Jan 18 Watch 7:55 It’s time to rethink America’s pandemic strategy, experts say. Here’s what they recommend COVID-19 cases are surging in many parts of the country with nearly 800,000 new cases a day. Hospitalizations and deaths are up significantly compared to two weeks ago. There are close to 140,000 people currently admitted to a hospital with… Continue watching
Jan 18 Watch 10:07 Can omicron cause severe disease in unvaccinated kids? Here’s what parents should know By Stephanie Sy, Courtney Norris As the omicron variant continues to spread, children under the age of five are still ineligible for vaccinations — leaving many families in limbo and wondering how best to navigate everyday life. We hear from some parents across the country… Continue watching
Jan 17 Watch 5:17 Everything you need to to know about at-home COVID testing, masks By Nicole Ellis, Karina Cuevas, Laura Santhanam A shortage of COVID testing has been a major problem across the country. Beginning this Wednesday, people will be able to order free at-home rapid tests from a government website. While the site's launch is being anticipated, many people also… Continue watching
Jan 15 Watch 3:58 Omicron spreads as free home tests are set to roll out By PBS NewsHour Starting Saturday, private insurers are required to cover the cost of up to eight at-home testing kits, while those without insurance can get a free kit from the federal government. Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases rose by another 800,000 across the U.S. Continue watching
Jan 15 Clap, don’t chant: China aims for ‘Zero COVID’ Olympics By Candice Choi, Associated Press The prevention protocols will be similar to those at the Tokyo Games this summer, but much tighter. That won't be a stretch in Beijing, with China having maintained a “Zero COVID" policy since early in the pandemic. Continue reading
Jan 14 Watch 6:30 Health systems buckle under latest surge of COVID hospitalizations By William Brangham, Courtney Norris President Biden on Friday announced free tests to help combat the rapidly spreading omicron variant. But the surge is battering hospitals and stretching some to capacity, with COVID hospitalizations jumping 179 percent in the past two weeks. William Brangham reports,… Continue watching
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 14 Garbage and recyclables pile up as omicron takes its toll on sanitation workers By Travis Loller, Associated Press The omicron variant is sickening so many sanitation workers around the U.S. that some cities have had to delay or suspend garbage and recycling pickup. 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