Cool Stuff Daily

The CDC updates their guidelines on the spread of the virus via surfaces. Is it safe to go swimming? How much of an effect does population density have on the spread of the disease? Plus, throwing cold water on that “NASA discovers a parallel universe” story. Some tips to improve your walking. And the most heartwarming YouTube channel to go viral in a long time. Links: Coronavirus 'does not spread...

U.S. states are all reopening in some fashion this week. How AI-powered biotech can speed up the vaccine development process. And COVID-19 patients are running their own surveys to show the true effects of the disease. Plus, a livestream from Stonehenge. Chuck E. Cheese’s new front. And a British man who has turned one hundred, gotten a book deal, topped the music charts, and been knighted all in...

Testing is expanding in the US, but people aren’t showing up. More findings on people who test positive again after recovering. And "bumper tables" for social distancing. Plus, debunking misconceptions about the 1918 flu pandemic, why we might be seeing an animation renaissance, and is Etsy the new Grubhub? Links: Initial surge in news use around coronavirus in the UK has been followed by signific...

Promising results from the Moderna vaccine trials. Brazil’s cases are mounting. How much of a difference it makes when everyone wears a mask. Plus, why you might be having trouble replying to texts recently, how climate change played a role in the evolution of rice, and the hottest new sport in town: marble racing. Links: State-by-state hospitalization rates (Scott Gottlieb, Twitter) Coalition of...

How far can respiratory droplets fall when we speak? What would a public health plan targeted towards the elderly look like? Some advice on combatting COVID-19 symptoms from someone in recovery. Plus, have birds gotten louder recently? Why did Michael Jordan agree to star in Space Jam? And a site to help you discover new-to-you music on Spotify. Links: Experiment shows human speech generates dropl...

Mental health concerns for children as the pandemic goes on. The seven things we can be doing to beat COVID-19 and save the economy. How our changed behavior has confused the algorithms. Why humans freak out when they get lost, and a new interactive Netflix special to enjoy while you stay home this weekend. Links: Coronavirus suppression: Expert recommendations to beat Covid-19 (Vox) Netflix’s fir...

Los Angeles is considering extending their lockdown for three more months while other places begin reopening. A practical guide to avoiding COVID-19 risks. What the loss of smell and other neurological symptoms might mean for the relationship between coronavirus and the nervous system. Plus, a new online simulator from SpaceX, how to make cold brew in a french press, a comet to look out for tonigh...

Many countries around the world take cautious steps toward reopening, but spikes of new daily cases are still popping up. Should people with mild cases of coronavirus be allowed to isolate at home? Why the passage of time feels so disorienting right now. And why Clorox wipes are still so tough to find. Plus,  and the gene that causes South African bees to have “virgin births.” Links: Coronavirus t...

Numbers are looking relatively promising in a lot of places, but one incident has jeopardized South Korea. The FDA has approved the first antigen test, and what’s the difference between that and an antibody test? Why might a vaccine take so long to develop? Plus, the internet shares their favorite memories of Little Richard, how to cook murder hornets, using nanospacecraft to locate black holes, a...