Safe from COVID-19 outside? Think again

+ a new tool in the fight against deepfakes US Edition - Today's top story: Being outdoors doesn’t mean you're safe from COVID-19 – a White House event showed what not to do [View in browser]( US Edition | 9 October 2020 [The Conversation]( Academic rigor, journalistic flair Just because you’re outdoors doesn’t mean you’re safe from the coronavirus. Lean in close for a conversation, shake hands, start hugging people without a mask on, and your risk level rises fast. And just one sneeze from an infected person in your face could infect you, too. This is as true for you and me as it is for guests at a recent White House Rose Garden ceremony. The fact is, being outside [isn’t risk-free but there are ways to make it safer](, as University at Buffalo infectious disease doctor Thomas Russo explains. Also today: - [White nationalism in the military]( - [Food insecurity at college]( - [Why giving makes you more attractive]( Stacy Morford General Assignments Editor Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, hugging another guest; Kellyanne Conway (left); and Notre Dame University President Rev. John Jenkins (right) later tested positive for COVID-19. The Washington Post via Getty Images [Being outdoors doesn’t mean you’re safe from COVID-19 – a White House event showed what not to do]( Thomas A. Russo, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York The outdoors is less risky than an enclosed room, but it isn't a COVID-free zone. Here's what you need to know. Politics/Election '20 - [Americans aren’t worried about white nationalism in the military – because they don’t know it’s there]( Jennifer Spindel, University of New Hampshire; Matt Motta, Oklahoma State University; Robert Ralston, University of Minnesota People typically underestimate how much white nationalism goes on in the military, but when they learn the truth, they're concerned. - [How Congress could decide the 2020 election]( Donald Brand, College of the Holy Cross Biden and Trump are both preparing for a court battle in November. But when the Electoral College produces no clear winner, it's the House of Representatives that's supposed to select the president. Education - [Pandemic threatens food security for many college students]( Matthew J. Landry, Stanford University; Heather Eicher-Miller, Purdue University Concerns about having enough to eat are worsening among college students during the pandemic. This could ultimately affect how many finish school, two scholars argue. Health - [What you – and doctors – should watch for if you have COVID-19]( Kartikeya Cherabuddi, University of Florida With a COVID-19 outbreak in the White House, people are watching the health of President Trump and many others. A doctor explains the possible course for this unpredictable disease. - [An autoimmune-like antibody response is linked with severe COVID-19]( Matthew Woodruff, Emory University Patients suffering from severe COVID-19 may be experiencing a rogue antibody response similar to that seen in autoimmune diseases. The findings offer new approaches for COVID-19 therapy. Economy + Business - [Doing good may make people look better]( Sara Konrath, IUPUI; Femida Handy, University of Pennsylvania Two scholars have found links between generosity and physical attractiveness. Environment + Energy - [PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ are widespread and threaten human health – here’s a strategy for protecting the public]( Carol Kwiatkowski, North Carolina State University PFAS chemicals are toxic, widespread and persistent in the environment, and the federal government has been slow to regulate them. A scientist explains why evaluating them one by one isn't working. Arts + Culture - [More penises are appearing on TV and in film – but why are nearly all of them prosthetic?]( Peter Lehman, Arizona State University Directors and audiences are becoming more comfortable with male frontal nudity. But what message does it send when almost all of the penises shown aren't real? Science + Technology - [In a battle of AI versus AI, researchers are preparing for the coming wave of deepfake propaganda]( John Sohrawardi, Rochester Institute of Technology; Matthew Wright, Rochester Institute of Technology Fake videos generated with sophisticated AI tools are a looming threat. Researchers are racing to build tools that can detect them, tools that are crucial for journalists to counter disinformation. From our International Editions - [COVID-19: examining theories for Africa’s low death rates]( Kevin Marsh, University of Oxford; Moses Alobo, African Academy of Sciences The gap between predictions of COVID-19 deaths in Africa and what has actually happened is staggering. - [Facebook is removing QAnon pages and groups from its sites, but critical thinking is still the best way to fight conspiracy theories]( Shane Satterley, Griffith University A Facebook ban on QAnon may not be the best way to address the fast-growing far-right conspiracy movement. - [The value of a banana: understanding absurd and ephemeral artwork]( Sara Callahan, Stockholm University New York's Guggenheim Museum has acquired Maurizio Cattelan’s Comedian but how can you value and own a banana and some tape? You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation](. Not interested anymore? 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