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South Africa prepares for lockdown. Starting from midnight tonight, South Africans will be required to stay at home for 21 days. The country has reported over 700 coronavirus cases, the highest in Africa, and faces unique challenges due to the high rates of HIV and TB among its population, and poor hygiene standards in its massive townships.
The Bank of England speaks. It’s unlikely the central bank will slash rates into negative territory following two rate cuts this month, but it could signal willingness to take further actions to shore up the economy, including ramping up asset purchasing. Chancellor Rishi Sunak is also expected to announce plans on helping self-employed Britons through the crisis.
Some businesses are reopening in Asia. Peugeot has restarted its joint venture with China’s Dongfeng Motor Group in Wuhan, and most of Huawei’s 150,000 China-based employees are back at work (paywall). However, canceled orders from US and European clothing companies could devastate Asia’s factories.
The US Senate passed a massive stimulus bill. The $2 trillion plan includes direct payments of $1,200 to most American adults, as well as assistance to small businesses, and will go to a vote in the House next before being signed into law by the president. The US reported over 200 deaths yesterday, the highest number ever recorded for a single day.
The G7 pushed back against Chinese coronavirus propaganda. Representatives recognized that China is waging a disinformation campaign (Quartz member exclusive)—but they failed to agree on a joint statement reportedly because of US secretary of state Mike Pompeo’s insistence on including the word “Wuhan virus” in it. Use of that term is helping fan anti-Asian sentiment.
Remote worker, homeschooler—it’s a lot all at once. Mass school closures mean that many new remote workers face the competing challenges of full-time work and full-time childcare. In Quartz’s next Remote Control workshop, parents will get expert advice on managing multiple tasks and warding off chaos. Join us Thursday at 1pm EDT. (Quartz members will have access to the recording of the seminar.)
Testing, testing
Scientists are at work on an immunity test. Finding out who’s had the coronavirus and is no longer susceptible will help answer big public health questions. Identifying recovered patients whose antibody-packed plasma could help in producing treatment and even a vaccine.
Global regulators are divided over at-home tests. Authorities in the US and the UK have suggested that at-home tests carry the risk of inaccurate results—and have offered shifting guidance on what level of autonomy in testing is appropriate. The UK said that home-testing could be made available to millions in the coming days.
Some companies are using testing as a perk for the wealthy. An upscale Swiss hotel charges $500 for a Covid-19 test—and $4,800 for nursing care—as a way to quarantine in the lap of luxury.
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Countless startups face going out of business. Advice from the experts—and past lessons learned—can help entrepreneurs respond to the coronavirus epidemic.
Tensions between the US and China are threatening global scientific progress. And now, more than ever, science is what we need.
Listen to the US national parks, and stay calm. We’ve collected the sounds of nature to help you focus.
Quartz daily obsession
Skeuomorphs are visual throwbacks. You’ve seen them if you’ve ever added an item to your “cart” while shopping online, or dragged a file to your computer’s trash or recycle bin. In digital design, the term refers to icons that hearken back to what was once a necessary physical feature on an older version of the device. But now, skeuomorphism itself is becoming obsolete. Take a trip down digital memory lane with the Quartz Daily Obsession.
Matter of debate
Fighting misinformation is harder than platforms would have us believe. According to cognitive psychologists Gordon Pennycook and David Rand, social media companies “should rigorously test their ideas for combating fake news and not just rely on common sense or intuition about what will work.” Even iconic myth-busting site Snopes can’t do it all alone.
Surprising discoveries
A street food vendor helped archaeologists find a lost Mayan capital. The tip led to a dig on a cattle rancher’s yard near the border between Mexico and Guatemala.
A German cathedral is preparing to display the relics of Saint Corona. The little-known patron saint of epidemics (and lumberjacks) is believed to have been killed by Romans in Syria when she was just 16.
The US Navy spends $400,000 per toilet flush. Its newest aircraft carriers have a clogging issue.
Digital first-dates are on the rise. Meeting up the old-fashioned way—through Tinder—is no longer possible under strict lockdowns.
Computers could soon learn to smell. Intel is replicating some bits of the brain capable of taking a big whiff.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, computers that smell, and Zoom dates to hi@qz.com. Get the most out of Quartz by downloading our app on iOS or Android and becoming a member. Today’s Daily Brief was written by Isabella Steger and edited by Mary Hui.