How Can the U.S. Government Compel Carmakers to Make Ventilators, Not Cars?

Plus, we explain how ventilators keep people breathing, investigate how buying gold works and wonder if the internet could break.

The Defense Production Act Was Designed for Emergencies Like Coronavirus Back in 1950, the Defense Production Act became law, awarding sweeping powers to the federal government to compel private industry to produce materials and goods to help in the Korean War. And it's what the U.S. government is invoking now to ramp up production of critically needed medical supplies during the coronavirus pandemic. How Do Ventilators Work? Why Are They So Critical for the COVID-19 Pandemic? COVID-19 has focused attention on a piece of medical equipment that most of us probably haven't given much thought to. But for someone who can't get air into their lungs, the device can be a lifesaver. Here's how ventilators work. Can the Internet Break From Overuse? The coronavirus pandemic is keeping adults and kids at home and on their computers and smartphones for work, school or recreation, making unprecedented demands on the internet. Could the internet suddenly just stop working? How Do Gold Prices Work? Should You Buy Some? Investors still view gold as the ultimate "safe haven" commodity, something tangible that retains its value compared to "paper" investments like cash, stocks and bonds. That's why you'll start to see ads for gold coins whenever there's fear and uncertainty about the economic future. What's the Difference Between a Tortoise and a Turtle? Because tortoises are turtles, it's difficult to lay down hard-and-fast rules about what makes something tortoise-ish rather than turtle-ish. But in general, tortoises are always found on land, whereas turtles can be found in aquatic or marine habitats as well as land. 5 Hugely Fun Facts About Mass (Not Weight) Who's ready for some massively cool tidbits? Copyright © 2020 HowStuffWorks, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website howstuffworks.com Our mailing address is: HowStuffWorks 675 Ponce de Leon Drive NE Suite 8500 Atlanta, GA 30308 Want to change how you receive these promotional emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

Plus, we investigate what happens if you don't fill out your census form and what causes stock market trading to halt.

Can the Feds Close State Borders to Stop COVID-19? The U.S. government has never imposed a cordon sanitaire — the technical term for closing off an area to stop spread of a disease — around an entire state. That doesn't mean it's not being discussed though. Is it even constitutional? How Long Can Viruses Live on Surfaces? The length of time that viruses can live on surfaces and remain infectious varies greatly by pathogen. How does COVID-19 stack up? What If I Don't Fill Out My Census Form? From the official Census website: "Everyone living in the United States and its five territories is required by law to be counted in the 2020 Census." So will you get into trouble if you ignore the form? What's Scarier: No Toilet Paper or Wiping With One of These 5 Alternatives? In times of dire need, there are options besides toilet paper, though most are far from the squeezably soft Charmin you're used to. Here are five. How to Make Elephant Toothpaste As we all know, elephants probably don't brush their teeth. But if they did, they probably wouldn't use elephant toothpaste. It's really fun to make, though. And hey, you might have some time on your hands at home these days. What Causes Stock Market Trading to Halt? On Oct. 19, 1987, the day ominously known as "Black Monday," the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) plummeted a crippling 22.6 percent. To prevent such a violent single-day crash in the future, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) implemented safety mechanisms meant to temporarily halt panicked sell-offs. Here's how they work. Copyright © 2020 HowStuffWorks, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website howstuffworks.com Our mailing address is: HowStuffWorks 675 Ponce de Leon Drive NE Suite 8500 Atlanta, GA 30308 Want to change how you receive these promotional emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list