Japan suicides decline as COVID-19 lockdown causes shift in stress factors
April’s 20% drop compared with a year earlier may be the result of delays to start of school year, less commuting and more time with family
COVID-19
Slovenia becomes first European country to declare end of COVID-19 epidemic
Despite the announcement, many measures implemented to slow the virus from spreading will remain. Some of those restrictions will continue through the end of the month.
International poll shows 71% of people are as concerned about climate as they are about COVID-19
65% of the 28,000 people across 29 nations surveyed want a green economic recovery from COVID-19. This proportion of citizens is particularly high in India, China, and Mexico where where 80% favor such a plan.
Britain to invest £2 billion in cycling and walking in response to COVID-19
The government will bring forward a “national cycling plan” to try and double cycling (and increase walking) by 2025. It will trial the use of e-scooters and publish statutory advice for councils to accommodate cyclists and walkers.
Students create mental-health website for medical professionals battling COVID-19
Studies suggest that health care workers on the frontlines of the pandemic are more likely to experience anxiety, depression and symptoms of post-traumatic stress.
FDA to authorize remdesivir for COVID-19 treatment after trial shows ‘positive effect’
The government-funded study found that patients who took remdesivir recovered faster than patients who did not, potentially freeing up more hospital beds amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Los Angeles becomes the first major city in the US to offer free coronavirus testing for all residents
Los Angeles will offer the testing to residents regardless of whether they are experiencing symptoms, but those who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms will take priority.
New York and Kentucky expand mail-in voting access
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear both signed executive orders mandating applications for absentee ballots be sent to all of their states’ voters — upon returning the applications to state officials, voters will receive ballots.
Coursera makes online catalog free for unemployed workers
Federal, state, and local government agencies in the United States and abroad that serve the unemployed can apply provide free access to Coursera’s courses—an offer that typically costs $399 per year—through September 30.
Oxford University begins human trials of COVID-19 vaccine
The first patients have been enrolled in human trials for a coronavirus vaccine at the historic University of Oxford after the U.K.’s Health Secretary said the country would be “throwing everything” behind the project.