The Status of the Pandemic, in Three Charts

Public discussion of “herd immunity” often treats it like an on-off switch: When the U.S. reaches herd immunity, the crisis will be over; until then, the country has little immunity from Covid-19.

But that’s not right.

Herd immunity is more like a light dimmer. The more people develop immunity — either from having been infected or from being vaccinated — the less easily the virus will spread.

Nearly 30 percent of Americans have now had the virus, according to Youyang Gu, a data scientist. (That includes many people who have never taken a Covid test.) About 18 percent have received

What Is ‘The Firm’? The Royal Family Institution, Explained

When Prince Harry’s wife, Meghan, referred to the British royal family as “the Firm” in their dramatic interview with Oprah Winfrey on Sunday, she evoked an institution that is as much a business as a fantasy. It is now a business in crisis, after the couple leveled charges of racism and cruelty against members of the family.

Buckingham Palace responded on Tuesday that “the whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan.” The allegations of racism, the palace statement said, were “concerning,” and “while some recollections

MARCHing to the Beat w/ Music Maven DJ Lambo

By Designer Tasha of VonRay Designs 

There are some phenomenal female DJs and host all around the world. I have a list of some of my favorite female djs and DJ Lambo is at the top of my list. I met her on one of my many journeys to Nigeria, specifically one of her trips where we were showcasing in a fashion show there. Her spirit was so warm, she had a a very fashionable style, unique sneakers and I had heard little whispers that we favored each other! At that point we were both rocking undercuts, colorful braids and camo jackets! …

Indonesia Bus Plummets Into Ravine, Killing 26

JAKARTA, Indonesia — A tourist bus plummeted into a ravine on Indonesia’s main island of Java after its brakes apparently malfunctioned, killing at least 26 people and injuring 35 others, police and rescuers said Thursday.

The bus was carrying a group of Islamic junior high school students and their parents from the West Java province town of Subang to a pilgrimage site in the province’s Tasikmalaya district when the accident happened late Wednesday on a winding road, the local police chief Eko Prasetyo Robbyanto said.

He said the bus plunged into the 65-fooot-deep ravine after the driver lost control of