States are “opening up,” allowing more people to leave their homes and return to work. A security researcher explores some of the technology options for keeping people at a safe distance, such as wearable devices and smart phone apps, and considers the privacy questions they raise.

Also in this week’s science and research news, a look at why more men are getting sick from COVID-19, a plan to develop a yearly shot for Lyme disease and why Cuba has cleaner rivers than the U.S.

Martin La Monica

Deputy Editor

Maintaining social distancing is a challenge as workplaces reopen during the coronavirus pandemic. miodrag ignjatovic/E+ via Getty Images

Workplaces are turning to devices to monitor social distancing, but does the tech respect privacy?

Ari Trachtenberg, Boston University

Smartphone apps and wearable devices can tell when workers have been within six feet of each other, promising to help curb the coronavirus. But they're not all the same when it comes to privacy.

The death of George Floyd when a police officer kneeled on his neck sparked days of protests in cities across the U.S. Lauren A. Little/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty

How to protest during a pandemic and still keep everyone safe from coronavirus: 6 questions answered

Thomas A. Russo, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York

It's nearly impossible to avoid close contact when protesting, and easy to forget the risks. An infectious disease expert answers key questions about how to avoid spreading the coronavirus to family.

Ticks can carry bacteria that causes Lyme Disease. CDC via AP

A Lyme disease vaccine doesn’t exist, but a yearly antibody shot shows promise at preventing infection

Mark Klempner, University of Massachusetts Medical School

Researchers are developing a seasonal shot that blocks Lyme disease-causing bacteria from a tick.

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