WHO Says Coronavirus is Not Yet a Pandemic, But Urges Countries to Prepare

February 25, 2020

WHO Says Coronavirus is Not Yet a Pandemic, But Urges Countries to Prepare

View all Scientific American publications.

February 25, 2020

Dear Reader,

The World Health Organization said the coronavirus outbreak that has swept from China to a number of countries in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe is not yet a pandemic. It still urged nations to prepare for its arrival on the assumption that a declaration may come. To date outside of China, 28 countries have reported 2,074 cases and 23 deaths. China has reported 77,362 cases and 2,618 deaths.

In a report published yesterday, national security experts in the U.S. urged the elimination of all greenhouse gas emissions. The report warns of international catastrophe if the global temperatures continue to rise on their current trajectory. And in our last story today, researchers studying auditory processing found that instead of impairing hearing, a background of white noise made it easier for mice to differentiate between similar tones.

Sunya Bhutta, Senior Editor, Audience Engagement
@sunyaaa

Public Health

WHO Says Coronavirus is Not Yet a Pandemic, But Urges Countries to Prepare

The Director-General said nations should aim to protect groups at highest risk, including health care workers and the elderly

By Helen Branswell,STAT

Environment

National Security Experts Call for Eliminating Greenhouse Gas Emissions

To avoid disruptions that could lead to conflict and displacement, the world must rapidly reach net-zero emissions, a new report says

By Thomas Frank,E&E News

Policy & Ethics

Hubble Telescope Test Inspires Changes at NASA to Combat Gender Bias

The space agency's adoption of dual-anonymous review for certain science programs seeks to ensure proposals are judged on merit alone

By Meghan Bartels,SPACE.com

Biology

Thoroughbred Horses Are Increasingly Inbred

Inbreeding in Thoroughbreds has increased significantly in the last 45 years, with the greatest rise in the last 15 or so years.

By Eliene Augenbraun | 02:44

Neuroscience

White Noise Helps Mice Distinguish Similar Tones

Understanding a surprising effect may eventually improve human hearing

By Jillian Kramer

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