Forbes - The Whistleblower

Plus: UK records highest COVID-19 deaths in Europe.

This afternoon Rick Bright, former head of the federal government’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), released a bombshell whistleblower complaint with allegations of corruption and cronyism that impacted America’s coronavirus response. Among other allegations, he claims that government contracts for coronavirus drugs and supplies were given to companies with ties to the White House, and his protests were repeatedly ignored until he was fired. Read more details below.

Business

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is the latest politician who says Americans should go back to work, despite high coronavirus deaths.

Abbott Labs has shipped 1.4 million coronavirus tests around the country, the company announced.

It’s been a bad year for cruise ships, the hotspots of several COVID-19 outbreaks; Norwegian Cruise Line stock recently dropped 20%.

Missing your latte? Starbucks says it will reopen the majority of its stores, with safety precautions, by the end of the week.

Science & Health

Pfizer, along with German company BioNTech, launched its first U.S. human trial of multiple coronavirus vaccine candidates.

COVID-19 has come with a host of strange symptoms; the latest is a link to Kawasaki Disease, a rare illness in children.

Why do people bring guns to coronavirus protests? Psychology research shows that it hinges on one thing: fear.

On the Upside

Nike is donating more than 32,000 shoes to healthcare workers, specifically designed for long shifts that are hard on feet.