Good morning, it's Wednesday, Dec. 30. The 1440 team will be off for the remainder of the week—we'll return Monday with 2020 in the rearview mirror. Enjoy the holiday! Have feedback? Let us know at [email protected].

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NEED TO KNOW

Luke Letlow Dies

Congressman-elect Luke Letlow (R) died overnight from complications arising from COVID-19. The 41-year-old former chief of staff to the retiring Rep. Ralph Abraham (R, LA-5) was set to be sworn in Sunday to his old boss' seat. He becomes the first member or member-elect of Congress to die from the illness. 

In related news, the first known US case of a coronavirus variant believed to be more transmissible than other strains was reported yesterday in Colorado. The strain has emerged in the region surrounding London over the past month, where it accounted for roughly 60% of new cases in December, prompting many countries to impose travel bans on the United Kingdom. The patient in the Colorado case has no recent travel history, suggesting the strain has already achieved community spread in the US.

Like most viruses, SARS-CoV-2 has undergone thousands of mutations as it propagated across the globe (see visualization), with many strains emerging and fading over time. Health officials have stressed there is no evidence the new strain is more deadly or resistant to existing vaccines. Scientists have noted it does contain a number of mutations in its critical spike protein—though it's unclear whether or how they play a role in increased transmissibility. 

Separately, the United Kingdom approved use of a COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca and Oxford University, the third vaccine to become available in the country. See our previous write-up here.

The US has reported a total of 19.5 million cases and 338,632 deaths as of this morning (see averages). More than 3,700 deaths were reported yesterday, though holiday travel and delayed reporting may skew data. Roughly 11.4 million vaccine doses have been shipped, with 2.1 million doses administered. 

$2,000 Checks

An effort backed by President Trump to raise direct stimulus payments from $600 to $2,000 gained steam yesterday, as a number of senators voiced their support for the measure. The provision passed the House by a bipartisan 275-134 vote—Democrats had pushed for $1,200 checks during negotiations—but was expected to languish in the Senate, where many Republicans had worked to keep the total cost down. An initial effort to bring a vote was blocked by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

Republicans hold a 52-48 advantage, and at least 12 Republicans would likely need to support the provision to reach the 60-vote threshold to break a filibuster. At least five have voiced support, including Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, the two Republican incumbents running in Jan. 5 runoffs in Georgia that will determine control of the Senate. 

It remains unclear whether McConnell will allow a vote on the bill, signaling the possibility of packaging it with other presidential priorities. The move would likely doom expedited consideration, with the measure dying when the 116th Congress adjourns Sunday. 

Miami to LaGuardia 

Boeing's 737 MAX aircraft returned to the skies yesterday, as American Airlines Flight 718 carried 87 passengers from Miami International to New York's LaGuardia airport. It marked the first commercial use of the craft in the US since being grounded in March 2019, following two fatal crashes over a five-month span that killed 346 people. The Federal Aviation Administration said it would allow operations to resume after requiring a number of new software upgrades, pilot training, and safety hurdles.

The deadly crashes were ultimately pinned on automatic stall-prevention software known as the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System. Faulty sensors misread the plane's pitch, which, combined with inadequate pilot training, forced the aircraft into multiple nosedives. Nearly 400 jets were in service at the time of grounding, with roughly 450 built since then. 

Have a great end of the year—see you in 2021.

GET YOUR EYES COVERED

Our eyes barely grow. From the time you were born until now, your eyes have only changed in size by mere millimeters. But know what's changed a lot? Your style. And now's the time to switch out your early-2000s rectangular wire glasses for something a bit more modern (and less scratched!).

Warby Parker is here to make shopping for eyewear easy and fun, even from home. They offer designer eyewear at revolutionary prices (starting at $95, prescription included), along with contact lenses, eye exams, and more. They're your friendly one-stop-shop for all your vision needs. With Warby Parker's Home Try-On program, they'll send you your favorite eyeglasses and sunglasses right to your door, giving you five days to get acquainted. Love 'em, keep 'em. If they aren't your thing, send them back for free. Either way, rest easy knowing you can use unspent FSA and HSA dollars on their frames.

Get started on your Warby Parker glasses-matching journey today. Need some help picking frames? Take their style quiz to get started.

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IN THE KNOW

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

Brought to you by Yes Plz Coffee

> Meghan Markle and Prince Harry release first podcast of their multiyear deal with Spotify; first guests include Sir Elton John, Tyler Perry, and their son Archie (More)

> Alabama takes on Notre Dame (4pm ET, ESPN), Clemson faces Ohio State (8pm ET, ESPN) in the College Football Playoff Semifinal on New Year’s Day; winners will meet in the National Championship in Miami Jan. 11 (More)

> Music mogul Master P and former NBA player Baron Davis in talks to buy Reebok from Adidas for $2.4B (More)

2020 didn't go as planned ... start the new year with a fresh start by upgrading your morning. Yes Plz has the coffee for you. Every release is a new and unique mix of expertly sourced beans, roasted fresh, and delivered right to your door. 1440 readers: take $5 off your first order and free shipping to your door. #Ad

Science & Technology

> Leaked documents allege Lens, a Chinese supplier to Apple, Tesla, and others, relies on forced Uighur labor; Apple, which conducted more than 1,000 labor audits across its global supply chains, denies the report (More) | Who are the Uighurs? (More)

> New theory of the origins of life suggests a simple chemical, diamidophosphate, may have been capable of chemically stitching together the basic building blocks of DNA (More)

> Federal dietary guidelines for toddlers under two released for the first time, recommends breastfeeding for at least six months, no added sugar; the five-year updates rebuffed an advisory panel's opinion on reducing alcohol, added sugar intake for adults (More)

Business & Markets

> French fashion designer and business icon Pierre Cardin dies at 98; was known for bringing designer styles to the masses (More)

> South Korea holds final hearing in the corruption trial of Samsung Vice Chairman Jay Lee (More)

> Activist hedge fund Third Point reveals $1B stake in Intel; encourages board to explore strategic alternatives, shares up 5% (More)

Politics & World Affairs

> At least seven people dead after a magnitude 6.3 earthquake strikes near the Croatian capital of Zagreb; nearby town of Petrinja said to be severely impacted (More)

> Justice Department declines to pursue charges in civil rights probe into the 2014 police killing of 12-year-old Tamir Rice in Cleveland (More) | Overview of shooting (More) | Louisville moves to fire two more officers involved in March shooting of Breonna Taylor (More)

> Argentina legalizes abortion up to 14 weeks, with exceptions for rape and maternal health after that period; becomes the largest Latin American country to legalize abortion (More)

WHAT'S YOUR STYLE?

In partnership with Warby Parker

We've seen lots of people reinvent themselves in these times of isolation. But instead of dyeing hair, growing out beards, or becoming a master breadmaker, maybe you should look at refreshing your style with a new pair of specs.

With Warby Parker, you can test your next pair of glasses using AR, with a Virtual Try-On, or order some pairs (contactless) to your doorstep with Home Try-On. Get started with the Warby Parker style quiz today.

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ETCETERA

Editor's note: Millions of clicks can't be wrong—below are our most-read Etcetera stories from the past year.

(1/13) The counties where you should buy, not rent.

(1/15) The New York Public Library reveals its 10 most checked-out books of all time.

(2/20) One reason Americans are bad at math.

(2/24) That feeling when you unexpectedly find your doppelganger.

(3/9) Divers capture a blanket octopus unveiling her billowing membrane.

(4/7) Incredibly excited dolphins meet a sloth for the first time.

(4/17) This site sums up your entire life in statistics.

(5/11) The 10 most popular dog breeds in America.

(5/13) This captivated hare selected as one of the best nature photos of the year.

(6/14) Puerto Rico gets hit by a Saharan dust storm.

(7/2) Welcome to the uncomfortably intriguing world of seductive radishes (w/photos, a 1440 staff favorite)

(7/10) Here's how your phone spies on you.

(8/3) Landmark study pinpoints what makes a good relationship.

(8/12) Photographer finds 120-year-old time capsule, develops the photos.

(9/14) How smart people embrace awkward silence.

(9/15) Twenty then-and-now photos showing how much the world has changed.

(10/14) Ranking the best places to retire in the US.

(11/5) Tough week? Science has determined the 10 happiest songs.

(11/20) Ranking this year's most common passwords (do not use them).

(12/18) Scientists have found the world's ugliest flower.

(12/22) Photos of Jupiter and Saturn's Great Conjunction.

Clickbait: It's been a rough year, have this bucket of puppies.

Historybook: Author Rudyard Kipling born (1865); Soviet Union is formed (1922); HBD Tiger Woods (1975); HBD LeBron James (1984); Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein executed (2006); RIP Oscar-winning actress Luise Rainer (2014)

"Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind."

- Rudyard Kipling

See ya later, 2020.

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