Mon. 10/04 - Thor's Antiviral COVID-19 Pill & Sexist Suitcases

<p><strong><em>The sexist history of the rollerboard suitcases. Plus, the facts about Merck’s new COVID-19 antiviral pill, including its connection to Thor. And the return of Nick Lutsko’s absurdist Spirit Halloween music videos.</em></strong></p><p>Sponsor:</p><ul><li>Novo, <a href="https://www.banknovo.com/p/kottke?utm_source=kottke-ride-home&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=oxford" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">BankNovo.com/kottke</a></li></ul><p>Links:</p><ul><li><a href="https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/10/meet-molnupiravir-mercks-thor-inspired-pill-that-hammers-covid" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Meet molnupiravir, Merck’s Thor-inspired pill that hammers COVID</a> (Ars Technica)</li><li><a href="https://www.vox.com/22704265/merck-covid-19-antiviral-pill-molnupiravir-treatment-drug" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How Merck's Covid-19 pill molnupiravir could change the Covid-19 pandemic</a> (Vox)</li><li><a href="https://www.statnews.com/2021/10/01/mercks-antiviral-pill-reduces-hospitalization-of-covid-patients-a-possible-game-changer-for-treatment/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Merck's antiviral pill reduces hospitalization of Covid patients</a> (STAT)</li><li><a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/how-mercks-antiviral-pill-could-change-the-game-for-covid-19" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How Merck's antiviral pill could change the game for COVID-19</a> (National Geographic)</li><li><a href="https://www.ft.com/content/4ef8e646-828d-43fa-8892-b42c8a7efc28" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The hedge fund manager behind a long-shot coronavirus pill</a> (Financial Times, 2020)</li><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/jun/24/mystery-of-wheelie-suitcase-how-gender-stereotypes-held-back-history-of-invention" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mystery of the wheelie suitcase: how gender stereotypes held back the history of invention</a> (The Guardian)</li><li><a href="https://in