The Atlantic Daily: Three Stories We’re Following

We’re just over two weeks out from Election Day, and the pandemic is accelerating.

Every weekday evening, our editors guide you through the biggest stories of the day, help you discover new ideas, and surprise you with moments of delight. Subscribe to get this delivered to your inbox.

Three Stories We’re Following

MARK FELIX / AFP / GETTY

1. The third coronavirus surge is here.

A troubling bellwether: Hospitalizations are up in many states, according to data from our COVID Tracking Project.

2. We’ve reached the final weeks of the Trump-Biden race.

Joe Biden has changed, our staff writer Franklin Foer writes in our Ideas section.

3. In Texas, Wendy Davis, who famously filibustered in pink tennis shoes, walks a fine line.

Like other Democrats trying to flip Republican-held districts, she is trying to woo moderates without alienating progressives.

PETER DAZELEY / GETTY / KATIE MARTIN / THE ATLANTIC

One question, answered: I’ve read some disappointing news about COVID-19 vaccine trials. Should I be worried?

Such stumbles are a normal part of the development process, Sarah Zhang reports:

Over the next few months, the companies behind the leading vaccine candidates will start releasing the first data from large clinical trials. Most likely, they will not be unalloyed good news or bad news. Keeping expectations measured will require understanding when a vaccine clears just one of many hurdles—it doesn’t have to be perfect, but it must be good enough.

Continue reading.

15 days remain until the 2020 presidential election. Here’s today’s essential read:

Why do people who hate Trump stick with him? Sarah Longwell, a lifelong Republican, conducted roughly 50 focus groups to find out.

Today’s break from the news:

Take a journey into the mad, mad world of niche sports among Ivy League–obsessed parents.

Dear Therapist

BIANCA BAGNARELLI

In her latest column, Lori Gottlieb advises a reader whose sister-in-law said very something painful:

I have a second daughter with some mild developmental delays. I asked her why they didn’t have a second child. She answered very bluntly that she didn’t want a child “like my second child.”

Read the rest of the letter, and Lori’s response. Every week, she answers questions from readers about their problems, big and small. Write to Lori anytime at dear.therapist@theatlantic.com.


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