
Translating…
Our reality has felt like a dystopian sci-fi movie for a while now, but at least now there’s a positive plot twist. First, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson both survived a bout with COVID-19. Now Hanks tells Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me! that he and his wife both have coronavirus antibodies in their systems, and have donated their blood to science in case the plasma can be used for good:
We have not only been approached, we have said, ‘Do you want our blood? Can we give plasma?’ And, in fact, we will be giving it now to the places that hope to work on what I would like to call the Hank-ccine.
HANK-CCINE. In all of the stress and awfulness around us, at least we have that happy thought to carry us through.
Rita Wilson had previously mentioned this on CBS:
Well, that’s what they told us and that’s what the belief is. We recently have been part of a study where we’ve donated our blood, and we’re waiting to hear back if our antibodies will be helpful in developing a vaccine, but also if we are able to donate plasma that can be used as donation to other people who are suffering from the virus because we are immune.
George Stephanopoulous has also donated plasma but that’s not nearly as exciting.
Tom Hanks on Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me! [NPR]
Tom Hanks’ Blood Will be Used To Develop COVID-19 Vaccine [Today Online]
Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson to donate blood for COVID-19 vaccine [Katie Scott / Global News CA]
Image: e-ole4 / Flickr (CC 2.0)
Astronaut and artist Nicole Stott has advice for us about social distancing
Nicole Stott is a talented artist and retired astronaut who spent more than 100 days living in space on the Space Shuttle and International Space Station. Stott is one of several astronauts who in recent days has been asked to share their advice on isolation and social distancing. “Nothing beats that first hug after landing,” […]
READ THE REST
Comparing COVID-19 to other causes of death
As the number of COVID-19 deaths in the United States blows past 60,000 faster than officials predicted, STAT [statnews.com] compares the 2020 coronavirus outbreak to other causes of death for which we have historical data.
READ THE REST
Why all scientists must fight the “infodemic” of bullshit claims and quackery
Bleach injections and tanning beds as treatments. The false link between 5G and COVID-19. This onslaught of bullshit claims and quackery around COVID-19 is an “infodemic,” as the World Health Organization says. In the science journal Nature, University of Alberta law professor Timothy Caulfield, the Canada research chair in health law and policy, explains why […]
READ THE REST
Think you can’t draw? This package of expert training might just change your mind.
“Drawing used to be a civilized thing to do, like reading and writing. It was taught in elementary schools. It was democratic. It was a boon to happiness.” – Michael Kimmelman With so much chaos in the world, it’s never been more important to find activities that center us and bring us joy. And while […]
READ THE REST
This cash management account lets you literally pay it forward
Today, most people want to live a socially conscious lifestyle and minimize their impact on the world. While companies are addressing this need by embracing sustainable farming and sourcing recycled materials, many financial services firms only provide account holders with a secure place to store funds. Aspiration is a financial firm with a conscience, that […]
READ THE REST
This palm-sized thermal printer can print up your photos in seconds, all without any ink
There’s a reason why Polaroids were so popular for so long. Even now, in a world where you can take a picture and send an exact copy to a friend in seconds, there’s something appealing about having a tangible, real-world representation of your image in your hand in seconds, ready to be saved for all […]