Coronavirus Update: Hong Kong delays elections, the US strikes a massive vaccine deal, and more

PLUS: The Covid-19 headlines you need to know, a distraction, and something to read. View this email in your browser  |  Manage newsletter subscriptions 07.31.20 This is a special edition of our Coronavirus Update newsletter. To receive this email every weekday, sign up here.   Hong Kong delays elections, the US spends billions on a vaccine deal, and experts look at the impacts of air-conditioning. Here's what you should know: Headlines Hong Kong delays elections for a year, citing coronavirus The day after President Trump suggested the US election should potentially be delayed, Hong Kong actually made the move to delay its election by a year citing coronavirus concerns. Critics aren't buying it though, and decry the move as part of larger trend of China curbing Hong Kong's autonomy. Biggest coronavirus vaccine deal yet: $2.1 billion to Sanofi/GSK for up to 100 million doses The US government has struck a $2.1 billion deal with French pharmaceutical company Sanofi and Great Britain's GlaxoSmithKline to produce 100 million doses of an experimental coronavirus vaccine. The Trump administration has now spent more than $8 billion on experimental coronavirus vaccines as part of its Operation Warp Speed. As temperatures rise with coronavirus cases, experts eye impact of air-conditioning A growing body of research suggests that spaces that lack ventilation and new air may be helping spread the deadly coronavirus—which could explain why summer's heat hasn't slowed the spread like some had hoped. Experts say you should avoid air-conditioned areas that aren't bringing in outside air when you can. Daily Distraction Amazon Prime membership is famous for its free two-day shipping, but here are 13 other perks you might not know about. Something to Read There are a lot of strange ways to procreate in the animal kingdom, but perhaps none are stranger than that of the anglerfish, which deletes its own immune system in order to permanently connect to its partner for life. Sanity Check You may have heard about deepfake videos and audio, but deepfake text may be the most malicious of all. One Question Is Covid-19 actually airborne? Novel coronavirus particles are thought to be carried via microscopic moisture droplets, in a cough or sneeze, for example. These are not airborne in the traditional sense, as they are believed to fall to the ground after a short distance. Still, scientists do not fully understand all the ways the virus is transmitted, so the exact distance the virus can be transmitted through the air is unknown. Health officials still recommend wearing a mask in public settings and staying at least 6 feet apart from others. Covid-19 Care Package ❓ From social distancing to viral spread to staying sane, here's everything we know and advise about the coronavirus. 📦 The Covid-19 virus can linger on objects for as little as a few hours or as long as a couple days, depending on the surface. Here's the research. 😷 If you're planning on going out in public anytime soon, you're going to need a mask. Here are the best ones you can buy, or how to make one at home. 🧼 It's not just your hands that need washing—your gadgets, clothes, and home need it too. Here's how to properly disinfect your stuff. 💻 Some of you are work-from-home pros, but if you're new to it, here's how to stay productive without losing your mind. 😔 It's hard not to be anxious about a global pandemic, but here's how you can protect yourself and your family without spiraling, and how to not hate the loved ones you're quarantined with. ✂️ It may still be a while before you can see your hairstylist, so here's how to cut your hair at home, plus other ways to keep yourself lookin' fresh. 🦠 Read all of our coronavirus coverage here. The Anglerfish Deleted Its Immune System to Fuse With Its Mate Underwater "sexual parasitism" between male and female allows two bodies to become one. Now we know the reason why. 13 Amazon Prime Perks You Might Not Be Using Your membership gets you more than free two-day shipping. Here's what you may be missing. How to DIY Your Own Hand Sanitizer No Purell? No problem! When disinfecting gel sells out everywhere, you can just make some yourself with stuff you (maybe) already have at home. The Pandemic Put Amazon in a Prime Position This week, we list the Amazon Prime benefits you don't know about, and tell you how to take advantage of them while you shelter in place.     This e-mail was sent to you by WIRED. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our e-mail address, wired@newsletters.wired.com, to your address book.   View our Privacy Policy Unsubscribe or Manage your newsletter subscriptions