South Africa vaccines, ETF shorts, marijuana shortages

Plus: Is it time to double mask? [Quartz]( Sponsored by Good morning, Quartz readers! Here’s what you need to know South Africa halted its AstraZeneca rollout. Early data from a small study—not yet peer reviewed—suggest the vaccine could offer “[minimal protection]( against mild Covid-19 caused by a local coronavirus variant. But UK officials remain confident. The AstraZeneca jab could still have “good efficacy against severe disease, hospitalization, and death,” says [vaccine minister Nadhim Zahawi](. Oil prices recovered to pre-pandemic levels. Despite demand for oil still lower than usual, this could be [another good sign]( for the broader global economy. Hyundai’s EV deal with Apple is off. The [collapse in negotiations wiped $8.5 billion]( from Hyundai and its affiliate Kia’s market values. SoftBank’s Vision Fund had its best quarter since its launch. The value of its holdings in Uber and DoorDash [rose by $13 billion]( in the three months to December. Tom Brady won his seventh Super Bowl. The quarterback helped the [Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9]( in a [low-key version]( of the biggest sporting event in the US. Sponsor content by Lexus The greatest machines were inspired by humans. With intuitively designed functions like a new touchscreen display, anticipatory, available Climate Concierge, and a refreshing, available Shiatsu massage, every element of the Lexus LS is engineered to a higher standard—the human standard. [Explore more features.]( What to watch for In light of more infectious coronavirus variants, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [is now researching]( whether wearing two masks may be more beneficial than one. US president Joe Biden, top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci, and White House press secretary Jen Psaki have already been seen doubling up. Katherine Foley looks at [what we know so far]( about double masking. Depending on the kinds of masks you’re layering, there is potential for added filtration, and more filtration means less likelihood of encountering a pathogen-containing particle. [Jen Psaki arrives to speak in the James S Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, after the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States] REUTERS/TOM BRENNER Charting the rise of ETFs These days, all eyes are on short-selling. But while troubled companies like GameStop and [AMC Theaters]( may seem like obvious targets for shorting, Karen Ho reports that exchange-traded funds (ETFs) [are proving even more enticing](. ETFs, which track a number of underlying investments in a particular industry or market segment, have grown into a [$5 trillion industry]( during the pandemic, fueled by new investments, low interest rates, and investor optimism. Shorting index ETFs is one way for traders to diversify and reduce risk, but experts say the “extreme level of nimbleness and discipline” required makes it [a tactic beginners would do well to avoid](. Case of the Mondays? At work, there’s a fine line between being a team player and a pain in your boss’s neck; those who walk it gracefully are “productive skeptics.” While plenty of us are born with one eyebrow raised, steering that energy productively is a skill you can learn, starting with these tips: - Don’t be a martyr. Work can’t be all courageous acts. - Choose your battles. And pick the right time to engage in them. - Follow through. That includes asking for what you need. - Smooth ruffled feathers. Don’t start fights you can’t fix. ✦ There’s a fine line between a Quartz reader and a Quartz member, and it’s this link [to try membership]( [free for seven days](. Kick things off with more [insights from our workshop on productive skepticism]( and follow up with field guides to [employee activism]( and [leading through change](. Quartz announcement The best remote workplaces aren’t just pared down iterations of the physical office. The best remote workplaces make it a business priority to create a productive and welcoming environment for remote staff. With help from our advisory partner and leading remote-first company, [Doist]( we're in search of recognizing and learning from the [Best Companies for Remote Workers](. [Submit your company]( to our new global ranking program today. Surprising discoveries Amazon Web Services’ success story starts in South Africa. An independent [team of engineers in Cape Town]( built the original elastic compute cloud. Drones are delivering Covid-19 vaccines. Medical startup Zipline, which delivered 1 million doses of other vaccines in Africa last year, [signed a deal in Nigeria](. A Ugandan science show for kids will air in the US. N*Gen is produced by local teachers and [looks at science through an African lens](. Jamaica is low on marijuana. [The shortage is a result of]( heavy rains, drought, fewer farmers, and an increase in local consumption. A record-breaking rollercoaster. The Falcon’s Flight, set to open at a Saudi Arabian Six Flags in 2023, will travel [more than 155 miles per hour](. SHARE TO EARN QUARTZ SWAG Why people love the Daily Brief: “Quartz is concise, useful, occasionally humorous, and evidence-based. What’s not to love?” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves! [Share the Daily Brief]( with that quick-witted news junkie in your life to earn digital presentations, a coffee cup, a free Quartz membership, and other premium prizes. [Start sharing now!]( Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, short positions, superfast roller coasters, and spare marijuana to hi@qz.com. 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