 THE BIG STORY
Turns out that making vaccines is, like, hard? Who knew!
As most Americans continue to wait for their turn at getting the COVID-19 vaccine, there continue to be some tricky bottlenecks in the supply chain. Some are asking drug companies to join forces and make more doses, but it turns out vaccines are hard to make, and it’s not as easy as just flipping a switch.
But look — quick fixes to ramp up production won’t help here. In fact, it could cause shortage of other essential drugs if factories are reorganized.
“The problem,” writes reporter Dan Vergano, “is that vaccines are biological products, not tires or beer bottles that can be made by switching out molds on an assembly line.” Yet again, my solution of just squirting the vaccine into the mouths of people passing by goes ignored. Fauci, please answer my letters. I’m trying to help. I’m a woman of science.  UPS employees move shipping containers with the first cases of the Pfizer and BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine inside a UPS sorting facility in Louisville, Kentucky, in December 2020. Pool / Getty Images HELP US FIGHT FOR TRANSPARENCY
Our journalists filed 58 Freedom of Information Act lawsuits during Trump's presidency — more than any other media organization in the US. We have no plans to slow down, but pursuing that work is expensive and time consuming.
That's why every BuzzFeed News Membership sign-up or one-time contribution from now until March 15 will go toward our FOIA fund. When you contribute, you’ll become a BuzzFeed News member and receive special member-only emails, including an inside look when we publish the next major FOIA scoop. Help us reach our goal of $100,000 for our FOIA fund by contributing here. STAYING ON TOP OF THIS
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expecting their second baby
On Valentine’s Day (ugh, cute, gross), former royals Henry and Rachel announced that they’re expecting their second baby in a statement to BuzzFeed News. Their first child, Archie, will turn 2 in May.
The news comes three months after Markle wrote a mournful op-ed for the New York Times about her miscarriage last summer. I am sure the British tabloid press, who are known for their grace and empathy, namely when it comes to the first Black royal they’ve ever had to cover, will handle this news with their trademark generosity of spirit. SNAPSHOTS
Don’t worry, Jared Leto did not give Margot Robbie a dead rat. You’re still going to have to sit through another Justice League rerelease. (Would you rather be gifted a rat? I think I know a guy.)
Director Olivia Wilde thanked actor Harry Styles for doing the absolute least he could do. I woke up at 7 a.m. to write this newsletter and I don’t see any flowery Instagram posts from my boss being dedicated to me!!!
The LAPD is investigating a complaint that a staffer posted a George Floyd “valentine.” The caption apparently said, “You take my breath away.”
HAVING A BODY IS SO HUMILIATING
We’re talking about Kendall Jenner’s belly button again
After posting some shots from her Skims campaign, noted Pepsi-drinker Kendall Jenner has been getting blowback for possibly photoshopping her selfies and videos. Now, people online are debating whether it’s her right to edit photos of her own body however she wants, or if their presence online tells girls and young women that a totally unattainable body is somehow possible.
I don’t know whether Jenner photoshopped her images, and I’m not even sure what the ethics around this should be, but I can’t imagine the insurmountable pressure of posting a bikini shot of yourself and having a gaggle of people spend the next few days examining your umbilical entrance.
Anyway, yesterday I ate a heart-shaped pizza for two, for one. WHAT DID YOU DO OVER THE LONG WEEKEND
Did you fall in love like JoJo Siwa?
No. You did nothing. Yet again. You’re being beaten by a teen in a hair bow so big that looks like it’s giving her neck tendonitis. Elamin’s not here to save you with his little blessings and platitudes. Get it together, you nightmare. Make something of yourself. Don’t forget that short weeks can often feel even longer than regular weeks, Scaachi 📝 This letter was edited and brought to you by Brandon Hardin and BuzzFeed News. You can always reach us here.
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