Health

Judge temporarily halts Virginia governor's order allowing parents to opt-out school mask mandates

By Denise Lavoie, Sarah Rankin, Associated Press

The ruling means that mask mandates put in place by school boards may remain in place, at least for now. It was one of the first actions taken by Youngkin after he took office on Jan. 15.

Propelled by omicron, U.S. death toll from COVID-19 hits 900,000

By Mark Kennedy, Ken Sweet, Associated Press

COVID-19 has become one of the three top leading causes of death in America, behind the big two — heart disease and cancer. To public health experts, the milestone is made all the more tragic because so many of the…

A disabled activist speaks out about feeling 'disposable'

By Rachel Scheier, Kaiser Health News

Alice Wong, a writer and organizer in San Francisco, says the isolation and loss of the pandemic have shown society what it’s like to be disabled.

COVID falling in 49 of 50 states as deaths near 900,000

By Ken Sweet, Associated Press

With the brutal omicron wave rapidly easing its grip, new cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. are falling in 49 of the 50 states, even as the nation’s death toll closes in on another bleak round number: 900,000.

Aid to volcano-hit Tonga brings 1st COVID outbreak, lockdown

By David Rising, Nick Perry, Associated Press

Tonga is one of several Pacific island countries to experience their first outbreaks over the past month.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem signs transgender athlete ban

By Stephen Groves, Associated Press

South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem has signed a bill that will ban transgender girls and college-age women from playing in school sports leagues that match their gender identity.

Hedgehogs are the cutest reminder that we shouldn't overuse antibiotics

By Isabella Isaacs-Thomas

Antibiotic resistance is an international public health threat. New research involving hedgehogs can help inform the way we address the crisis.

What does it mean to be fully vaccinated?

By Laura Santhanam

For nearly two years, Americans have been getting a crash course on the evolution of science, data and research – one in which our knowledge and understanding need constant fine-tuning.

U.S. hospitals seek foreign nurses amid pandemic strain

By Amy Taxin, Associated Press

The Biden administration has taken some steps to try to help foreign health care workers get here more quickly. But some hospitals say they're still waiting on consular interviews to bring in nurses.