The World's Worst Place For COVID-19

Generous Apes; Next Pandemic; Gun Violence Goats and Soda editor's note Marc Silver/NPR Next time I go to a theme park, I'm getting on a ride! Earlier today, I spent 2 1/2 hours at the Six Flags theme park in Prince George's County, Maryland, staring at the roller coaster in the distance while waiting for the second dose of my COVID vaccine. The long line of cars crept slowly through the parking lot to reach tents where health workers efficiently inoculated everyone. Let's just say that "Operation Warp Speed" does not apply to the pace at this mass vaccination site. But I really have no complaints. Everything kept moving. The staffers were friendly and helpful. And now I have had the two doses. I kind of expected confetti or champagne to mark the moment. Instead, I was told to wait in the parking lot for 15 minutes and blow my horn if I felt any ill effects from the shot. I have a feeling of ... cautious optimism. Which is what NPR correspondent Rob Stein wrote about in this very popular post on [whether the worst of the pandemic is over in the U.S.]( Marc Silver Editor, Goats and Soda --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- the week's most popular story Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images [Brazil Is Looking Like The Worst Place On Earth For COVID-19]( This week, Brazil reported a terrible pandemic milestone: more than 3,000 deaths in a day. And the overall death toll has now exceeded 300,000. The country is in crisis, with hospitals at capacity, politicians attacked for lockdowns and a controversial president. in the news Steeve Jordan/AFP via Getty Images [Next Pandemic: Scientists Fear Another Coronavirus Could Jump From Animals To Humans]( Researchers worry another coronavirus will spill over from a bat or some other creature. They're hunting for sources. And they're finding evidence that a new pandemic could be around the corner. [Cuba's Revolutionary Dream: Making Its Own COVID Vaccine]( Cuba is going it alone. No contracts with big drug makers, no support from WHO's vaccine program. If successful, Cuba will produce the first vaccine in Latin America. [Gun Violence Deaths: How The U.S. Compares With The Rest Of The World]( The mass shootings in Atlanta and Boulder, Colo., cast a spotlight on this type of violence in the U.S., where the death rate is nearly 100 times higher than in the United Kingdom. coronavirus FAQs Jordan Kirchner for NPR [Ibuprofen And Cigarettes: Do They Blunt The Vaccine's Effectiveness?]( A reader wants to know about smoking's impact on the vaccine but didn't specify cigarettes, e-cigs ... or marijuana. So we'll discuss all three. Also: A refresher in painkiller/vaccine interaction. primates Ley Uwera for NPR [Some Generous Apes May Help Explain The Evolution Of Human Kindness]( Research on bonobos, one of our closest and gentlest relatives, may show how humans evolved to share and cooperative on a massive scale. links we like - Two [Somali female photographers]( have mounted a new show in a hotel in Mogadishu. "I want it to become entirely normal for a woman like me to go out and about, filming and taking photos, without fear of harassment or worse," says one of the two artists, Fardowsa Hussein. The BBC reports on the exhibit. - A Kenyan court has upheld [a ban on female genital mutilation]( reports Africa News. - NPR answers the question you've probably never even pondered: [Do octopuses dream?]( 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]