More Americans travelled Wednesday than on any other day in the last eight months — 1.1 million Americans — continuing the country’s long-standing annual tradition of gathering to give thanks. The same week the Pope apparently felt compelled to publish an opinion piece in one of the country’s largest newspapers to share his own thoughts about the pandemic. First, the Pope…
Tag: contact
Epidemiologist explains CDC guidance on 15 minutes of exposure
New guidance from the CDC says that 15 minutes of exposure – regardless of whether that occurs at one time – can result in transmission of the coronavirus. Source: https://earthsky.org/human-world/epidemiologist-explains-cdc-guidance-15-minutes-covid19-exposure…
‘Smart’ Doorbells For Sale On Amazon, eBay Came Stocked With Security Vulnerabilities
The U.K.-based security company NCC Group and consumer advocacy group Which? have found vulnerabilities in 11 “smart” doorbells sold on popular platforms like Amazon and eBay. CyberScoop reports: One flaw could allow a remote attacker to break into the wireless network by swiping login credentials. Another critical bug, which has been around for years, could enable attackers to intercept and manipulate…
NSF says Arecibo telescope will be dismantled
Heartbreaking news. After 57 years as a world-class resource for astronomy, the iconic Arecibo telescope is to be decommissioned, or withdrawn from service, the NSF announced today. The dish-type radio telescope – built into a natural depression in the landscape in Puerto Rico – appears to be headed for a “controlled disassembly.” Source: https://earthsky.org/space/arecibo-telescope-to-be-decommissioned…
Screening Travelers For Symptoms of COVID-19 Was Ineffective, CDC Study Says
Temperature and symptom-based screening programs don’t help catch coronavirus cases, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a new report that took a closer look at the programs used at US airports until mid-September. CNN reports: The CDC said this was a resource-intensive program that had a low case detection rate. Between January 17 and September 13, the…
Debt Collectors Will Soon Be Allowed To Reach You By Text Or On Facebook
The federal government has cleared the way for collection agencies to send unlimited texts, emails and even instant messages to debtors on social media platforms. CBS News reports: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a final rule late last week outlining how collectors can use new communication methods. The federal agency, which is charged with protecting Americans from financial abuse, did…
NASA re-establishes contact with Voyager 2 spacecraft
On October 29, NASA re-established contact with its Voyager 2 spacecraft, after the probe was left flying solo for 7 months while repairs were made to the radio antenna in Australia used to control it. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/nasa-reestablishes-contact-with-voyager2-spacecraft-oct2020…
NASA finally makes contact with Voyager 2 after longest radio silence in 30 years
After long months with no way of making contact with Voyager 2, NASA has finally reestablished communications with the record-setting interstellar spacecraft. Source: https://www.livescience.com/nasa-makes-contact-voyager-2-long-radio-silence.html
Linux Foundation Creates Its Own Versions of Apple/Google Coronavirus Tracing Apps
“The Linux Foundation has formed a new group to provide public health authorities with free technology for tracking the spread of the coronavirus and future epidemics,” writes Business Insider. Launched in July, the group has already released two apps “that notify users if they’ve been in contact with someone who has tested positive with COVID-19.” Since these apps are open source,…
Therapy Patients Blackmailed For Cash After Clinic Data Breach
“Many patients of a large psychotherapy clinic in Finland have been contacted individually by a blackmailer, after their data was stolen,” reports the BBC: The data appears to have included personal identification records and notes about what was discussed in therapy sessions. Vastaamo is a nationwide practice with about 20 branches and thousands of patients. The clinic has advised those affected…