The coronavirus crisis is unique. Addressing it will require new ideas, new perspectives, and new voices. That’s our mission at Freethink.
In our daily “Coronavirus Roundup,” we’re highlighting the most important stories from the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19. Stories that inform, challenge, and inspire.
Here are our must reads for today, March 24, 2020.
1. How the Virus Got Out
In the span of just a few months, the novel coronavirus has infected more than 370,000 people. This visuals-heavy New York Times story illustrates why travel restrictions weren’t enough to stop the virus from spreading — highlighting the mistakes we’ll need to learn from to avoid similar pandemics in the future.
2. Navy Hospital Ship Deployed to L.A. to Help Non-Coronavirus Patients
A new Los Angeles Times article details several recent coronavirus response efforts, including the Navy’s deployment of its San Diego-based hospital ship Mercy up the coast to Los Angeles. There, it’ll treat patients who don’t have the coronavirus, freeing LA-based hospitals to focus more resources on the outbreak.
3. Help Wanted: Grocery Stores, Pizza Chains, and Amazon Are Hiring
The coronavirus outbreak has forced massive layoffs across the U.S. and beyond. At the same time, it’s left grocery stores, pharmacies, and food delivery services scrambling to meet increased demand. This New York Times story rounds up all the companies that need new employees, stat.
4. Coronavirus: South Korea Reports Lowest Number of New Cases in Four Weeks
Outside of China, no Asian nation has been hit harder by the coronavirus outbreak than South Korea. A new BBC article explains why the worst may now be behind the country — and what it’ll need to do to avoid backsliding.
5. Flu Drug May Be an Effective New Coronavirus Treatment
After conducting a pair of clinical trials, Chinese health officials concluded that the Japanese flu drug favipiravir is a safe and effective coronavirus treatment. Freethink digs into what it could mean for the COVID-19 outbreak if they’re right — and why some health experts don’t believe they are.
