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<h1 data-aos="fade-down" id="covid-19-sentry">Covid-19 Sentry</h1>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" data-aos-anchor-placement="top-bottom" id="contents">Contents</h1>
<ul>
<li><a href="#from-preprints">From Preprints</a></li>
<li><a href="#from-clinical-trials">From Clinical Trials</a></li>
<li><a href="#from-pubmed">From PubMed</a></li>
<li><a href="#from-patent-search">From Patent Search</a></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-preprints">From Preprints</h1>
<ul>
<li><strong>Effects of face masks and ventilation on the risk of SARS-CoV-2 respiratory transmission in public toilets: a quantitative microbial risk assessment</strong> -
<div>
Public toilets could increase the risk of COVID-19 infection via airborne transmission; however, related research is limited. We aimed to estimate SARS-CoV-2 infection risk through respiratory transmission using a quantitative microbial risk assessment framework by retrieving SARS-CoV-2 concentrations from the swab tests of 251 Thai patients. Three virus-generating scenarios were investigated: an infector breathing, breathing with a cough, and breathing with a sneeze. Infection risk (97.5th percentile) was as high as 10-3 with breathing and increased to 10-1 with a cough or sneeze, thus all higher than the risk benchmark of 5 x 10-5 per event. No significant gender differences for toilet users (receptors) were noted. The highest risk scenario of breathing and a sneeze was further evaluated for risk mitigation measures. Risk mitigation to lower than the benchmark succeeded only when the infector and receptor simultaneously wore an N95 respirator or surgical mask and when the receptor wore an N95 respirator and the infector wore a denim fabric mask. Ventilation up to 20 air changes per hour (ACH), beyond the 12-ACH suggested by the WHO, did not mitigate risk. Virus concentration, volume of expelled droplets, and receptor dwell time were identified as the main contributors to transmission risk.
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.08.21.457245v1" target="_blank">Effects of face masks and ventilation on the risk of SARS-CoV-2 respiratory transmission in public toilets: a quantitative microbial risk assessment</a>
</div></li>
<li><strong>Protocol violations in López-Medina et al.: 38 switched ivermectin (IVM) and placebo doses, failure of blinding, widespread IVM sales OTC in Cali, and nearly identical AEs for the IVM and control groups</strong> -
<div>
A randomized controlled trial for treatment of mild cases of COVID-19 conducted in Cali, Colombia reported no statistically significant differences in outcomes for its ivermectin (IVM) and placebo arms. A striking anomaly, however, was that certain adverse events (AEs) that are distinctive for the study’s high-dose IVM use occurred at nearly identical rates in its IVM and placebo arms. The backdrop for these indicators of IVM use in study controls was widespread sales of IVM for COVID-19 in the Cali area during the study period, with 1.6 IVM doses sold over the counter for each case of COVID-19. The study compounded these risks of contamination of the control arm with critical errors in blinding and segregation of IVM v. placebo doses. A labeling error substituted IVM for placebo doses of 38 patients. Also, 5% dextrose solution was used for several weeks as a placebo, easily distinguishable from bitter tasting IVM. Given widespread availability and sales of IVM in Cali, lapses in segregation and blinding of IVM and control doses, and IVM-characteristic AEs in controls, the integrity of the study’s control arm was violated. Some useful information can nevertheless be salvaged from outcomes of this study’s IVM treatment arm, which had 0 deaths and generally mild symptoms, with AEs typical for high-dose IVM (replicated in the control group) that were generally mild and transient.
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://osf.io/u7ewz/" target="_blank">Protocol violations in López-Medina et al.: 38 switched ivermectin (IVM) and placebo doses, failure of blinding, widespread IVM sales OTC in Cali, and nearly identical AEs for the IVM and control groups</a>
</div></li>
<li><strong>Status loss due to COVID-19, traditional masculinity, and the prediction of suicidal ideation and recent suicide attempts</strong> -
<div>
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is causing extensive job loss leading to a loss of social status in many men. Endorsement of traditional masculinity ideology may render some men particularly sensitive to status loss and thereby to an increased risk for suicidality. Methods: In this anonymous online survey conducted in German-speaking European countries, 490 men completed questionnaires regarding loss of social status due to the pandemic, suicidal ideation and past-month suicide attempt. Furthermore, prototypical and male-typical externalizing depression symptoms, self- identified masculine gender orientation, endorsement of traditional masculinity, and gender role conflict were measured. Results: Out of a total of 490 men, 14.7% of men reported experiencing a status loss due to the pandemic. These men were more than twice as likely to report suicidal ideation during the past two weeks, and more than four times as likely to have attempted suicide in the past month than men not reporting a status loss. Depression symptoms, self-identified masculine gender orientation, endorsement of traditional masculinity, but not gender role conflict were positively associated with status loss. Suicidal ideation and suicide attempt were associated with prototypical and male-typical externalizing depression symptoms, but not masculinity- related constructs. Conclusion: Status loss emerges as risk factor for suicide and is associated with depression symptoms, higher masculine gender orientation and endorsement of traditional masculinity. Men with high levels of traditional masculinity and status loss due to the pandemic are at increased risk for suicide.
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://psyarxiv.com/h3qy6/" target="_blank">Status loss due to COVID-19, traditional masculinity, and the prediction of suicidal ideation and recent suicide attempts</a>
</div></li>
<li><strong>Ivermectin for COVID-19 in Peru: 14-fold reduction in nationwide excess deaths, p&lt;0.002 for effect by state, then 13-fold increase after ivermectin use restricted</strong> -
<div>
Introduction. On May 8, 2020, Peru’s Ministry of Health approved ivermectin (IVM), a drug of Nobel Prize-honored distinction, for inpatient and outpatient treatment of COVID-19. As IVM treatments proceeded in that nation of 33 million residents, excess deaths decreased 14-fold over four months through December 1, 2020, consistent with clinical benefits of IVM for COVID-19 found in several RCTs. But after IVM use was sharply restricted under a new president, excess deaths then increased 13-fold. Methods. To evaluate possible IVM treatment effects suggested by these aggregate trends, excess deaths were analyzed by state for ages ≥ 60 in Peru’s 25 states. To identify potential confounding factors, Google mobility data, population densities, SARS-CoV-2 genetic variations and seropositivity rates were also examined. Results. The 25 states of Peru were grouped by extent of IVM distributions: maximal (mass IVM distributions through operation MOT, a broadside effort led by the army); medium (locally managed IVM distributions); and minimal (restrictive policies in one state, Lima). The mean reduction in excess deaths 30 days after peak deaths was 74% for the maximal IVM distribution group, 53% for the medium group and 25% for Lima. Reduction of excess deaths is correlated with extent of IVM distribution by state with a p value of 0.002 using the Kendall τb test. Conclusion. Mass treatments with IVM, a drug safely used in 3.7 billion doses worldwide since 1987, most likely caused the 14-fold reductions in excess deaths in Peru, prior to their 13-fold increase under reversed IVM policy. This strongly suggests that IVM treatments can likewise effectively complement immunizations to help eradicate COVID-19. The indicated biological mechanism of IVM, competitive binding with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, is likely non-epitope specific, possibly yielding full efficacy against emerging viral mutant strains.
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://osf.io/9egh4/" target="_blank">Ivermectin for COVID-19 in Peru: 14-fold reduction in nationwide excess deaths, p&amp;lt;0.002 for effect by state, then 13-fold increase after ivermectin use restricted</a>
</div></li>
<li><strong>GROUPS 4 HEALTH protects against unanticipated threats to mental health: Evaluating two interventions during COVID-19 lockdown among young people with a history of depression and loneliness. Journal of Affective Disorders.</strong> -
<div>
Background. Decades of research indicate that when social connectedness is threatened, mental health is at risk. However, extant interventions to tackle loneliness have had only modest success, and none have been trialled under conditions of such threat. Method. 174 young people with depression and loneliness were randomised to one of two evidence-based treatments: cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) or GROUPS 4 HEALTH (G4H), an intervention designed to increase social group belonging. Depression, loneliness, and well-being outcomes were evaluated at one-year follow-up; COVID-19 lockdown restrictions were imposed partway through follow-up assessments. This provided a quasi-experimental test of the utility of each intervention in the presence (lockdown group) and absence (control group) of a threat to social connectedness. Results. At one-year follow-up, participants in lockdown reported significantly poorer wellbeing than controls who completed follow-up before lockdown, t(152)=2.41, p=.017. Although both CBT and G4H led to symptom improvement, the benefits of G4H were more robust following an unanticipated threat to social connectedness for depression (2(16)=31.35, p=.001), loneliness (2(8)=21.622, p=.006), and wellbeing (2(8)=22.938, p=.003). Limitations. Because the COVID-19 lockdown was unanticipated, this analysis represents an opportunistic use of available data. As a result, we could not measure the specific impact of restrictions on participants, such as reduced income, degree of isolation, or health-related anxieties. Conclusions. G4H delivered one year prior to COVID-19 lockdown offered greater protection than CBT against relapse of loneliness and depression symptoms. Implications are discussed with a focus on how these benefits might be extended to other life stressors and transitions.
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://psyarxiv.com/tyvhg/" target="_blank">GROUPS 4 HEALTH protects against unanticipated threats to mental health: Evaluating two interventions during COVID-19 lockdown among young people with a history of depression and loneliness. Journal of Affective Disorders.</a>
</div></li>
<li><strong>The production (and breach) of new norms in the time of COVID-19: Achieving physical distancing in public spaces</strong> -
<div>
A key requirement of COVID-19 pandemic behavioural regulations in many countries was for people to ‘physically distance’ from one another, which meant departing radically from established norms of everyday human sociality. Previous research on new norms has been retrospective (or prospective), focusing on reported levels of adherence to the regulations or the intention to do so. In this paper, we take an observational approach to study the embodied and spoken interactional practices through which people produce or breach the new norm. The dataset comprises 20 ‘self- ethnographic’ fieldnotes collected immediately following walks and runs in public spaces, and these were analysed in the ethnomethodological tradition. We show that and how the new norm emerged through the mutual embodied and spoken conduct of strangers in public spaces. Orientations to the new norm were observed as people torqued their bodies away from each other in situations where there was insufficient space to create physical distance. We also describe how physical distance was produced unilaterally or was aggressively resisted by some people. Finally, we discuss the practical and policy implications of our observations both for deciding what counts as physical distancing and how to support the public to achieve it.
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://osf.io/preprints/socarxiv/nbszm/" target="_blank">The production (and breach) of new norms in the time of COVID-19: Achieving physical distancing in public spaces</a>
</div></li>
<li><strong>Are face masks a problem for emotion recognition? Not when the whole body is visible.</strong> -
<div>
The rise of the novel COVID-19 virus has made face masks commonplace items around the globe. Recent research found that face masks significantly impair emotion recognition on isolated faces. However, faces are rarely seen in isolation and the body is also a key cue for emotional portrayal. Here, therefore, we investigated the impact of face masks on emotion recognition when surveying the full body. Stimuli expressing anger, happiness, sadness, and fear were selected from Van den Stock and de Gelder’s (2011) BEAST stimuli set. Masks were added to these images and participants were asked to recognise the emotion and give a confidence level for that decision for both the masked and unmasked stimuli. We found that whilst emotion recognition was generally impaired by face masks, this result was entirely driven by Happy stimuli, leading to the conclusion that contrary to some work viewing faces in isolation, face masks only appear to impair the recognition of happiness when the whole body is present. Contrary to actual performance, confidence levels were found to decline during the Mask condition across all emotional conditions. This research suggests that the impact of masks on emotion recognition may not be as pronounced as previously thought, as long as the whole body is also visible.
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://psyarxiv.com/c5x97/" target="_blank">Are face masks a problem for emotion recognition? Not when the whole body is visible.</a>
</div></li>
<li><strong>CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 IN A TERTIARY PEDIATRIC CENTER IN PORTUGAL</strong> -
<div>
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Objectives. Describe the demographic, clinical, laboratory, and imaging features of SARS-CoV-2 infected children at a tertiary pediatric center in Portugal during the first 6 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Design. Single center, descriptive study of pediatric patients, who had a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from March 7 to September 20, 2020. Setting. Tertiary Pediatric referral center. Patients. 18 years or younger. Main outcome measures. Incidence, mortality, age of infection, clinical characteristics, treatment prescribed and outcome. Results. A total of 300 patients were included with a median age of 5 years (IQR 1-11) and in 67% a contact was identified (co-habitant in 52.7%). 56 (18.7%) had pre-existing medical conditions. A mode of three days mediated symptom appearance to diagnose. The most common symptoms were fever (55.7%), cough (38.3%), and nasal congestion (24%). 23% of the patients were admitted due to complications related to COVID-19 and 2% required intensive care. We used drugs with antiviral activity in 9% of the patients, immunomodulatory medication with corticosteroids in 3.3%, and intravenous immunoglobulin in 1.7%. Two (0.6%) children died and 2.3% reported short-term sequelae. Conclusions. COVID-19 is usually a mild disease in children, but a small proportion of patients develop severe and critical disease. Fatal outcomes were rare overall and exclusive of severe previous medical conditions. Suspecting and diagnosing COVID-19 in children based on their symptoms without epidemiologic information and virus testing is very challenging. Our data also reflect the uncertainties regarding specific treatment options, highlighting that additional data on antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs are urgently needed.
</p>
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.08.16.21262100v1" target="_blank">CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 IN A TERTIARY PEDIATRIC CENTER IN PORTUGAL</a>
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<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>To Sit Quietly in a Room Alone: The Psychology of Social, Material, and Sensation Seeking Input</strong> -
<div>
External input is any kind of physical stimulation created by an individual’s surroundings that can be detected by the senses. The present research established a novel conceptualization of this construct by investigating it in relation to the needs for material, social, and sensation seeking input, and by testing the consequences of these needs for psychological functioning during long- and short-term input deprivation. It was established that the three needs constitute different dimensions of an overarching construct (i.e., need for external input), that the needs for social and sensation seeking input have negative consequences for people’s experiences of long-term input deprivation (i.e., COVID-19 restrictions), and that the need for material input negatively predicts the experiences of short-term input deprivation (i.e., sitting in a chair without doing anything else but thinking). Overall, this research established a novel construct that has fundamental implications for experiences and actions in a range of different contexts.
</div></li>
</ul>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://psyarxiv.com/zpf6b/" target="_blank">To Sit Quietly in a Room Alone: The Psychology of Social, Material, and Sensation Seeking Input</a>
</div>
<ul>
<li><strong>Modeling SARS-CoV-2 transmission at a winter destination resort region with high outside visitation</strong> -
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Travel destinations, particularly large resorts in otherwise small communities, risk infectious disease outbreaks from an influx of visitors who may import infections during peak seasons. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted this risk in the context of global travel and has raised questions about appropriate interventions to curb the potential spread of infectious disease at tourist destinations. In Colorado, the initial outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 in the state occurred in ski communities, leading to large economic losses from closures and visitor restrictions. In this study, we modeled SARS-CoV-2 transmission during the 2020-21 season in a ski region of Colorado to determine optimal combinations of intervention strategies that would keep the region below a predetermined threshold of SARS-CoV-2 infection density. This analysis used an age-stratified, deterministic SEIR compartmental model of disease transmission, calibrated to cellphone-based mobility data, to simulate infection trajectories during the winter ski season. Under three national infection levels corresponding to high, medium, and low viral importation risk, we estimated the potential impact of interventions including policy and behavior changes, visitor restriction strategies, and case investigation/contact tracing, in order to quantify the relative and absolute impacts of these interventions in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results suggest that, in the context of low viral importation risk, case investigation/contact tracing and policy and behavior changes may be sufficient to stay below predetermined infection thresholds without visitor restrictions. However, if viral importation risk is high, visitor restrictions and/or screening for infected visitors would be needed to avoid lockdown-like control scenarios and large outbreaks in tourist communities. These findings provide important guidance to tourist destinations for balancing policy impact in future infectious disease outbreaks.
</p>
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<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.08.18.21262227v1" target="_blank">Modeling SARS-CoV-2 transmission at a winter destination resort region with high outside visitation</a>
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<li><strong>Interpreting Wastewater SARS-CoV-2 Results using Bayesian Analysis</strong> -
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<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
Wastewater surveillance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS–CoV–2) has proven a practical complement to clinical data for assessing community-scale infection trends. Clinical assays, such as the CDC–promulgated N1, N2, and N3 have been used to detect and quantify viral RNA in wastewater but, to date, have not included estimates of reliability of true positive or true negative. Bayes Theorem was applied to estimate Type I and Type II error rates for detections of the virus in wastewater. Conditional probabilities of true positive or true negative were investigated when one assay was used, or multiple assays were run concurrently. Cumulative probability analysis was used to assess the likelihood of true SARS–CoV–2 detection using multiple samples. Results demonstrate highly reliable positive (&gt;0.86 for priors &gt;0.25) and negative (&gt;0.80 for priors = 0.50) results using a single assay. Using N1 and N2 concurrently caused greater reliability (&gt;0.99 for priors &lt;0.05) when results concurred but generated potentially counterintuitive interpretations when results were discordant. Regional wastewater surveillance data was investigated as a means of setting prior probabilities. Probability of true detection with a single marker was investigated using cumulative probability across all combinations of positive and negative results for a set of three samples. Findings using a low (0.11) and uniformed (0.50) initial prior resulted in high probabilities of detection (&gt;0.95) even when a set of samples included one or two negative results, demonstrating the influence of high sensitivity and specificity values. Analyses presented here provide a practical framework for understanding analytical results generated by wastewater surveillance programs.
</p>
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<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.08.17.21262165v1" target="_blank">Interpreting Wastewater SARS-CoV-2 Results using Bayesian Analysis</a>
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<li><strong>Controlled evaLuation of Angiotensin Receptor Blockers for COVID-19 respIraTorY disease (CLARITY): Statistical analysis plan for a randomised controlled Bayesian adaptive sample size trial</strong> -
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The CLARITY trial (Controlled evaLuation of Angiotensin Receptor Blockers for COVID-19 respIraTorY Disease) investigates the effectiveness of angiotensin receptor blockers in addition to standard care compared to placebo (in Indian sites) with standard care in reducing the duration and severity of lung failure in patients with COVID-19. The CLARITY trial is a multi-centre, randomised controlled Bayesian adaptive trial with regular planned analyses where pre- specified decision rules will be assessed to determine whether the trial should be stopped due to sufficient evidence of treatment effectiveness or futility. Here we describe the statistical analysis plan for the trial, and define the pre- specified decision rules, including those that could lead to the trial being halted. The primary outcome is clinical status on a 7-point ordinal scale adapted from the WHO Clinical Progression scale assessed at Day 14. The primary analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle. A Bayesian adaptive trial design was selected because there is considerable uncertainty about the extent of potential benefit of this treatment.
</p>
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<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.08.17.21262196v1" target="_blank">Controlled evaLuation of Angiotensin Receptor Blockers for COVID-19 respIraTorY disease (CLARITY): Statistical analysis plan for a randomised controlled Bayesian adaptive sample size trial</a>
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<li><strong>Studies on the level of neutralizing antibodies produced by inactivated COVID-19 vaccines in the real world</strong> -
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Background Although effective vaccines have been developed against COVID-19, the level of neutralizing antibodies (Nabs) induced after vaccination in the real world is still unknown. To evaluate the level and persistence of NAbs induced by two inactivated COVID-19 vaccines in China. Methods and findings Serum samples were collected from 1,335 people aged 18 and over who were vaccinated with COVID-19 inactivated vaccine in Peking University People9s Hospital from January 19 to June 23, 2021, for detection of COVID-19 antibodies. The WHO standard of SARS-CoV-2 NAbs was detected. The coefficients of variation between the detection results and the true values of the NAbs detected by the WHO standard were all lower than the WHO international standard 3% after the dilution of the original and the dilution of the theoretical concentrations of 500 IU/mL, 250 IU/mL, 125 IU/mL, 72.5 IU/mL, 36.25 IU/mL and 18.125 IU/mL. On day 11-70, the positive rate of NAbs against COVID-19 was 82% to 100%; From day 71 to 332, the positive rate of NAbs decreased to 27%. The level of NAbs was significantly higher at 3-8 Weeks than at 0-3 Weeks. There was a high linear correlation between NAbs and IgG antibodies in 1335 vaccinated patients. NAbs levels were decreased in 31 of 38 people (81.6%) at two time points after the second dose of vaccine. There was no significant difference in age between the group with increased and decreased neutralizing antibody levels (x2 =-0.034, P&gt;0.05). The positive rate of NAbs in the two-dose vaccine group (77.3%) was significantly higher than that in the one-dose group (18.1%), with statistical difference (x2=312.590, P&lt;0.001). A total of 206 people who were 11-70 days after receiving the second dose were tested and divided into three groups: 18-40 years old, 41-60 years old and &gt;60 years old. The positive rates of NAbs in three groups (18-40 years old, 41-60 years old and &gt;60 years old) were 95.14%, 78.43% and 81.8%, respectively. The positive rate of NAbs was significantly higher in 18-40 years old than in 41-60 years old (x2=12.547, P &lt;0.01). The titer of NAbs in 18-40 years old group was significantly higher than that in 41-60 years old group (t=-0.222, P &lt;0.01). The positive rate of NAbs in male group (89.32%) was lower than in female (91.26%), but there was no significant difference (x2=0.222, P &gt;0.05). Conclusions The positive rate of NAbs was the highest from 10 to 70 days after the second dose of vaccine, and the positive rate gradually decreased as time went by. There was a high linear correlation between COVID-19 NAbs and IgM/IgG antibodies in vaccinators, suggesting that in cases where NAbs cannot be detected, IgM/IgG antibodies can be detected instead. The level of NAbs produced after vaccination was affected by age, but not by gender. The highest levels of NAbs were produced between shots 21 to 56 days apart, suggesting that 21 to 56 days between shots is suitable for vaccination.
</p>
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<div class="article-link article- html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.08.18.21262214v1" target="_blank">Studies on the level of neutralizing antibodies produced by inactivated COVID-19 vaccines in the real world</a>
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<li><strong>Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 exposure in Malawian blood donors: a retrospective seroprevalence analysis between January 2020 and February 2021</strong> -
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Background: As at end of July 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic has been less severe in sub-Saharan Africa than elsewhere. In Malawi, there have been two subsequent epidemic waves. We therefore aimed to describe the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 exposure in Malawi. Methods: We measured the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among randomly selected blood donor sera in Malawi from January 2020 to February 2021. In a subset, we also assesed in vitro neutralisation against the original variant (D614G WT) and the Beta variant. Findings: A total of 3586 samples were selected from the blood donor database, of which 2685 (74.9%) were male and 3132 (87.3%) were aged 20-49 years. Of the total, 469 (13.1%) were seropositive. Seropositivity was highest in October 2020 (15.7%) and February 2021 (49.7%) reflecting the two epidemic waves. Unlike the first wave, both urban and rural areas had high seropositivity by February 2021, Balaka (rural, 37.5%), Blantyre (urban, 54.8%), Lilongwe (urban, 54.5%) and Mzuzu (urban, 57.5%). First wave sera showed potent in vitro neutralisation activity against the original variant (78%[7/9]) but not the Beta variant (22% [2/9]). Second wave sera potently neutralised the Beta variant (73% [8/11]). Interpretation: The findings confirm extensive SARS-CoV-2 exposure in Malawi over two epidemic waves with likely poor cross-protection to reinfection from the first on the second wave. Since prior exposure augments COVID-19 vaccine immunity, prioritising administration of the first dose in high SARS-CoV-2 exposure settings could maximise the benefit of the limited available vaccines in Malawi and the region.
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<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.08.18.21262207v1" target="_blank">Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 exposure in Malawian blood donors: a retrospective seroprevalence analysis between January 2020 and February 2021</a>
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<li><strong>Delta variant and mRNA Covid-19 vaccines effectiveness: higher odds of vaccine infection breakthroughs</strong> -
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Background: The SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant (B.1.617.2), initially identified in India, has become predominant in several countries, including Portugal. Few studies have compared the effectiveness of mRNA vaccines against Delta versus Alpha variant of concern (VOC) and estimated variant-specific viral loads in vaccine infection breakthroughs cases. In the context of Delta dominance, this information is critical to inform decision-makers regarding the planning of restrictions and vaccination roll-out. Methods: We developed a case-case study to compare mRNA vaccines9 effectiveness against Delta (B.1.617.2) versus Alpha (B.1.1.7) variants. We used RT-PCR positive cases notified to the National Surveillance System between 17th of May and 4th of July 2021 (week 20 to 26) and information about demographics and vaccination status through the electronic vaccination register. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) or spike (S) gene target failure (SGTF) data were used to classify SARS-CoV-2 variants. The odds of vaccinated individuals to become infected (odds of vaccine infection breakthrough) in Delta cases compared to Alpha SARS-CoV-2 cases was estimated by conditional logistic regression adjusted for age group, sex, and matched by the week of diagnosis. As a surrogate of viral load, mean RT-PCR Ct values were stratified and compared between vaccine status and VOC. Results: Of the 2 097 SARS-CoV-2 RT- PCR positive cases included in the analysis, 966 (46.1%) were classified with WGS and 1131 (53.9%) with SGTF. Individuals infected with the Delta variant were more frequently vaccinated 162 (12%) than individuals infected with the Alpha variant 38 (5%). We report a statistically significant higher odds of vaccine infection breakthrough for partial (OR=1.70; CI95% 1.18 to 2.47) and complete vaccination (OR=1.96; CI95% 1.22 to 3.14) in the Delta cases when compared to the Alpha cases, suggesting lower mRNA vaccine effectiveness against Delta cases. On our secondary analysis, we observed lower mean Ct values for the Delta VOC cases versus Alpha, regardless the vaccination status. Additionally, the Delta variant cases revealed a Ct-value mean increase of 2.24 (CI95% 0.85 to 3.64) between unvaccinated and fully vaccinated breakthrough cases contrasting with 4.49 (CI95% 2.07 to 6.91) in the Alpha VOC, suggesting a lower impact of vaccine on viral load of Delta cases. Conclusions: We found significantly higher odds of vaccine infection breakthrough in Delta cases when compared to Alpha cases, suggesting lower effectiveness of the mRNA vaccines in preventing infection with the Delta variant. Additionally, the vaccine breakthrough cases are estimated to be of higher mean Ct values, suggesting higher infectiousness with the Delta variant infection. These findings can help decision-makers weigh on the application or lifting of control measures and adjusting vaccine roll-out depending on the predominance of the Delta variant and the coverage of partial and complete mRNA vaccination.
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🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.08.14.21262020v1" target="_blank">Delta variant and mRNA Covid-19 vaccines effectiveness: higher odds of vaccine infection breakthroughs</a>
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<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-clinical-trials">From Clinical Trials</h1>
<ul>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Pulmonary Rehabilitation Post-COVID-19</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   COVID-19<br/><b>Intervention</b>:   Other: Exercise program (virtual/remote)<br/><b>Sponsors</b>:   University of Manitoba;   Health Sciences Centre Foundation, Manitoba;   Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>To Evaluate Efficacy &amp; Safety of Proxalutamide in Hospitalized Covid-19 Subjects</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   Covid19<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Drug: GT0918;   Drug: Standard of care;   Drug: Matching placebo<br/><b>Sponsors</b>:   Suzhou Kintor Pharmaceutical Inc,;   IQVIA Biotech<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>A Study of PF-07321332/Ritonavir in Non-hospitalized Low-Risk Adult Participants With COVID-19</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   COVID-19<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Drug: PF-07321332;   Drug: Ritonavir;   Drug: Placebo<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   Pfizer<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Mix and Match Heterologous Prime-Boost Study Using Approved COVID-19 Vaccines in Mozambique</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   Covid19<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Biological: BBIBP-CorV - Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (Vero cell);   Biological: AZD1222 (replication-deficient Ad type 5 vector expressing full-length spike protein)<br/><b>Sponsors</b>:   International Vaccine Institute;   The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI);   Instituto Nacional de Saúde (INS), Mozambique;   University of Antananarivo;   International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh;   Harvard University;   Heidelberg University<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Targeting de Novo Pyrimidine Biosynthesis by Leflunomide for the Treatment of COVID-19 Virus Disease</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   COVID-19<br/><b>Intervention</b>:   Drug: leflunomide<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:  <br/>
Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Trust<br/><b>Active, not recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Double Blind Randomized Clinical Trial of Use of Colchicine Added to Standard Treatment in Hospitalized With Covid-19</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   COVID-19 Infection<br/><b>Intervention</b>:   Drug: Colchcine<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:  <br/>
Asociacion Instituto Biodonostia<br/><b>Active, not recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Phase I/II Clinical Trial of Recombinant COVID-19 Vaccine (Sf9 Cells) in Children and Adolescents</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   COVID-19<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Biological: Recombinant COVID-19 vaccine (Sf9 cells);   Other: Placebo control<br/><b>Sponsors</b>:   WestVac Biopharma Co., Ltd.;   West China Hospital<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>COVID-19 Methylene Blue Antiviral Treatment</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   Covid19<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Drug: Methylene Blue;   Drug: Saline nasal spray<br/><b>Sponsors</b>:   Irkutsk Scientific Center of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences;   Irkutsk State Medical University<br/><b>Recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Relaxation Exercise in Patients With COVID-19</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   Covid19<br/><b>Intervention</b>:   Other: Relaxation technique<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   Beni- Suef University<br/><b>Completed</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Trial of Recombinant Novel Coronavirus Vaccine (Adenovirus Type 5 Vector, Ad5-nCoV) in Adults Living With HIV</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   Covid19<br/><b>Intervention</b>:   Biological: Recombinant Novel Coronavirus Vaccine (Adenovirus Type 5 Vector) (Ad5-nCoV)<br/><b>Sponsors</b>:   Fundación Huésped;   Canadian Center for Vaccinology;   CanSino Biologics Inc.;   Hospital Fernandez<br/><b>Recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Philippine Trial to Determine Efficacy and Safety of Favipiravir for COVID-19</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   Covid19<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Combination Product: Favipiravir + Standard of Care;   Procedure: Standard of Care<br/><b>Sponsors</b>:   University of the Philippines;   Department of Health, Philippines<br/><b>Recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Evaluation of the Effects of Bradykinin Antagonists on Pulmonary Manifestations of COVID-19 Infections (AntagoBrad- Cov Study).</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   Covid19<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Drug: C1 Inhibitor Human;   Drug: Icatibant Injection;   Other: Placebo<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   GCS Ramsay Santé pour l’Enseignement et la Recherche<br/><b>Completed</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Combination of Dietary Supplements Curcumin, Quercetin and Vitamin D for Early Symptoms of COVID-19</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   Covid19<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Drug: Standard of care;   Dietary Supplement: combination of curcumin, quercetin and Vitamin D<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   Ayub Teaching Hospital<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Clinical Trial to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Inhaled AQ001S in the Management of Acute COVID-19 Symptoms</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   Covid19<br/><b>Intervention</b>:   Drug: Drug, inhalation<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:  <br/>
Aquilon Pharmaceuticals S.A.<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Artemisinin- a Herbal Supplement on COVID-19 Subjects</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   Covid19<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Dietary Supplement: Artemisinin;   Drug: Dexamethasone<br/><b>Sponsors</b>:   Mateon Therapeutics;   Windlas Biotech Private Limited<br/><b>Completed</b></p></li>
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<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-pubmed">From PubMed</h1>
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<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on family planning services</strong> - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted existing healthcare disparities worldwide and has challenged access to family planning (FP) services.</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Which ones, when and why should renin-angiotensin system inhibitors work against COVID-19?</strong> - The article describes the possible pathophysiological origin of COVID-19 and the crucial role of renin-angiotensin system (RAS), providing several “converging” evidence in support of this hypothesis. SARS-CoV-2 has been shown to initially upregulate ACE2 systemic activity (early phase), which can subsequently induce compensatory responses leading to upregulation of both arms of the RAS (late phase) and consequently to critical, advanced and untreatable stages of COVID-19 disease. The main and…</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Effect of dihydromyricetin on SARS-CoV-2 viral replication and pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis</strong> - CONCLUSION: Dihydromyricetin is an effective inhibitor for SARS-CoV-2 M^(pro) and it prevents BLM-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis in mice. Dihydromyricetin will be a potential medicine for the treatment of COVID-19 and its sequelae.</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>A Microfluidic Chip for Visual Investigation of the interaction of Nanoemulsion of Satureja Khuzistanica Essential Oil and a Model Gram-Negative Bacteria</strong> - Nanotechnology has provided novel approaches against food born and pathogenic bacteria. Within the present study, the effects of pure and nanoemulsified essential oil derived from Satureja Khuzistanica essential oil (SKEO) on Escherichia coli (E. coli ATCC 25922) as a human pathogen has been studied using a microfluidic chip. The morphology and antibacterial activity of E. Coli at disparate residence durations (from 2-30 min) and various nanoemulsified or pure essential oil concentrations…</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>An angiotensin-converting enzyme-2-derived heptapeptide GK-7 for SARS-CoV-2 spike blockade</strong> - The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is a global concern and necessitates efficient drug antagonists. Angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) is the main receptor of SARS-CoV-2 spike 1 (S1), which mediates viral invasion into host cells. Herein, we designed and prepared short peptide inhibitors containing 4-6 critical residues of ACE2 that contribute to the interaction with SARS-CoV-2 S1. Among…</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Challenges of short substrate analogues as SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors</strong> - Specific anti-coronaviral drugs complementing available vaccines are urgently needed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Given its high conservation across the betacoronavirus genus and dissimilarity to human proteases, the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (M^(pro)) is an attractive drug target. SARS-CoV-2 M^(pro) inhibitors have been developed at unprecedented speed, most of them being substrate-derived peptidomimetics with cysteine-modifying warheads. In this study, M^(pro) has proven resistant towards…</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Evaluation of a Visually-Read Rapid Antigen Test Kit (SGA V-Chek) for Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Virus</strong> - Although the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method has been accepted as the reference method in the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA, it requires special laboratory conditions, complicated and expensive laboratory instruments, competent laboratory staff and long testing duration. Antigen testing methods such as enzyme immunoassay, fluorescent antibody and visually-read immunochromatographic rapid antigen detection (RAD) tests…</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>OFF-State-Specific Inhibition of the Proprotein Convertase Furin</strong> - The pro-protein convertase furin is a highly specific serine protease involved in the proteolytic maturation of many proteins in the secretory pathway. It also activates surface proteins of many viruses including the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Furin inhibitors effectively suppress viral replication and thus are promising antiviral therapeutics with broad application potential. Polybasic substrate-like ligands typically trigger conformational changes shifting…</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Vitamin D3 and its hydroxyderivatives as promising drugs against COVID-19: a computational study</strong> - The epidemiologic correlation between the poor prognosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection and vitamin D deficiency has been observed worldwide, however, their molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we used combined molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations and binding free energy analyses to investigate the potentials of vitamin D3 and its hydroxyderivatives as TMPRSS2 inhibitor and to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) binding to angiotensin-converting…</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Probing the Allosteric Inhibition Mechanism of a Spike Protein Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Active Compound Identifications</strong> - The receptor recognition of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 relies on the “down-to-up” conformational change in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike (S) protein. Therefore, understanding the process of this change at the molecular level facilitates the design of therapeutic agents. With the help of coarse-grained molecular dynamic simulations, we provide evidence showing that the conformational dynamics of the S protein are globally cooperative. Importantly, an allosteric path was…</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Phase 1 study in healthy participants of the safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of enpatoran (M5049), a dual antagonist of toll-like receptors 7 and 8</strong> - This study evaluated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD) of single and multiple oral doses of enpatoran (formerly named M5049), a new toll-like receptor (TLR) 7 and 8 dual antagonist, and the effect of food on a single dose in healthy participants. In this single phase 1, randomized (3:1), double-blind, placebo- controlled study, 96 participants received single and multiple ascending oral doses of enpatoran. Participants in single-dose cohorts received one…</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>MicroRNA-28-3p inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 ectodomain shedding in 293T cells treated with the spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 by targeting A disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17</strong> - Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) is the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019. Angiotensin‑converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the SARS‑CoV binding site and is ubiquitously expressed in endothelial cells of several organs, with the highest levels in the cardiovascular system, kidney and lungs. A disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM17) is involved in ectodomain shedding of ACE2. In the present study, reverse‑transcription‑quantitative PCR, transfection, TUNNEL…</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Rational Design of Hybrid SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Inhibitors Guided by the Superimposed Cocrystal Structures with the Peptidomimetic Inhibitors GC-376, Telaprevir, and Boceprevir</strong> - SARS-CoV-2 main protease (M^(pro)) is a cysteine protease that mediates the cleavage of viral polyproteins and is a validated antiviral drug target. M^(pro) is highly conserved among all seven human coronaviruses, with certain M^(pro) inhibitors having broad-spectrum antiviral activity. In this study, we designed two hybrid inhibitors UAWJ9-36-1 and UAWJ9-36-3 based on the superimposed X-ray crystal structures of SARS-CoV-2 M^(pro) with GC-376, telaprevir, and boceprevir. Both UAWJ9-36-1 and…</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Poliovirus Vaccination Induces a Humoral Immune Response That Cross Reacts With SARS-CoV-2</strong> - Background: Millions have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2, but the severity of resultant infections has varied among adults and children, with adults presenting more serious symptomatic cases. Children may possess an immunity that adults lack, possibly from childhood vaccinations. This retrospective study suggests immunization against the poliovirus may provide an immunity to SARS-CoV-2. Methods: Publicly available data were analyzed for possible correlations between national median ages and…</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Downregulation of CD45 Signaling in COVID-19 Patients Is Reversed by C24D, a Novel CD45 Targeting Peptide</strong> - CD45, the predominant transmembrane tyrosine phosphatase in leukocytes, is required for the efficient induction of T cell receptor signaling and activation. We recently reported that the CD45-intracellular signals in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients are inhibited. We also reported that C24D, an immune modulating therapeutic peptide, binds to CD45 on immune-suppressed cells and resets the functionality of the immune system via the CD45…</p></li>
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<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-patent-search">From Patent Search</h1>
<ul>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>SARS-COV-2 BINDING PROTEINS</strong> - - <a href="https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=AU333402004">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>자외선살균등</strong> - 본 발명은 사람의 의복이나 사용한 마스크 등에 부착하여 있다 호흡기로 유입되어 감염을 유발할 수 있는 COVID-19와 같은 유해균류를 간편하게 살균하기 위한 휴대용 자와선살균등에 관한 것이다. 반감기가 길고 인체에 유해한 오존을 발생하지 않으면서 탁월한 살균능력이 있는 250~265nm(최적은 253.7nm) 파장의 자외선을 발광하는 자외선램프를 본 발명의 막대형의 자외선살균등 광원으로 사용하고 비광원부를 손으로 잡고 의복이나 사용한 마스크 등 유해균류가 부착되었을 것으로 의심되는 곳에 자외선을 조사하여 간편하게 유해균류를 살균하므로써 감염을 예방하기 위한 휴대용 자외선살균등에 관함 것이다. - <a href="https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=KR332958765">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>A Protein chip and kit for detecting SARS-CoV-2 N protein and its preparation method</strong> - - <a href="https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=AU333400881">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Protein chip and kit for detecting the SARS-CoV-2 S antigen</strong> - - <a href="https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=AU333400883">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Cabina de desinfección de doble carga exterior</strong> - - <a href="https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=ES331945699">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>A Novel Method COVID -19 infection using Deep Learning Based System</strong> - - <a href="https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=AU331907400">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>一种新冠病毒疫苗的表达载体及其构建方法、应用和疫苗</strong> - 本发明适用于生物技术领域，提供了一种新冠病毒疫苗的表达载体及其构建方法、应用和疫苗，该表达载体的构建方法包括以下步骤：将表达新冠病毒S蛋白与NP蛋白的核苷酸序列使用2A肽进行连接，合成融合基因；在融合基因的两端分别包含两个酶切位点，并装载到质粒，得到重组质粒；对重组质粒进行双酶切，切胶回收目的基因片段；对原始的质粒进行双酶切，切胶回收载体片段；将目的基因片段和载体片段进行连接，得到所述表达载体。本发明实施例通过同时表达冠状病毒S蛋白受体结合区与NP蛋白，使该表达载体感染的细胞不但可以诱导抗体反应还能诱导T细胞反应，从而有效诱导体液免疫和细胞免疫，为受试者提供更强的免疫保护。 - <a href="https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=CN333442015">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>EMPUNADURA DE RAQUETA O PALA PARA JUEGO DE PELOTA CON DISPENSADOR LIQUIDO POR CAPILARIDAD INSERTADO</strong> - - <a href="https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=ES331563132">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COVID- 19 DIAGNOSIS USING DETECTION RESULTS FROM CHEST X- RAY IMAGES</strong> - - <a href="https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=AU330927328">link</a></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>System zum computergestützten Nachverfolgen einer von einer Person durchzuführenden Prozedur</strong> -
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
Ein System (2000) zum computergestützten Nachverfolgen einer von einer Person (1) durchzuführenden Testprozedur, insbesondere für einen Virusnachweistest, bevorzugt zur Durchführung eines SARS-CoV-2 Tests, wobei das System (2000) umfasst:</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">eine Identifizierungseinheit eines Endgeräts (30), die eingerichtet ist zum Identifizieren (201) der Person</li>
</ul>
<ol type="1">
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">unmittelbar vor einem Durchführen der Testprozedur durch die Person (1);</li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">wobei die Identifizierungseinheit des Endgeräts (30) weiter eingerichtet ist zum Identifizieren (202) zumindest eines Testobjekts (20), bevorzugt einer Testkassette, insbesondere für einen SARS-CoV-2 Test, mehr bevorzugt eines Teststreifens, weiter bevorzugt ein Reagenz in einem Behälter, weiter bevorzugt eines Testsensors, unmittelbar vor der Durchführung der Testprozedur, die Identifizierungseinheit aufweisend:</li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">eine Kamera (31) des Endgeräts (30), eingerichtet zum Erfassen (2021) eines Objektidentifizierungsdatensatzes (21) als maschinenlesbaren Datensatz; und</li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">eine Auswerteeinheit (33) des Endgeräts (30), eingerichtet zum Vergleichen (2022) des erfassten Objektidentifizierungsdatensatzes (21) mit einem Objektdatensatz</li>
</ul>
<ol start="420" type="1">
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">eines Hintergrundsystems (40);</li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">eine Nachverfolgungseinheit des Endgeräts (30), die eingerichtet ist zum Nachverfolgen (203) einer oder mehrerer Positionen der Person (1) während der Durchführung der Testprozedur mittels Methoden computergestützter Gesten- und/oder Muster- und/oder Bilderkennung mittels eines Prüfens, ob beide Hände (12) der Person (1) während der gesamten Durchführung der Testprozedur in einem vordefinierten Bereich oder einem von der Kamera (31a) des Endgeräts (30) erfassbaren Bereich sind;</li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">die Nachverfolgungseinheit des Endgeräts (30), zudem eingerichtet zum Nachverfolgen (203) von einer oder mehreren Positionen des zumindest einen Testobjekts (20) anhand der Form des Objekts während der Durchführung der Testprozedur mittels Methoden computergestützter Gesten- und/oder Muster- und/oder Bilderkennung; und</li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">einer Anzeigeeinheit (34) des Endgeräts, eingerichtet zum Anleiten (204) der Person (1) zum Durchführen der Testprozedur während der Durchführung der Testprozedur.</li>
</ul>
<img alt="embedded image" id="EMI-D00000"/>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=DE333370869">link</a></li>
</ul>
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<h1 data-aos="fade-down" id="daily-dose">Daily-Dose</h1>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" data-aos-anchor-placement="top-bottom" id="contents">Contents</h1>
<ul>
<li><a href="#from-new-yorker">From New Yorker</a></li>
<li><a href="#from-vox">From Vox</a></li>
<li><a href="#from-the-hindu-sports">From The Hindu: Sports</a></li>
<li><a href="#from-the-hindu-national-news">From The Hindu: National News</a></li>
<li><a href="#from-bbc-europe">From BBC: Europe</a></li>
<li><a href="#from-ars-technica">From Ars Technica</a></li>
<li><a href="#from-jokes-subreddit">From Jokes Subreddit</a></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-new-yorker">From New Yorker</h1>
<ul>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Trying—and Failing—to Save the Family of the Afghan Who Saved Me</strong> - Twelve years ago, Tahir Luddin helped us both escape after we were kidnapped by the Taliban. Now I am struggling to get his family out of Kabul. - <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/trying-and-failing-to-save-the-family-of-the-afghan-who-saved-me">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Pumpers, Dumpers, and Shills: The Skycoin Saga</strong> - The cryptocurrency promised to change the world and make its users rich in the process. Then it began to fall apart. - <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/pumpers-dumpers-and-shills-the-skycoin-saga">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Will the Next American War Be with China?</strong> - Elbridge Colby is leading a conservative effort to prepare Americans for a military conflict in Taiwan. - <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/annals-of-inquiry/will-the-next-american-war-be-with-china">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Afghanistan, Again, Becomes a Cradle for Jihadism—and Al Qaeda</strong> - The terrorist group has outlasted the trillion-dollar U.S. investment in Afghanistan since 9/11. - <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/afghanistan-again-becomes-a-cradle-for-jihadism-and-al-qaeda">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Have You Already Had a Breakthrough COVID Infection?</strong> - The question of what “infection” means is just one of the riddles posed by the late-stage pandemic. - <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/science/medical-dispatch/have-you-already-had-a-breakthrough-covid-infection">link</a></p></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-vox">From Vox</h1>
<ul>
<li><strong>How California’s bizarre recall system could elect a Republican governor</strong> -
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-
cdn.com/thumbor/ofNFVPvzmt46UYwggr3Y-gcqzCg=/362x0:5226x3648/1310x983/cdn.vox-
cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69762928/GettyImages_1304962041.0.jpg"/>
<figcaption>
California Gov. Gavin Newsom pauses during a news conference after touring Barron Park Elementary School on March 2, 2021 in Palo Alto, California. | Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
There’s an odd asymmetry in what Gov. Gavin Newsom needs to stay in office, versus what his replacement would need to win.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="ETTdoP">
If you haven’t been following California’s recall election battle, you might scoff at the idea that Gov. Gavin Newsom is fighting for his political life — and perhaps even to safeguard Democratic control of the US Senate. California is a deep-blue state, after all; could a Republican<em> </em>really win?
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="2A4gAr">
But the strange design of California’s recall system, and Newsom’s strategy for navigating it, make a Republican win more plausible than might be expected. That’s one reason the conservative activists who started the recall effort are pushing to remove Newsom from office this year rather than waiting until the 2022 election: They believe they have a better shot of winning now.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="7cxs4N">
The first question voters will see on the ballot: Should Governor Newsom be recalled? Voters get to answer yes or no.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="u9wV8m">
The second question: If Newsom is recalled, who should be his replacement? Here voters are presented with 46 candidates (Republicans, Democrats, and others) — but not Newsom. Mail-in voting has already begun, and in-person voting will take place September 14.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="oHi9Sv">
Here’s where it gets bizarre. Newsom needs to win a majority of the vote to stay in office. If he fails to get that majority, his replacement can win merely by being the top-vote getter in a crowded field. Two <a href="https://emersonpolling.reportablenews.com/pr/newsom-clings-
to-lead-in-recall-while-crime-becomes-a-top-issue-for-ca-voters">recent</a> <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1I50LLKPg-nOZdhn8Qa7zziU3i1MZl3SD/view">polls</a> have shown conservative talk radio host <a href="https://www.politico.com/states/california/story/2021/08/13/he-opposes-gun-control-the-minimum-wage-
and-could-be-californias-next-governor-1389829">Larry Elder</a> (R) in first place with 23 percent of the vote — a small plurality that could still make him governor if Newsom loses the recall question.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="NT9sS9">
It gets weirder. Newsom and top Democrats are specifically urging their voters to leave the replacement question blank. That makes sense as a political strategy: Newsom wants to frame the choice as between him and a Republican. But if Newsom loses the recall vote and many Democrats follow this advice, it will make it easier for a conservative Republican to get into office as his replacement, rather than a moderate Republican or one of the nine little-known Democrats in the field. Replacement candidates include 2018 GOP nominee <a href="https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2021/08/recall-candidate-john-
cox-served-legal-papers-during-debate.html">John Cox</a> (R), former San Diego mayor <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/joegarofoli/article/Faulconer-calls-out-Elder-to-grab-moderate-
GOP-16396669.php">Kevin Faulconer</a> (R), celebrity <a href="https://kesq.com/news/2021/08/17/gubernatorial-candidate-
caitlyn-jenner-tours-the-innovation-hub-in-palm-springs/">Caitlyn Jenner</a> (R), and developer/YouTuber <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/15/youtube-star-kevin-paffrath-is-democratic-leader-in-california-recall.html">Kevin Paffrath</a> (D).
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="g0pAIN">
A Republican win would have<strong> </strong>major implications for the state’s pandemic response policies over the next year (the governorship will be up for election again in November 2022). But the biggest consequence could be national: The United States Senate is divided 50-50, and the oldest senator is 88-year-old Dianne Feinstein (D) of California. If she were to die in office, as <a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/09/18/100306972/justice-ruth-bader-ginsburg-champion-of-gender-equality-dies-
at-87">octogenarians occasionally do</a>, California’s governor would choose her replacement — and a Republican governor could flip control of the Senate to Mitch McConnell’s GOP.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="dsju1e">
Democrats are optimistic that all of these challenges will be overcome, and that the fundamental partisan dynamics of California will reassert themselves and save Newsom. Most polls show Newsom narrowly leading on the recall question. But that outcome can hardly be taken for granted. In oddly-timed elections, weird things can happen, as Democrats learned when Scott Brown won a Massachusetts Senate seat in January 2010, or as Republicans learned from Doug Jones’s Alabama Senate seat victory in December 2017.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="diSmXm">
So there is a possible slow-motion disaster unfolding in California for Democrats — but there’s also still time for them to avert it, if they can communicate the stakes to their base voters.
</p>
<h3 id="ivtqlL">
The weirdness of California’s recall system
</h3>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="Mt4gVU">
The recall effort was launched by conservative activists who were generally dissatisfied with Newsom’s governance. The incident that got the most attention was Newsom flouting his own pandemic guidelines by <a href="https://www.foxla.com/news/fox-11-obtains-exclusive-photos-of-gov-newsom-at-french-
restaurant-allegedly-not-following-covid-19-protocols">dining maskless</a> at the French Laundry restaurant last November, but conservatives also point to Newsom’s handling of the pandemic generally, the state’s <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/Californians-want-a-solution-to-homelessness-16391192.php">serious homelessness problem</a>, and a high level of <a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-01-25/california-
unemployment-fraud-11-billion-investigations">unemployment benefits fraud</a>. The motivation for the timing of this push, though, is likely that they think they have a better shot at winning in the recall than in next year’s ordinary election.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="f6igj4">
Now, in theory, the recall process is all about giving more power to the people so they can boot out politicians they think need to go. Who could be against that? But the devil’s in the details about just who “the people” happen to be, and how that choice is structured.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="Y7w0z2">
For one, to get the recall on the ballot, activists needed to meet a relatively low signature threshold: 12 percent of the voters who turned out in the last governor’s election. Even in a deep-blue state like California, 38 percent of voters backed Newsom’s GOP opponent last time around, so with the proper shoe leather and funding, that wasn’t a very hard threshold to meet.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="WIAGsE">
Turnout is another issue. The nature of a recall means it’s an election that happens at an odd time, and oddly-timed elections can have a different electorate, in which those who are more fired up are more likely to turn out. So in practice, what the recall can do is give an impassioned minority of voters a chance at scoring an unexpected victory, due to low turnout from the less-engaged majority. (Though it doesn’t always work that way — turnout ended up being higher in the 2003 recall than in the governor’s election the previous year.)
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="ufx3aV">
The handling of the replacement candidates is also unusual because, unlike in typical elections, there are no primaries beforehand in which the field is sorted. So this time around there are 24 Republican candidates, 9 Democrats, and 13 others from third parties or with no party preference. With only a plurality necessary to win if Newsom loses the recall question, and no runoff, this poses the possibility that someone with a small slice of the vote would end up governor. This thrills conservatives, since a conservative candidate would have little chance of <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/gavin-
newsom-larry-elder-governor-california-recall-lockdowns-taxes-crime-11628265859">winning a typical two-candidate California election</a>.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="yjbXO8">
Another feature of the system takes away one possible choice from voters: Newsom is prohibited from appearing as a replacement candidate. That creates the strange asymmetry where Newsom needs a majority on the recall question to stay in office, but his replacement does not need a majority to be elected.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="9nYIgx">
Put another way: If Newsom loses the recall question 51-49, and his replacement wins with 30 percent of the vote in a split field, would that really be what “the people” wanted? In that scenario, more Californians would have wanted Newsom than any one other candidate. Of course, it’s inherently tougher for a replacement candidate to get a majority since they have so much competition, but that only drives home how odd it is that these two differently- designed election systems are juxtaposed.
</p>
<h3 id="CQoZJp">
Why does California do things this way?
</h3>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="TQXMsp">
Like the other notable “direct democracy” feature of California politics — the state’s <a href="https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2020/11/6/21549654/california-ballot-initiative-proposition-direct-
democracy">frequently-used ballot initiative and referendum system</a> — California’s recall system was created in 1911, during the Progressive Era. Contrary to the modern-day use of “progressive” as a term for those on the left, these capital-P Progressives were “an anti-party, anti-partisan, anti-special interest movement of reformers” in both parties, says Raphe Sonenshein, a political scientist at Cal State LA.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="NHoXMJ">
In California, Progressives were mainly concerned with corruption — specifically, the enormous influence of the Southern Pacific Railroad over state politics. But to build a “big tent” coalition to win power, these anti-corruption reformers sought allies. And one valuable ally was John Randolph Haynes, a wealthy doctor and investor who had an idiosyncratic interest in issues of direct democracy.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="gETOTi">
Haynes had studied direct democracy examples from around the world and from history, and he was taken with the idea that giving the people more power over politicians and lawmaking would improve society, according to an article by <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/41171809">historian John Allswang</a>. So he founded a group called the Direct Legislation League, and had already helped make Los Angeles the nation’s first city to give its voters the recall power back in 1903. (Voters approved it overwhelmingly, along with the ballot initiative and referendum reforms.)
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="usWIbK">
So when a faction of California Progressives later launched an effort to take over the state’s Republican Party, they found Haynes’s money and organization helpful, and incorporated his proposals into their platform with little debate. Haynes “often seemed the only person in California who really cared about the initiative, referendum, and recall,” Allswang writes.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="WkLzGF">
Progressive Republicans took over the state party and won the governorship, and they set about enacting their agenda in 1911. The legislature approved Haynes’s reforms and other sweeping changes, including women’s suffrage. Those reforms were put to a statewide vote later that year, and again won overwhelmingly. Haynes had put the idea on the agenda, but it was clear voters quite liked the idea of giving themselves more power.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="DYGEZc">
The reasons for the specific design of California’s recall system are murkier. For instance, historian Tom Sitton says that the recall system Los Angeles created a few years prior allowed the incumbent to run as a replacement candidate. But when the state-level reform was drafted, a provision prohibiting that was included, and it’s not clear why the change was made.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="9R2OBp">
The other notable choice was not requiring a runoff for the replacement candidate — letting a new candidate win with just a plurality. One possible motivation here is to save on money: A statewide election is expensive; a recall already adds one new costly election, and a runoff would add another. Another possibility, Sonenshein speculates, is that drafters may have wanted the recall process to be “as simple and quick as possible,” limiting “shenanigans” of any kind from the recalled incumbent.
</p>
<h3 id="x5vX80">
Newsom’s risky strategy
</h3>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="1WLAKH">
The recall did not revolutionize state politics immediately. A few state legislators faced recall attempts in the 1910s, but then nobody successfully got a recall on the ballot again for another 80 years, when ideological conservatives embraced the tool to try and oust state legislators who’d taken positions they disliked.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="iKhgPY">
But the person who first put a gubernatorial recall on the ballot was Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), who funded a push to oust the unpopular Gov. Davis in 2003. Issa’s key insight was that, with modern communication technology, the signature-gathering requirement was trivial as long as you were willing to spend the money to pay organizers. So he spent big, <a href="https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-
xpm-2003-may-06-me-recall6-story.html">intending to run</a> for the office himself. In a Hollywood twist, though, Schwarzenegger jumped in the race, and, knowing he couldn’t compete with Arnold’s celebrity, Issa <a href="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-issa-says-arnolds-entry-pushed-him-out-of-
recall-2003aug14-story.html">tearfully quit</a>.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="Tm3QKn">
In the end, 55 percent of voters opted to recall Davis. Among a crowded field to replace him, with over 100 candidates, Schwarzenegger won 48 percent of the vote. That wasn’t quite a majority, but another Republican candidate got 13 percent of the vote, so together well over half of voters wanted a Republican. And Schwarzenegger governed as a moderate, winning an easy reelection in 2006.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="oYhWA9">
Newsom’s situation is different in many respects. He is more popular than Davis was at the time, and there is no formidable celebrity like Schwarzenegger in the race. (Caitlyn Jenner is running, but she <a href="https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2021/governor/ca/2021-california-governor-recall-election-replacement-
candidates-7380.html">has not been doing well</a> in polls.)
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="VbBkKX">
But he still faces the inherently difficult challenge of winning a vote between “Newsom or not Newsom” — which is much more difficult than a typical election, when the choice is between one politician or another politician.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="zL6ths">
As a result, Democrats have tried to reframe that choice as being really about “Newsom or Republicans.” They made sure no credible Democrats entered the race as a replacement candidate (unlike in 2003, when Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante jumped in). The nine Democrats who did make the ballot this time are all little-known, with 29-year-old developer and YouTuber <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/15/youtube-star-kevin-paffrath-is-democratic-leader-in-california-recall.html">Kevin Paffrath</a> being the only one who’s gotten some attention.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="9xoDsZ">
Democrats are going even further in trying to draw a contrast. They’re <a href="https://www.politico.com/states/california/story/2021/08/09/newsom-urges-
democrats-to-skip-recall-candidate-question-1389761">outright urging</a> voters to leave the replacement question blank, even though voting on it would not hurt Newsom in any way.
</p>
<div id="xwHfjJ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" dir="ltr" lang="en">
Ballots for the radical right-wing recall will begin to be mailed out on Monday. Remember: vote NO on question 1, leave 2 blank, sign, date, seal &amp; return. IT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE ALL DO OUR PART TO DEFEAT THIS DANGEROUS POWER GRAB.
</p>
— Alex Padilla (<span class="citation" data-cites="AlexPadilla4CA">@AlexPadilla4CA</span>) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexPadilla4CA/status/1426732916042838019?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2021</a></blockquote></div></li>
</ul>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="DGRZyp">
The calculation seems to be that Democrats don’t want anyone thinking about a second choice or a backup plan. They want the election to be a choice between Newsom and Republicans, and they think this message will most effectively communicate that choice.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="GDW7eM">
But it’s not advice that actually makes sense for individual voters, who are being asked to voluntarily forfeit their say over who the next governor would be if Newsom loses. Do they really want to hand the state over to Larry Elder,<a href="https://www.politico.com/states/california/story/2021/08/13/he-opposes-gun-control-the-minimum-wage-and-could-be-
californias-next-governor-1389829"> a far-right conservative</a>, rather than Paffrath, who is at least a Democrat, or <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/joegarofoli/article/Faulconer-calls-out-Elder-to-grab-moderate-
GOP-16396669.php">Kevin Faulconer</a>, the former San Diego mayor who is a moderate Republican and at least has governing experience?
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="8Rske9">
And if large numbers of Democrats do abstain from the replacement question, the math for a Republican victory gets even easier — again, since only a plurality win is necessary.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="G2T7H8">
It’s hard to avoid the suspicion that state Democratic leaders might prefer, if Newsom loses, to have a deeply conservative Republican in the governor’s office, who would be easier to beat in 2022.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="xGIBLI">
But Democratic voters who care about the state’s governance over the next year — or about whether the US Senate remains in Democratic hands — might think it best to fill out the whole ballot, to have a backup plan. Just in case.
</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>The economic case for letting in as many refugees as possible</strong> -
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-
cdn.com/thumbor/6X_w_d6_M8Ert977P8xWT52fseY=/499x0:4496x2998/1310x983/cdn.vox-
cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69762887/GettyImages_1234779496_copy.0.jpg"/>
<figcaption>
Afghan nationals disembark from an evacuation airplane at the Torrejon de Ardoz Air Base near Madrid, Spain, on August 20. | Mariscal/AFP via Getty Images
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
Save America’s declining cities. Bring in the refugees.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="Tn0VAE">
The reason we should care about refugees is they are people.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="hZPcXn">
But, unfortunately, for many people that is an insufficient moral claim. Even for the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/16/us/afghanistan-visa-refugees-us.html">tens of thousands of Afghan people</a> who put their lives in jeopardy working alongside the US military over the past 20 years. So let’s put it another way: Evidence shows that accepting refugees benefits the host country too.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="bVyAVB">
That hasn’t stopped some from arguing that refugees are somehow a burden to the US, as the country watches the aftermath of <a href="https://www.vox.com/22627919/afghanistan-taliban-kabul-ashraf-ghani">President Joe Biden’s decision to pull out of Afghanistan</a>.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="YgJX7i">
On Fox News, Tucker Carlson <a href="https://twitter.com/abughazalehkat/status/1428151243113914368?s=20">ended up blaming refugees for our existing housing crisis</a>. After correctly diagnosing the problem as insufficient housing supply, he does not go on to explain what most every housing expert has clearly stated would be the solution (that America <a href="https://www.vox.com/22535542/housing-crisis-shortage-biden-wally-adeyemo">needs to build more homes to meet rising demand</a>). Instead, he says the reason the country has rising housing demand is … immigrants?
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="8O215b">
“When the supply shrinks, the cost rises,” Carlson says. “One reason it’s happening is that America’s becoming a lot more crowded than it ever was and one of the reasons for that is that we’re living through the biggest influx in refugees in American history.”
</p>
<div id="NlP2DX">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" dir="ltr" lang="en">
Tucker Carlson blames the housing crisis on refugees for taking up too much physical space <a href="https://t.co/Koy6ou7tJS">pic.twitter.com/Koy6ou7tJS</a>
</p>
— Kat Abu (<span class="citation" data-cites="abughazalehkat">@abughazalehkat</span>) <a href="https://twitter.com/abughazalehkat/status/1428151243113914368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2021</a></blockquote></div></li>
</ul>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="HVScz4">
This is false; rising demand is due to historically low mortgage rates and the largest generation in American history (millennials) entering the housing market in force. (This is all the more ironic since Carlson himself has <a href="https://video.foxnews.com/v/6261465339001#sp=show-clips">railed against the actual solutions</a> to the housing crisis on his show.) The claim that America has more refugees than ever is also false, as research from the Migration Policy Institute shows, the country is actually letting in record low numbers of refugees.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="Ux39r5">
The rhetoric that the nation is overcrowded is not borne out in reality. Cities like London, Seoul, Tokyo are much denser than any of America’s large cities, making room for America’s current population as well as immigrants is entirely within policymakers’ control.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="Ddf5H0">
But this desire to depict refugees as a burden is widespread. Even some proponents of opening America’s doors use language similar to Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham’s <a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/253017-graham-accept-our-fair-share-of-syrian-
refugees">statement</a> in 2015 that the country should accept our “fair share” of Syrian refugees. In the White House, concerns that refugees might be politically costly weigh heavy: Politico <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2021/04/20/refugee-issue-biden-immigration-483883">reported</a> that the Biden administration has previously worried that bringing in more refugees would prompt conservative backlash and imperil their domestic policy agenda.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="6b1eFb">
The fact of the matter is that for selfless and self-interested reasons alike, the US should welcome more people. In small towns or declining cities, they can help reverse depopulation trends that threaten the financial viability of the region. Even in growing places where many people seek to live and work, refugees provide a clear economic benefit.
</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/IsM3ihv1l8Si7wGwob3hHvzdfaI=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-
cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22795729/Screen_Shot_2021_08_20_at_3.10.39_PM.png"/> <cite><a class="ql-link" href="https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/refugees-and-asylees-united-states-2021" target="_blank">Migration Policy Institute</a></cite>
</figure>
<h3 id="HK1Vm2">
Refugees are a boon, and they can help revive struggling towns
</h3>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="Y2Ysl0">
UC San Diego political scientist Claire Adida recently reviewed the economic literature in a <a href="https://twitter.com/ClaireAdida/status/1428066888655904770">Twitter thread</a>, concluding that “refugees are an economic boon to their host communities.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="xgBCon">
She cites <a href="https://www.pnas.org/content/113/27/7449">research</a> showing that refugees in Rwanda who received $120 to $126 in cash aid from the United Nations “increased annual real income in the economy by $205 to $253.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="5H5lNP">
<a href="https://www.nber.org/papers/w23498">Evidence in the US</a> shows that “after 6 years in the country, these refugees work at higher rates than natives. … [Researchers] estimate that refugees pay $21,000 more in taxes than they receive in benefits over their first 20 years in the US.”
</p>
<div id="9wIc94">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" dir="ltr" lang="en">
Refugees are an economic boon to their host communities, both because of the economic dynamism of refugees themselves (<a href="https://t.co/YQ1XQl3RyH">https://t.co/YQ1XQl3RyH</a>) and indirectly because of the positive spillovers of cash transfers to refugees (<a href="https://t.co/T6m0mHLXRf">https://t.co/T6m0mHLXRf</a>).
</p>
— Dr. Claire Adida (<span class="citation" data-cites="ClaireAdida">@ClaireAdida</span>) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClaireAdida/status/1428066889977106436?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2021</a>
</blockquote>
</div>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="jMNlQC">
Beyond their generalized impact, refugees can also help solve one of the most difficult urban policy problems facing the US: how to induce growth in cities and towns outside of the coastal superstar cities and the growing sunbelt. A 2019 <a href="https://eig.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Heartland-Visas-Report.pdf">report</a> by Economic Innovation Group (EIG) found that “uneven population growth is leaving more places behind. 86 percent of counties now grow more slowly than the nation as a whole, up from 64 percent in the 1990s.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="MUkV79">
Several market forces have pushed the majority of good-paying jobs into a handful of cities. This phenomenon is referred to as “agglomeration economies,” something economist Enrico Moretti <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=enrico+moretti+vox&amp;rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS922US922&amp;oq=enrico&amp;aqs=chrome.0.69i59j69i57j46i433i512l2j46i512j46i433i512j69i64l2.1484j0j4&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8">explained</a> to Vox earlier this year: “Agglomeration economies … [are] the tendency of employers and workers to cluster geographically in a handful of locations.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="bDvoaN">
One factor is that employees who splinter off to start their own firms often do so in the same cities that they were working in. More broadly, workers and industries clustering in the same place increases employment opportunities for workers and increases the qualified labor pool for employers. Additionally, a large number of young college graduates have a preference for urban environments, and firms often follow valuable labor pools.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="DMH2Uk">
This has an outsized effect on the US economy, as more higher- income workers cluster in the same cities, the demand for goods and services (anything from legal services to restaurants and plumbers) shifts as well. Encouraging firms and young professionals to move to your city is a hard problem as a mayor.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="RVyQKS">
As highly educated workers move away, cities may shrink in population. That, in turn, leads to fewer taxes, which means declining public services. It also means less demand for goods and services which leads to higher unemployment as businesses don’t need as many workers to service a shrinking population. This becomes a dangerous spiral as higher unemployment and a declining young population makes these places even less attractive to new entrants and new businesses. This is one of the most vexing problems declining neighborhoods and towns face.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="C3kRF5">
One way to get around this problem? Refugee resettlement.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="Cxsh2a">
The authors of the EIG report propose a similar, innovative policy proposal: place-based visas, called “heartland visas,” that would bring immigrants to the US to live in communities “facing the consequences of demographic stagnation” and in desperate need of new entrants. These visas would not limit where immigrants can visit or travel but would “simply require that their residence and place of work be somewhere within a specific geography.” Similar visas have been successful in Canada and Australia.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="LOIktD">
There’s a reason why <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2021/08/17/these-governors-are-offering-to-take-in-more-afghan-
refugees/?sh=758293ae1e71">several governors</a> (both Republican and Democrat) have indicated their support for refugee resettlement in their states.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="ftwAK9">
While many have tried to make the case that immigrants harm native- born Americans’ economic prospects, the research is clear on this too: <a href="https://noahpinion.substack.com/p/why-
immigration-doesnt-reduce-wages">Immigration doesn’t lower wages for native-born people</a>. Economist Noah Smith reviews the academic literature on refugee waves and finds that immigration “<a href="https://www.peri.umass.edu/publication/item/1050-is-it-merely-a-labor-supply-shock-impacts-of-syrian-migrants-on-
local-economies-in-turkey">is a positive labor demand shock</a>;” that “<a href="http://www.su.se/polopoly_fs/1.123856.1360740401!/menu/standard/file/SULCIS%20WP%2020131.pdf">immigrants don’t cause unemployment for the native-born</a>;” that there was “<a href="http://ftp.iza.org/dp8841.pdf">no labor market impact” from immigration in Turkey</a> or <a href="https://tad.colman.ac.il/paper-all/8212.pdf">in Israel</a>; that “<a href="http://ftp.iza.org/dp8961.pdf">immigration increased native-born wages in the long run;”</a> and it didn’t even harm “<a href="http://giovanniperi.ucdavis.edu/uploads/5/6/8/2/56826033/mariel_jun2_app.pdf">high-school dropouts</a>.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="HdL9UG">
The case for opening America’s doors is clear. Refugees and immigrants are not only good for the economy, they can help us reverse dangerous trends in stagnant cities and towns. Policymakers should stop referring to refugees as a burden and trust that new Americans will benefit the nation.
</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>The story of amusement parks is the story of America</strong> -
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-
cdn.com/thumbor/cQNxGYs466juxStbyoKFSmMKpvw=/318x0:5394x3807/1310x983/cdn.vox-
cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69733891/GettyImages_1326577789.0.jpg"/>
<figcaption>
Tourists at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World on July 1, 2021 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. | Liao Pan/China News Service via Getty Images
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
With all of its sparkle and chipped paint.
</p>
<div class="c-float-left">
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " src="https://cdn.vox-
cdn.com/thumbor/YYgW4HsU995yniG4Y5QuEoQvF0Y=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-
cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/21899595/VOX_The_Highlight_Box_Logo_Horizontal.png"/>
</figure>
</div>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="vXVBfS">
Part of the <a href="https://www.vox.com/e/22392894">Leisure Issue</a> of <a href="https://www.vox.com/the-
highlight">The Highlight</a>, our home for ambitious stories that explain our world.
</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="L43JSk"/>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="czwW5e">
When fairgoers entered the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, they were dazzled by the White City, a sprawling collection of massive exhibit buildings dedicated to manufacturing, transportation, electricity, and other themes that captured the imagination of a country on the move. Boasting a mixture of architectural influences, the gleaming, almost regal structures were assembled around a large reflecting pond festooned with Corinthian and Ionic columns as well as golden and white allegorical statuary.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="6qSR9n">
It was a giddy time in America as the young, growing country was establishing its prominence, and the fair was its coming-out party. The White City, so named for the alabaster substance made of gypsum and other materials that covered the buildings, was a celebration of progress and a brash ode to capitalism. It reinforced the sense of hope and promise — the swagger even — that Americans carried. Visitors were overcome by the scale, spectacle, and opulence of the buildings and grounds as well as the bustle and merriment of its midway and amusements.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="fi92vr">
Toward the end of the expo’s five- month run, though, keen-eyed observers noticed something amiss with the exhibit halls: Their exteriors were starting to crumble.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="Pdx7n5">
The buildings’ plaster-like coating was never meant to last. It was a cheap facade that could easily and quickly be formed into virtually anything. It was an illusion, emotionally charged but ephemeral. The fair presented an inspiring vision of a utopian city built on American ingenuity but not one that was built to last or that considered urban reality. The Columbian Exposition, like the amusement parks and theme parks it inspired, was about the America for which its people longed, not necessarily the America they encountered. It was about the American stories they told themselves — tales of reassurance and a brighter tomorrow, even if some of the tales were illusory and fragile.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="pG9jEU">
The fair presaged and set the template for parks, fanciful places where thrills abound, and visitors can aspire to greatness as they test their limits, even if they are never in any actual danger. They are carefully controlled environments that engender pleasure and filter out the distracting truths beyond their gates. In all their bombast and bluster, parks embody the American story itself.
</p>
<div class="c-float-right">
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " src="https://cdn.vox-
cdn.com/thumbor/AoaukRFWjtMH43swf10U1xVgB9Y=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-
cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22778496/GettyImages_170516923__1_.jpg"/> <cite>Getty Images</cite></figure></div></li>
</ul>
<figcaption>
An illustration of an event at the Chicago World’s Colombian Exposition, depicting flags from various countries in 1893.
</figcaption>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="lF9RjO">
There are about 475 amusement parks and theme parks in the US today, ranging from mega-parks, such as those operated by Disney and Universal, to regional parks that are operated by large companies such as Six Flags and draw customers mostly from the areas in which they are located.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="elFyn2">
Although their numbers are dwindling, there are smaller parks as well, some of which are family-owned and operated, and a few of which date back many years. All of them feature rides such as carousels and roller coasters, but the larger parks also boast more sophisticated, technology-laden attractions that often hew to a theme. They provide an escape from the mundane and stir emotions, but unlike movies, television, and other forms of entertainment, they require active participation and are best experienced in the company of others.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="QrDrrq">
If there’s any doubt about the preeminence of parks, consider that nearly 160 million people <a href="https://www.teaconnect.org/images/files/TEA_369_18301_201201.pdf">visited the top 20 North American theme parks</a> and amusement parks in 2019. The Disney parks in California and Florida alone accounted for more than half the visitors. 2020 was a different story, of course. The coronavirus pandemic shuttered parks and kept many of them closed for months. Those that did open were hampered by capacity limits, social distancing guidelines, and other restrictions.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="xVBZtA">
As Covid-related constraints loosened, however, people began flocking back to the midways and once again filling in all the available space at attractions. NBCUniversal, for example, <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/nbcuniversal-earnings-theme-parks-
comcast-1234987489/">reported that its theme park business returned to profitability in the most recent quarter</a>, and that its attendance at Universal Orlando had nearly returned to 2019 pre-pandemic levels. It’s no wonder that <a href="https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2021-04-30/disneyland-disney-california-adventure-reopening-day">fans have been coming back to places like Disneyland with tears in their eyes</a>. Parks are inherently social spaces designed to entertain masses. After the ordeal of sheltering in place and connecting online, people yearn for real, analog contact with crowds of fellow humans.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="Asf8or">
It’s more than Covid-era longing, however. Above all, people are drawn to parks to join with those whom they cherish and to celebrate life together. That’s appealing, regardless of pandemic lockdowns. In an often-polarized country, parks provide safe havens to seek joy without having to take sides (at least on the surface). For a brief while anyways, they can become the America for which Americans long, not the America that exists beyond the manicured grounds.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="jyHX5H">
“Theme parks are all about us,” says Margaret King, who has studied and written about theme parks throughout her career and is the director of the Center for Cultural Studies and Analysis, a market research institute. “It’s a museum of us, of America. It’s a distillation of the qualities we most value and like about ourselves.” The Disney parks, in particular, reflect the small-town ideals, the innocence, the inventiveness, the strong work ethic, and other characteristics that are part of Americans’ self-image.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="HKe5Tl">
We are nostalgic for places that never really were, she says. Disney’s Main Street USA, the thoroughfares themed to the early-20th century that serve as gateways to the rest of Disneyland and Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, are idealized portrayals of a more genteel, if unrealistic America. They are spotlessly clean, impeccably landscaped, and overflowing with cheery optimism (as well as plenty of keepsake merch). Visiting the Disney parks is “like going back to your hometown,” King says. “It’s the hometown that’s shared by everyone in the country.”
</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<pre><code> &lt;img alt=" " src="https://cdn.vox-</code></pre>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">cdn.com/thumbor/Rj1t-uK2X7YMXOWwwXXgFaJfb3E=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox- cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22778471/GettyImages_51238756.jpg" /&gt; <cite>Getty Images</cite></p>
<figcaption>
Disneyland in Anaheim, California, circa 1955, the year it opened.
</figcaption>
</figure>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " src="https://cdn.vox-
cdn.com/thumbor/Ex2TnZbnsLPtqmONqlj_zsl9JcQ=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-
cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22781289/GettyImages_1232609662.jpg"/> <cite>Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>
Decades later, masked restaurant workers greet returning guests on Main Street USA during the reopening of Disneyland in April 2021.
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="cNMZwl">
Of course, parks have not always been shared by all Americans. The reality of racism and the denial of civil rights long clashed with parks’ carefully crafted fantasy. As with nearly everything in the country, the amusement industry has a shameful past that included some segregated parks. In her book, <a href="https://www.upenn.edu/pennpress/book/15035.html"><em>Race, Riots, and Roller Coasters</em>,</a> Victoria W. Wolcott writes that owners of parks such as Belle Isle in Detroit, Idora Park in Ohio, Glen Echo Park in Maryland, and others prohibited Black patrons as late as the 1960s. Some of them were sites of protests, riots, and clashes. Federal courts intervened, and, under order, parks eventually complied and opened to people of color.
</p>
<div class="c-float-left c-float-hang">
<aside id="VRn2fS">
<q>We are nostalgic for places that never really were</q>
</aside>
</div>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="RfqmXu">
Among the parks that exemplify the American devotion to imagination and idealism is Epcot, the second theme park at Florida’s Walt Disney World. When it first opened in 1982, Mickey Mouse and the company’s other established characters were banned from the park, and the tone was mostly serious. But the company learned that you gotta give the people what they want. Today, Epcot has loosened up considerably, and Mickey and his pals cavort with characters from “Frozen” and “Guardians of the Galaxy.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="Ac5j2a">
Walt Disney’s original notion for Epcot was even more high-minded — a White City 2.0. He didn’t want to develop a conventional theme park so much as an actual “experimental prototype community of tomorrow” (hence the acronym). Disney envisioned a thoughtfully planned city in which real people would work, live, and play. It would showcase the latest innovations and ideas in urban planning. Major corporations would have field-tested their technology and cutting-edge concepts while helping to foot the bill for the grand-scale project. Visitors would have been invited to witness the living laboratory in action.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="xUBUs4">
After his death in 1966, Walt Disney’s successors at the company struggled to bring his unrealized dream to life and instead settled on the Epcot that exists today. Modeled after a world’s fair, it offers pavilions devoted to themes such as the land, the sea, and space exploration as well as a variety of nations. Perhaps they couldn’t muster the single-minded vision and passion that Disney had to pull off the wildly ambitious project. Or maybe they realized that bridging the gap between the sanitized, highly controlled, and idealistic contours of a theme park with the more messy and unpredictable parameters of a real live city was a bridge too far.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="NEwMPr">
What the Disney company and other park operators took away from the Columbian Exposition and early iterations of amusement areas is that people enjoy marveling at and experiencing innovation, joining together with others whom they might not otherwise encounter, letting loose and disregarding the social conventions of the day, and engaging in something bigger than themselves and their everyday lives. They also learned that people love the physical sensations of mechanical rides. Visitors couldn’t get enough of the Chicago fair’s Ice Railway, but they especially went bonkers for George Washington Gale Ferris’ wheel.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="d61g11">
“America was emerging as a world power, and the Industrial Revolution was at its peak,” explains Jim Futrell, historian for the National Amusement Park Historical Association. “The fair itself celebrated the latest technology.” People clamored to take a ride aboard the 264-foot-tall wheel, an engineering and manufacturing wonder which rivaled the Eiffel Tower. They paid a then-considerable 50-cents fee for a 20-minute revolution.
</p>
<div class="c-wide-block">
<figure class="e-image">
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><img alt=" " src="https://cdn.vox-
cdn.com/thumbor/ik3YssNQOwNXhmPF1c-5Unm8nh4=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-
cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22778456/GettyImages_2698753.jpg"/> <cite>Hulton Archive/Getty Images</cite></p>
<figcaption>
Coney Island’s Luna Park at the turn of the last century.
</figcaption>
</figure>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " src="https://cdn.vox-
cdn.com/thumbor/Bx7YV2rSbQCnjGXILhxmX7A6hq8=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-
cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22778480/GettyImages_482286314.jpg"/> <cite>Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>
And Coney Island in more recent times. The park is hugely important to New York’s immigrant populations, who have flocked to it over the years.
</figcaption>
</figure>
</div>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="L12LSh">
Brooklyn’s Coney Island was another seminal place, largely because of its importance to New York City’s immigrant population. Located nine miles from Manhattan (but seemingly a world away) and about 10 degrees cooler, city dwellers were already drawn to the natural beauty of the remote barrier island. They really began coming in droves once horse-drawn trolleys, steam railroads, steamboats, and the subway established service in the latter part of the 1800s and the early 1900s.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="pYUiC5">
The millions of immigrants who poured into New York at the turn of the century visited Coney Island, ran many of its businesses, and invented and manufactured the rides that lined its boardwalk, according to Charles Denson, author of <em>Coney Island: Lost and Found</em> and executive director of the Coney Island History Project. They also provided the craftsmanship that characterized the rides, such as the intricate hand-carved horses featured on many of the area’s carousels. Coney Island was a workshop and proving ground for the nascent amusement industry, notes Denson.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="Xo8Eg8">
One of its most significant contributions to the genre was the Gravity Pleasure Switchback Railway, which opened in 1884. It helped popularize roller coasters, which subsequently exploded across the country. Part of their appeal, naturally, was the speed, the forces passengers experienced, and the novelty of the thrill machines. But there was more to the rides’ mystique.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="e8gtOk">
“It was okay to let your guard down,” says Futrell. “I’m not going to scream in public like I scream on a roller coaster.” The coaster remains king of the midway and shrieks of terror and delight reverberate throughout parks today.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="JMMTca">
Screaming was not the only inhibition that amusement rides shattered. By choice, or more often by design, New York City immigrants largely kept to themselves in their own tenement neighborhoods and conformed to the morals of the old country. But not at Coney Island. “They came here to assimilate,” says Denson. “They came to mix, to learn about freedom. They came to learn how to be an American.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="TFx1Lf">
The environment at Coney Island was meant to keep visitors off balance, sometimes literally, and mix them together, again, sometimes literally. Unlike most modern models, there were no seat dividers on the early roller coasters. As they took sharp corners, passengers slammed into one another. (If slamming into seatmates is your thing, you can still savor the experience on surviving coasters of the era such as Coney Island’s Cyclone or Jack Rabbit at Kennywood outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
</p>
<div class="c-float-right">
<div id="Lqaaz0">
<div>
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</div>
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<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="e8qnkq">
On Coney Island’s Steeplechase Ride, couples straddled the horse-like vehicles. “You had to put your arms around your girlfriend to keep her on the ride,” Futrell says. “Within that context, it was viewed as socially acceptable.” Just to enter Steeplechase Park, visitors had to navigate a rotating barrel, often tumbling onto each other.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="lNeJID">
Besides making it de rigueur to scream, parks still encourage patrons to shed other inhibitions. Most folks would probably not don mouse ears or a Gryffindor House robe in their hometown, for example, but it’s perfectly fashionable at the parks. And while parks have elevated their dining considerably, many visitors still opt for the junkiest of otherwise verboten junk foods.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="njr1xB">
Today, the amusement area at Coney Island is much smaller than during its heyday, although it has recently been expanding amid a flurry of renewed interest and investment. Exuding a palpable sense of history, the boardwalk playground nonetheless remains relevant and abuzz in all its funky, gritty charm.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="Y7KCyI">
Coney Island still resonates because it continues to do what it has always done: bring people together. “The appeal of parks is that people can share emotions and share stories with their friends,” says Gregory Beck, architect and experience designer and the former dean of the School of Entertainment Arts at Savannah College of Art and Design. “Often, we go to parks with the biggest posse we can get.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="aCHAIa">
We also go to parks to dream about the future; they’re often the first places where we experience innovations at scale. That was the appeal of the original Ferris wheel. When Disney introduced them, the monorail and the PeopleMover offered wide-eyed passengers a chance to step aboard the transit systems of tomorrow. Despite its nostalgic allure, the Coney Island Cyclone still packs a potent punch. Thanks to new launch systems and other technological and design breakthroughs, some coasters today tower over it, blasting riders over 400 feet in the air and well beyond 100 mph.
</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " src="https://cdn.vox-
cdn.com/thumbor/sQct56CF1XiXNc4TBJgxnw2ffF0=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-
cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22781342/GettyImages_1071866562.jpeg"/> <cite>Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>
The monorail jets past Spaceship Earth — the iconic geodesic dome — at Walt Disney’s Epcot Center in Florida.
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="Dl952q">
Regardless of their intensity, coasters and other thrill rides are aspirational. They give riders a sense of conquest and mastery. It’s part of the reassurance that’s embedded in parks. “The attractions are literally rites of passage,” says Eddie Sotto, a former Disney Imagineer (the creatives who conjure the company’s parks and rides) and president of the attraction design firm, Sotto Studios. (Interestingly, one of Disney’s best attractions is called Avatar Flight of Passage.) “Our job isn’t just to entertain you. We want you to come out not just as a survivor, but someone who thrived in the experience.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="HcZJgK">
Amusement parks proliferated throughout the early 1900s, then contracted after the Great Depression and World War II. With the opening of Disneyland in 1955, Walt Disney introduced a park that redefined out-of-home entertainment.
</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " src="https://cdn.vox-
cdn.com/thumbor/dKr0_nDJmSoPC8QcaUPgIITBK9A=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-
cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22781429/GettyImages_1232615278.jpg"/> <cite>Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>
Minerva Mendez and Ahmed El take photos in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle on reopening day at Disneyland after a lengthy closure for Covid-19. The appeal of amusement parks is emotional — and intangible.
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="tUJoTw">
Whereas amusement parks typically include a mishmash of design influences and focus on the rides and thrills for the sake of the rides and thrills, Disneyland was developed using deliberate, organizing design principles. Its rides, recast as “attractions,” adhered to and advanced the larger narrative of the lands in which they resided. Guests, as Disney refers to its customers, were no longer merely riding a thrilling roller coaster. They were sliding down an icy mountain in Fantasyland’s rendition of Switzerland. The term “theme park” wasn’t coined until a few years after the park opened, but what Disney and his Imagineers created in California was decidedly different.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="vBGTvS">
“There is an embedded, layered design [at Disneyland] where every piece relates to every other piece,” says King.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="Mj5LGg">
“There is a subtext of hope,” adds Sotto. “Theme parks are a unifying demonstration of a world where everybody can get along. People like the escape, because it tells them that everything is going to be all right.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="rFWLpz">
Today, highly complex attractions, such as The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man at Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure, blur the line between virtual and reality. Rather than lands with broad themes such as adventure or fantasy, parks have been developing immersive (a word the attractions cognoscenti love to toss around) and transportive environments devoted to single intellectual properties such as the Harry Potter franchise at the Universal parks and the Star Wars mythology at the Disney parks.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="ahAf27">
It’s not just fictional stories that we long to share at parks, however. It’s also our own stories. “Parents want to share the parks with their children,” Beck says. “This is what was important in my childhood, and I want you to have that same experience.”
</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " src="https://cdn.vox-
cdn.com/thumbor/7SPLcya7lx2qmqfLrrDaYq53h6s=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-
cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22781374/GettyImages_1229191890.jpg"/> <cite>Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>
A look at Knott’s Berry Farm in Orange County, California, reveals a thicket of winding coasters and rides. The multi-sensory thrills may be our nation’s very definition of leisure.
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="Hd2xTV">
Parks have long had an egalitarian appeal, though marred by the history of segregation. People from all backgrounds and political camps can come together in a common pursuit of fun. Because of their enormous popularity, however, some parks have been raising prices considerably. Costs may be shutting some people out.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="yi9H3F">
This is especially true at theme park resorts such as Disney World and Universal Orlando. Most of its visitors are from outside the area and must factor in transportation, hotel, dining, and other costs in addition to the admission prices. On the low end, a five-day visit to Disney World, including airfare, lodging, and tickets, <a href="https://www.gobankingrates.com/saving-money/travel/how-much-does-it-really-cost-to-go-to-disney-world-now/">could cost about $3,500</a> for a family of four. And that’s before factoring in food, ground transportation, and souvenirs. Known as destination parks, the resorts provide even more of an escape from the everyday. Visitors literally leave their homes and live at on-property hotels.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="vkpEj0">
In addition to money, parks often require significant investments of time and energy. The more they cost, the more people feel compelled to organize their visits and make sure they get the most value for their dollar. “Planning a [Disney World] trip is like planning an amphibious invasion,” King says, laughing. “You wonder, where’s the leisure here?”
</p>
<div class="c-float-right">
<aside id="SB0Y46">
<q>“You wonder, where’s the leisure here?”</q>
</aside>
</div>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="00jjBm">
The nonstop action and the multi-sensory assault at parks may be our nation’s very definition of leisure. It’s distinctly American to be on the go, busy, and productive — even during our free time.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="TcOSsy">
There may be a middle ground between the destination parks and day trips to regional parks. Falcon’s Creative Group, an Orlando-based attraction design firm, recently launched a division that has begun building boutique theme parks at locations around the world. According to David Schaefer, chief development officer of Falcon’s Beyond Global, the micro-parks would include high wow-factor attractions tied to intellectual properties. They would feature “rich story, complex types of experiences that you’d expect at the large destination theme parks, but at a smaller scale,” he explains. By requiring less time to visit, the parks could be more accessible. They would probably charge less to visit than the major parks as well and may be easier to get to depending on their locations.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="Q7oQbS">
“We think the theme park as a leisure activity is here to stay forever,” says Schaefer. “It’s so ingrained.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="67UzHZ">
That’s a good thing in a country where people are anxious and divided. We need places where we can encounter one another, share experiences, and enjoy stories together. We need the reassurance, the connection to the past, and the hope for the future that parks provide.
</p>
<p class="c-end-para" data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="BKBQcD">
<em>Arthur Levine is a theme park journalist whose work has appeared in publications including USA Today, the Boston Globe, and Thrillist. </em>
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</p>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-the-hindu-sports">From The Hindu: Sports</h1>
<ul>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Indian para athletes primed for unprecedented medal haul in Tokyo Paralympics</strong> - India is competing in nine sports in the Paralympics, which is being held under strict safety and health protocols</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Eng. vs Ind. Test series | Mark Wood out of third Test with jarred shoulder</strong> - Wood had hurt his shoulder while fielding during the second Test at Lord’s with India winning the game by 151 runs</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Tokyo Games is going to be our best outing at Paralympics, says Deepa Malik</strong> - India will field its biggest contingent with 54 athletes set to compete in nine sports</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Shaili is more or less like me, will be happy to see her break my record, says Anju Bobby George</strong> - Shaili Singh is nonetheless being touted as the next being thing in Indian athletics</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Sania Mirza-Christina Mchale enters quarterfinals at Cleveland</strong> - Sania Mirza and Christina Mchale dominated the match thoroughly</p></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-the-hindu-national-news">From The Hindu: National News</h1>
<ul>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Delay in reaching Jayalalithaa led to 2015 Chennai floods, charges TN Finance Minister</strong> - Former CM Palaniswami, however, said when water bodies were full during the rainy season, local officials could decide on the release of water as there was no need to get permission from anyone</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Kalyan Singh cremated, top leaders attend funeral</strong> - The two-time CM died at a Lucknow hospital on August 21 after spending weeks in the ICU</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Experts warn of imminent third wave of COVID-19 in Sept-Oct</strong> - The NIDM report quoted the prediction of experts from IIT Kanpur which suggested three likely scenarios for the third wave.</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Duraimurugan recalls his close association with WR Department</strong> - Walking down the memory lane, senior DMK legislator Duraimurugan recalled his long involvement and vast experience with the Water Resources Departmen</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>AAP alleges corruption in organisation of 2019 Kumbh</strong> - Citing a CAG report, the Aam Aadmi Party accused the U.P. government of ‘huge irregularities’ in the expenditure of ₹2,700-crore fund allocated for organising the Kumbh.</p></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-bbc-europe">From BBC: Europe</h1>
<ul>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Nord Stream 2: Russia must not use gas pipeline as weapon, says Merkel</strong> - The German chancellor says Moscow could face sanctions if it uses Nord Stream 2 against Ukraine.</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>French match abandoned after player hit by bottle</strong> - Nice versus Marseille is abandoned after Dimitri Payet throws a bottle back into the crowd and fans storm the pitch.</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Greece erects fence at Turkey border amid warnings of Afghan migrant surge</strong> - A 40km (25-mile) barrier is placed at the land border amid warnings of a surge of Afghan migrants.</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Afghanistan: Afghan woman gives birth to baby girl on US evacuation plane</strong> - The woman went into labour en route to Ramstein Air Base in Germany and gave birth on the plane.</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Act now to end lorry driver crisis, UK government told</strong> - Retailers and lorry firms join forces in call for new work visas, training and better Covid testing.</p></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-ars-technica">From Ars Technica</h1>
<ul>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Intrepid brewer risks scalding to recreate recipe for long-lost medieval mead</strong> - The recipe for bochet was lost for centuries, until it was rediscovered in 2009. - <a href="https://arstechnica.com/?p=1788923">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Tiong Bahru Social Club review: Won’t you be my algorithmic neighbor?</strong> - In this Fantasia Fest film, happiness algorithms dictate terms of community living. - <a href="https://arstechnica.com/?p=1788129">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Looking for a new job in tech? It may be your lucky day</strong> - Employers are turning on the charm to attract engineers and developers to their firms. - <a href="https://arstechnica.com/?p=1788920">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Hydrogen lobbyist quits, slams oil companies’ “false claims” about blue hydrogen</strong> - Recent studies have questioned blue hydrogen’s low-carbon bona fides. - <a href="https://arstechnica.com/?p=1788930">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>On Roblox, kids learn it’s hard to earn money making games</strong> - New report claims that the massive video game platform can exploit young developers. - <a href="https://arstechnica.com/?p=1788915">link</a></p></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-jokes-subreddit">From Jokes Subreddit</h1>
<ul>
<li><strong>What’s the difference between Iron Man and Aluminum Man?</strong> - <!-- SC_OFF -->
<div class="md">
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
Iron Man stops the bad guys. Aluminum Man just foils their plans.
</p>
</div>
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<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"> submitted by <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/terenandceleste"> /u/terenandceleste </a> <br/> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/p9or6i/whats_the_difference_between_iron_man_and/">[link]</a></span> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/p9or6i/whats_the_difference_between_iron_man_and/">[comments]</a></span></p></li>
<li><strong>A policeman was interrogating 3 guys who were training to become detectives. To test their skills in recognizing a suspect, he shows the first guys a picture for 5 seconds and then hides it. “This is your suspect, how would you recognize him?”</strong> - <!-- SC_OFF -->
<div class="md">
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
The first guy answers, “That’s easy, we’ll catch him fast because he only has one eye!”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
The policeman says, “Well…uh…that’s because the picture I showed is his side profile.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
Slightly flustered by this ridiculous response, he flashes the picture for 5 seconds at the second guy and asks him, “This is your suspect, how would you recognize him?”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
The second guy smiles, flips his hair and says, “Ha! He’d be too easy to catch because he only has one ear!”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
The policeman angrily responds, “What’s the matter with you two?!!? Of course only one eye and one ear are showing because it’s a picture of his side profile! Is that the best answer you can come up with?”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
Extremely frustrated at this point, he shows the picture to the third guy and in a very testy voice asks, "This is your suspect, how would you recognize him?
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
He quickly adds, “Think hard before giving me a stupid answer.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
The third guy looks at the picture intently for a moment and says, “The suspect wears contact lenses.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
The policeman is surprised and speechless because he really doesn’t know himself if the suspect wears contacts or not.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
“Well, that’s an interesting answer. Wait here for a few minutes while I check his file and I’ll get back to you on that.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
He leaves the room and goes to his office, checks the suspect’s file on his computer and comes back with a beaming smile on his face.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
“Wow! I can’t believe it. It’s TRUE! The suspect does, in fact, wear contact lenses. Good work! How were you able to make such an astute observation?”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
“That’s easy…” the third guy replied. “He can’t wear regular glasses because he only has one eye and one ear.”
</p>
</div>
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<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"> submitted by <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Far_Tonyu"> /u/Far_Tonyu </a> <br/> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/p9w56j/a_policeman_was_interrogating_3_guys_who_were/">[link]</a></span> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/p9w56j/a_policeman_was_interrogating_3_guys_who_were/">[comments]</a></span></p></li>
<li><strong>My friend was mad at me for smelling his sister’s underwear.</strong> - <!-- SC_OFF -->
<div class="md">
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
I can’t tell if it was because the rest of his family was there, or because they were still on her.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
It sure made the rest of the funeral awkward.
</p>
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<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"> submitted by <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Golden_Was_Taken"> /u/Golden_Was_Taken </a> <br/> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/p9jvvx/my_friend_was_mad_at_me_for_smelling_his_sisters/">[link]</a></span> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/p9jvvx/my_friend_was_mad_at_me_for_smelling_his_sisters/">[comments]</a></span></p></li>
<li><strong>Interviewer: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?</strong> - <!-- SC_OFF -->
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Me: I’d say my biggest weakness is listening.
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<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"> submitted by <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/MudakMudakov"> /u/MudakMudakov </a> <br/> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/p9lalb/interviewer_where_do_you_see_yourself_in_the_next/">[link]</a></span> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/p9lalb/interviewer_where_do_you_see_yourself_in_the_next/">[comments]</a></span></p></li>
<li><strong>Cheating for “Good” Reasons</strong> - <!-- SC_OFF -->
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An elderly couple was having dinner one evening when the husband reached across the table, took his wife’s hand in his and said, “Martha, soon we will be married 50 years, and there’s something I have to know. In all of these 50 years, have you ever been unfaithful to me?”
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Martha replied, "Well Henry, I have to be honest with you. Yes, I’ve been unfaithful to you three times during these 50 years, but always for a good reason.
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Henry was obviously hurt by his wife’s confession, but said, “I never suspected. Can you tell me what you mean by ‘good reasons?’”
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Martha said, "The first time was shortly after we were married, and we were about to lose our little house because we couldn’t pay the mortgage.
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Do you remember that one evening I went to see the banker and the next day he notified you that the loan would be extended?"
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Henry recalled the visit to the banker and said, “I can forgive you for that. You saved our home, but what about the second time?”
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Martha asked, “And do you remember when you were so sick, but we didn’t have the money to pay for the heart surgery you needed? Well, I went to see your doctor one night and, if you recall, he did the surgery at no charge.”
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“I recall that,” said Henry. “And you did it to save my life, so of course I can forgive you for that. Now tell me about the third time.”
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“Alright,” Martha said. “So do you remember when you ran for president of your golf club, and you needed 73 more votes?”
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<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"> submitted by <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/eeuuk"> /u/eeuuk </a> <br/> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/p9pcv4/cheating_for_good_reasons/">[link]</a></span> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/p9pcv4/cheating_for_good_reasons/">[comments]</a></span></p></li>
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