To Control COVID, Biden Needs to Marshal Federal Resources—and Change Attitudes

Trouble viewing? View in your browser.
View all Scientific American publications.
    
December 08, 2020

Dear Reader,

The U.S. has entered a dire phase of the pandemic as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations hit record highs and deaths have topped 280,000—the highest total in the world. For today's lead story, health and biology editor Tanya Lewis explains a few highly effective measures that President-elect Joe Biden can take to contain COVID. In related news, a psychologist with expertise in memory has developed a way for people who have been exposed to COVID-19 to effectively trace their recent contacts on their own. And lastly, we cannot forget another global health crisis. Climate and public health researcher Ploy Achakulwisut writes about the parallels between the novel coronavirus and fossil fuels.

Sunya Bhutta, Senior Editor, Audience Engagement
@sunyaaa

Policy & Ethics

To Control COVID, Biden Needs to Marshal Federal Resources—and Change Attitudes

The incoming U.S. president must help skeptics see benefits in masks and persuade Congress to spend more money on testing and protective gear

By Tanya Lewis

Space

Asteroid Dust from Hayabusa2 Could Solve a Mystery of Planet Creation

The enigmatic origins of chondrules—tiny inclusions in most meteorites—may be revealed at last, thanks in part to pristine material returned to Earth from asteroid Ryugu

By Jonathan O'Callaghan

Public Health

The U.S. Risks Locking In a Climate Health Crisis in Response to COVID

So far, the bulk of energy-related economic relief has gone to the fossil fuel industry

By Ploy Achakulwisut

Policy & Ethics

Biden's Health and Human Services Nominee Has Political Skill but No Frontline Health Experience

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra has never held a position in public health administration, but he has led dozens of lawsuits to protect the Affordable Care Act and health rights

By Rachana Pradhan,Angela Hart,Julie Rovner,Jenny Gold,Kaiser Health News

Public Health

New DIY Contact Tracing App Is Based on the Science of Memory

It uses words and photos to remind you of where you've been and whom you've seen

By Jacqueline R. Evans,Christian Meissner,Deborah Goldfarb,Ian Jason Lee,The Conversation US

Policy & Ethics

Acknowledging Reality Is an Excellent Way to Function within It

Castles in the air are not for habitation

By Steve Mirsky

Neuroscience

Does the Nose Talk to the Womb?

Research suggests that the course of a pregnancy may be shaped by a man's odor

By Jason Castro
FROM THE STORE

Scientific American Print & Full Archive

For $99 per year, your Print & Full Archive subscription includes 12 print and digital issues with full digital archive access back to 1845 and Android and iOS app access.

Buy Now

ADVERTISEMENT

LATEST ISSUES

Questions?   Comments?

Send Us Your Feedback
Download the Scientific American App
Download on the App Store
Download on Google Play

To view this email as a web page, go here.

You received this email because you opted-in to receive email from Scientific American.

To ensure delivery please add news@email.scientificamerican.com to your address book.

Unsubscribe     Manage Email Preferences     Privacy Policy     Contact Us

Comments

Popular Posts