Coronavirus Update: Plasma treatments remain unproven, the WHO tempers vaccine expectations, and more

PLUS: The Covid-19 headlines you need to know, a distraction, and something to read. [View this email in your browser]( | [Manage newsletter subscriptions](newsletter=wir) [(image) WIRED Coronavirus Update Logo] 08.21.20 This is a special edition of our Coronavirus Update newsletter. To receive this email every weekday, [sign up here](newsletter=wir). Convalescent plasma remains unproven, the WHO tempers vaccine expectations, and the pandemic reshapes election season. Here’s what you should know: Headlines 97,000 people got convalescent plasma. But [does it work](? In March, Covid-19 patients started receiving a treatment made from the blood of recovered patients. The idea was promising then, but five months and over 97,000 treatments later, its effectiveness is still in question. While there are plenty of reasons to believe the plasma of recovered patients could be useful, there is still not enough evidence to know for sure. WHO warns coronavirus vaccine alone [won’t end pandemic]( The World Health Organization said today that though a vaccine will be a "vital tool" in ending the pandemic, it will not be a silver bullet that returns everything to normal. "We will not, we cannot go back to the way things were,” said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. "The Covid-19 pandemic has given new impetus to the need to accelerate efforts to respond to climate change,” he added, noting that this time has "given us a glimpse of our world as it could be: cleaner skies and rivers.” The pandemic is [reshaping elections](—maybe forever Digital tools were already rising to the forefront of politics, but the pandemic has forced both parties to depend almost entirely on online platforms—finding new ways to reach audiences and raise money in the digital age. It could mean vastly improved digital strategies and more innovation in elections to come. Daily Distraction If you're looking for a laptop, but don't wanna shell out $1,000, [these picks are for you](. Something to Read On the brink of a breakup, a JPL engineer computed a [relationship prediction formula](. It eventually became a dating app—and its value is rising in the midst of a pandemic. Sanity Check After Uber and Lyft threatened tp leave California entirely, an appeals court delayed a requirement that would force the companies to treat drivers like employees. It will instead be decided in a ballot measure in November, and the ride-hail services plan on operating until then. One Question What's an antiseptic? An antiseptic is a substance used to kill microorganisms and bacteria, typically on the skin. By contrast, a disinfectant is typically used on inanimate objects and surfaces. When in doubt about the difference, be sure to read all product instructions to be sure where it’s safe to spray or slather a particular substance. Covid-19 Care Package ❓ From social distancing to viral spread to staying sane, here's [everything we know and advise about the coronavirus](. 📦 The Covid-19 virus can linger on objects for as little as a few hours or as long as a couple days, depending on the surface. [Here's the research](. 😷 If you're planning on going out in public anytime soon, you're going to need a mask. Here are the [best ones you can buy](, or how to [make one at home](. 🧼 It's not just your [hands that need washing](—your gadgets, clothes, and home need it too. Here's how to [properly disinfect your stuff](. 💻 Some of you are [work-from-home pros](, but if you're new to it, here's how to [stay productive without losing your mind](. 😔 It's hard not to be anxious about a global pandemic, but here's how you can [protect yourself and your family without spiraling](, and how to [not hate the loved ones you're quarantined with](. ✂️ It may still be a while before you can see your hairstylist, so here's how to [cut your hair at home](, plus other ways to keep yourself [lookin' fresh](. 🦠Read all of [our coronavirus coverage here](. [Convalascent plasma]( [97,000 People Got Convalescent Plasma. Who Knows If It Works?]( [A treatment made from the blood of recovered Covid-19 patients seemed promising in March. Today … well, it’s still just promising.]( [kamala harris in shadow on dnc stage]( [How the Pandemic Reshaped Election Campaigns—Maybe Forever]( [The digital infrastructures have been under construction for years. But the pandemic has forced candidates to embrace them and to get creative with how they use them.]( [laptop]( [Need a Cheap Laptop? These Are Our Favorites]( [You don't have to spend a fortune to get a good notebook.]( [Two people kiss surrounded by data.]( [A Rocket Scientist’s Love Algorithm Adds Up During Covid-19]( [On the brink of a breakup, a JPL engineer computed a relationship prediction formula. It eventually became a dating app—and its value is rising in the midst of a pandemic.]( [(image) Condé Nast Spotlight | The breaking news and top stories everyone is talking about. All in one place. The most popular stories from Vogue, GQ, The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Wired, Architectural Digest and more. STAY INFORMED]( [(image) WIRED Logo]( [(image) WIRED on Facebook]( [(image) WIRED on Twitter]( [(image) WIRED on Instagram]( [(image) WIRED on LinkedIn]( [(image) WIRED on YouTube]( [Podcasts]( This e-mail was sent to you by WIRED. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our e-mail address, wired@newsletters.wired.com, to your address book. View our [Privacy Policy]( [Unsubscribe]( or [Manage your newsletter subscriptions](newsletter=wir)