What does it mean to "dial down' your COVID precautions?

Indian teen's inspiring midnight jog; Guatemala's school lockdown [View this email online]( [NPR]( Goats and Soda editor's note Vinod Kapri via Twitter/Screengrab by NPR Back in the days before the pandemic, many of us worked in ... what are they called again ... oh yes, offices! And had to commute. Once or twice a week I'd commute by running. It took about an hour. I thought of it as a great way to multitask: exercise and commute at the same time. People would always ask, "So are you going to run home too?" Ha ha, not a chance! I mean I'm not OBSESSED about running or anything! Memories of my run commute were triggered [when I read of a 19-year-old Indian who runs 5 miles home at midnight after his fast-food shift]( -- and who became the star of a viral video after he encountered a filmmaker on a run home. Turns out this teenager is running after his dream -- and when the filmmaker posted a video interview on Twitter, millions of folks took a look. [To find out what makes Pradeep Mehra run, read the story here.]( As for me, I'm still running, just ... in circles and not to work. Marc Silver Editor, Goats and Soda --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- in the news Hector Retamal /AFP via Getty Images [Shanghai locks down, but experts ask how else China could combat COVID]( Battling its biggest COVID surge in two years, Shanghai has instituted rigorous lockdowns — again — that are frustrating residents. [Why lots of kids still aren't back in school in Guatemala]( The government is struggling to bring all 3 million-plus students back to schools that were shuttered when the pandemic hit. Teachers are ready to resume classes. But obstacles loom. [The secrets of China's 'secret sauce']( It's called Lu sauce. It dates back 1,500 years (at least) and for chef Peter in Beijing, it's as new as the brew of soy sauce, ginger, garlic he cooks up each night — with a special touch from his mom. oscars Samuel Goldwyn Films [A yak, a ticked off teacher, an Oscar nomination for Bhutan: We interview the director]( The movie is Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom, and it was up for best international feature. It's about an urban teacher who's ticked off about being sent to work in a remote village with no electricity. Spiritual enlightenment ensues. ['Writing With Fire' was up for an Oscar. But its subjects say they're misrepresented]( The documentary tells the story of a news outlet run by women from marginalized communities. The directors are thrilled by the nomination. But the reporters say their full story wasn't told. coronavirus faq Malaka Gharib/ NPR [Our mini-zine has advice on when & how to dial down COVID precautions]( are surging in some regions but dropping in many places. If you're in the latter situation, is it OK to go back to living as you did pre-pandemic? Print our handy zine with advice from experts. links we like - How people living in the remote islands of French Polynesia [do their online shopping](. Rest of World has the story. - Nigerian singer-songwriter Fireboy DML [delivers R&B, Afrobeat and pop sounds]( for NPR's Tiny Desk. - [Fertility myths and misinformation]( have discouraged millions of women from taking contraception, according to a study from UNFPA. The Guardian reports. - From PRI's The World: [Haitian schoolteacher Rodney Montreuil helps]( new arrivals from Haiti settle in Arizona. - TIME Magazine reports on the [Syrian doctors who are teaching Ukrainians how to prepare]( for chemical attacks. --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Stream your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. [Find a Station]( 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]