October 1, 2020

October opens with a bombshell: Hope Hicks tests positive for coronavirus, and Trump and the First Lady go into quarantine. The diagnosis lands hours after a Cornell study identifies Trump as the “single largest driver” of COVID-19 misinformation, a finding amplified across media with an air of vindication. Pfizer’s CEO hits out at the politicization of the vaccine process, and the Financial Times reports his frustration with the administration’s treatment of the pharmaceutical industry’s timeline. The Army reports a sharp increase in suicides during the pandemic, a data point that captures the secondary toll beyond the virus itself.

Maryland reports zero coronavirus deaths for the first time since March, a milestone that receives less attention than the White House outbreak. Madrid locks back down as European leaders sound the alarm on surging cases, and the World Bank offers a $12 billion vaccine plan for poorer nations. Fauci tells Americans to prepare to “hunker down” again for fall and winter, citing a line from The Godfather about dealing with stress: “It’s not personal, it’s strictly business.” Nancy Pelosi says she is “not a big needle taker” but may get the COVID-19 vaccine to set an example, a qualified endorsement that does little to build vaccine confidence among the skeptical.

Identity politics in a pandemic: why coronavirus unity disappeared and may not return for the second wave

The Conversation

The Pandemic’s Pressure on Military Spouses

New York Times

Why are Americans so confused about Covid-19? Blame Trump, Cornell study says

In other coronavirus news: Mississippi ends mask mandate, new jobless claims paint grim picture for pandemic recovery, no cruise ships in U.S. waters for another month.

NBC

Army sees sharp increase in suicides during coronavirus pandemic

CNN

To cope with pandemic stress, many women turned to alcohol, continuing a worrying trend

Rates of alcohol-related deaths among women have increased sharply in the past decade.

NBC

Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns leave their marks on people's dreams, study suggests

Swarming bugs, wriggling worms and frighteningly close contact all show up in pandemic-related dreams.

NBC

Madrid locks back down as European leaders sound alarm on Covid-19 surges

CNN

Loss of smell could be a ‘highly reliable indicator’ of Covid-19, research says

CNN

New York launches coronavirus contact tracing app as cases rise in hot spots

'Covid Alert NY does not track your location, your movement, or use GPS. It does not collect or store any personal information,' Melissa DeRosa, secretary to the governor, said. 'The app is completely anonymous.

CNBC

Dr. Fauci says we should prepare to ‘hunker down’ again — here’s how to mentally get through fall and winter

Covid-19 isn't going to go away in the fall and winter. In fact, White House advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci said that Americans should prepare to 'hunker down.' Here are some tangible ways you can stay positive while stuck at home again.

CNBC

Dr. Fauci uses this line from ‘The Godfather’ to help deal with stress and politicians

Dr. Anthony Fauci has said that the novel 'The Godfather' informs how he works with political figures. 'You just have a job to do,' Fauci told reporter Michael Spector.

CNBC

Coronavirus: Doctors told to plan for vaccination scheme

Health bosses say a huge immunisation plan is being readied for the Birmingham area.

BBC

Nancy Pelosi ‘not a big needle taker’ but says she may get COVID-19 vaccine

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday she’s “not a big needle taker,” but would consider getting a COVID-19 vaccine to set an example. Pelosi weighed in after Democratic presid…

NY Post

As COVID-19 total tops 34 million, World Bank offers vaccine plan for poorer nations

University of Minnesota

Pfizer chief hits out at politicisation of Covid-19 vaccine

Coronavirus-ravaged Wisconsin sweats Trump rallies

The swing state has emerged as a Covid-19 hot spot. The president is coming anyway.

Politico

Trump to quarantine after Hope Hicks tests positive for coronavirus

Axios

Why people with diabetes are being hit so hard by Covid-19

For people with diabetes and Covid-19, it’s dismayingly difficult to untangle the biological and socioeconomic factors that make them more likely to suffer severe illness and die.

Statnews

Study Finds ‘Single Largest Driver’ of Coronavirus Misinformation: Trump

New York Times

COVID-19 spread freely aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt, report shows