Forbes - A Billionaire’s Covid Bet

Plus: CDC revises Covid-19 testing guidance after backlash this week

Colleges and universities around the country are still struggling with how to balance holding in-person classes with keeping students and teachers safe during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Universities of North and South Carolina are the most recent schools to change course after outbreaks threatened the fall semester. While the University of North Carolina has already shut its dorms and moved all undergraduate classes online, the University of South Carolina is still weighing its options, though staff are reportedly developing different shutdown scenarios. In New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today that if a school has 100 Covid-19 cases, or an outbreak equal to 5% of the campus population, that school must shut down for two weeks while an evaluation takes place. In New York City, Columbia University has already made the decision to host all undergraduate classes remotely.

BUSINESS

Yesterday, a $5 rapid Covid-19 test from Abbott Labs got emergency FDA authorization. This could help fill in some of the gaps in America’s slow testing. 

Covid-19 contract tracing software created by Google and Apple may have a major flaw that could impact the election, experts say.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says Democrats are “not budging” during negotiations for a second stimulus package until the White House adds more money.

SCIENCE & HEALTH

Here’s why mouthwash might be a simple and cheap way to help reduce the spread of Covid-19. 

Using the math of pooled testing could help increase America’s Covid-19 testing capacity.

ON THE UPSIDE

Combating Social Isolation: Two design experts explain how healthcare facilities can make creative use of their spaces to reduce the social isolation felt by healthcare workers and patients.