We thought 90% efficacy was good until Moderna’s results were announced.

Happening in the world: The largest trading bloc was officially formed over the weekend, a consortium of fifteen countries in Southeast Asia and the Pacific called the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). This bloc covers nearly a third of the global economy and hopes to help spur economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. Countries include Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea. (BBC)

Happening in the US: Early data from the US drugmaker Moderna suggests that its vaccine is 94.5% effective in preventing coronavirus, an efficacy leagues above the 50% threshold for FDA emergency authorization and greater than Pfizer’s vaccine, which was announced last week to appear to be 90% effective. Unlike Pfizer’s vaccine, which also uses mRNA technology, Moderna’s vaccine needs to be stored at significantly warmer temperatures and can remain safely stored in standard refrigeration for thirty days, making it far more viable for the kind of mass vaccination campaigns needed to quell the spread of COVID-19. (NYT)

Happening in NYC: Parents and students alike are growing more and more anxious over the information deficit on the New York City high school and middle school admissions process for the next school year, 2021-2022. In a typical year, students would be sending in their applications by early December, but that deadline has been indefinitely postponed, and the specialized admissions tests, originally slated to take place in October, have been canceled outright. The information gap, parents claim, has only made the already-competitive and stressful admissions process all the more anxiety-inducing. (Gothamist)

Happening in our community: Tomorrow from 7 pm to 9 pm, join the Harriman Institute for their talk titled “New Russian TV.” The talk will explore how increased production values, streaming services, and exploration of previously taboo subjects like gender and sexuality are impacting the field of Russian television. Learn more and register for the event here.

Happening in my mind: Taika Waititi’s best film (I will say it), Hunt for the Wilderpeople is on Netflix, and you should definitely watch it. Never mind the fact that, though it is always midterm season, it is especially Midterm Season right now. Go enjoy a lovely movie!

The horizon that said hope is on via Pixabay