COVID-19 study to test 7,000 people across Wash. state

Microsoft unveils new sustainability efforts in net-zero carbon push ADVERTISEMENT [GeekWire]( SPONSOR MESSAGE: GeekWire Awards 2020 | NOW VIRTUAL: [Celebrate the top entrepreneurs, innovators, scientists and business leaders at the first-ever virtual GeekWire Awards, taking place July 23. Register for the livestream here.]( TODAY'S TOP STORIES Study to better understand spread of COVID-19: The University of Washington will test a random sample of 7,000 people across Washington state in a study intended to provide a more statistically accurate picture of the disease than existing testing. A $3.4 million grant from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation is funding the effort. [Read the story.]( Also, UW School of Medicine researchers are hopeful after their [cutting-edge vaccine has shown promise]( in mouse and non-human primate studies. Microsoft unveils new sustainability initiatives: The tech giant is making the largest single renewable energy investment in its history in an effort to zero-out the carbon debt the company has accrued over its lifespan. Microsoft is partnering with six corporations, including Starbucks and Nike, to create “Transform to Net Zero,” a coalition dedicated to creating a net-zero carbon economy. [Read the story.]( Less hiring leads to LinkedIn layoffs: “LinkedIn is not immune to the effects of the global pandemic,” CEO Ryan Roslansky wrote to employees as the Microsoft-owned company [slashed nearly 1,000 jobs](. Despite the rollout of new virtual features during the health crisis, cuts were needed because of reduced demand for LinkedIn’s hiring platform. A new Teams player: Microsoft has unveiled Microsoft Teams Rooms Premium, a new device management service, as well as monitoring options and expanded use of third-party apps for its collaboration software.[Read the story.]( Seattle’s plan for payroll tax: The City Council [passed a spending plan]( that will use new funds from a tax on Seattle’s highest-paying businesses to fund pandemic-related relief programs for renters, immigrants, refugees, and small businesses this year. Billions on top of billions: Amazon has increased its market capitalization by [more than $600 billion so far in 2020]( and more pandemic-fueled online shopping will only increase the tech giant’s riches, according to some analysts. Meanwhile, Jeff Bezos’ [added $13 billion to his net worth]( … just on Monday. How did your week start? John Stanton takes a swing at assorted topics: The Mariners owner and chairman is busy getting ready for baseball in the COVID era, but the wireless industry vet had lots more to say during a fireside chat with Madrona Venture Group. [Check out his thoughts]( on the T-Mobile/Sprint merger, Microsoft closing retail stores, diversity on company boards and more. Thanks for reading, and see all of our latest headlines below. — GeekWire Geek Life reporter Kurt Schlosser, kurt@geekwire.com. SPONSOR MESSAGE [GeekWire Awards, now virtual]( Celebrate the leading innovators, entrepreneurs, and technologists at the 2020 GeekWire Awards, livestreaming on [GeekWire.com]( starting at 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 23. Don’t miss one of the region’s most-anticipated and hotly-contested tech events. Thanks to presenting sponsor [Wave Business]( for supporting us as we’ve transitioned to a virtual event. [Register today]( LATEST HEADLINES [New UW COVID-19 study will test 7k people across WA state, funded by $3.4M from Allen Foundation]( [Microsoft wants to run your conference rooms with new Teams Rooms Premium offering]( [Microsoft unveils new sustainability steps in effort to remove all carbon produced in company history]( [Amazon policy page updated with position stating support for the equitable treatment of Black people]( [Next-gen vaccine from UW researchers shows promise in fighting COVID-19]( SPONSORED: GEEK HOME OF THE DAY [Blend Indoor and Outdoor Living at The Agra at Medina]( [Microsoft president reportedly took aim at Apple in private interview with House antitrust committee]( [Seattle-area medical device startup CurvaFix raises $10.7M for curved bone implant tech]( [Amazon expands route for package delivery robot Scout with addition of two Southern cities]( [LinkedIn cuts 960 jobs, or 6% of workforce, as demand dips for hiring software due to pandemic]( [Fintech startup Jirav raises $8.3M for financial planning and analysis software]( [Seattle adopts spending plan for new payroll tax on big business]( [Mariners owner and wireless industry vet John Stanton on T-Mobile/Sprint, future of retail, more]( [OfferUp hires Amazon Web Services and RealNetworks veteran Michael Eggers as CFO]( [Seattle and Comcast launch $100,000 initiative to improve technology access for job seekers]( [Amazon increases its market cap by $600B in 2020 — and analysts predict even more growth]( GEEKWORK: TODAY'S TECH JOBS - [ALLEN INSTITUTE FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI2): Technical Co-Founder // CTO (Stealth Startup)]( - [Shelf Engine: Senior Software Engineer]( - [ALLEN INSTITUTE FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI2): CTO-in-Residence // Co-Founder]( - [Imperative: Technical Lead / Principal Software Engineer]( - [Twistle: Director of Engineering]( - [Icertis: Senior Software Engineer]( - [ALLEN INSTITUTE FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI2): Deep Learning Engineer // Co-Founder]( - [Bonanza.com: Senior Ruby on Rails Developer]( - [Stratify: Chief Technology Officer (CTO)]( - [INRIX: Engineering Director – SaaS Platform]( [FIND MORE JOBS ON GEEKWORK]( [HIRING? 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