The pandemic has made many of us acutely aware of the daily risks we need to take. The ancient Greeks often did not leave risky choices up to individuals alone.
Michael Plank, University of Canterbury and Shaun Hendy, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
A new study argues for selective border relaxations. But with COVID-19 more prevalent now than at almost any point in the past, the risk would be substantial.
The new SARS-CoV-2 variant’s increased transmissibility is believed to come from a change in the spike protein, visible here in yellow under an electron microscope.
National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases
The new SARS-CoV-2 variant is already spreading in the US and could be dominant by March, the CDC warns. Here’s what that means for the masks you choose and how you practice social distancing.
Good communication and factoring in human behaviours can prevent people from dismissing the risk of the coronavirus.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, hugging another guest, along with Kellyanne Conway (left) and Notre Dame University President Rev. John Jenkins (right) tested positive for COVID-19.
The Washington Post via Getty Images
Many great innovators have personality traits in common. Comfort with uncertainty is critical, but passion, curiosity and a number of other learnable skills can prime you for an innovate idea.
Wildfire smoke creates an orange glow over San Francisco, Sept. 9, 2020.
Burak Arik/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Using random testing, researchers in Indiana were able to calculate death rates by age, race, and sex and found sharp increases in risk of death among older and non-white state residents.
There’s a faster way to complete vaccine trials, but is it ethical?
Skaman306/Moment via Getty Images
Challenge trials – purposefully exposing volunteers to the coronavirus – could speed up the development of a vaccine. But there are serious ethical concerns with this approach.
Masks are a crucial tool for stopping the pandemic – but don’t let them give you a false sense of security.
Patricia J. Garcinuno/Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images Europe
Policies meant to improve public health – like mandatory face masks during the coronavirus pandemic – need to take into account how people might adjust other behaviors in response.
With regular music festivals, people can more easily seek help or advice about drug and alcohol or mental health issues. But with drive-ins we need to be creative to minimise harms.
Sean Donahue, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
A global pandemic might be at the forefront of everyone’s minds. But we can’t assume that future threats will get the attention they deserve from people living in an information-saturated world.
The last thing adolescents want is to be trapped at home alone, by order of their parents.
Roos Koole/Moment via Getty Images
Together the social and emotional ‘jobs’ of adolescence – developing intimate friendships and achieving autonomy – make teens uniquely resistant to calls for social distancing.
Who should get the groceries?
Alex Potemkin/iStock / Getty Images Plus
In these times of fear and uncertainty, many of us face daily decisions regarding the right thing to do. An ethicist offers guidance on how to think through them.