As America reacts to the coronavirus pandemic, some societal enterprises have been categorized as “essential” while others have been categorized as “non-essential.”¹ Surprisingly, in many places—such as Texas—landscaping services (called “lawn-care services”), including cutting grass and weed-whacking, are now defined as “essential” activities.¹

New testing kits provide a rapid and fairly accurate method of assessing coronavirus infection. In one new study using these kits, the results are revealing some new underlying trends in the COVID-19 pandemic.^1,2 In some ways, these results are encouraging and in other ways they give cause for concern.

When in houses humans stay, wild critters come out to play! It seems that coronavirus has beckoned wild critters to come boldly into human habitations that appear deserted due to mandated shelter-in-place shutdowns.

Oil prices have recently plummeted to historic lows amid greatly lessened demand. This is causing short-term turmoil in the oil and gas industry. However, energy researcher Kenneth Medlock III suggests that the pandemic is forcing the oil industry to make positive changes in the long run.

On Sunday, March 29, President Trump ordered the social distancing measures to stay in place until April 30. But does social distancing have to mean social isolation? Thanks to videoconferencing programs, it doesn’t! Far from being a new form of communication, programs like these are one of the leading ways people are keeping in contact. More and more people are turning to virtual meetings.