Researched and collated by: Rachel John & Devaki Divan

Bad news about long Covid

Each day brings more damning evidence of the long-term effects of Covid. The latest research looked at records of 1.28 million survivors—over a period of two years. Here’s what it found:

“While anxiety and depression occur more frequently after Covid than other respiratory infections, the risk typically subsides within two months...In contrast, cognitive deficits known colloquially as ‘brain fog,’ epilepsy, seizures and other longer-term mental and brain health disorders remained elevated 24 months later.”

The good news is that children are at a lower risk of developing these neurological and psychiatric disorders. The bad news: these complications have not subsided even though the new variants cause less severe disease. (Bloomberg News)

Speaking of Covid: Authorities in a coastal city in China are now swabbing both fishermen—and each of the fish they’ve caught—to test for infection…every day! (The Guardian)

Bad news about monkeypox: A 4-year-old Italian greyhound caught the virus from his owners—12 days after they first showed symptoms of the disease. Likely reason: the dog shares the bed with them. The human-to-animal transmission isn’t that surprising—but medical experts don’t know if animals can spread the disease to others. They, however, emphasise the need to isolate pets from those infected. FYI: the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention lists 10 animals that can catch the virus—ranging from hamsters to squirrels. (Washington Post)

The long wait for a US visa

Indians hoping to head for American shores for a holiday will have to wait at least 1.5 years for a visa appointment. So if you apply today, you will likely get to see the consular officer only in 2024. The waiting time for student visas varies wildly from one US consulate to another. For example, you have to wait 471 days if you apply in Delhi—but only 8 days in Chennai. The main culprit: a big backlog thanks to the pandemic and not enough staff. (Times of India)

China’s big ‘rainmaking’ plan

China's heatwave has lasted 64 days—making it the longest and “strongest” in more than six decades. Authorities have issued its highest red alert heat warning for 138 cities and counties—and there is no sign of respite in sight. The government is now seeding clouds to trigger rainfall. How it works:

“The silver iodide rods—which are typically the size of cigarettes—are shot into existing clouds to help form ice crystals. The crystals then help the cloud produce more rain, making its moisture content heavier and more likely to be released.”

FYI: China has the biggest cloud seeding program in the world. (CNN)

Speaking of climate change: Bumblebees are growing asymmetrical wings due to hotter and wetter weather. (National History Museum London)

Also adapting to weather: The Great Indian Bustard—which is now laying a clutch of two eggs at a time. Until now, the birds have only produced a single egg. The reason: excess rainfall during the recent monsoons in Rajasthan:

“As the GIB, which is the State bird of Rajasthan, survives mainly on reptiles, gerbils, grasshoppers, large insects and locusts, a rich quantity of feed was produced this year, providing additional proteins to the endangered birds, which have doubled their clutch size ‘in happiness’.”

Japan to citizens: drink now!

The government has launched a nationwide competition—called ‘Sake Viva!’—calling for ideas on how to “stimulate demand among young people” for booze. The reason: the pandemic hurt alcohol consumption—which is also plummeting due to an ageing population. Shocking data point to note: “About 30% of people in their 40s to 60s drink regularly, meaning three days or more per week, the ministry said—compared to just 7.8% of people in their 20s.” All of which is hurting the government’s tax kitty—hence the call for everyone to raise a glass and say ‘kanpai!’ (CNN)

Meanwhile, in Karnataka: The government has issued a far more ‘sober’ call to action. All school kids will now have to sing the national anthem every day—to instill “a sense of nationalism and nationalistic pride in students.” (The News Minute)

Three things to see 

One: A video of Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin partying with her friends has gone viral—and upset her critics. The media claims you can hear someone yelling something about cocaine in the background. But Marin insists she has “nothing to conceal…I have danced, sung, celebrated, done legal things.” Well, we’d personally prefer a nation’s leader who has fun—rather than make everyone else miserable—which seems to be part of the job description these days. FYI: 36-year-old Marin is Finland’s youngest PM and leads a coalition government of five parties. (Politico)

Two: The US Navy trains military dolphins to track mines, spy on other nations etc. Researchers stuck GoPro cameras on them for six months. The footage is bizarre and a bit icky since you get a far too close-up view of the dolphins feeding on fish. So not quite the marine cuties you’re used to. (Gizmodo)

Three: The mayor of Venice is on a manhunt for two people who were videotaped foil surfing in the city’s Grand Canal. Foil surfing involves a surfboard that has a ‘hydrofoil’—like an underwater fin—that allows you to fly over the water. The bounty offered for ratting out these “overbearing imbeciles”: A nice dinner. (BBC)