Monday Briefing | December 7

Photo: China released a photo of its flag on the moon on Thursday. https://metro.co.uk/2020/12/05/china-becomes-second-nation-to-plant-flag-on-moon-during-mission-to-gather-rocks-13705129/

Stories to follow:

China became the second country in history to put its national flag on the moon. Last Thursday, China’s Chang’e-5 space probe, which is named after a mythical Chinese moon goddess, photographed the flag. China aims to bring back the first samples of lunar rock in four decades. Scientists hope that these samples will help them explore the moon’s formation, volcanic activity and its origins. Aiming to catch up with the American and Russian space programs and to become a space superpower, China hopes to have a full crew in its space station by 2022 and to eventually send people to the moon. 

Meanwhile, countries across Latin America are starting to order coronavirus vaccines and set up dates for the Pfizer vaccine’s distribution. Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador is planning to authorize the COVID-19 vaccine after December 10, with healthcare workers and teachers being the first in line to receive vaccinations. Puerto Rico is supposed to receive the first 1,000 doses of the vaccine next week, awaiting the health department’s approval. Colombia is also planning to order 10 million doses from Pfizer biopharmaceuticals. 

Happening this week: 

On Tuesday at 1 p.m., join the free online discussion “Health Disparities in America: What’s the Cure?” The event features Jamila Taylor from The Century Foundation, Harvard professor Amitabh Chandra and Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, a physician and epidemiologist. The panelists will discuss policy ideas to eliminate health disparities in the U.S. Register here. 

Want to ramp up your home gardening this winter break? Log onto the “QTPOC Virtual Gathering: Winter Plant-Care Workshop” on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Christopher Griffin will give winter tips for your plants, beginner tricks, as well as discuss the personal benefits of gardening. Register here.

In Your Free Time:

Are you dying to see a broadway musical? Reserve your spot for the digital production of the Broadway musical “Meet me in St. Louis,” which premiered in 1989, and is based on the 1944 movie. In this holiday musical, the Smith family is caught in the midst of life changes and new love in 1904 in St. Louis, just before the World’s Fair. There are multiple streamings this weekend, and reservations are free, but suggested donations are $25. Register and see the dates and times here.

This week’s Monday Briefing was brought to you by Susanne Schweitzer.