Will Coronavirus Ever End? | Democrats Face Test in Nevada

Smart news for busy people www.ozy.com Podcast available from 8 am et Podcast available from 8 am et Sponsored by HAPPENING TODAY | February 22 [Will Coronavirus Ever End? | Democrats Face Test in Nevada]( important 1 [Will Coronavirus Ever End?]( News that the outbreak [might finally be losing steam]( in China has been tempered by a potentially more troubling fact: Infections are up elsewhere as the virus continues its global spread. South Korea, where a religious group accounts for many of the country’s 433 confirmed cases, is the latest hotspot. But an alarming new outbreak is also rattling Iran, where officials say four people have died so far. What’s next? Noting that deaths typically occur weeks after the virus first spreads, experts say a secretive country like the Islamic Republic could actually have far more cases than anyone realizes — with “a lot more deaths on the way.” SOURCES: [NYT]( / [Reuters]( 2 [Democrats Face Major Test in Nevada]( What happens in Vegas … won’t stay in Vegas. Tens of thousands of Democratic voters will hit caucus sites across the Silver State today in the first presidential contest out West — one that’ll test candidates’ appeal among non-White voters. Local Democrats, meanwhile, have yet another goal in mind: Avoiding a repeat of the Iowa debacle, largely by scrambling tech-savvy volunteers and streamlining the reporting process. How will things shake out? Sen. Bernie Sanders is the front-runner, but new reports that Russia’s been trying to boost his campaign could complicate his chances. Don’t miss [OZY’s take]( on Sanders’ huge Super Tuesday advantage. SOURCES: [AP]( / [The Hill]( / [Washington Post]( 3 [The Far-Right Thorn in Germany’s Side]( When Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union teamed up with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party this month to help elect a regional governor, it sparked an outcry that even claimed Merkel’s anointed successor. Germany’s establishment has [long excluded far-right parties]( to prevent a backslide into authoritarianism, but that’s made it difficult to form workable coalitions. After this week’s murderous rampage by a far-right extremist, which fueled demands that AfD be monitored, the dilemma’s taken on even greater urgency. Where else can parties turn? They might consider siding with the increasingly popular Greens, a tactic employed by political forces elsewhere in Europe. SOURCES: [The Atlantic]( / [The Guardian]( 4 [How the ‘Great Google Revolt’ Failed]( It’s a tech-for-tat. Once urging its workers to “act like owners” by voicing their opinions, Google has apparently been walking that back over the past year. It has curbed employees’ power to question bosses, installed guidelines forbidding “raging” debates over politics and current events, and even hired an outside firm to thwart any efforts to unionize. Those who’ve tried to fight back have been suspended or fired, accused of rocking the boat. What’s the bigger picture? With worker activism [spreading to other Silicon Valley giants](, the industry’s once-key principle of collaboration across professional classes is being tested perhaps more than ever. SOURCES: [NYT]( 5 [Also Important...]( A weeklong truce [between the Taliban and U.S. and Afghan forces]( officially began yesterday, testing the prospects for lasting peace. Iranian authorities [have begun counting votes]( from Friday’s parliamentary election, in which hardliners were expected to snag a majority. And the British government has announced [that blue, post-Brexit passports](will be issued next month to replace the current burgundy documents. The Week Ahead: President Donald Trump [heads to India Monday for his first state visit]( to the South Asian nation. The 2020 NFL Combine [kicks off this week]( in Indianapolis. And former Baltimore Mayor [Catherine Pugh will be sentenced Thursday]( for fraud, conspiracy and tax evasion. OZY is hiring! We’re looking for an ambitious journalist to cover business and finance through unique, analytical and globally-minded write-ups. Check out our [jobs page]( and read the description [here](. 6 [Sponsored by CARIUMA]( [Crazy. Comfortable. The Sneaker That Understands Your Life.]( You've got a lot on your plate. A lot on your mind. The last thing you need is a lot on your feet. These kicks are consciously made, good-looking and crazy comfortable. Because while life can be complicated, your sneakers should be simple. Classic styling. Lightweight cushion technology. Sleek, sturdy canvas. What you see is what you get, and what you get is great. This is CARIUMA. A smart brand for smart people. Treat yourself to a pair and [save $15 by using the OZYOZY code here.]( SOURCES: [CARIUMA]( intriguing 1 [The Pink Plant Scam of the Century]( Reality isn’t so rosy. Always on the lookout for the next photogenic accessory, social media mavens have become enchanted by the pink princess philodendron. So popular is [the graceful plant]( that waitlists are long and prices reach into the hundreds, handing savvy scammers a lucrative opportunity. Enter the “pink congo,” another bubble-gum-colored philodendron, but one whose artificially pink leaves eventually fade — much like the excitement of easily duped Instagrammers. Will there be legal consequences? While nobody’s been prosecuted yet, some who’ve sold the phony plants have begrudgingly come clean or lowered their prices. SOURCES: [Wired]( 2 [Japan’s Artisans Aim for Modernity]( As Japan’s population ages, and its rural communities face depopulation, old-school artisans widely known as shokunin are dwindling. That’s why it’s up to a new generation to save the tradition of craftsmanship, blending the customary hyperattentive dedication to details with technology to help reinvent industries as diverse as cars and gaming to luxury accessories. What’s at stake? Besides deep-seated cultural pride, economic progress is also under threat: Totaling nearly $5 billion in the early 1980s, the value of shokunin output has fallen to around $850 million today. Read [OZY’s story]( about the Instagrammable twist on traditional Japanese art. SOURCES: [BBC]( 3 [Is Antarctica’s Stormy Sea a Friend or Foe?]( A mysterious, remote expanse around Antarctica, the Southern Ocean helps mitigate climate change by acting as a massive carbon sink. But how much carbon it consumes has long been the subject of considerable scientific debate — until now. That’s because Austrian researcher Peter Landschützer is cracking the ice, [OZY reports](: Making use of various data points, the award-winning young scientist has pinned down how much its carbon uptake actually fluctuates, offering something of a barometer for global warming more broadly. Why does it matter? Landschützer’s peers say his work not only helps them understand the Southern Ocean better, but that it’s also applicable to other bodies of water. SOURCES: [OZY]( 4 [How Hollywood Outsiders Made It to Netflix]( “I can’t believe my dream came true.” That’s how rookie TV writer Linda Yvette Chávez described seeing her Netflix show Gentefied, which premiered Friday, come to life. With co-creator Marvin Lemus, Chávez tapped into their collective cultural background to paint a humorous and moving portrait of a Los Angeles Latinx community caught in gentrification. Selling that story, it turns out, wasn’t even tough: Out of 10 pitches, the pair secured seven offers. What’s the central struggle? Gentefied tackles [the ever-shifting balance between]( preserving an ethnic identity and embracing American-style individualism. SOURCES: [Vulture]( 5 [When Cheating Becomes the Way to Win]( They’re lending “trick play” a whole new meaning. Last week, Manchester City was booted from the Champion’s League for two seasons over questionable accounting — not long after English rugby squad Saracens was fined millions of dollars for a similar violation. While these two scandals involve financial craftiness, unlike the technical machinations behind [the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing](, all three reveal the same trend: Rule-bending now seems to be the norm in pro sports. What does that say about society? As high-level athletics become an ever more profitable industry, fans worry the same greed that’s marred big business is bound to taint sports next. SOURCES: [The Ringer]( caught up? now vault ahead ... To get more fresh stories and bold ideas in your inbox, [check out The Daily Dose.]( Opinion [Black Women OWN the Conversation]( Share intimate dialogues, honest opinions and surprising solutions in our transformative discussion show. Watch now on the Oprah Winfrey Network. [READ NOW]( OZY Media, 800 West El Camino Mountain View, California 94040 This email was sent to {EMAIL} [Manage Subscriptions]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Read Online](