Grim Milestone; 1 Million COVID-19 Deaths

CDC And Airborne Transmission; Netflix And Nigeria Goats and Soda editor's note Andre Coelho/Getty Images Infectious diseases are just what we cover here at Goats and Soda. Ebola. Zika. Even the bubonic plague. So on January 2, when I saw this blip of a headline -- "Mystery Pneumonia Hits China" -- in the newsletter "Global Health Now," I knew I had to share it with the team. At the time, there were just 27 reported cases in China with no documented human-to-human transmission. Curious, I thought to myself. We should look into this, I wrote to the team. Fast forward 10 months, and today, COVID-19 is a household name and has killed 1 million people worldwide. NPR correspondent Nurith Aizenman [reported on the grim milestone and the five countries driving the pandemic]( -- the U.S., Brazil, India, Mexico and the U.K. [Read the story here and view a table of deaths by country.]( And reporter Pranav Baskar wrote an important explainer on [why this number is actually much higher.]( In fact, the death counts for many diseases are underreported in many lower-income countries. [Read his article here.]( Since the million milestone was reached on Monday, I've been thinking a lot about how the world has changed. I remember leaving the office at NPR in March as our work-from-home phase began, thinking I'd be back in a few weeks. Most of us are still working from home. I remember thinking my loved ones would be safe from the disease. But COVID-19 has infected five of my dearest family members. One thing is certain: The pandemic has taught me to keep my eyes on the horizon, to stay vigilant. You never know when a blip of a headline can turn into something much more than the world could ever have expected. Malaka Gharib Deputy editor, Goats and Soda --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- coronavirus faq Shanti Hands for NPR [Why Can't The CDC Makes Its Mind Up About Airborne Transmission?]( The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted on its website that the coronavirus spreads "most commonly" by air -- then took it back. What's the story? role model Twitter/Screenshot by NPR [Coal Miner's Daughter Is A Heartwarming Hero In Afghanistan]( Shamsia Alizada dropped out of the Mawdud Academy in Kabul after a suicide bomber killed more than 40 students. But she returned -- and has just scored top grades on the country's college entrance exams. environmental news Hkun Lat [How A Beloved Gemstone Became A Symbol Of Environmental Tragedy In Myanmar]( Decades of mining for jade have left the landscape in disrepair. Local activists want to make a change, but can they stand up to the powerful companies that dominate the industry? tv review Quramo Productions [A Nigerian Finds Hard Truths -- And Hope -- In Netflix Series On Nigeria]( Ifeanyi Nsofor reviews the documentary Journey of an African Colony, which confronts a painful past -- including involvement with the slave trade -- and celebrates the nation's independence. Shanti Hands for NPR links we like - NPR profiles the [Black doctors in the U.S. working to make COVID-19 testing more equitable.]( - The New Yorker reports that [Chinese citizens are already getting coronavirus vaccines.]( - European museums took art from their African colonies. Vice reports that Mwazulu Diyabanza has spent the summer [trying to get it back.]( - [A 10-year-old boy showing off his Yves Saint Laurent suit]( is one of the gorgeous photos in a new book about a new generation of "sapeurs" -- Congo residents who revel in fashion. The BBC reports. - The New Orleans group [Tank and the Bangas sing about their "Feelings"]( in a new song composed at NPR's request for music reflecting the news of the summer. 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. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( [NPR logo]