(image) WIRED Coronavirus Update Logo 04.21.21 J&J resumes its EU rollout, an FDA inspection finds issues at a Baltimore plant, and the situation in India continues to worsen. Here’s what you should know: Headlines Johnson & Johnson rollout resumes in the EU with a new safety warning On Tuesday, Johnson & Johnson announced that it will resume vaccine rollout in the EU after the region’s health regulator determined that the benefits of the shot are greater than the risk of rare blood clots. The drugmaker will add a new label with warnings about the risk of clots and steps for recognizing and treating them. The shot’s EU rollout was delayed after use of the vaccine was paused in the US. Stateside, an advisory committee is meeting to discuss resuming use of the shot on Friday. An FDA inspection finds that the Baltimore plant that ruined J&J shots was unsanitary An FDA inspection found a number of issues at the Baltimore plant that ruined up to 15 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine several weeks ago. In the resulting report, inspectors noted that Emergent BioSolutions, which runs the plant, hadn’t trained personnel involved in manufacturing, didn’t maintain sanitary conditions at the facility, and didn’t follow proper procedures for preventing contamination. The FDA already asked the company to halt vaccine production earlier this month, and it won’t resume until these problems are resolved. And none of the shots made at the plant were distributed in the US. An accident at a Covid hospital in India kills 22 as cases surge across the country The pandemic in India continues to grow more dire and the country’s health care system is struggling to withstand the surge. Many facilities are facing critical oxygen shortages, and earlier today, a leak in the main oxygen tank at a hospital in the western state of Maharashtra stopped the flow of oxygen to dozens and killed more than 20 people. The country reported nearly 300,000 new cases today, and states and cities are starting to issue their own lockdowns in the absence of a national mandate. Daily Distraction Experts used to think our personalities were immutable. These days, the prevailing wisdom is that anyone can change—and this app might be able to help. Something to Read McDonald's ice cream machines are out of order so regularly that it's become a full-blown meme. But when one couple hatched a plan to make them break less, they found themselves tangled up in an escalating conflict with the fast-food giant. Sanity Check Anyone can do their part to help the planet. Here are a few of our favorite items for staying sustainable and stylish. One Question Is it possible to plan a virtual work hang that’s actually fun? It’s no secret that Zoom happy hour is a lackluster substitute for drinks at the nearest dive bar. Structured fun—Jeopardy, a cooking class—is probably the best option, especially if you have a smaller office. But even then, meeting online will never be as fun as the real deal. WIRED’s tip? Try a weekend park gathering. Covid-19 Care Package 📦 The Covid-19 virus can linger on objects for as little as a few hours or as long as a couple of days, depending on the surface. Here's a look at the research. 😷 If you're planning to go out in public anytime soon, you're going to need a mask. Here are the best ones you can buy, or how to make one at home. 💉 The data is in, and the vaccines are working. Here's how to get an appointment in your area. 💻 Whether or not you're a work-from-home pro, here's how to stay productive without losing your mind. 😔 It's hard not to be anxious about a global pandemic, but here's how you can protect yourself and your family without spiraling and how to not hate the loved ones you're quarantined with. ✂️ It may still be a while before you can see your hairstylist, so here's how to cut your hair at home, plus other ways to keep yourself lookin' fresh. 🦠 Read all of our coronavirus coverage here.

 

04.21.21

 

J&J resumes its EU rollout, an FDA inspection finds issues at a Baltimore plant, and the situation in India continues to worsen. Here’s what you should know: Headlines Johnson & Johnson rollout resumes in the EU with a new safety warning On Tuesday, Johnson & Johnson announced that it will resume vaccine rollout in the EU after the region’s health regulator determined that the benefits of the shot are greater than the risk of rare blood clots. The drugmaker will add a new label with warnings about the risk of clots and steps for recognizing and treating them. The shot’s EU rollout was delayed after use of the vaccine was paused in the US. Stateside, an advisory committee is meeting to discuss resuming use of the shot on Friday. An FDA inspection finds that the Baltimore plant that ruined J&J shots was unsanitary An FDA inspection found a number of issues at the Baltimore plant that ruined up to 15 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine several weeks ago. In the resulting report, inspectors noted that Emergent BioSolutions, which runs the plant, hadn’t trained personnel involved in manufacturing, didn’t maintain sanitary conditions at the facility, and didn’t follow proper procedures for preventing contamination. The FDA already asked the company to halt vaccine production earlier this month, and it won’t resume until these problems are resolved. And none of the shots made at the plant were distributed in the US. An accident at a Covid hospital in India kills 22 as cases surge across the country The pandemic in India continues to grow more dire and the country’s health care system is struggling to withstand the surge. Many facilities are facing critical oxygen shortages, and earlier today, a leak in the main oxygen tank at a hospital in the western state of Maharashtra stopped the flow of oxygen to dozens and killed more than 20 people. The country reported nearly 300,000 new cases today, and states and cities are starting to issue their own lockdowns in the absence of a national mandate. Daily Distraction Experts used to think our personalities were immutable. These days, the prevailing wisdom is that anyone can change—and this app might be able to help. Something to Read McDonald's ice cream machines are out of order so regularly that it's become a full-blown meme. But when one couple hatched a plan to make them break less, they found themselves tangled up in an escalating conflict with the fast-food giant. Sanity Check Anyone can do their part to help the planet. Here are a few of our favorite items for staying sustainable and stylish. One Question Is it possible to plan a virtual work hang that’s actually fun? It’s no secret that Zoom happy hour is a lackluster substitute for drinks at the nearest dive bar. Structured fun—Jeopardy, a cooking class—is probably the best option, especially if you have a smaller office. But even then, meeting online will never be as fun as the real deal. WIRED’s tip? Try a weekend park gathering. Covid-19 Care Package 📦 The Covid-19 virus can linger on objects for as little as a few hours or as long as a couple of days, depending on the surface. Here's a look at the research. 😷 If you're planning to go out in public anytime soon, you're going to need a mask. Here are the best ones you can buy, or how to make one at home. 💉 The data is in, and the vaccines are working. Here's how to get an appointment in your area. 💻 Whether or not you're a work-from-home pro, here's how to stay productive without losing your mind. 😔 It's hard not to be anxious about a global pandemic, but here's how you can protect yourself and your family without spiraling and how to not hate the loved ones you're quarantined with. ✂️ It may still be a while before you can see your hairstylist, so here's how to cut your hair at home, plus other ways to keep yourself lookin' fresh. 🦠 Read all of our coronavirus coverage here.