The good, the bad, and the in-between… but actually, mostly the good.

Happening in the world: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden announced today that the SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus causing the current pandemic, has been “eliminated” in her country, with only one new confirmed case on Sunday. Undoubtedly aided by the country’s isolation as a remote island nation, New Zealand’s early response, with some of the most stringent restrictions in the world, has been praised for its clarity and effectiveness in preventing an outbreak. Some restrictions are set to be lifted on Tuesday, but officials warn social distancing will still need to be kept up for the time being. (BBC)

Happening in the US: In some news unrelated to the current pandemic, Chicago has passed a measure to ban all horse-drawn carriages by January 2021. Only ten licenses for the practice remain, the final remnants of an industry that has been on the decline in the city, and others like it, for decades. The move has been celebrated by animal rights advocates, who assert that the practice is inhumane and abusive, though supporters claim that the practice is not harmful and serves to preserve a part of the city’s cultural history. (NYT)

Happening in NYC: The construction on the L train tunnel between Manhattan and Brooklyn is finished—and ahead of schedule, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced yesterday. Work began on the project in April 2019 after a contentious debate over whether to repair or rebuild the tunnel, which suffered lasting damage from Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Some critics worry this fast completion means that the issues that lead to calls for rebuilding are not being resolved but merely patched over for the time being. (Gothamist)

How to start your week: It’s the last full week of classes! Take a moment to be proud of the fact that you’ve (nearly) made it through this Zoom semester.

Image via Public Domain Pictures