Scientists reveal an alarming unintended consequence of wearing masks

Hello! The economic fallout from the coronavirus has been devastating already, with jobless claims so [Compass] Hello! The economic fallout from the coronavirus has been devastating already, with jobless claims soaring. In Silicon Valley, the toll isn’t clear yet, but one estimate puts the number of startups that are running out of cash in the thousands. Fast Company reporter Mark Sullivan has spoken to a number of founders, investors, and board members to understand the stresses startups are facing. For many of these companies, outliving the virus depends on a factor outside their control: timing. The question of when a startup raised its last round of funding is taking on outsized importance, since companies may not be able to raise more right now. With venture firms going into triage mode and changing the way they invest, some startups may simply run out of runway before the economy picks up again. [Read more here](. —[Katharine Schwab]( [For startups facing extinction, surviving coronavirus is a race against time]( [For startups facing extinction, surviving coronavirus is a race against time]( With the global economy on lockdown, the fates of thousands of startups may now depend on something they can’t control: their last injection of cash. [fastcompany.com]( [Scientists reveal an alarming unintended consequence of wearing masks]( [Scientists reveal an alarming unintended consequence of wearing masks]( You should absolutely wear a mask in public. But experts agree—be careful it doesn’t make you feel invincible. [fastcompany.com]( [The ‘Plandemic’ video is a dangerous mashup of COVID-19 conspiracies]( [The ‘Plandemic’ video is a dangerous mashup of COVID-19 conspiracies]( The viral video uses similar tactics to QAnon to sow mistrust in an eventual vaccine—and in the U.S. government. YouTube and Facebook have now removed it from their platforms. [fastcompany.com]( [Theragun introduces a mini massager and vibrating foam roller—its smallest and most affordable yet]( [Theragun introduces a mini massager and vibrating foam roller—its smallest and most affordable yet]( The celebrity- and pro-athlete-loved massager company now offers mini and foam roller models, for a fraction of the cost. [fastcompany.com]( [Your COVID-19 anxiety is like an algorithm. Here’s how to hack it]( [Your COVID-19 anxiety is like an algorithm. Here’s how to hack it]( Fear of the unknown can be overwhelming. But thinking of your anxiety as an algorithm—just like your immune system—can yield some valuable insights, writes Hipmunk’s ex-CEO and Y Combinator visiting partner. [fastcompany.com]( [‘Track your ballot like a package’: How technology will smooth the way for November’s mail-in ballot surge]( [‘Track your ballot like a package’: How technology will smooth the way for November’s mail-in ballot surge]( As many states rush to implement new ways to protect voters from COVID-19 exposure, they’re turning to systems to help ensure people’s access to the ballot doesn’t get lost in the mail. [fastcompany.com]( [Why Emerald Fennell, of ‘The Crown’ and ‘Killing Eve,’ relishes revenge]( [Why Emerald Fennell, of ‘The Crown’ and ‘Killing Eve,’ relishes revenge]( Certain stories are best served cold. [fastcompany.com]( [Garbage collectors are on the front lines of the COVID-19 response, but without the protection they need]( [Garbage collectors are on the front lines of the COVID-19 response, but without the protection they need]( During COVID-19, garbage collection is more essential—and dangerous—than ever. But workers are finding themselves without proper gear, leave policies, or cleaning protocols. [fastcompany.com]( [‘Parasite’ has reemerged as a powerful source for class-warfare memes during the pandemic]( [‘Parasite’ has reemerged as a powerful source for class-warfare memes during the pandemic]( The best-picture winner has proven so “metaphorical” during this time of quarantine and tragedy. Get used to it. [fastcompany.com]( [Sidewalk Labs is ditching its plans for a high-tech Toronto neighborhood]( [Sidewalk Labs is ditching its plans for a high-tech Toronto neighborhood]( A utopian (and expensive) vision of the future just got canceled. [fastcompany.com]( [Watch today’s Fast Break: Tips for virtual job interviews, and what not to do for Mother’s Day]( [Watch today’s Fast Break: Tips for virtual job interviews, and what not to do for Mother’s Day]( On today’s show: Tips for navigating a video-call job interview, and the comedians at Fast Comedy with a look at what not to do for Mother’s Day. [fastcompany.com]( ['Buyology' is back]( ['Buyology' is back]( Cultural transformation guru Martin Lindstrom has updated his groundbreaking business book for our turbulent times. Buyology for a Coronavirus World offers companies a playbook for forging greater connections with their customers, especially those most in need. It’s a brisk and bracing read, and Lindstrom, a longtime Fast Company contributor, generously has offered to make a free e-copy available to readers of this newsletter. [Click here to register and download](. [martinlindstrom.com]( [Apply now for Fast Company’s Innovation by Design]( [Apply now for Fast Company’s Innovation by Design]( The Innovation by Design Awards honor the designers and businesses solving the problems of today and tomorrow. Every entry will be reviewed by Fast Company editors and will be judged on the key ingredients of innovation: functionality, originality, beauty, sustainability, depth of user insight, cultural impact, and business impact. [Learn more here before the deadline on May 15!]( [fastcompany.com]( Did you enjoy this issue? [Fast Company] You can [update your details here](. If you don’t want to receive Compass anymore, [unsubscribe here]( If you were forwarded Compass and like it, [subscribe here]( [View this newsletter online]( Powered by [Revue]( 7 World Trade Center, 29th Floor, New York, NY 10007-2195