The big question on voters’ minds

+ how to master coronavirus anxiety [Click here to view this message in your web-browser](. Edition: US 10 March 2020 [The Conversation]( Academic rigor, journalistic flair [Naomi Schalit] A note from... Naomi Schalit Senior Editor, Politics + Society Voters in six states cast ballots in a presidential primary today. Many will be asking themselves, “Which one’s the most electable candidate?” as they consider who will get their vote. “Electability” is a word that’s been tossed around a lot in the last few months. Is a woman electable? Is a Democratic Socialist electable? Is a mainstream Democrat electable? Is a 78-year-old electable? But is there an actual, fixed definition of “electable”? Political scientist Marjorie Hershey of Indiana University tackles whether everyone means the same thing when they use the word. Her answer: Turns out they do, mostly – [but it’s not what they think.]( Also today: - [Could bugs be malnourished?]( - [How seniors can stay close while practicing ‘social distancing’]( - [Why swing voters may be hard to find]( Top story Most people vote for the candidate they think is the most electable. Melina Mara/The Washington Post via Getty Images [The candidate you like is the one you think is most electable]( Marjorie Hershey, Indiana University Why do some people think that Bernie Sanders isn't electable and Joe Biden is? Does anyone really know what makes one candidate seem electable while another doesn’t? Health + Medicine - [Does screening travelers for disease and infection really work?]( Tom Duszynski, IUPUI Travelers may undergo screenings at airports to control the spread of coronavirus. Research shows that these efforts have little to no effect on slowing the spread of disease. - [A geriatrician offers 4 tips for seniors to stay connected during coronavirus outbreak]( Laurie Archbald-Pannone, University of Virginia As the novel coronavirus spreads, an expert offers ways the elderly can stay safe while staying connected. - [How a tech-based program on health brought African American kids and parents together]( Velma McBride Murry, Vanderbilt University Rural African American families typically have more disadvantages than those living in urban areas. But high-tech options can help. Economy + Business - [Will sick leave protect me if I get ill from coronavirus? 5 questions answered]( Elizabeth C. Tippett, University of Oregon A workplace scholar addresses some common questions workers may have about taking time off due to COVID-19. Politics + Society - [Why the US still hasn’t had a woman president]( Farida Jalalzai, Oklahoma State University Since 2000, 89 new women have come to power in countries around the world – but the US still lags behind. - [Black turnout in primaries might make Democrats think twice about swing voter strategy]( Todd Shaw, University of South Carolina African American voters are indispensable to any Democrat strategy. Given party affiliation is increasingly split down racial lines, is the best tactic to get out the black, anti-Trump vote? Ethics + Religion - [Mennonites helped turn Paraguay into a mega beef producer – indigenous people may pay the price]( Joel E. Correia, University of Florida Mennonites settled in Paraguay's arid Chaco forest a century ago, fleeing religious persecution. Their agricultural success is now driving deforestation, social change and rapid development. Environment + Energy - [Malnourished bugs: Higher CO2 levels make plants less nutritious, hurting insect populations]( Ellen Welti, University of Oklahoma Insect populations are falling as what they eat becomes more like iceberg lettuce and less like kale. Science + Technology - [7 science-based strategies to cope with coronavirus anxiety]( Jelena Kecmanovic, Georgetown University A psychologist explains how to get a grip on anxiety triggered by COVID-19. Education - [Graphic novels help teens learn about racism, climate change and social justice – here’s a reading list]( Karen W. Gavigan, University of South Carolina; Kasey Garrison, Charles Sturt University Some graphic novels can spur teens’ engagement with social justice issues. From our international editions - [What tooth tartar taught us about baboons kept captive in ancient Egypt]( Claudio Ottoni, Sapienza University of Rome The DNA of microbes and food trapped in the teeth can reveal information about diet and health. - [Italy’s ‘darkest hour’: how coronavirus became a very political problem]( Martin J. Bull, University of Salford An experiment in following China's lead while trying to respect democratic norms is causing tensions. - [Collapsing permafrost is transforming Arctic lakes, ponds and streams]( Philip Marsh, Wilfrid Laurier University; Evan Wilcox, Wilfrid Laurier University; Niels Weiss, Wilfrid Laurier University Hundreds of thousands of lakes, rivers and streams in the Arctic exist only because of the permafrost that lies beneath them. The warming Arctic threatens to change that. Today’s chart - [Enable images to see the chart]( From the article: [How technology can combat the rising tide of fake science]( [Chris Impey] Chris Impey University of Arizona [We need your help today to bring fact-based journalism to the public]( [Follow us on Twitter.]( [Join us on Facebook.]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation](. Not interested anymore? [Unsubscribe instantly](. We’ll miss you. 89 South Street - Suite 202 Boston, MA 02111