World Coronavirus Dispatch: Secret ingredients behind vaccine breakthrough

Classes for primary school levels 1 to 3 will be suspended from Nov. 23 for two weeks. The turn for the worse comes two days before the former British colony is due to launch an air travel bubble with fellow financial hub Singapore, in what is the world’s most comprehensive travel arrangement open to all residents. Read more here Specials The biggest unfounded coronavirus sensation The collaboration between two separate, but increasingly allied groups --- a small but active Chinese diaspora and the highly influential far right in the United States --- has created the biggest right-wing media sensation in recent times about Dr Li-Meng Yan, a researcher in Hong Kong, who peddled unsubstantiated claims to millions that the coronavirus was a bio-weapon manufactured by China. The initial cover-up of the outbreak by China has further fueled suspicion about the origins of the virus. A riveting account of how Dr Yan’s trajectory was carefully crafted by Guo Wengui, a fugitive Chinese billionaire, and Stephen K Bannon, a former adviser to Mr Trump. Read more here Secret ingredients behind vaccines breakthrough Both Moderna and Pfizer are using the same, but never-before-approved technology in their Covid vaccines to prevent infections. At the center of both shots is a thread of messenger ribonucleic acid or mRNA that produces virus-like protein cells. The immune system recognises and attack those bits and, in case of any actual infection, the response would be faster. Moderna’s vaccine uses 100 micrograms of RNA per dose, while Pfizer’s shot uses only 30 micrograms, which makes it easier to produce and less expensive. In both cases, the mRNA is encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles and cold storage is needed to keep the nanoparticles in good shape and to stop the mRNA degrading. Read more here Pandemic shifts parenting roles The pandemic has upended the child caring responsibilties, probably since World War II. As offices closed, and the shift to working from home became the normal, men are spending more number of hours with their children than ever before. This could lead to a permanent re-evaluation of the value of fatherhood and a shift in working patterns. Business leaders are forced to recognise the values of flexible working and realise both parents need to be empowered to juggle between work and family life. While women bore the brunt of extra childcare during the initial days of pandemic, the society has the changed the way it sees fatherhood towards the end of the year. Read more here Long read: Many Americans are becoming their own bosses While coronavirus has dismantled the job markets, it has also pushed people to come up with new ideas and products and services. The Covid-driven crash was different, many aren't waiting for jobs to return. More Americans are becoming their own bosses, setting up tiny businesses to work as traveling hair stylists, in-home personal trainers, boutique mask designers and chefs. This emerging group of entrepreneurs are blossoming despite the challenges in starting new business, including a lack of access to employer-provided health insurance, workers’ compensation, paid sick leave and eligibility for unemployment insurance. Read more here