Novel coronavirus

WATCH: National Cathedral bell tolls for 900,000 U.S. COVID-19 deaths

By Joshua Barajas

Days after the United States reached its latest, grim milestone of 900,000 COVID-19 deaths, driven in part by the omicron variant, the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. rang its bourdon bell in memory of the lives lost.

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.

China's pandemic Olympics begin, with lockdown and boycotts

By Sarah DiLorenzo, Associated Press

Beijing becomes the first city to host both winter and summer Games. And while some are staying away from these second pandemic Olympics in six months, many other world leaders are attending the opening ceremony.

U.S. employers shrug off omicron, add 467,000 jobs in January

By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press

The Labor Department’s Friday report also showed the unemployment rate ticked up to 4 percent from 3.9 percent. Job gains in December were also revised much higher.

Palin resumes court battle with New York Times after COVID pause

By Tom Hays, Associated Press

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is back in a New York City courtroom more than a week after her libel trial against The New York Times was postponed because she tested positive for COVID-19.

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.

Swastikas and public urination: anti-vaccine protest draws outrage in Canada

By Rob Gillies, Associated Press

Some urinated and parked on the National War Memorial. One danced on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. A number carried signs and flags with swastikas.