Here are the headlines you Need2Know for Wednesday, March 10, 2021:
COVID-19: LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Alaska is the first state to open up its vaccine eligibility to everyone over the age of 16 as the supply of vaccines is steadily picking up. In New York, eligibility will open to people over 60 next week, along with many more public-facing workers. Minnesota, South Carolina and Ohio are also expanding eligibility. Maryland is the latest state to drop its capacity restrictions on businesses, though it comes with a notable caveat for restaurants and bars: seated service only, in an attempt to keep people from crowding around the bar. NY TIMES
ANTIBODIES IN BREAST MILK
Several recent studies have found that mothers who have been vaccinated against COVID have antibodies in their breast milk that may protect their infants against the virus. The latest study analyzed the breast milk of 10 lactating mothers at an Israeli hospital and discovered that all samples had antibodies after a single vaccine dose, with the levels increasing after the second dose was given. Another limited study at an Oregon hospital had similar results, though it’s still unclear how long the antibodies last. TIMES OF ISRAEL
It does a body good.
LUNG CANCER SCREENING
New federal guidelines will double the number of people eligible for annual lung cancer screens, which have been shown to reduce the risk of death significantly if the cancer is caught early. The recommendation is now for anyone aged 50 to 80 who has smoked a pack a day for 20 years or more -- even if they quit within the last 15 years -- to get a yearly CT scan. The goal is to widen the eligibility for screening, especially for women and Black people. The revised guidelines mean that your insurer has to offer you the screening without a copay if you meet the criteria. USA TODAY
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE REPORT
Nearly 1 in 3 women around the world have experienced physical or sexual violence at least once in their lives, according to a landmark report from the WHO. The largest-ever study of violence against girls and women was based on data from 116 countries compiled between 2000 and 2018. It found that the statistics were mostly unchanged over the last decade, and did not account for the pandemic. Experts believe data will eventually show that the lockdowns and other restrictions led to a spike in domestic violence as many women found themselves stuck at home with their abusers. NPR
NASDAQ COMEBACK
The tech rally roared back to life to give the Nasdaq its best day since last November. The tech-heavy index had briefly entered a correction, down 11 percent before rallying up 4 percent. Tesla was up 20 percent for its best one-day gain since February 2020. Peloton and DocuSign rose by more than 10 percent a piece. The Nasdaq saw $1.5 trillion wiped out in recent weeks as investors sold off the high-growth tech stocks and into the steadier financial and energy sectors. It’s too early to tell whether the rally is simply investors “buying the dip” or something more sustained. CHEDDAR
WIRELESS AD TARGETING
T-Mobile will start to automatically enroll its wireless users in a new targeted advertising program based on their web browsing history, forcing them to opt out rather than opt in. That’s not particularly new; AT&T and Verizon have similar programs in place that are opt-out, but with T-Mobile on board, now all the major carriers are trying to get a piece of the vast digital targeted ad market that’s at the heart of concerns over user privacy. Here are step-by-step instructions to opt-out from these programs on all the major carriers: READ IT
INFRASTRUCTURE: THEN & NOW
With the stimulus bill nearly law, attention in Washington is turning to the next big debate: how to address this country’s crumbling and woefully outdated infrastructure. Once upon a time, the federal government embarked on what is probably its greatest infrastructure project to date: the creation of the interstate highway system. Cheddar put together a primer on how the interstate program came to be, and the unforeseen consequences it had for minority communities: WATCH
THE QUEEN RESPONDS
Buckingham Palace has broken its silence on the Harry and Meghan interview. In a statement sent on behalf of Queen Elizabeth, the palace said that “the issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning” and will be addressed “privately.” Senior members of the royal family have reportedly been huddled in crisis meetings since the bombshell interview aired in the U.S. on Sunday. Meanwhile, Piers Morgan is out at ITV’s Good Morning Britain after the UK media regulator got more than 40,000 complaints about his attacks on Meghan. BBC
SPOTTED...
…a dog bed, leaning against the wall of the White House after it was confirmed that President Biden’s two rescue dogs, Champ and Major, had been temporarily sent back to Delaware following a “biting incident”: SEE PIC
...Adam Driver and Lady Gaga, in the first look at their new biopic, House of Gucci, currently filming in the Italian Alps: SEE PIC
LEFTOVERS: BOOT FILLS FOOT'S SHOES
The British footwear chain Shoe Zone is not messing around with its hiring protocols. The shoe store appointed a new finance director named...wait for it...Terry Boot. He is taking over the job that’s been held by...waaait for it...Peter Foot. Boot is said to have been a shoe-in for the gig when Foot walked away after just a few months. SKY
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