Our Top Stories Not About The Pandemic

(Plus a few COVID stories -- including a romantic one that will give you all the feels!) Goats and Soda editor's note Parkwood Entertainment/Disney + via AP This year, it seemed like our readers were focused on one story: the pandemic. But looking back on our data, [I found that this wasn't exactly true.]( There was huge readership on some surprising stories: a guide that we published in 2019 on how to get kids to control their anger; an explainer on locusts; and commentary on Beyoncé's movie-length music video, "Black Is King." [Read the other stories (not about the pandemic) that our audience loved in 2020.]( Although I wish we could all say good riddance to the pandemic in 2021, I feel heartened knowing that people are still curious about other topics -- and still have time to relax and dish about pop culture, too. See you next week, in what I hope is a better and brighter year for us all. Malaka Gharib Deputy Editor, Goats and Soda --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- in the news Kevin Frayer/Getty Images [From 'Mysterious' Illness To Global Pandemic: COVID-19, By The Numbers]( A year ago today, the WHO first learned of a cluster of a few dozen pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China of "unknown" origin. Here's a by-the-numbers summary of the toll the virus has taken since then. a COVID love story Julia Gunther for NPR [Can A Malawian Bachelor And A Dutch Bachelorette Make It?]( They met and fell in love while working for a nonprofit in his country. He came to visit her in the Netherlands. Because of the pandemic, the visit lasted seven months. Would love conquer all? girls in sports Ananda Bhise [Why A Field Hockey Champ In India Is Now Harvesting Onions And Herding Goats]( Young female athletes benefited from an increase in government support in recent years. The pandemic has put an end to that. 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]