We asked coronavirus experts when they’ll hug, pub and fly again

We asked coronavirus experts when they'll hug, pub and fly again

The lockdown has eased and the UK is emerging into a state of hesitancy. When lockdown was at its strictest, the rules were clear: stay inside as much as you can. Now we are in a post-lockdown hinterland where pubs, shops and restaurants are reopening, but the UK is still reporting hundreds of new cases of infection each day.

In this awkward new era, every decision becomes a risk assessment. We spoke to seven of the most clued-up people when it comes to the coronavirus pandemic – epidemiologists, virologists and public health professors – to find out what risk calculations they are making on a daily basis.

Continue reading this story on WIRED

The biggest stories this week

Chinese hackers targeted major UK companies as coronavirus raged

Hackers alleged to be working on behalf of the Chinese government have been busy throughout the coronavirus crisis – including attacking targets in the UK

Carl Pei on why OnePlus is coming back to fix its biggest mistake

OnePlus lies behind only Apple and Samsung in global flagship phone sales. Now it's trying to crack the mid-range market. Again

Climate change is fuelling the spread of deadly tropical diseases

As temperatures creep up, communities are being hit with diseases they've never encountered before. The consequences are deadly

Coronavirus has ruined the great, orderly British queue

The British may be champions of standing in line, but the pandemic has made us hate it

Thinking of heading back to the gym this weekend? Read this first

With reduced capacity, temperature checks, and rules against vigorous exhaling, reopened gyms may be safe from Covid-19, but they're also less attractive to customers

WIRED Virtual Briefing: The Future of the AI Ecosystem with Kate Kallot

Join us on Monday, July 27 for a virtual briefing with WIRED editor Greg Williams and Kate Kallot, the director of AI ecosystems for the machine learning group at Arm, as they explore the future of artificial intelligence.

Inside Huawei's 5G implosion

When the UK government banned Huawei, executives were stunned. Now they're angry

How does the trial Oxford coronavirus vaccine work?

Early results from the Oxford team developing a coronavirus vaccine show their approach is safe and provokes an immune response, but it doesn't mean the vaccine works

Huge fleets of Chinese boats have been hiding in North Korean waters

A combination of satellite tech and AI has helped uncover more than 900 Chinese vessels that might be illegally fishing in North Korean waters

The best sunglasses you can buy in 2020

Whether you're after advanced UV protection for your eyes, sunnies that'll stay secure on runs or rides, or just the perfect pair for posing, WIRED Recommends picks the finest shades

What we've been reading this week

🙋 A new group of individualist loners, or "honjok", is emerging in South Korea. Rest of World tells their stories.

💊 The Guardian reports on the deadly trade in diet pills, which are being aggressively marketed to vulnerable people online.

💸 One of America's richest men tells Bloomberg Businessweek how the pandemic unfolded when you made your billions from Wall Street.

From the WIRED long read archive

What's driving Elon Musk?

He's one of the technology industry's most high profile and controversial figures. Here, his family, friends and colleagues reveal the inside story of Elon Musk

what to do this weekend

📺 Succession is part slick HBO drama, part Peep Show-style cringe factory. But it's the media empire sibling squabble you didn't know you needed.

🎮 PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X? This week Microsoft held a games showcase for its new console. This may help you pick which to buy.

🎥 Netflix's The Old Guard is breaking records – fast. It's one of the streaming service's most-watched original films ever. Here's what you need to know.

On this week's podcast