Baby Shark's Pandemic Plea

Plus: Lego Explainer; India's Mysterious Case Dropoff Goats and Soda editor's note Courtesy of PAHO The world is divided into two camps. People who are unaware of Baby Shark. And people who are obsessed with it. There are a lot of them. The most popular Baby Shark video on YouTube has 8 BILLION VIEWS! Many of them are children. That's because Baby Shark sings the "Baby Shark Song," which some may find bouncy and fun (although grumpy souls might call it more than a little annoying). I really wasn't aware of Baby Shark until my granddaughter kept pointing to the TV and saying, "bebeshock." And so she pushed me into the Baby Shark tank. The reason I'm thinking of Baby Shark today is that PAHO -- the Pan American Health Organization -- has just released a [Baby Shark video]( where the lil' predator adapts its song to teach kids how to wash their hands to stay healthy during the pandemic. The global reach of Baby Shark is a reminder that the pandemic has made our world more connected than ever. We are all dealing with the same terrible crisis. Maybe that makes us care about each other a bit more than in the past. Our stories this week reinforce that idea of connectedness -- dispatches from the Honduras and Thailand (see details below) and from India drew tremendous audiences. [The Mystery of India's Plummeting COVID-19 Cases]( was the most popular story on our website for several days running, drawing a huge audience from both India and around the world. Stay well and stay connected. And follow Baby Shark's advice -- even if sharks don't technically have hands! Marc Silver Editor, Goats and Soda --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- stunning photos Tomas Ayuso for NPR [The Pandemic Sends A Single Mom In The Big City To A Simpler, Happier Life]( Ella Guity lived in the capital of Honduras with her two daughters and mother. COVID-19 was surging. She sent them all to the fishing village where she grew up. Could she -- should she -- go too? Allison Joyce for NPR [How The Pandemic Has Upended The Lives Of Thailand's Sex Workers]( Many of them left rural areas to earn their living in the sex trade and send money home to help their families. COVID-19 restrictions have changed all that. lego explains it all Meredith Miotke for NPR [What's Going On With All These Coronavirus Variants? An Illustrated Guide Inspired By Lego Blocks]( One day you're worrying about the regular old coronavirus Then -- seemingly out of the blue -- there are variants. Worrisome variants! How did they come to be? And why are they likely more contagious? in the news Ernesto Benavides/AFP via Getty Images [In Vaccine Race, Middle Income Nations Are At A Disadvantage. Just Ask Peru]( As wealthier nations hoard doses, the Latin American nation is struggling to obtain an ample supply while dealing with a daunting caseload. [A Doc Was Mad That People Die From Preventable Diseases. So He Wrote A Book About It]( Harvard professor Dr. Eugene Richardson explores colonialism's impact on global health in Epidemic Illusions: On the Coloniality of Global Public Health. [China's Vaccine Campaign Hits A Few Bumps]( The vaccine rollout is happening more slowly than anticipated. Why the delays? [Coronavirus FAQ: I'm Using A UV Light To Disinfect Stuff. Is That A Good Idea?]( Researchers are looking into several key points: Can ultraviolet light kill the coronavirus? And is it safe to use? links we like - NPR shares five hacks and [tips to make your mask more effective.]( - The Indian photographer Debsuddha documents the life of his [two elderly aunts -- isolated by their albinism]( and now even more so with COVID-19 restrictions. The New Yorker features the photos. - The Golden Globes nominations, announced this week, are [being clobbered for a lack of diversity]( and in particular for failing to acknowledge a series universally hailed as brilliant: I May Destroy You, created by and starring Michaela Coen, the British-born daughter of Ghanian immigrants. - NPR's Tiny (Home) Desk series is [highlighting Black performers for Black history month, like Melanie Charles,]( a Brooklyn-born singer and flutist of Haitian descent, who's sung in church, studied opera and made a graceful dive into the jazz groove. 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]