Vaccines!

I’m ready to get back to normal. I’m sure we all are. The new vaccines that are coming are giving me hope that maybe, just maybe, next summer might be somewhat normal.

There are two vaccines announcements. My understanding is that the first one from Pfizer requires “cold storage” which means they have to be transferred and stored in -80 celsius containers. It also means that this solution is never going to work for developed nations. Only places like the US can even attempt to distribute these.

Adam Tooze @adam_tooze

UPS and DHL are building football field-sized ‘freezer farm’ for cold storage of Covid-19 vaccine deliveries. pharmaceuticalcommerce.com/cold-chain-foc…

The second from Moderna doesn’t require cold storage for the entire time. It can thaw. It is also my favorite vaccine because it was funded in part by Dolly Parton, who made a $1 million contribution.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta @drsanjaygupta

And a major advantage -- the #modernavaccine after being kept in cold storage can be thawed and kept in a regular fridge that most doctor's and pharmacies already have. It's all early -- but a hopeful sign (3/3).

The last bit of good news is that people who get the vaccine should be immune from the virus for years, perhaps even decades.

Shane Crotty @profshanecrotty

6/ most individuals maintaining neutralizing antibodies for 6+ months, and other forms of immune memory.

The two companies combined are expected to produce enough doses for 35 million people by the end of the year.

All of this is great news. We’re on our way!

Ally @TragicAllyHere

What my kid is asking Santa for, after a Godzilla toy

At Our House

We’re watching the TV show The Queen’s Gambit and enjoying it. We’re only a few episodes in but so far it’s great.

Andrew Reed @andrew__reed

Must be a fun week at @chesscom. Daily download trends. The Queen's Gambit effect is real!

The Pesky Red @The_Pesky_Red

He needs to be careful here she can move in any direction

Other Stuff

If anyone is free this weekend...

Anna Merlan @annamerlan

The perfect Craigslist gig doesn’t exi-

For those of you traveling next week….

Alex Baze @bazecraze

Bringing a deadly disease to people with little to no immunity is a very authentic Thanksgiving reenactment.

And the winner for “what are people doing!?!” goes to these guys:

Jake Offenhartz @jangelooff

Pretty lucky no one died during this insane road rage battle in Flushing yesterday, apparently sparked by a parking space dispute gothamist.com/news/video-par…

Corona

The cases are going through the roof. The third wave is cruising right now. I just hope we reach the top of it soon. Look at the curve below, we are still on the way up.

Lockdown is happening: California, Washington State and Oregon have closed indoor dining. The mayor of Chicago instituted a new stay-at-home order, and Philadelphia’s mayor slapped a ban on most indoor gatherings.

Most American counties — 58% of them — have seen the peak of their coronavirus infections this month, and 76% of counties have peaked at some point in the fall. So, let’s hunker down people.

That’s it.

Only 64 more days to go