The Weekly Wrap: May 23, 2021

This week, I got to prick my finger for science.

Months ago, I signed up to be in the Join the Fight COVID-19 community research project. Every day, I complete a quick survey about symptoms, mask wearing habits, and COVID results. It takes less than 30 seconds to do. The study is a part of a nationwide effort to better understand the symptoms and spread of COVID.

I was lucky enough to be chosen for the cohort of people to complete monthly serology tests. The finger prick I gave myself this week is my third one... but the first one after I was fully vaccinated. I can't wait to see my reactive results go from "negative" to "positive."

I am a firm believer in science - but usually this has meant reading, attending lectures, and watching videos. This is the first time I am an active participant in a scientific study. My contribution is small but I know that it is helping us better understand and get a handle on this pandemic.

It's not to late to join! You can learn more about the DC area study and sign up here.

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• ​Moms - they are and do lots of things. [WaPo]
• I might need to try letterlocking my next batch of snail mail. [Atlas Obscura]
• This manta ray is a rosy shade of pink. [NatGeo]
• What parking costs cities. [The Atlantic]
• Always make more bacon. [Lifehacker]
• Nikole Hannah-Jones - creator of the 1619 project, Pulitzer prize winner, and Genius Grant recipient - was denied tenure. It sets a dangerous precedent... [Slate]
• ... and a twitter thread exploring how we got here. [@lindsayaellis]
• Travel pictures to give you wanderlust. [Buzzfeed]
• Does your family have it's own language? [The Atlantic]

• I bet you haven't thought about Weird Al in a while. [The Daily]
• The business of blood plasma. [Planet Money]
• The legal procedures and law behind prosecuting the insurrectionists. [The Daily]
• Why the economy is so weird right now. [The Daily]
• Exploring BIPOC. [Code Switch]
• A close - and tasty - look at home delivery of American Chinese food. [Dish City]

• I have been a fan of Gerard Butler since I saw him in the Scottish film Dear, Frankie. Since then, he's morphed from an indie actor into a disaster film hero. Kind of a big switch, but I'm still a fan. We watched his latest world destruction flick Greenland. It was exactly what you'd expect out of an end of the world popcorn thriller. 
• It's playoff hockey time and my Washington Capitals are doing... not great.

• Years ago, friends had us over for a BBQ and one of the dishes they served was grilled romaine. It was delicious. This recipe for one-pan roasted salmon with potatoes also includes roasted romaine. It was not quite the grilled deliciousness from the BBQ, but it was close.
• If you like sheet pan meals, might I suggest teriyaki chicken and pineapple stir fry? It was fantastic. I used canned pineapple so I skipped the honey in the sauce. It was still plenty sweet without being cloying.