China's Second Stage: Suppressing The Coronavirus

Plus: Guide To Masks; VIral Transmission; Aid Challenges Goats and Soda editor's note Haidar Hamdani/AFP via Getty Images This week we published a story about the ways in which [the novel coronavirus is changing death rituals around the world.]( The story really hit home when I learned that a dear friend died from COVID-19. My friend and I are Jewish. In our tradition, mourners gather after the funeral for a ritual called shiva -- from the Hebrew word for seven. For a week, they come together to pray and to remember the departed. That is no longer possible because of the risk of transmission of COVID-19 among a group of people in close quarters. For example, if one person has been infected but is not yet showing symptoms, that individual could spread the virus to others. So the solution comes from technology -- virtual shiva. Family and friends used video conferencing to come together. We were in places far and near. Really it might have been impossible for everyone to have traveled to one place for this ritual. Yet there we were, a gallery of over 50 faces from different parts of the world. We watched a video of the burial. The moderator asked those who wished to speak to raise a hand. Memories were shared, tears were shed. We were all grateful that technology could give us a way to follow this ancient tradition. And seeing all those faces gave a sense of comfort and solidarity. Yet at the end there was a sad reminder that technology cannot make up for the loss of face-to-face contact. The wife of my friend was alone in her home, with no one to hold her hand or give her a hug. [Read the story on death rituals here.]( Marc Silver Editor, Goats and Soda --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- comic Laura Gao ['The Wuhan I Know': A Comic About The City Behind The Coronavirus Headlines]( Laura Gao is a native of Wuhan, China -- where the outbreak began. As the virus spread, Wuhan captured the world's attention. Her comic offers a personal look at the city she loves. updates on COVID-19 Sunday Alamba/AP [China Enters The Next Phase Of Its COVID-19 Outbreak: Suppression]( Researchers are looking at how the country emerges from one of the largest lockdowns in human history -- and whether the drop-off in new cases will continue. [Aid Groups Say They've Never Faced A Challenge Like The Novel Coronavirus]( Humanitarian organizations are used to dealing with droughts, conflict and natural disaster. But the pandemic adds unprecedented layers of difficulty to their work. [Scientists Probe How Coronavirus Might Travel Through The Air]( Simply talking could produce tiny particles of mucus and saliva that might carry the coronavirus, experts say. How much these airborne particles matter for the spread of this disease is controversial. [Social Distancing Is A Distant Dream In Pakistan's Urban Slums]( In a poor neighborhood in Islamabad, houses are right up against each other, families may live 10 or more in a single room and streets are narrow and crowded. weekly FAQs [Coronavirus FAQs: Is A Homemade Mask Effective? What's The Best Way To Wear One?]( Among the questions this week: Can you get COVID-19 more than once? What's the maximum surface area that can be treated with one disinfecting wipe? a word from gen z Valentina Constanza Cerda Aravena/Kendall Galbreath/Shin Chai-mi [Gen Z Under Lockdown: How They're Coping, From TikTok To Virtual Drinks]( Teens and 20-somethings have been criticized for not taking social distancing seriously. We talk to young people around the world about why they're staying home -- and how they're staying sane. links we like - With his wry and dark humor, author Gary Shteyngart writes of "adjusting to the prophylactic life," in [The New Yorker.]( - In France, one baker says that "boulangeries are helping us make it through." [An NPR report.]( - As the pandemic keeps photographers indoors, they're using tiny figurines, paper bags and pancakes, among other items, to create faux nature scenes, the [Washington Post reports.]( - President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda urges an end to outdoor exercise during the pandemic (and has prepared [an indoor exercise video]( in which he jogs and does 30 push-ups in his office). [NPR reports]( that the 75-year-old has also stressed that "beating people is not part of security work" in enforcing a lockdown. What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: [goatsandsoda@npr.org](mailto:goatsandsoda@npr.org?subject=Newsletter%20Feedback) Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can [sign up here](. Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Health, Daily News, Code Switch and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Goats and Soda emails. 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