
The Most Worrying Mutations in Five Emerging Coronavirus Variants
Here is a guide to novel versions of the COVID-causing virus—and genetic changes that can make them more contagious and evasive in the body
Here is a guide to novel versions of the COVID-causing virus—and genetic changes that can make them more contagious and evasive in the body
Readers write in about their ancestors’ experiences during the 1918 flu
There are times when critically ill patients must wait for beds, and some facilities have contingency plans to limit scarce supplies to certain patients
Emergency physician Leana Wen says we must balance prioritizing those who most “deserve” a vaccine with getting people vaccinated quickly
Using pictures to convey the pandemic’s harsh reality is a communication strategy that requires nuance and empathy
Pandemic highlights for the week
It will not be an easy task
The virus induces neurological symptoms that persist long after the pandemic ends
In 16 states that have released data by race, white residents are being vaccinated at much higher rates—in many cases two to three times higher
After Pfizer and Moderna, a slew of other candidates could fill gaps in efficacy, production or distribution
Boosting indoor humidity in winter can hinder transmission of the virus
Lessons from other viruses show that even if vaccines don’t completely stop disease spread, they can still successfully contain it
Here are pandemic highlights for the week
With a vaccine in limited availability, many still need medicines to keep the virus at bay
Scientists are debating whether to delay, skip or halve doses. But untested tweaks could shake public confidence
This winter the novel coronavirus may kill more people than heart disease, cancer, stroke, Alzheimer’s or diabetes
Researchers race to determine why variants identified in Britain and South Africa spread so quickly and whether they’ll compromise vaccines
Social science offers valuable lessons about ways to convince those who are hesitant about the shots
Gonzalo Moratorio assists his country in steering a more adept response than that mounted in Argentina and Brazil
Companies are scrambling to obtain supplies for hundreds of millions of doses of a type of vaccine that has never been made at this scale before
Support science journalism.
Thanks for reading Scientific American. Knowledge awaits.
Already a subscriber? Sign in.
Thanks for reading Scientific American. Create your free account or Sign in to continue.
Create Account