What you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic on 10 August

COVID-19: What you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic on 10 August: Top stories: Australia reports deadliest day; global confirmed cases near 20 million; and New Zealand reaches milestone.

100 days without COVID-19: how New Zealand got rid of a virus

100 days without COVID-19: how New Zealand got rid of a virus that keeps spreading across the world: New Zealand relied on three types of measures to get rid of the virus:

ongoing border controls to stop COVID-19 from entering the country

a lockdown and physical distancing to stop community transmission

case-based controls using testing, contact tracing and quarantine.

Collectively, these measures have achieved low case numbers and deaths compared with high-income countries in Europe and North America that pursued a suppression strategy.

COVID-19: more rules, less international order

COVID-19: more rules, less international order: COVID-19’s negative impact on geopolitics is becoming clear. There has been no peace dividend. The old conflicts and disputes are still there and some have been exacerbated. The pandemic did not prove a moment for multilateralism; instead, it exposed the shortcomings and divisions within multilateral organisations. Far from ushering in an age of humanitarian cooperation, it has created an atmosphere of blame and recrimination.

But there is an additional consequence of the pandemic: the proliferation of rules. Rather than enhance, as it should have done, a collegiate, equity-based approach to rules both within jurisdictions and the international community, COVID-19 has spawned a culture of unilateral, nationalist rules. Whilst there are rules in abundance, they are not supportive of the international order.

How Did I Catch the Coronavirus

How Did I Catch the Coronavirus: I had been isolated since April 1st. Scientists state that the incubation period can be anywhere from two to fourteen days, although fourteen days, or longer, is rare. Where would I have picked it up? I had had almost no exposure to any other person for more than two weeks. In any case, by the second week, I started to feel a little better. Still unusually exhausted, but I thought that might just be quarantine malaise.

Scientists rename human genes to stop Microsoft Excel from misreading them as dates

Scientists rename human genes to stop Microsoft Excel from misreading them as dates: over the past year or so, some 27 human genes have been renamed, all because Microsoft Excel kept misreading their symbols as dates.

Why the Pandemic Is So Bad in America

Why the Pandemic Is So Bad in America: Much about coronaviruses is still unknown. There are no surveillance networks for detecting them as there are for influenza. There are no approved treatments or vaccines. Coronaviruses were formerly a niche family, of mainly veterinary importance. Four decades ago, just 60 or so scientists attended the first international meeting on coronaviruses.

Tips for Coping When Covid Closes Your Business Permanently

3 Tips for Coping When Covid Closes Your Business Permanently: Experts say giving yourself time and space to grieve is crucial.