Dec 18 Watch 5:20 Why the U.S. is lagging behind in rapid COVID-19 testing By PBS NewsHour With the holidays approaching and the omicron variant surging in some parts of the U.S., demand for rapid and at-home COVID-19 tests is higher than ever, and the wait at large PCR test sites can be several hours in some… Continue watching
Dec 18 Netherlands 'going into lockdown again' to curb omicron By Danica Kirka, Mike Corder, Associated Press Schools, universities, and all non-essential stores, bars and restaurants in the Netherlands will be closed until Jan. 14 starting Sunday, caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Saturday night. Continue reading
Dec 18 Europeans reimpose restrictions as omicron sweeps continent By Associated Press Nations across Europe are moving to reimpose tougher measures to stem a new wave of COVID-19 infections spurred by the highly transmissible omicron variant, triggering calls for protests from Paris to Barcelona. Continue reading
Dec 17 Watch 6:30 South Africa reels under omicron wave amid vaccine lag, pans 'rushed' travel ban By Michael Baleke As the omicron variant sends a fourth wave of patients to hospitals across South Africa, leaders across the continent are pointing fingers at wealthy nations. Those countries, they say, could have helped prevent the latest variant had vaccines been distributed… Continue watching
Dec 16 Watch 9:20 As the holiday season nears, concerns of a resurgent virus are growing By William Brangham, Amber Partida From Broadway to Britain, COVID-19 is spreading new fears, forcing new shutdowns and prompting people to wonder when it will all end. And experts warn omicron is likely to become the dominant strain in the U.S. William Brangham reports on… Continue watching
Dec 16 Army: 98 percent of soldiers got COVID-19 vaccine by deadline By Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press The Army says 98% of its active duty force had gotten at least one dose of the mandatory coronavirus vaccine as of this week's deadline for the shots. Continue reading
Dec 15 Watch 5:08 What we know about the severity of omicron and possibility of 'triple whammy' this winter By John Yang, Courtney Norris As the omicron variant is spreading rapidly, top federal health officials warn it could bring a massive wave of new infections to the United States as early as January. There are now confirmed cases of omicron in at least 36… Continue watching
Dec 15 WATCH: The National Cathedral tolls bell marking 800,000 American COVID-19 deaths By News Desk The funeral bell at the Washington National Cathedral will toll 800 times on Wednesday to mark the 800,000 Americans who have died so far from COVID-19. Continue reading
Dec 15 WATCH: Senate Commerce Committee hearing on U.S. airline industry's use of COVID-19 aid By Associated Press The Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing Wednesday about the U.S. airline industry’s use of COVID-19 aid from the federal government. Continue reading
Dec 15 Child tax credit benefit launched during COVID nears lapse By Lisa Mascaro, Ashraf Khalil, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — It's one of the most far-reaching of all the federal aid programs launched during the COVID-19 pandemic — up to $300 per child going directly into the bank accounts of families on the 15th of every month. Continue reading