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Here’s what you need to know
Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine could soon be authorized in the US. A US Food and Drug Administration advisory panel will consider the matter today, following positive recommendations from staff.
Pfizer and Moderna are in talks to supply vaccines at low cost to poor countries. The World Health Organization is negotiating with the companies about providing jabs at affordable prices.
Joe Biden picks his climate team. The US president-elect is set to announce Obama-era official Gina McCarthy as climate policy coordinator, with Jennifer Granholm, former Michigan governor, as energy secretary.
Walmart is pushing forward with autonomous delivery in 2021. It’s running a pilot in Arkansas with truck startup Gatik to make some deliveries with self-driving vehicles.
Harry and Meghan signed a deal with Spotify. The former British royals, who walked away from that life, will make podcasts for an undisclosed amount. They also have a Netflix contract.
MacKenzie Scott, Jeff Bezos’s ex-wife, is giving away billions. She’s the world’s 18th richest person and has donated more than $4 billion to 380 charities during the pandemic.
Ant Group promised to shape up. In his first public comments since the Chinese fintech giant’s dual IPO was halted last month, chair Eric Jing said the company would be more “transparent and predictable.”
Singapore announced a global business travel bubble. The new rules are a test of the city-state’s ability to contain Covid when the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting shifts from Davos in May.
What to watch for
Is there a US tech stock bubble ready to burst? You know the stock market has gone bonkers when even CEOs are baffled by their companies’ soaring share prices.
“Tesla stock price is too high imo” —Elon Musk, CEO, Tesla
“I don’t know what else to say.” —Brian Chesky, CEO, Airbnb
“Everyone is entitled to their opinion.” —Tony Xu, CEO, DoorDash
“There are going to be many accidents.” —Larry Fink, CEO, BlackRock
By some important measures, US stocks are in territory we haven’t seen since the turn of the century, when the dot-com bubble popped. One of the stories investors are telling themselves is that stay-at-home orders because of the pandemic have accelerated the future of commerce. Still, as crazy as things are, there are some key differences between the pandemic-era tech rally, and the one in the late 1990s—DoorDash and Airbnb are legitimate businesses with actual cashflow, for one.
Charting South Africa’s carbon emissions
South Africa, which is often identified as Africa’s worst polluter, saw a 1.5% increase in carbon emissions last year, says a study published this month. Africa’s most advanced economy contributes about 33% of the continent’s steadily rising air pollution from fossil fuel combustion, oxidation, and cement production.
In spite of global campaigns for a shift away from high carbon emitting fossil fuels, South Africa has seen its stock of emissions rise from 2018 to 2019, according to a new report. But the Global Carbon Budget 2020 report wasn’t all bad news for Africa.
Vaccine timelines through the ages
1935: The polio vaccine took 20 years to develop.
1995: A chickenpox vaccine took even longer.
2000s: The SARS vaccine was projected to take two years.
Early 2020: Experts were hopeful for a working Covid-19 vaccine by early 2022.
Now, vaccines have been administered in Europe, and are making their way to medical professionals in the US. While the Covid-19 vaccine may represent the dawn of a new era in more ways than one, the brave new world of vaccines is set to resemble the old one in more than a few key ways. Breakthroughs may put us closer to vaccines for perennial dangers like tuberculosis and malaria, but the pharmaceutical industry will continue to take its time.
Further reading:
- Will mRNA vaccines change your DNA?
- How will the US track who’s getting a vaccine?
- How can vaccine rollouts stay equitable?
✦ For everything you need to know about Covid-19 vaccinations, and a whole lot of other stuff, try a Quartz membership free for seven days.
Surprising discoveries
Graffiti delayed the sale of a UK home. Banksy’s latest mural is sure to increase the value of the property.
Amazon will make you a custom-sized t-shirt. Virtual body doubles make sure you get the fit you want.
You can go drive-thru strawberry picking in Tokyo. Other strawberry-themed treats will also be for sale at the pop-up venue.
These noisy French frogs have lost their case. After nine years, a court has ordered the eviction of the 587 loudmouthed amphibians.
Hokusai’s “Great Wave” didn’t need to be recreated in Lego. Or did it?
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, quotes from baffled tech CEOs, and frogs in need of new homes to hi@qz.com. Get the most out of Quartz by downloading our iOS app and becoming a member. Today’s Daily Brief was brought to you by Hasit Shah, Tripti Lahiri, Alex Ossola, Jordan Lebeau, Liz Webber, and Susan Howson.