270 medical experts write open letter to Spotify calling out Joe Rogan’s ‘harmful’ COVID-19 misinformation
A cohort of medical experts have written an open letter to Spotify urging the platform to take action against Joe Rogan for spreading COVID-19 misinformation.
US omicron peak: Fauci predicts steep drop in cases toward 'end of January'
Dr. Anthony Fauci cautiously predicted the U.S. omicron wave could soon start to noticeably decline “as we get to the end of January.”
Hospitals in Brooklyn, Bronx, Newark getting backup from military
Coney Island Hospital in Brooklyn, North Central Bronx Hospital in the Norwood section of the Bronx, and University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey, will get much-needed help from military medical teams.
Supreme Court blocks COVID-19 vaccine mandate for US businesses
The Supreme Court has stopped the Biden administration from enforcing a requirement that employees at large businesses be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing and wear a mask on the job.
Fauci: Omicron may infect 'just about everybody' but vaccinated will still fare better
Dr. Anthony Fauci said the omicron variant will likely infect most Americans, but the risk of severe illness is “very, very low” among those vaccinated and boosted.
Biden: US to make 1 billion at-home COVID-19 tests free for Americans
President Joe Biden directed his team to double its procurement of at-home COVID-19 tests to be delivered for free to Americans, along with N95 masks.
Omicron tests China's ability to hold Olympics with 'zero-tolerance' COVID-19 policy
The omicron variant poses a test to China's “zero-tolerance” COVID-19 policy and its ability to successfully host the Winter Olympics.
Federal 'surge' of military doctors, nurses to head to NY, NJ amid omicron
A “surge” military medical personnel will help overwhelmed medical facilities weather the spike in coronavirus cases and staff shortages due to the highly transmissible omicron variant.
Cannabis compounds prevent coronavirus from entering human cells: Oregon State University study
According to a study from researchers at OSU, cannabis compounds show the ability to prevent the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 from entering human cells.
Omicron could be headed for a rapid drop in Britain, US
Scientists are seeing signals that COVID-19′s alarming omicron wave may have peaked in Britain and is about to do the same in the U.S., at which point cases may start dropping off dramatically.
West Virginia governor gets antibody treatment after COVID-19 diagnosis
Governor Jim Justice of West Virginia said he felt "extremely unwell" after testing positive.
Trend of intentionally catching omicron variant is ‘never a good idea,’ doctor warns
According to healthcare professionals, the recent trend of trying to get infected with the omicron variant on purpose is risky and not advised.
Nassau health commissioner criticized for flip-flopping on masks
Some Democratic lawmakers are criticizing the Nassau County health commissioner for what they say is a flip-flop about the importance of wearing masks.
CDC director on face-covering guidance: ‘Any mask is better than no mask’
The CDC is still mulling over whether to recommend higher quality face masks amid the recent surge in COVID-19 cases from the highly contagious omicron variant.
How to find at-home COVID-19 tests: Websites track availability as demand surges
At-home COVID tests are this year’s hottest item, and websites that normally keep track of everything from the elusive PS5 to children’s toys are now helping people find the test kits amidst a surge in demand.
When am I contagious if infected with omicron?
It's not yet clear when people infected with omicron become contagious but early data suggests it might be sooner than with earlier variants. In general, people with the coronavirus are most infectious in the few days before and after symptoms develop. But some researchers say that window might come earlier with omicron. That's because omicron appears to cause symptoms faster than earlier variants. Some experts say that could mean people with omicron become contagious within a day after infection. But researchers note it's too soon to know whether omicron's faster onset translates into earlier contagiousness.
Low COVID vaccination rates in kids worries pediatricians
Distrust, misinformation and other factors have combined to produce what authorities say are alarmingly low COVID-19 vaccination rates in U.S. children ages 5 to 11 — just over 17% as of Tuesday, more than two months after shots for them became available.
Biden administration to send schools additional 10M COVID-19 tests per month
The White House said it will send 5 million rapid COVID-19 tests and 5 million lab-based PCR tests to schools each month in an effort to keep them open.
Gov. Murphy re-declares public health emergency, continues mask mandates in schools
In his fourth state of the state address, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said he is declaring a public health emergency again in light of COVID-19's omicron variant.
COVID contact tracing now optional in NY; focus on testing, vaccination
New York will no longer require local health departments to conduct contact tracing for people who test positive for COVID-19, Health Commissioner Mary Bassett said, so that public health staff can focus on testing and vaccination.