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Economists see the largest economies recovering from pandemic losses by the end of the year. The US will start talks with the WTO this week to potentially lift intellectual property rights on coronavirus vaccines. Australia reviews Port Darwin’s 99-year lease to a Chinese company, amid increased tensions. Analysis: What to Expect from “Herd Immunity.”

Condition Updates

A rundown of important global developments in markets, in business, and region-by-region, as well as statistical risk assessments by country and by US state. [Flashpoint Daily Situation Reports]

What to Expect from “Herd Immunity”

Since early in the coronavirus pandemic, the idea of “herd immunity” has served as an almost mystical promise that COVID-19 could someday become a thing of the past. However, as COVID-19 variants drive fresh waves of infection and vaccine hesitancy remains high across numerous nations, it is increasingly clear that there will be no simple off-switch for the pandemic.

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