Articles of interest about journalism, writing, conspiracy theories & more - May 3

***COVID-19

Reaching ‘Herd Immunity’ Is Unlikely in the U.S., Experts Now ($)

Vaccines could be approved for children by summer 

The Covid-19 Pandemic Ends With Exponential Decay ($)

How Pfizer manufactures its COVID-19 vaccine (data visualization) 

U.S. May Have Hit The Mark With Vaccinations To Beat Back COVID-19 

Vaccinated and ready to hit the gym? Here’s how to assess the risks. Vaccinated and ready to hit the gym? Here’s how to assess the risks. ($)

CDC says it is safe for vaccinated people to unmask outdoors

What ‘Taking the Pandemic Seriously’ Means Now (opinion)

***JOURNALISM

‘Understanding Title IX’ is a new Poynter course to help student journalists navigate this complex federal law

‘1619 Project’ writer to join UNC journalism school faculty  

Reporter resigns over story that claimed migrant kids were being given VP's books ($) 

Why the New York Times's Opinion Redesign Drops 'Op-Ed'  ($)

How do audiences decide what news to trust? Fairness and accuracy aren’t the only things that matter 

News deserts and weak ethics laws allow corruption to run rampant in SC

Science journalism grows up (opinion) 

Why do people still get print newspapers? Well, partly to start up the grill (seriously)

***THE BUSINESS OF JOURNALISM

Do newsrooms have to be in … newsrooms?

A Gannett union study shows major gender and racial pay gaps in 14 of its newsrooms 

Major media is taking millions from Facebook — and keeping the details secret

How local TV stations plan to remain relevant as viewers shift to streaming 

Wave of New Newspapers Sue Google and Facebook

***SUBSTACK

What Substack is really doing to the media 

Substack cofounders discuss $1 million local news plan

***FREE SPEECH 

Cheerleader's case could shape workplace social media policies

Wave Of 'Anti-Protest' Bills Could Threaten First Amendment  

***PRODUCING MEDIA

A Complete Guide: How To Save on Professional Video Production Costs

Apple will let podcasters sell subscriptions and keep a cut for itself

Podcast paywalls are here 

***WRITING & READING

This Is How Reading Rewires Your Brain, According to Neuroscience

Where should you buy books? ($)

Is It OK When Passive Voice Is Used? 

When the Plagiarist Sends the DMCA Notice 

A Joy Of Reading, Sparked By a Special Librarian 

11 books to pull you out of a reading rut

Be careful about what you give away in your excitement about signing a contract for a book ($

***COVID CONSPIRACIES

Study: COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs increased among users of conservative and social media

How conspiracy theories about COVID-19 prey on Latinos (opinion) ($)

***SCIENCE CONSPIRACIES

What’s the secret science of conspiracy theories?

Misinformation in and about science 

***FAKES, FRAUDS & SCAMS

The slow, painful death of Trump allies’ voting-machine conspiracy theories

Scam sends threatening texts about drug cartels 

How QAnon Conspiracy Theorists Are Winning Local Elections

Study lacks evidence on masks, isn’t linked to Stanford

***SOCIAL MEDIA 

Parler's New iPhone App Will Block Posts That Apple Prohibits

Facebook announces Clubhouse clone, podcast features, Spotify integration, and more

***PRIVACY & SECURITY 

Experian exposes credit scores through unprotected API

Internet industry braces for new privacy rules

Stop using your work laptop or phone for personal stuff, because I know you are 

D.C. Police Department Victim Of Apparent Ransomware Attack

***LITERATURE

The science behind how literature improves our lives

Shakespeare’s musings on religion are like curious whispers – they require deep listening to be heard

‘A Jane Austen Museum Wants to Discuss Slavery. Will Her Fans Listen?’

***POETRY

How Poetry Has Helped To Guide People During The Pandemic 

For National Poetry Month, five poets reflect on the seasons ($)