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Nov. 7, 2021, 11:32 p.m.

News Wrap: COVID-19 pill may cut hospitalization, death risk by 90%

Summary

In our latest News Wrap, Pfizer announced strong results for a pill to treat COVID-19. Trials show it cuts infections and deaths by nearly 90 percent in high-risk adults. Three white men accused of murdering Ahmaud Arbery, a Black man, formally went on trial in Brunswick, Georgia. Mexican authorities are condemning Thursday's eruption of drug violence along the Caribbean coast.

Five Facts

  • Who might benefit from new COVID medications?
  • What did a new jobs report last week show?
  • Where did three men go on trial last week for the killing of Ahmaud Arbery?
  • Where did an attack by armed men lead to new concerns about drug violence?
  • What mysterious condition affecting American diplomats is being investigated by the State Department?

Focus Questions

If new drugs for treating COVID prove as effective as claimed, do you think federal rules and laws designed to reduce COVID transmission change in any way? If so, in what way? Media literacy: Was there an item in this news wrap that didn't make sense to you, or that you wish had been covered in more detail? If so, what?

For More

This story describes a pill that may reduce the effects of COVID made by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer. Another drug, made by Merck and awaiting approval, is explained here .

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