How To Clean For Coronavirus; Why AA Doesn't Work For Everyone; A Better Way To Do Nothing

Plus, fewer babies, longer lives - why we didn't get the predicted population boom.

Stories and Podcasts You May Have Missed Photo Illustration by Max Posner/NPR Mild. Moderate. Serious. Severe or extreme. These are some of the adjectives being used to describe COVID-19 symptoms. Here is a breakdown of the range of symptoms within these categories.  There is likely a bacteria party raging on your phone right now. A new study breaks down how long the coronavirus can live on hard surfaces. Here's how to clean what you touch.  Millions of workers are figuring out a new work-life balance as employers try to curb the spread of the coronavirus by ordering them to stay away from the office. Here are tips on how to protect your kids and talk to them about the pandemic.  The coronavirus will likely take longer to reach remote rural communities but may be more devastating. Though there may not be public transit or big crowds, rural areas are vulnerable in other ways, especially when it comes to health care. A key limiting factor to providing good care for coronavirus patients is the low number of ventilation machines hospital have on hand to help the most seriously ill patients breathe. The Department of Defense has halted domestic travel for all service members, civilian employees and their families to help combat the coronavirus pandemic. Newsletter continues after sponsor message Other News From Around The Globe Guillermo Arias/AFP via Getty Images What would happen if all the women in a country simply disappeared? Mexico got a preview when women across the country stayed home as part of a 24-hour strike to protest staggering levels of violence against women. The growth of private satellite companies is providing U.S. intelligence agencies a wealth of valuable new data, but it is also creating a new challenge: How to sort through a million images a day. The U.S. Soccer Federation faced a backlash after stating in court documents that players on the men's national team possess greater skill and have more demanding jobs than their female counterparts. The head of the organization resigned days later.  Listen Up! moodboard - Mike Watson/Getty Images Women around the world are having fewer children, and more people are living into their seventies, eighties, and nineties. Hidden Brain looks at why the reality of population growth turned out to be far different from those 1960s predictions.  (Listening time, 36:47 or read the story).  There is a better way to do nothing. When you collapse on the couch after a long workday and start scrolling through social media, your brain thinks you are still working. Instead, says one expert, try to be intentional about doing absolutely nothing during your downtime.  (Listening time, 7:11 or read the story) Alcoholics Anonymous may be just as good or better than scientifically proven treatments to help people quit drinking, according to a new review. But AA still doesn't work for everyone. (Listening time, 3:51 or read the transcript).  Our Picture Show Pick Nathan Rott/NPR After a season of devastating bushfires around the country, there are signs of regrowth across much of eastern Australia. But there is also concern that a changing climate may alter some of the country's unique landscapes forever. Books And Music NPR To tide you over until Monday's hotly anticipated Tiny Desk concert with Harry Styles, we thought we'd share a little pregame entertainment, in which Styles talks about his favorite American football team. NPR Music is here to help you chill out during these anxious times. Encompassing classical, folk, jazz, ambient, pop, blues, soul, hip-hop, indie-rock and more, here is a playlist we're calling "Isle of Calm."  When illustrator Rashin Kheiriyeh first read the manuscript of author Kyo Maclear’s book Story Boat, she saw parallels in the tale with her own life as a refuge. "It's a story about uncertainty. It's about dreaming," Maclear says. — By Suzette Lohmeyer What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: bestofnpr@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Daily News, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Best of NPR emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy