Jan 14 Watch 5:52 Boston schools face staff shortages amid sky-high COVID cases By Stephanie Sy, Claire Mufson Most of the nation’s nearly 100,000 public schools are open. But as the omicron surge continues, some districts are struggling to keep in-person learning going. Boston Public Schools have been operating in person since last spring, though a high number… Continue watching
Jan 13 Supreme Court halts Biden policy creating COVID-19 vaccine or test rules for U.S. businesses By Mark Sherman, Jessica Gresko, Associated Press The Supreme Court has stopped the Biden administration from enforcing a requirement that employees at large businesses be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing and wear a mask on the job. Continue reading
Jan 13 As omicron rages, COVID-19 pill stymied by shortages By Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Two brand-new COVID-19 pills that were supposed to be an important weapon against the pandemic in the U.S. are in short supply and have played little role in the fight against the omicron wave of infections. Continue reading
Jan 13 WATCH: Biden to double free COVID tests, add N95s, all in order to fight omicron By Zeke Miller, Associated Press Speaking at the White House on Thursday, Biden says his administration will also make the most protective N95 masks available for no charge. Continue reading
Jan 12 Watch 7:28 Hospitals near a breaking point with latest influx of COVID patients By William Brangham, Harry Zahn The Biden administration is pressing to ship more COVID test kits to schools amid growing criticism of shortages as infections pile up nationwide. But for hospitals dealing with the surge the worst is far from over. In the city of… Continue watching
Jan 12 COVID-19 vaccination rates for children are low. Experts say parents are 'taking an enormous risk' By Lindsey Tanner, Associated Press Distrust, misinformation and other factors have combined to produce what authorities say are alarmingly low COVID-19 vaccination rates in U.S. children ages 5 to 11. Continue reading
Jan 12 Democrats balance keeping schools open against confronting teachers' unions By Nicholas Riccardi, Collin Binkley, Associated Press Nearly two years into a pandemic that shows no signs of waning, Democrats are speaking out against COVID-19 school closures, recognizing a rising anger among parents worried that their kids are falling behind. Continue reading
Jan 12 U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson apologizes for attending garden party during country's lockdown By Jill Lawless, Associated Press Prime Minister Boris Johnson has apologized for attending a garden party during Britain's first coronavirus lockdown, but brushed aside opposition demands that he resign for breaching the rules his own government had imposed on the nation. Continue reading
Jan 12 White House promises 10 million COVID-19 tests will be sent to schools By Zeke Miller, Associated Press The Biden administration is increasing federal support for COVID-19 testing for schools in a bid to keep them open amid the omicron surge. Continue reading
Jan 12 WATCH: White House COVID task force holds news briefing amid omicron surge By Meg Kinnard, Associated Press Officials across the U.S. are again weighing how and whether to impose mask mandates as COVID-19 infections soar and the American public grows weary of pandemic-related restrictions. Continue reading