Dec 22 South Africa’s decline in new COVID-19 cases may indicate omicron peak has passed By Andrew Meldrum, Associated Press Although the early findings are not conclusive, especially because daily figures are prone to fluctuations, the signs that South Africa’s intense wave is weakening are notable. Continue reading
Dec 22 COVID helped cause the biggest drop in U.S. life expectancy since WWII By Laura Santhanam Changes in U.S. life expectancy normally move at a more glacial pace – at incremental tenths of a year. But the coronavirus pandemic has upset that steady trend. Continue reading
Dec 21 How we built new traditions during the pandemic By Joshua Barajas, Lizz Bolaji Nearly two years into the pandemic, we've created new traditions – not only out of necessity, but out of creativity and resilience, too. Despite our separations, we found ways to forge new connections. Continue reading
Dec 21 WATCH: Biden announces 500 million free tests, other changes to COVID-19 strategy By Josh Boak, Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Colleen Long, Associated Press Biden is expected on Tuesday to detail major changes to his COVID-19 winter plan, his hand forced by the arrival of the fast-spreading variant, whose properties are yet not fully understood by scientists. Continue reading
Dec 20 WATCH: Dr. Fauci says world has been ‘shocked’ by omicron spread By Associated Press America's leading infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci said Monday the world had been "shocked" by the emergence of the omicron variant of the coronavirus as more countries are reporting surges in infections. Continue reading
Dec 20 Trump reveals he got COVID-19 booster shot to a booing crowd By Jill Colvin, Associated Press Trump made the disclosure Sunday night during the final stop of "The History Tour," a live interview show he has been doing with former Fox News host Bill O'Reilly. Continue reading
Dec 20 WATCH: Pentagon press secretary John Kirby holds a news briefing By Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press According to the Pentagon, fewer than 100 military members are known to have been involved in substantiated cases of extremist activity in the past year. But they warn that the number may grow. Continue reading
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 ‘SNL’ ditches audience, limits cast and crew amid omicron By Associated Press The long-running sketch comedy show announced on social media Saturday afternoon that the night's episode would tape without a live audience and with only limited cast and crew “due to the recent spike in the Omicron variant and out of… Continue reading
Dec 17 Federal appeals court allows Biden employer vaccine mandate to take effect By Geoff Mulvihill, Andrew DeMillo, Associated Press Friday's 2-1 ruling from a panel of judges on the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reverses a lower-court ruling that had paused the requirement. Republican-led states are challenging the rule. Continue reading