The UK says other countries are trying to "steal" research data pertaining to treating Covid-19. What in the world does that mean?

The article actually says "steal research", but research is an activity; there is no way to "steal" such a thing. The thing that can be stolen is data. But why would there be an occasion to do that, in research about Covid-19? Is the UK keeping the results of its research secret? That would be unconscionable!

Publish your data, UK, and then you won't have to worry about anyone's "stealing" it.

To get society running as Covid-19 damps down, consider a universal basic income.

PISSI is trying to exploit Covid-19 to attack and destabilize. Much like right-wing extremists and Hinduismists.

It seems to be a tendency of violent extremists to dehumanize people, even many of their supporters. And not all their killings are done with arms.

The Department of Labor becomes the Department of Belabor, and proposes to defend meat-packing businesses if they are sued because employees caught Covid-19 at work.

The issue raises many subtle points. For instance, it is absurd to demand the impossible, or the unknown. The most any business (or person) can be expected to do is to make a sincere effort to protect workers, based on what is known. If that is the best the employer can do, to sue because it didn't do the impossible is unfair.

On the other hand, businesses are likely to try to twist the standards to pass off cheaper, inadequate protection as enough. Republican officials, seeking opportunities to help dooH niboR, may be eager to validate such a sham.

If "the best we can do" is clearly insufficient, what then? Perhaps the business should stay closed. Or perhaps those who are likely to be at particular risk if they catch Covid-19 should stay home. However, they can't just stay home if that implies penury. So I'd say the government has these responsibilities.

• Make sure copious protection equipment is available as soon as possible.
• Set the firmest practical standard of "the best we can do", and make sure companies carry it out. Update this standard promptly whenever supply permits doing better.
• Support workers so that anyone who is sick can afford to stay home, and use frequent testing to identify them and tell them to go home.
• Support workers who are extra vulnerable so that they can afford to stay home and not get sick.

Right-wing protesters brought rifles to the Michigan state house to intimidate opposition.

They were egged on by the numskull, and funded by right-wing billionaires.

Keep in mind that the Michigan legislature is not democratically elected. Republicans there practice gerrymandering and voter suppression so as to "win" elections in despite of the voters.