Friday, May 7th, 2021
Real Death Toll?, Space Debris to Hit Earth & No Pants Day
All the news you need in around 10 min:
This episode is brought to you by Noom.com/newsworthy and LightStream.com/newsworthy
Story Summaries
All the news stories mentioned in today's episode are listed with links below, so you can spend as much -- or as little -- time as you want reading the latest happenings...
Study Estimates Real Covid Death Toll
It looks like COVID-19 may have been twice as deadly as we thought. That’s according to the highly influential Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington. Scientists there looked at death rates from the last 14 months and compared that to what’s typical in a non-pandemic year. Then, they adjusted the numbers for a handful of other factors. They found the worldwide COVID-19 death toll is likely double the official count. The study suggests nearly seven million people died from the virus worldwide. About 905,000 of them were here in the U.S.
Read More: Stat News, NPR, Seattle Times, Full Study
Moderna Adolescents Vaccine Data
Moderna is the latest vaccine maker to say early data shows its shots proved to be highly effective in children 12 and older. Specifically, the company says in its latest trial that included more than 3,000 adolescent volunteers, its vaccine was 96% effective and there were no serious safety concerns that popped up. Already, Pfizer has reported its COVID-19 vaccine was 100% effective in a similar age group. For that one, the FDA is expected to give the green light next week.
Read More: CNBC, CBS News, USA Today, Moderna
Idaho Middle School Shooting
A school shooting happened in the small town of Rigby, Idaho. Authorities say a sixth-grade girl brought a gun to her middle school. She pulled it out of her backpack and opened fire several times in a hallway. She shot two students and a custodian before a teacher was able to get the gun away from her. Law enforcement officials took her into custody. They’re now trying to figure out why she did what she did and where she got the gun. The kids who were shot are still in the hospital this morning, but they’re said to be doing okay. The custodian was treated and allowed to go home already.
Read More: AP, CNN, NBC News, Reuters
Rocket Part Falling Toward Earth
Part of a large Chinese rocket is hurtling back to Earth and it’s expected to crash sometime tomorrow. It’s said to be ten stories high. The Pentagon says it’s keeping an eye on it, but that at this point, it’s almost impossible to know exactly where it’s going to hit. However, at least one group says we probably don’t need to worry. The nonprofit Aerospace Corp thinks the debris will likely hit the Pacific Ocean. Other experts have also said there’s almost no risk of anyone getting hurt or of it causing much damage since so much of our Earth is covered in water.
Read More: USA Today, WaPo, NY Times, Defense.Gov
Could Bees Be Used to Detect COVID-19?
Scientists in the Netherlands have trained bees to identify the scent of COVID-19. Researchers say they let honeybees smell sample infections in a lab, then gave them sugar water as a treat. However, when the bees smelled samples without the virus, they got nothing. The team says the bees eventually learned to stick out their tongues as soon as they smelled an infected sample, identifying a COVID-19 case within seconds. For now, though, most people are sticking with more traditional ways of diagnosing people.
Read More: Business Insider, Reuters, Wageningen University
Vax Live Concert is Saturday
This weekend, world leaders and top performers are coming together for a global concert special called ‘Vax Live: The Concert to Reunite the World.’ Demi Lovato is hosting. It also includes performances by Jennifer Lopez, the Foo Fighters, Eddie Vedder, and others. The special will also include messages from other celebrities, presidents, prime ministers, and popes. Organizers are hoping it inspires people to get vaccinated against COVID-19. They also want to raise money to help supply vaccines to poorer countries still struggling to get them. It airs tomorrow night on several networks like ABC, CBS, and FOX.
Read More: Variety, ABC7, Global Citizen, EW, Yahoo
‘See Us Unite’ Campaign
You might start seeing more content on social media meant to fight anti-Asian bias. There’s a new online campaign called ‘See Us Unite.’ The new Asian American Foundation is behind it along with a lot of big-name Asian American celebrities like actor Daniel Dae Kim, musician H.E.R., Olympic skater Michelle Kwan, and a lot more. Videos online show them sharing stories of hate and explaining how people can be an ally for Asian Americans like them. Organizers also want to raise money that will go toward community organizing, education, and support for the AAPI community.
Read More: Axios, CBS News, Deadline, Asian American Foundation, CSUSB
Twitter Testing a Tip Jar
It’s now possible to make money directly from tweeting. Twitter is testing a new feature called Tip Jar. It lets Twitter users accept money from their followers. You can give by clicking the dollar sign icon next to the follow button on a user’s profile page. For now, anyone using Twitter on an app can send money. However, you can’t get the money if you’re not already part of the initial test group. Twitter says more is coming soon.
Read More: The Verge, TechCrunch, Mashable, Twitter,
Video Game Hall of Fame Inductees
Four new games were just added to the World Video Game Hall of Fame. They are Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?, Microsoft Flight Simulator, Starcraft, and Animal Crossing. The games were honored for their influence on popular culture and the video game industry. Anyone can nominate a game for the Hall of Fame, but the final decision is voted on by historians and journalists. A recent OnePoll survey found more than 70% of Americans developed a video game habit during the pandemic.
Read More: AP, Engadget, Video Game HOF, People, USA Today
Americans’ Mother’s Day Spending
This Sunday is Mother’s Day and Americans are expected to spend big on mom this year. The National Retail Federation says Mother’s Day spending is expected to top $28 billion overall. That’s the highest amount in 12 years. Per person, that breaks down to more than $200 on average. Most people are spending that money on flowers, cards, or taking mom somewhere fun. To all the moms out there, we wish you a happy Mother’s Day!
Read More: Fox Business, Today, NRF, Census
Ideas for Last-Minute Gifts: CNN, NY Post, Wired
Feel Good Friday: Comic’s “No Pants Day” For a Cause
If you read a comic strip today, you may notice something different. A lot of the characters aren’t wearing pants. It’s happening in honor of No Pants Day. The quirky holiday is believed to have started in the 1980s at the University of Texas as a prank. Ever since it’s been held every year on the first Friday in May. This year, more than 25 cartoonists from competing publications decided to come together and embrace it. They’re stripping their cartoons down to their underwear to draw attention to the need for clothing donations. Some of them will ask readers to donate, others will just wish readers a happy No Pants Day.
Read More: AP, ScreenRant