The current state of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States is dire, with circumstances in the Upper Midwest particularly grim. In contrast, multiple countries around the world have shown that temporary changes in human behavior and consistent precautions, such as effective testing, contact tracing, and isolation, can slow transmission […] Read more »
Why Our Brains Struggle To Make Sense Of COVID-19 Risks
… Because COVID-19 is a largely invisible threat, our brains struggle to comprehend it as dangerous. Dr. Gaurav Suri, a neuroscientist at San Francisco State University, explains how habits can help make the risks of the virus less abstract. Emergency room doctor Leane Wen discusses why it’s tempting to make […] Read more »
Coronavirus Vaccine Hesitancy in Black and Latinx Communities
COVID Collaborative, Langer Research, UnidosUS and the NAACP conducted a poll on attitudes and impacts of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and resistance in the Black and Latinx communities. The report summarizes these findings and highlights key areas of focus for policy makers, health care professionals, and others working to increase vaccine […] Read more »
Why coronavirus vaccine polling numbers are mostly good news
… There’s been mostly good news on the coronavirus vaccine front. Two separate vaccine makers (Moderna and Pfizer) say their vaccines are about 95% effective with no major safety concerns, and Pfizer has applied to the Food and Drug Administration for emergency authorization. The hope is that many people can […] Read more »
Eating and cooking in the era of Covid19
… Americans are divided about just how safe it is to go out to eat at a restaurant these days. 43% of Americans say they would be somewhat comfortable dining out at a restaurant indoors (though just 17% would be very comfortable), while 51% say it makes them either somewhat […] Read more »
Sharp Divisions on Vote Counts, as Biden Gets High Marks for His Post-Election Conduct
More than two weeks after the presidential election, there are sharp divisions between voters who supported Joe Biden and Donald Trump over nearly all aspects of the election and voting process, including whether their own votes were counted accurately. Trump voters, who already were skeptical of the electoral process and […] Read more »