Moderna applies for Covid-19 vaccine approval

Plus: Expert: 30% of Americans may have had Covid-19 by year’s end

Today brought more encouraging news about Covid-19 vaccines: Moderna announced that it has submitted its Covid-19 vaccine for FDA emergency approval, a little more than a week after Pfizer submitted its similar mRNA vaccine to the agency for review. Though it’s too early to know how effective either of these vaccines will be long-term, the early clinical data is promising and both companies already have millions of doses ready to be distributed upon approval. 

This good news is coming just in time, as the U.S. continues to experience a massive surge of Covid-19 cases. Even states that have handled the pandemic well so far, including New York and California, are beginning to put new restrictions in place to prevent the spread of the disease. All of this is only complicated by last week’s Thanksgiving holiday, which could cause a spike in cases in the coming weeks. 

Business

There are only two weeks until the government shutdown deadline of December 11th, and Congress has still not come to an agreement about a new coronavirus aid package. 

The Government Accountability Office released a report today saying that some unemployed people were underpaid by federal assistance programs during the pandemic. 

Science & Health

People recovering from Covid-19 may have cognitive impacts; here’s what parents need to know about the brains of kids who get the virus. 

mRNA vaccines, like the ones made by Moderna and Pfizer, are very effective but have one major flaw: storage temperature.  

A mink farm in Oregon has reported an outbreak of Covid-19, the latest in a series of mink-related outbreaks around the world. 

The World Health Organization says that the Covid-19 pandemic, along with other factors, has stalled the progress of the fight against malaria in some African countries. .

On The Upside

Being Vulnerable: One nurse’s experience shows that being vulnerable with patients can help bridge the gap in Covid-19 misinformation.