Jul 28 New CDC guidelines set off rush to reimpose mask mandates By Philip Marcelo, Associated Press Governments and businesses are scrambling to change course following new federal guidance calling for the return of mask wearing in virus hot spots amid a dramatic spike in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Continue reading
Jul 28 Google delays return to office, mandates vaccines By Michael Liedtke, Associated Press CEO Sundar Pichai told Google's more than 130,000 employees in a Wednesday email that the company is now aiming to bring them back to its offices Oct. 18, instead of its previous target date of Sept. 1. Continue reading
Jul 28 New York to require state employees to get vaccines, or get tested By Marina Villeneuve, Associated Press New York will require all state employees to get vaccinated against the coronavirus by Labor Day or undergo weekly tests for COVID-19, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday. Continue reading
Jul 27 Wildfires are increasing health risks of already-polluted regions of the U.S., experts warn By Cresencio Rodriguez-Delgado This poses a particular threat for areas like Fresno, California, which is disproportionately affected by pollution year-round. Continue reading
Jul 27 Simone Biles took ‘step back’ from team competition, saying she wasn’t in the right headspace By Will Graves, Associated Press Since Biles and the U.S. put on a dazzling display in Rio de Janeiro, gymnastics has undergone a reckoning. The tectonic plates in a sport where obedience and silence were long considered as important as talent and artistry are moving. Continue reading
Jul 27 CDC reverses course on indoor masks in parts of U.S. where COVID is surging By Mike Stobbe, Associated Press The agency announced new recommendations Tuesday that even vaccinated people should return to wearing masks indoors in parts of the U.S. where the coronavirus is surging. Continue reading
Jul 26 With virus surge, U.S. to keep travel restrictions for now By Alexandra Jaffe, Aamer Madhani, Associated Press The United States says it will keep existing COVID-19 travel restrictions on international travel in place for now due to concerns about the surging infection rate because of the delta variant. Continue reading
Jul 26 VA requires COVID-19 vaccination for health care workers By Associated Press The Department of Veterans Affairs on Monday became the first major federal agency to require health care workers to get COVID-19 vaccines. Continue reading
Jul 26 Biden says COVID long haulers will have access to disability protections By Associated Press The president announced the initiative Monday at the White House as he marked the 31st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Continue reading
Jul 26 California to require proof of vaccination for state workers By Kathleen Ronayne, Janie Har, Associated Press California will require state employees and all health care workers to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or get tested weekly. Continue reading