Dec 11 Hospital finances play a major role in the critical shortage of pediatric beds for RSV patients By Liz Szabo, Kaiser Health News The dire shortage of pediatric hospital beds is a byproduct of financial decisions made by hospitals over the past decade, as they shuttered children’s wards, which often operate in the red, and expanded the number of beds available for more… Continue reading
Dec 03 Beijing, Shenzhen stop requiring COVID-19 tests for public transport By Associated Press Chinese authorities on Saturday announced a further easing of COVID-19 curbs with major cities such as Shenzhen and Beijing no longer requiring negative tests to take public transport. Continue reading
Nov 27 Crowds angered by lockdowns call for China's Xi to step down as protests spread By Dake Kang, Huizhong Wu, Associated Press Protesters pushed to the brink by China's strict COVID measures in Shanghai called for the removal of the country's all-powerful leader and clashed with police Sunday as crowds took to the streets in several cities in an astounding challenge to the… Continue reading
Nov 26 China loosens some restrictions in Xinjiang after COVID-19 lockdown protests By Huizhong Wu, Dake Kang, Associated Press Authorities in China's western Xinjiang region opened up some neighborhoods in the capital of Urumqi on Saturday after residents held extraordinary late-night demonstrations against the city's draconian “zero-COVID” lockdown that had lasted more than three months. Continue reading
Nov 15 Judge orders Biden administration to halt Trump-era asylum restrictions at border By Elliot Spagat, Associated Press A federal judge has ordered the Biden administration to lift Trump-era asylum restrictions that have been a cornerstone of border enforcement since the beginning of COVID-19. Continue reading
Oct 26 China begins administering inhalable COVID-19 vaccine boosters By Ken Moritsugu, Associated Press The vaccine, a mist that is sucked in through the mouth, is being offered for free as a booster dose for previously vaccinated people, according to an announcement posted on an official city social media account. Continue reading
Oct 13 Biden administration extends COVID-19 public health emergency By Amanda Seitz, Associated Press The Biden administration says the COVID-19 public health emergency will continue through Jan. 11 as officials brace for a spike in cases this winter. Continue reading
Oct 12 U.S. approves omicron-specific boosters for kids as young as 5 By Lauran Neergaard, Associated Press The U.S. is about to offer updated COVID-19 booster shots to kids as young as 5. Continue reading
Sep 29 Qatar confirms COVID-19 test requirements for World Cup fans By Graham Dunbar, Associated Press Fans going to the World Cup in Qatar must show a negative COVID-19 test when they arrive as part of the host nation's rules to combat COVID-19. About 1.2 million visitors to Qatar are expected for the tournament, which starts… Continue reading
Sep 20 How to get a student loan refund if you paid during the pandemic By Adriana Morga, Associated Press When President Joe Biden announced a plan to forgive student loan debt, many borrowers who kept making payments during the pandemic wondered if they'd made the right choice. Continue reading