America’s Coronavirus Endurance Test

Plus: an “apocalypse” in Lebanon; Mary Norris and her summer neighbor; and flash fiction by David Lehman. View in browser | Update your preferences Medical Dispatch America’s Coronavirus Endurance Test To defeat the virus, we will have to start thinking in years, not months. By Howard Markel Our Columnists After Twin Explosions, an “Apocalypse” in Lebanon The political aftershock from the explosions in Beirut—and the criminal negligence that they exposed—will be much bigger than the disaster itself. By Robin Wright Our Columnists Why a Court Overturned the Boston Marathon Bomber’s Death Sentence “Even the very worst among us deserves to be fairly tried and lawfully punished,” a judge wrote. By Masha Gessen Video Dept. The Personal Side of an East German Spy’s Defection, in “Betrayal” The short documentary is full of espionage and intrigue, but, at its core, it is a story about those who get left behind. By Sean Lavery PAID POST THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A story of America at a cultural and sexual crossroads; the secret history of the fight for gay rights; of shocking, byzantine public battles with Congress; of FBI informants; murder; betrayal; sex; love; and ultimately victory. Culture Desk Making Peace with My Summer Neighbor A new roof leads to a new understanding. By Mary Norris Culture and More Flash Fiction “Tales Told to Tevye” “Rabbi Biegeleisen explained that to summarize Judaism in a single sentence or verse was nonsense.” By David Lehman The Front Row A Daring Drama About a Race Riot in a Small Town “The Well,” a film about a community’s response to the disappearance of a five-year-old Black girl, highlights American crises with dramatic audacity. By Richard Brody Humor from The New Yorker Daily Shouts Rules of Baseball, 2020 Players are banned from visiting bars, honky-tonks, and strip clubs, unless they’re really restless and just need to get out of the hotel for a while. By Mike Sweeney Daily Cartoon Thursday, August 6th By Jason Adam Katzenstein This e-mail was sent to you by The New Yorker. To insure delivery, we recommend adding newyorker@newsletters.newyorker.com, to your contacts, while noting that it is a no-reply address. Please send all newsletter feedback to tnyinbox@newyorker.com. For more from The New Yorker, sign up for our newsletters, shop the store, and sign in to newyorker.com, where subscribers always have unlimited access. Contact us with questions. View our Privacy Policy Unsubscribe Copyright © Condé Nast 2020. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.