Forbes - Time To Double Down

Plus: Deutsche Bank analysts propose a work-from-home tax

Yesterday, as new cases of Covid-19 continue to surge across the country, America recorded its deadliest day in the pandemic since August with 1,421 deaths reported due to Covid-19. And while this is certainly a cause for concern, there is also a ray of optimism: vaccine trials are continuing to chug along, and several recently or will soon announce late-stage clinical trial results. Dr. Anthony Fauci of the NIAID said yesterday that he expects Moderna’s mRNA vaccine to have a similar level of efficacy to Pfizer’s vaccine, which was found to be about 90% effective in preventing Covid-19. While that’s great news, we’re not nearly out of the woods yet. Fauci also said that we need to double down on public health measures now more than ever to prevent thousands of more people from dying before the vaccine is ready.

Business

The White House will step back from stimulus talks, another hint that there likely won’t be a Covid-19 aid bill while President Trump is in office. 

Another 709,000 people filed for unemployment last week-- slightly less than the week before, but still many more than before the pandemic. 

Many hospitals that are struggling financially due to Covid-19 have been consolidating -- but that might not be a good business decision.

Science & Health

A new study found that fear of Covid-19 may be making cancer survivors less likely to enroll in clinical trials. 

Researchers have confirmed that Black and Asian people are more likely to catch Covid-19 in the U.S. and the U.K. than white people, leading to increased health disparities during the pandemic. 

On The Upside

Nature On My Mind: A new survey confirms that being in nature can be good for mental health, especially depression and anxiety.