Tech:NYC Digest: July 30

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Friday, July 30, 2021Happy Friday! We’re landing in your inbox early for another summer Friday edition of the digest.Was this digest forwarded to you? Subscribe here.

A quick round of updates:

• An internal CDC report says the Delta variant appears to cause more severe illness than earlier variants and spreads as easily as chickenpox. (Washington Post) 

  • It also suggests infections in vaccinated people may be as transmissible as those in unvaccinated people. (New York Times) 

  • And vaccinated people may be more susceptible to mild symptoms from the Delta variant, such as headaches and coughs. (Axios)

• New York City has launched the “NYC COVID SAFE” app, its own vaccine passport app for people to upload and display vaccination cards or recent test results. (City & State)

  • The app differs from the state’s Excelsior Pass, which displays information from the state immunization database, in that it simply stores a picture of your vaccination card or test results — it doesn’t communicate with any databases. 

  • Relying on images should provide a better solution for those who got vaccinated out of state (and therefore can't use the Excelsior Pass because they don’t have records in the state database).

  • You can get the app for iPhone here and for Android here.

• Arts and culture programs are ramping back up, and many of this summer’s major highlights will continue — but with modified protocols due to the Delta variant: 

  • Details for the “We Love New York City: The Homecoming Concert” were announced, and the lineup includes a roster of big names. The event will be ticketed, with batches of free and VIP tickets being released beginning August 2. Every audience member will be required to show proof of vaccination, meaning children under 12 won't be admitted. (Gothamist) See the full list of Homecoming Week events here.

  • Little Island will host a free month-long arts festival starting in mid-August, featuring more than 450 artists in more than 160 performances. (New York Times)

  • Returning Broadway audiences will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and wear masks in order to attend a performance. The policy will allow children ineligible for vaccination to attend shows if they test negative for the virus. (New York Times) The Metropolitan Opera and Carnegie Hall are planning to require vaccinations and bar children who are ineligible to get vaccinated from attending performances in their venues.

  • The Museum of Modern Art’s summer outdoor music series starts up again in the PS1 Courtyard on August 7, both online and in person. Proof of vaccination or negative test required for entry. (MoMA)

In other reading:

• Behind the Masks, a Mystery: How Often Do the Vaccinated Spread the Virus? (New York Times)

• What About a Booster Shot Now? (New York Magazine)

• You asked: how do I find a coronavirus test in a foreign country? (Washington Post)

• The Pandemic Has Changed How We Spend Our Time (New York Times)

And lastly: This is a good read on how the tech sector has stepped up throughout the pandemic. (New York Times) Now, amid the Delta variant, tech companies are again taking the lead on vaccination mandates, mask requirements, updated office guidance, and worker vaccination programs.

Have a good weekend, and see you on Monday!

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