The Atlantic explains the implications of news that the U.S. hit a record number of COVID-19 hospitalizations this week. And the Wall Street Journal reports that hospitals in rural areas are particularly overwhelmed.

The mayor of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, recently cast a decisive vote during a city council meeting against the implementation of a mask mandate, even though he has urged residents to wear masks in the past. The Washington Post has the story. And the medical publication Stat says masks have become the new seat belts.

CNN has a profile of the husband and wife behind Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate.