Covid-19
(Salwan Georges, Washington Post)
Only one of their children survived Sandy Hook. Now school posed a new threat: The virus. (Washington Post, ~17 min.)
He’s a recruiter for a Covid-19 vaccine trial. Can he overcome communities’ distrust — and his own mother’s? I volunteered for a vaccine trial after reading this. (STAT, ~10 min.)
How four out-of-work L.A. strippers made their show virtual and are “taking the power back.” I love this story. (Los Angeles Times, ~6 min.)
We’re all nesting now. (The Atlantic, ~7 min.)
Race, policing & Black Lives Matter
(Aymann Ismail, Slate)
A teenage clerk called the cops on George Floyd. How should the brothers who own CUP Foods pay for what happened next? Illuminating and terrific. (Slate, ~27 min.)
In a Chicago suburb, the world’s first government-funded slavery reparations program is beginning. It’s a victory more than 200 years in the making. (The Guardian, ~23 min.)
A broken window and a gun led to the death of James Scurlock outside a bar in Omaha. Then the search for justice began. (GEN, ~19 min.)
The best of the rest
(Kathryn & Doug Houston via Outside)
Why aren’t more people talking about the Ohio State sex abuse scandal? Seriously, why? It’s on par with the Larry Nassar sex abuse scandal in the sport of gymnastics. (Sports Illustrated, ~30 min.)
There’s no such thing as ethical grocery shopping. I knew, but I didn’t know. Ugh. (New Republic, ~9 min.)
The pandemic has boosted interest in vending machine ownership, but just how lucrative is the business? (The Hustle, ~8 min.)
Inside the Lincoln Project’s war against Trump: Progressives are wary of the conservative group hammering the president, but its founders say they’re fighting for all Americans. (New Yorker, ~33 min.)
Why do fast-casual restaurants get a pass on appropriation? Chipotle, we’re looking at you. (Eater, ~12 min.)
(Chip Clark, Smithsonian Institution via Audubon Magazine)
The remarkable life of Roxie Laybourne: From deep within the Smithsonian, the world’s first forensic ornithologist cracked cases, busted criminals, and changed the course of aviation. I loved every minute of this. (Audubon Magazine, ~20 min.)
Why reading is not an inherent moral good. I’ve looked down my nose at non-readers my whole life … was it all for naught? (Literary Hub, ~17 min.)
How Gabby Giffords survived a shot to the head, and outsmarted the NRA. (Vanity Fair, ~39 min.)
There’s never been a story like Britney Spears’. This is not the bubblegum read you think it is, promise. (The Atlantic, ~15 min.)
How the SAT failed America. Not going to lie, definitely read this with glee. (Forbes, ~20 min.)
If you read one thing this week
(Allison V. Smith, Washington Post)
Tony Green was a Covid denier, so he threw a party. Then everyone got sick ... (Washington Post, ~9 min.)
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Thanks for reading.
Kirsten