purchase more milk to save the industry and to use them for local recipes. One recipe in particular, known as so, has gained increased interest from Japanese foodies. According to Itoh, so is a cheese-like dairy product that was first created during the Nara and Heian periods of Japanese history, when dairy farming was at its height. So was popular among aristocrats, and even the Japanese emperors of the time were avid consumers. However, according to Itoh, the rise of the Kamakura Shogunate and the samurai warrior class caused the popularity of so and other dairy products to decline markedly. So making was recently revived by foodies and history buffs, who have helped popularize the recipe again for new consumers and amateur cooks.

The COVID-19 pandemic, aside from encouraging people to take up new hobbies, has encouraged people to look to the past for methods of dealing with the risks of the pandemic. In an article for Atlas Obscura, journalist Matthew Taub looks at how the people of Florence, Italy, have dealt with the new reality of COVID-19 by using a medieval innovation: wine windows. According to Taub, a wine window, or buchette del vino, is a type of medieval storefront common in Florence that dates back to the 17th century, when the plague commonly ravaged the population of the city. Insteading of risking exposure by entering an osteria, or bar, Florentines eager for wine and merriment were passed wine through a narrow window by metal plate. Shopkeepers would then sanitize the metal plates used to transfer money and products with vinegar. Over 200 wine windows have been tallied, or 1 for every city block. With the arrival of COVID-19, 5-6 restaurants in Florence have reactivated their wine windows to serve wine, as well as coffee and gelato. Aside from providing modern Florentine shoppers with safe access to red wine, these reopened wine windows are also raising awareness about Florence's medieval past and the necessity of preserving antique architecture.

新型コロナウイルスの感染拡大で各地で外出が制限されるなか、サンタクロースがプレゼントを配れるか不安に思う子どもに対し、イタリアのコンテ首相が「特別な許可証」があると答えました。 　イタリアでは現在、外出制限を伴うロックダウンが導入されています。5歳のトンマーゾくんはコンテ首相に対し、サンタクロースの外出を制限しないよう懇願するメールを送っていました。コンテ首相は12日、フェイスブックで「サンタさんは国際的な特別許可証を持っていて、世界中の子どもたちにプレゼントを配ることができる」と答えました。さらに、「サンタさんはマスクをして適切な距離を保っていると言っていた」と付け加えています。トンマーゾくんがサンタクロースのためにツリーの下に消毒液を置いておくと約束したことには、「素晴らしいアイデア」と応じました。また、コンテ首相はウイルスの撃退だけでなく、他のプレゼントをお願いすることも忘れないよう呼び掛けました。 Italy's Prime Minister Conté replied that he made a "special permit" for children who were worried that Santa Claus would be able to give out presents as the spread of the new coronavirus restricted his outings. In Italy, lockdown with restrictions on going out is currently going on. Five-year-old Tommaso sent an email to Prime Minister Conté begging him not to restrict Santa Claus from going out. "Santa has an international special permit and can give out presents to children around the world," Conte said on Facebook on the 12th. He added, "Santa said he was wearing a mask to keep a proper distance". To keep Tommaso's promise by the disinfectant under the tree for Santa Claus was a "great idea." In addition to fighting off the virus, Prime Minister Conté also called on him to remember to ask for other gifts. Video translated by Youngbin Noh

As cases are rapidly rising in the United States many cities are imposing more restrictions again such a closing down certain public spaces and services. Chicago recently issued a 30 day stay at home advisory and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is floating the idea of imposing more restrictions if the high transmission rate continues. Officials are telling people to cancel any Thanksgiving plans people might have as a result of the rising cases all over the country.

NYC Mayor Bill DeBlasio is contemplating whether or not to shut down schools in the city again. Ironically schools would be shut down but bars and restaurants might stay open despite the very low transmission rate in public schools. Other cities have begun canceling in-person classes such a Boston. Other countries such as Germany deemed schools an essential service and has left them open. There is much concern among NYC teachers as they weigh the costs of a total shift to online school again.

Following the rise in COIVD-19 cases the world is seeing recently, Texas has become the first state to reach 1 million total cases with El Paso as one of its main hotspots. California became the second state to reach 1 million cases just recently.

The Los Angeles Times released a map of how likely someone is to contract COVID-19 anywhere in the United States. Officials predict a rise in cases in the next two weeks due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Traveling and fly is set to increase dramatically and more people (especially) will be together which is going to lead to a rise in cases. This map shows where in America is it more likely to contract Covid.

The Washington Post reported that over 130 members of the Secret Service are either in quarantine or have contracted the virus. 130 people accounts for around 10% of the total number of secret service agents. The outbreak comes as a result of the amount of traveling President Donald Trump did before the election. The White House has received massive amount of criticism for their lack of care.

With COVID-19 lockdowns, many people are seeking pets for company. Smugglers, however, are taking advantage of this by selling smuggled dogs for large amounts of money. There has also been an uptick in the number of dogs abandoned due to various reasons including financial struggle.

With the rise of COVID-19, it is easy to forget the risks posed by other diseases to the health of the global community. But as Vox's Julia Belluz reminds readers, the risk posed by measles is still existent and increasing as the current COVID-19 pandemic unwinds. Belluz cites data from the World Health Organization (WHO), medical institutions, and epidemiologists that demonstrate that there has been a significant increase (556%) in measles cases worldwide in the lead up to the COVID-19 pandemic. This increase in cases, according to medical officials, can be attributed to the rise of vaccine skepticism, an anti-intellectual movement that believes that vaccines cause autism and other medical ailments. In addition to the anti-vaccination movement, childhood immunizations for measles have declined significantly (250,000 dose deficit) in the wake of the pandemic, as medical doctors that would usually oversee vaccination campaigns are overwhelmed by COVID-19 cases. This massive deficit in vaccinations is creating the conditions for future outbreaks of measles, which will devastate marginalized communities already impacted by COVID-19. Belluz ends the article by calling for further vaccination campaigns, but she also acknowledges that the current Trump administration is unlikely to carry it out to fruition.

With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have been pressured to develop bad habits such as overeating, alcoholism, doom scrolling, and impulse shopping. But one pandemic indulgence that stands out to medical officials and journalists is smoking, which damages lungs and puts one at an increased risk from dying of COVID-19. In an article for Vox, journalist Melinda Fakuade provides readers with an overview of the reasons why more people have taken up smoking during the COVID-19 pandemic in spite of the increased risk of death. According to Fakuade, a major factor that explains the increased prevalence of smoking during the COVID-19 pandemic is the sheer boredom that comes with being unable to leave home without risking contracting COVID-19. Not being able to leave home and spend money on other amenities also increases one's access to discretionary spending, which can be used to fund cigarette smoking and other bad habits. Fakuade also emphasizes the role of stress, which induces people to take up bad habits such as smoking as a coping mechanism. According to her, smoking functions as a way of maintaining a routine and sense of control in a time of extreme instability. Finally, Fakuade considers whether or not the increased prevalence of smoking during the COVID-19 pandemic constitutes a reflection of an internal "death wish," on the part of smokers.

Graduate student at ASU, Angelica S Ramos interviews mother of a new born baby. In this interview she discussed the struggles with prenatal care and her experience with birth during COVID. Fisher also discusses family support as a new mother amidst the pandemic and how her interactions with her family has changed. She mentions her worries with being high risk for contraction and how she copes with her worries. She also talks about her work as a teacher and how much that environment has changed for her and her students. In this interview, Fisher also talks about her close relationship with her grandmother who lived in assisted living and how their relationship has been forced to change. Lastly, she talks about her hopes for the future.

Quebec has been one of the hardest hit provinces during the pandemic. This plan hopes to revitalize the economy by investing in workers, "buy local" initiatives, and research. This will also come with a deficit for next couple of years.

Following initial findings of Pfizer's vaccine being effective in preventing COVID-19 infection in more than 90% of people, Russia says its vaccine has 92% efficacy according to preliminary findings in stage three of the clinical trials. The trial results are based on 20 confirmed COVID-19 cases.