October 2, 2021

The U.S. death toll passes 700,000, a milestone PBS notes did not have to arrive so soon because the last 100,000 deaths came while vaccines were available to anyone over 12. That framing carries an implicit verdict about who is to blame, even as the Washington Post reports the summer Delta surge has begun to ebb across much of the country.

Vaccine mandates spread through the airlines as American, Alaska, and JetBlue join United in requiring shots, with the Biden administration pressing the carriers to comply. The Washington Post reports that holdouts are concentrated in police and fire departments, where union resistance is stiffening. The New York Times confirms California’s plan to mandate the vaccine for all students as soon as the next school year.

Two stories cut against the official caution. The New York Post reports that U.S. mask guidance for children is the strictest in the world, out of step with policies across most of Europe. And the BBC reports that Ireland’s vaccine passport scheme is credited with accelerating uptake, a reminder that the incentives working behind the numbers are coercive as much as persuasive.

COVID-19 deaths eclipse 700,000 in U.S. as delta variant rages

It’s a milestone that by all accounts didn’t have to happen this soon. The U.S. death toll from COVID-19 eclipsed 700,000 late Friday — a number greater than the population of Boston. The last 100,000 deaths occurred during a time when vaccines — which overwhelmingly prevent deaths, hospitalizations and serious illness — were available to any American over the age of 12.

PBS

The summer coronavirus surge has started to ebb, but delta’s danger remains

The Washington Post

American, Alaska Airlines and JetBlue will require their employees to be vaccinated

The three airlines are joining United in mandating that workers be vaccinated against COVID-19, as the Biden administration steps up pressure on major U.S. carriers to require the shots.

NPR

UK to slash international travel ‘red list’ to just nine countries

Quarantine will no longer be required for fully vaccinated travellers from 45 other countries from later in October

The Guardian

Iranian Cleric: Coronavirus Is a Misunderstanding - Iran News Update

Iranian regime’s cleric Alireza Panahian, while insulting the entire nation, said that the coronavirus is a misunderstanding.

Iran News Update

As coronavirus cases mount and vaccine mandates spread, holdouts plague police and fire departments

The Washington Post

What would an antiviral pill mean for the fight against Covid-19? | CNN

CNN

California to Mandate Covid-19 Vaccines for All Students as Soon as Next Fall (Published 2021)

The New York Times

US mask guidance for kids is the strictest across the world

The United States’ strict mask guidance for kids goes against policies across much of the globe.

New York Post

Covid-19: Irish vaccine passports 'accelerated' jab uptake

An immunology expert says the scheme was a "a big incentive" for people to get vaccinated.

BBC

Health workers know what good care is. Pandemic burnout is getting in the way

The pandemic has intensified burnout among health care workers. They say it's eroding their passion for the job and the quality of patient care. Here's how some of them are trying to solve it.

NPR

What Even Counts as Science Writing Anymore?

The pandemic made it clear that science touches everything, and everything touches science.

The Atlantic

The psychologist who coined the phrase 'Great Resignation' reveals how he saw it coming and where he sees it going. 'Who we are as an employee and as a worker is very central to who we are.'

Texas A&M's Anthony Klotz came up with the term the "Great Resignation." He explains how the pandemic made workers rethink their lives.

Business Insider

October 2, 2021

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