Forbes - J & J Vaccine: What You Need To Know

Plus: New Covid-19 variant spreading in NYC

More than 2.5 million people worldwide have died from the Covid-19 pandemic, according to data released today. But the number of cases is continuing to fall, both globally and in the U.S. A new report today showed that new Covid-19 cases in nursing homes have fallen by 80% since vaccinations began in late December. And while it seems that new variants are being discovered every day, vaccine makers are working to quickly adapt. Yesterday, Moderna announced that it had created a booster vaccine specifically targeted to the 501Y.V2 variant that was first discovered in South Africa. And in more exciting vaccine news, a third Covid-19 vaccine from Johnson & Johnson could be authorized for use in the U.S. as soon as this weekend.

Business

New unemployment claims dropped to 730,000 last week, significantly lower than the week before. 

Some cities in California are giving grocery workers “hero pay” during the pandemic, despite protests from their employers.

Science & Health

Should you still get vaccinated if you already had Covid-19? Experts say yes. 

A Covid-19 research lab at Oxford was hacked by a crew that has allegedly sold data to governments. 

Vaccine diplomacy, where countries help each other out with purchasing Covid-19 vaccines, has become a new part of international relations.

What Else We Are Reading

• We'll Probably Never Eliminate COVID-19 from the U.S. It's Still Worth Trying (TIME)

• Covid-19 Cases Are Dropping. What Comes Next? (Elemental)

• Covid Vaccine Websites Violate Disability Laws, Create Inequity for the Blind (Kaiser Health News)