Two variants may account for half of New York City’s virus cases, health officials said.
A version of the coronavirus first discovered in Britain continues to spread, while a second is moving even more quickly. Still, cases are down in the city, and the vaccines remain effective.
Your Thursday Briefing
Historic stimulus passes Congress.
Indoor dining in N.Y.C. and New Jersey can go to 50 percent on March 19, the governors say.
The new half-capacity limit in New Jersey also applies to casinos, salons and gyms.
New York City School Reopening Did Not Drive Virus Spread, Study Says
A return to in-person teaching in the nation’s largest school system did not appear to make the pandemic worse, researchers say.
Deepfake Videos of Eerie Tom Cruise Revive Debate
A tool that allows old photographs to be animated, and viral videos of a Tom Cruise impersonation, shined new light on digital impersonations.
The New Hong Kong
And what else you need to know today.
Travel Workers Despair a Year Lost to Covid-19
Six travel workers, from a cruise ship crewmember in Manila to a tour bus driver in East Jerusalem, share how the prolonged shutdown has upended their lives.
Alaska Is First State to Offer Vaccines to All Residents 16 and Over
Alaska has already fully vaccinated 16 percent of its population, the highest in the country.
Your Wednesday Briefing
Myanmar’s unrepentant, brutal military.
Piers Morgan Departs ‘Good Morning Britain’ After Attacks on Meghan
The television anchor stormed off the set of an ITV news program after his co-host, Alex Beresford, criticized his remarks about the Duchess of Sussex.