SWC’s Fast Five

China is behaving badly. Scientists are puzzled yet pushing on to get us promising vaccine results. And we have a new varmint of the week!

So, here’s this week’s Fast Five:

1 China espionage edges election interference for its news of the week.

The Trump administration ordered the closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston by Friday, a significant diplomatic escalation between the two rival powers. U.S. officials who spoke to Foreign Policy indicated that the consulate closure is a response to a surge in Chinese espionage in the United States.

2 Scientists challenged by silent spread.

Emerging science points to a menacing reality: If people who appear healthy can transmit the illness, it may be impossible to contain.

3 Yet there is more promising news of initial vaccine results.

Three competing labs released promising results from early human trials of a coronavirus vaccine. The labs said that the vaccines produced strong immune responses with only minor side effects. There’s no clear timeline for when a vaccine will be available and one researcher cautions that, “There is still a long way to go.” But progress has been more rapid than many scientists expected.

4 Only 1 in 10 support schools reopening in the fall.

Most think mask requirements and safety measures are necessary to restart in-person instruction and roughly 3 in 10 say that teaching kids in classrooms shouldn’t happen at all.

5 Varmint of the Week: Invasive Jumping Worm.

To remind you that there is more threatening your personal happiness than, well, everything else on this Fast Five. You’re welcome.