Today’s Big Story

New Flu Shots

They’re here, and it’s probably a good idea to get one (along with that COVID booster)

Summer’s not even officially over yet. So thinking about cold and flu season seems a little crazy, I know. And yet, you might’ve noticed some pharmacy chains have already started urging consumers to “beat the crowds” and schedule a shot. But experts said that for most people, getting a shot at the start of September may be too early to provide protection that will last throughout flu season.

It’s all about timing. And making sure you’re vaxxed against the right strain. This year’s vaccines protect against several different flu viruses, which can cause fever, fatigue, body aches and host of other gastrointestinal symptoms. In serious cases, an infection can lead to hospitalization or even be fatal. There were about 35 million cases of flu nationwide last season. About 400,000 people were hospitalized with flu infections, and 25,000 people died.

Medical experts told the New York Times that most people should get vaccinated between mid-September and late October. The C.D.C. recommends getting your shot by the end of October at the latest. “Generally speaking, your immunity peaks a week or two after a flu shot. Even after it peaks, protection lasts five or six months. This is typically enough protection to get you through flu season, which tends to begin in October and end in March or April.”

Interestingly, your standard flu shot this year could play an important role in protecting against bird flu. But not for the reason you might think, reports The Conversation. The rationale for recommending a flu shot in the context of the current bird flu outbreak is that seasonal flu vaccines may help reduce the risk of simultaneous infection with both A/H5 and a seasonal influenza strain. Apparently, the 2009 swine flu strain arose from the “recombination of several strains” over years to become more transmissible in humans.

Infectious disease experts also recommend getting both your flu shot and updated COVID-19 shot simultaneously. This gives both vaccines their best chance at protecting you during the winter months, William Schaffner, MD, professor of preventive medicine and infectious diseases, told Healthline. And, by now, you’re likely aware of common misconceptions about the flu shot that still cause people to skip this important preventative measure, but it should be stated: A flu shot will not give you the flu. And while it doesn't guarantee you won't get influenza, it significantly reduces your risk of getting seriously sick and speeds up your recovery rate.

Ukraine Plans to Hold Russian Territory Indefinitely

The country’s foreign minister resigns as Russian strikes kill dozens of people

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told NBC News on Tuesday that Kyiv is planning to indefinitely hold Russian territories it seized in a surprise incursion last month as it tries to force President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table. “We don’t need their land,” he said. But Ukraine will “hold” the territory as it is integral to his “victory plan” to end the war.

Meanwhile, the country’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba—one of Ukraine’s most recognizable faces on the international stage—submitted his resignation before an expected Cabinet reshuffle. It’s the biggest shake-up of his government since Russia’s invasion and the restructuring comes at a precarious moment in the war with heavy assaults on the eastern front near a transit hub, along with a military academy and nearby hospital.

The strike appeared to be one of the deadliest carried out by Russian forces since the war began more than 900 days ago, reports CBS News. Two ballistic missiles killed more than 50 people and wounded more than 200 others. Emergency workers were still sifting through the rubble for the victims of the deadly attack when Russia launched another barrage of missiles and drones at Ukraine early Wednesday, local time. Ukraine’s Air Force said the country had been targeted with two ballistic missiles, 11 cruise missiles and 29 drones overnight and that 22 of the drones and seven of the cruise missiles had been shot down.

There’s a New Gun Rights Group

Filling the NRA vacuum and focusing on new gun owners

As the election cycle heats up, a new gun rights group has emerged and is spending big bucks on ad buys in such swing states as Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. According to Axios, it’s filing a vacuum left by the NRA—the longtime premier gun-rights group—which cut its political spending from $54 million in 2016 to $29 million in 2020 just before declaring bankruptcy. So far in 2024, it’s reserved just $1.3 million in ad spend.

The new group, the Secure Our Freedom Alliance, isn't looking to compete with existing firearm groups, but wants to fill what it sees as an urgent need to address gun owners this election cycle. They’re focusing on the millions of Americans who purchased guns during and after the COVID pandemic. By several estimates, that’s about 22 million new gun owners (which is equal to the population of Florida).

The ads by the new group are directed at younger voters, as well as women and minority gun owners, with an emphasis on self-defense. After abortion, no topic divides voters more deeply than the role that firearms have in American life. According to a recent Pew Research poll, Americans even disagree about whether gun violence is a major national problem. In a separate survey, 68% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents say gun violence is a very big problem, compared with 27% of Republicans and Republican leaners.

Don’t Mess With a Good Thing

Capri Sun is toying with ditching their iconic pouches

On the trading floor of my middle school cafeteria, nothing held as much value as a chilled Capri Sun—that silver pouch was practically worth its weight in actual silver. Of course, that value was fragile. If you pierced the back of the pouch when inserting that thin yellow straw, you lost precious tropical juices. Still, it sat at the top of the proverbial food chain.

But now there’s a rumor that Capri Sun will soon be ditching their iconic pouches for a twist-top bottled version of its signature drink, and I (and plenty of others) worry about what this new easy-open option could do to further risk the fortitude of the younger generation. As Eater’s Lesley Suter points out, kids today have it too easy and will ultimately “lack life skills and resilience that can come from never having experienced any real sense of failure or challenge.”

Of course, you can’t believe everything you read on social media (only things you read in newsletters like this). The company responded to the outrage, clarifying that they will be introducing larger 12-ounce bottles sometime next year, but only as an alternative to the standard six-ounce pouches. I’m relieved. And also, suddenly feeling very nostalic about the easy days of middle school.

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