October 7, 2020

Trump returns to the Oval Office despite still being treated for coronavirus, declaring the Regeneron antibody cocktail a “cure” even as his doctors say it is too early to tell. Fauci warns that U.S. coronavirus deaths could hit 300,000 to 400,000 without action, and calls the Amy Coney Barrett Rose Garden ceremony a “superspreader event.” The vice presidential debate proceeds with plexiglass barriers between the candidates, with Kamala Harris accusing the administration of covering up the severity of the pandemic. Italy imposes a nationwide outdoor mask mandate, and New Zealand declares victory over the coronavirus again, lifting all Auckland restrictions—while the U.S. debates how to safely hold an election.

The World Bank estimates the pandemic has thrown around 100 million people into extreme poverty, and NPR reports one in four rural households cannot get medical care for serious problems due to the pandemic. The Conversation examines theories for Africa’s low COVID death rates—a question that challenges assumptions about the virus’s behavior and the effectiveness of Western-style lockdowns. Florida’s governor says officials can require masks but cannot enforce the mandate with fines, creating a de facto voluntary system that angers public-health advocates but reflects the exhaustion with coercive measures. A global study finds 84% of people now say they would get a vaccine, though actions speak louder than survey responses.