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What to watch for today and over the weekend
The US and Canada are expected to close their border. Donald Trump and Justin Trudeau agreed to stop crossings for tourism and recreation on Wednesday. They’re finishing the details of the agreement, and it could go into effect today.
More regions could be locked down. Last night, governor Gavin Newsom asked California’s 40 million residents to stay home, leaving only for essentials. Argentina also imposed a nation-wide lockdown.
North American markets might have a better morning. After the Bank of England cut rates, following similar stimulus measures by the central banks of the US, Japan, and the EU, stocks across Asia were up between 1.5% and 5.5% this morning (but Japan fell 1%), and European markets also opened higher.
While you were sleeping
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China exonerated the doctor who issued early earnings about coronavirus. As he saw infections surge in December, Li Wenliang warned friends over social media, and was reprimanded. He later died from Covid-19. In a rare move, the government took officials to task, and apologized to the doctor’s family.
The UK closed schools indefinitely. Around 8 million students across the country are at home, and national exams are canceled. Some schools remain open to look after the children of frontline staff, and vulnerable kids.
Netflix and YouTube reduced their streaming quality in Europe. The EU requested the measure to reduce the strain on networks, as thousands of people start working from home due to lockdowns across Europe, and telecom providers like Vodafone report spikes in internet traffic.
Luxury car makers closed factories. Bentley, founded in London 101 years ago and now owned by German giant VW, and the slightly younger Tesla are both ceasing production, the former entirely and the latter only partially, because of coronavirus.
A think tank in Mian predicted an even bigger drop for the Italian economy. REF expects GDP to contract 3% in the first quarter and 5% in the second, up from previously forecast drops of 1% and 3%. Italy’s lockdown is expected to be extended beyond April, as deaths continue to soar, but REF says a rebound could be possible in the third quarter.
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Growing families. Fertility care has given more trans people the chance to have biological children, and some care providers are leading the way. Learn more in our field guide to the business of fertility.
Here to troubleshoot your WFH situation. So much of it boils down to ergonomics, systems, focus, context, and human contact. Let us explain.
Quartz daily obsession
Quantum computers are straight outta sci-fi. They use the uncertainty at the heart of quantum physics to make certain calculations. Companies like IBM and Google are working feverishly to hit what researchers call “quantum advantage,” but so far the technology can’t supplant classical computing. Let’s reduce the uncertainty with the Quartz Daily Obsession.
Matters of debate
Handshaking is over. And that’s why the world needs an elbow bump emoji.
Just let your kids chill for once. Some children are basically on vacation, and it’s ok.
Panic buying is good for the economy. At least people are spending money.
Surprising discoveries
One of Darwin’s theories has finally been proved. A PhD student at the University of Cambridge has done it 140 years after the great biologist’s death.
Lego bricks take hundreds of years to break down in the ocean. Researchers made the calculation after analyzing their chemical composition.
Vampire bats share blood to cement friendships. A new study describes the behavior as a “kind of horrifying French kiss.”
Taxi drivers are rescuing endangered seabirds in New Zealand. They patrol the streets searching for dazed chicks that have crash landed in the fog.
Marvel has a new nonbinary superhero. Snowflake, whose name is causing controversy, will join the New Warriors.
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