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Tracking the pandemic
Donald Trump issued a new travel advisory for the tri-state area. He also announced an extension of the restrictive social distancing guidelines through the end of April, and said that keeping US Covid-19 deaths to 100,000 would be “a very good job.”
Russia closes all border crossings. It is temporarily shutting down all vehicle, rail, and pedestrian checkpoints, plus maritime borders. Last week, it halted all international flights. Officials had until recently claimed Russia didn’t have a coronavirus problem.
Japan is set to expand its restrictions. It’s expected to refuse entry to all foreigners and citizens traveling from the US, China, South Korea, and most of Europe. Meanwhile, car maker Toyota said it is temporarily shutting all plants in Europe and Russia.
The FDA approved an emergency coronavirus treatment. Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, two malaria drugs controversially promoted by president Trump, were authorized for limited use. Scientists prefer clinical trials first, due to a lack of proof over its efficacy.
An F1 team is building a new breathing aid. The device would deliver oxygen to the lungs while cutting the need for ventilators, helping keep patients out of intensive care. If trials go well for Mercedes and the University of London, it may be available in a week’s time.
The Netherlands recalled defective masks made in China. About 600,000 had already been distributed to local hospitals, the health ministry said. Earlier this month, Spain and Turkey complained of faulty rapid testing kits from China.
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The world’s financial health
Frontline tech workers go on strike. Instacart delivery drivers are considering a walkout over workplace safety, with the Gig Workers Collective calling for a nationwide strike on Monday. Some Amazon workers in New York will be doing the same.
easyJet grounded its fleet. The budget UK airline had already cancelled most flights, but was running some routes to repatriate British travelers stranded abroad. The government said it would only assist airlines as a last resort.
Quartz membership
The world vs. coronavirus. In a special field guide for Quartz members, we examine the long-term consequences of the pandemic on work, education, diplomacy, globalization, climate change, and more. No corner of the economy will be unaffected.
Olympians are working from home, too. Quartz checked in with six of them to see how their living rooms, balconies, and even family barns are now not-so-state-of-the-art training facilities.
Podcasts face pandemic peril. After lockdowns eliminated the morning commute, shows have struggled to find a new time slot in people’s lives.
Quartz daily obsession
French fries are the best. From poutine to patatas bravas, there are dozens of ways to slice, fry, and drizzle potatoes around the world. And are they really French? Does it matter? Dip right in with the Quartz Daily Obsession.
Matter of debate
Shutting down the economy may be the best way to protect it. Research shows that aggressive social distancing measures, while extremely disruptive to commerce in the near term, can result in faster economic growth when the disease subsides.
Surprising discoveries
A pandemic baby boom is even more likely. The world’s biggest manufacturer of condoms said its stockpile will last just two more months.
Walmart is selling more tops these days, but not pants. It might have something to do with the millions of people now working from home.
India’s idle trains could be used for Covid-19 patients. The huge rail network is shut down, and the carriages have plenty of space.
Peeing in space could help construct habitats. Mixing urea with moon dust creates a remarkably strong 3D-printing material.
Stargazers have some of their best views yet. Widespread lockdowns have curbed pollution and cleared up the night sky (paywalled).
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