The On Deadline Podcast

We will continue to bring you the absolute latest in COVID news and developments as the pandemic continues to impact our world, but for the time being we're shifting our focus to the global crisis that is front and center: Russia's invasion of Ukraine.On today's podcast, President Biden is starting to take the gloves on when it comes to making Russia feel financial pain. The president today put a ban on Russian oil imports into the U-S. The goal is to rock the now-fragile Russian economy even harder..........but we'll also feel it here with ever increasing gas prices.A doctor right here in southern California was all set to head to Ukraine to help train civilians in combat medicine. But now he can't go because the Russians might be after him--so we'll talk with him.We head back to Ukraine to talk to with a woman who was forced to evacuate Kyiv and is doing what she can do to help the war effort.....including making Molotov cocktails. And we'll talk with a long time Moscow based, American report who got out of Russia after new press censorship laws were put into place. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Yes, this is still the coronavirus daily podcast..........but we're going to put a pause on bringing you the latest COVID news to temporarily shift our focus to what is arguably the biggest global crisis underway right now---Russia's invasion of Ukraine.There is seemingly no end in site for Russia's war against Ukraine. As Russian forces step up their attacks against Ukrainian cities, there still hasn't been any establishment of reliable humanitarian corridors for escaping civilians to use.We'll talk to a woman there who says she got out of her hometown, in a suburb of Kyiv, right after Russian tanks moved in. The U-S is working with its partners in Europe on a possible ban of Russian oil imports. We'll look into what this will do to already high gas prices here at home. And we'll take the pulse of a very anxious Wall Street. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There was a lot of controversy when the FDA approved an expensive, and possibly ineffective drug for Alzheimer's patients last year. Turns out this has become a trend---the FDA has been busy greenlighting several contested drugs under so-called "accelerated approval"---we'll take a closer look.And which of the COVID-induced changes to the American workplace will be sticking around for good........and which ones will be tossed out with your old face masks? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Biden has announced a new plan for the pandemic that will let people take antiviral drugs immediately after testing positive, right at the pharmacy and free of charge. They're calling it "test to treat," we'll explain how that will work. Did you notice all the faces at the State of the Union? Masks were not required in House chambers last night, in a scene that almost looked like a slice of pre-pandemic life. We'll look into whether this is a signal that lawmakers and the Biden administration are ready to move on from COVID. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

California is ready to let school kids show their faces. It's lifting the statewide mask mandate in schools, in two weeks. But state public health officials are going to great pains to recommend continued mask wearing in classrooms, even if it's not mandatory.And the ultimate decisions on ending or continuing mask mandates will fall to individual school districts. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The CDC says most Americans live in places where healthy people can safely stop wearing masks. This comes in new guidelines that shift from looking at COVID-19 case counts to a more holistic view of COVID risk to a community. Developing countries and international aid organizations have spent the better part of a year asking for more COVID vaccine doses to be available outside of Western countries-----we'll take a closer look at why that's still not happening. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two pharmaceutical companies say their new COVID vaccine can is 100 percent effective against severe disease and hospitalization. We take a closer look at how this new vaccine could be utilized.......and whether we all eventually might be getting booster shots of this stuff.Los Angeles County is easing its indoor mask mandate this week. You'll still have to wear one inside unless that business requires proof of vaccination. If so, then it's masks off. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Were the COVID booster shots just the start of what will become annual--or even twice annual--vaccine doses to keep up our immunity against the coronavirus? There's new research out that could provide answers to how many more needles might be in our future.And because of our less-than-stellar response to the COVID pandemic, and all of the losses this country has had to absorb over these past two years, will the United States emerge from the pandemic in a much weaker state against global competition? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Doctors have been warning of a new COVID variant that could pop up and cause problems like Delta and omicron. It might already be among us.........as we'll turn our attention back toward the so called "little brother" variant of omicron.And the blockade of truckers protesting COVID vaccine mandates in Canada's capitol Ottawa........which captured the attention of Fox News and the broader movement against COVID restrictions in general..........has likely reached the end of the road. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Turns out that even with the massive spread of the omicron COVID variant and the resulting spike in hospitalizations and deaths this winter, omicron could turn out to be a long-term benefit in moving on from the COVID pandemic.And another problem people with long COVID might have to worry about---long-term heart issues. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

California's indoor mask mandate disappears at midnight. That is unless you're in LA or Santa Clara counties. Even Disneyland says no more masks. The Coachella and Stagecoach festivals also say no masks will be needed. So why are mask requirements still in place for kids in schools?And if you're feeling especially unsure about the world as the COVID pandemic seems to be winding down, you're not alone. We'll discuss the psychology of dealing with--and accepting--a COVID-changed world. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While the overwhelming majority of you were probably watching the action on the field yesterday, we couldn't help but notice that during crowd shots of fans at Sofi Stadium during the Super Bowl...........barely a mask could be found, in spite of what were supposed to be strict masking rules. Are mask mandates on life support?And while the hope is that new future COVID variants will get weaker and producer more milder illnesses, thus helping us all move past this pandemic.........what if it doesn't turn out that way? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Parents who were hoping to get their babies and toddlers vaccinated soon will have to wait even longer--if it ever happens. U-S health regulators have pushed back a public meeting to review Pfizer's COVID vaccine for kids under 5. The FDA says it's delaying the meeting to allow time for Pfizer to provide more data on a three-dose regimen of the vaccine. And you've probably heard these terms thrown around a lot recently: "pandemic" and "endemic." We will take a closer look at what could be a transitional phase of our COVID struggle. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

So what did you do right after your COVID or flu shot? Did you go home and take it easy out of concerns of potential side effects? Or did you go for a long run or walk? New research shows exercising right after you're vaccinated could help the dose be more effective.And what if the key to losing weight was something as simple as...........getting more sleep? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of the big mysteries of the pandemic is why some people haven't gotten sick yet while others around them have. We will try to unravel this as the answers might not be so clear. California's indoor mask mandate ends next week but many people will probably keep their masks on anyway. So is there a "right" time to ditch the masks? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

By now...we've all likely been exposed to COVID somewhere and at some point during this pandemic. Is all of that viral exposure slowly helping our immune systems? Johnson & Johnson reportedly stopped making its COVID vaccine, temporarily, at a plant in the Netherlands. This comes as developing countries badly need the vaccine. The reason behind the halt in vaccine production might make people mad. And the pandemic could be leading to more broken hearts--literally. Researchers have been noticing a rise in broken-heart syndrome the past two years. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The CDC would really like to see and know what you're flushing down the toilet. The public health agency is expanding programs so scientists can study wastewater, which may hold the key to learning about COVID spread in your city.And the future of COVID prevention through vaccines might not involve any needles at all............it could be a vaccine delivered through a nasal spray. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When your grandmother used to tell you that getting a little sunshine would do you good, turns out she knew what she was talking about.The sun could help you avoid the worst of COVID. A new study out of Israel found a correlation between Vitamin D deficiency and the severity of COVID illnesses. Vitamin D deficient patients were 14 times more likely to have a severe or a critical case of COVID than those who aren't deficient. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Doctors and scientists have been saying COVID will eventually become endemic......meaning the virus is still there, still circulating but it's manageable---nowhere near as rampant and deadly as it is now.But one biosecurity expert in Australia say COVID will never get to that point. It'll remain an epidemic. She says it's because there are large rapid rises in case numbers. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Think back to when this all started, March of 2020 when the world basically shut down. We were told we all had to stay home to both flatten the curve and save lives. Well, new analysis from Johns Hopkins University found that all those lockdowns had very little impact on saving lives in both the U-S and Europe.With the worst of omicron seemingly behind us as cases continue to drop, many doctors are now saying it's time to start easing COVID restrictions--and that includes taking off our masks. Does the science support gradually moving on from the pandemic? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pfizer has formally submitted its COVID vaccine to the FDA for emergency use authorization for use in children ages 5 and younger. Scientists have had a tough time perfecting the vaccine dosage for little bodies--strong enough to illicit an immune response against coronavirus but not too strong to bring on side effects. So we'll take a closer look.Here in California we just had a battle of NorCal vs. SoCal, but that was in football with the Rams and 49ers going at it in the NFC Championship. The Rams won that round--but when it comes to the battle of controlling COVID, the Bay Area is blowing away Los Angeles--we'll explain. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After the governor of California, the mayors of Los Angeles and San Francisco plus a whole bunch of their VIP guests were all photographed without masks at yesterday's NFC Championship at Sofi stadium..........a lot of people are asking today if mask mandates have officially jumped the shark.An LA County Supervisor says it may be time to let people make their own decisions and calculated risks on when and where to mask up--so we'll talk with her about what comes next on mask policies. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

More countries in Europe are easing COVID restrictions; and several U.S. cities and states that had tough COVID precautions in place are gradually lifting them.San Francisco even is loosening its indoor mask requirements. But not in Los Angeles County. When should restrictions be eased? Doctors want everyone now to where N-95 and KN-95 masks--out with the old cloth and thinner surgical masks. But there are lots of questions on how to wear them, for how long and if they can be reused; so we'll try to answer some of them. We've talked about that subvariant of omicron, it's "little brother" the B-A-2. Well it's officially here in U.S., with a handful of cases reported in Los Angeles County. Is this the start of something much more ominous?And remember back to the early days of the pandemic when everyone was buying up all the alcohol? Sales were great. But now some alcohol makers are running out or supply. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It was supposed to be iron clad and strictly enforced: the COVID vaccine mandate on indoor spaces in Los Angeles meant that if you wanted to go to a gym, or movie theater or restaurant, you had to show proof of being vaccinated.Turns out no one seems to be enforcing it..........and no fines or warnings have been issued by city public health officials.And If you took a COVID test recently and are still waiting for the results after two days...you're far from alone. We talk to one man who had to wait weeks before a response. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The COVID vaccine booster shot effort is in need of............a boost.The numbers of booster shots going into arms of Americans has slowed considerably in recent weeks and public health officials are wondering what they can do to kickstart the effort.Also on today's podcast, we're looking at why some pharmacies are telling immunocompromised people they can't get a fourth booster shot............even though the CDC has given it the green light. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What if the Omicron variant had a little brother? Well, it kind of does. Scientists are paying attention to a variant of this troublesome COVID variant. The Omicron relative is being called B-A 2, it's been found in both Europe and the U.S.--so we'll get to know this omicron relative and try to decipher how big of a problem it could be.Ethical questions are being raised about a hospital refusing to perform a heart transplant until a man gets vaccinated. So far, he's refused to get the shots..........even as the hospital is balking at going through with his transplant.And each time restaurants have started to climb off the mat from this COVID pandemic.........another new variant arrives and a new wave of infections follows. We'll hear from restaurant owners who are barely keeping their doors open after two years of this. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

School aged kids here in California must receive about seven different inoculations before they're allowed in classrooms--they include vaccines against things like Polio, the chickenpox, measles mumps and rubella. Well one California lawmaker would like to add COVID-19 vaccinations to the list. So we'll take a closer look at making COVID vaccinations a permanent requirement for kids in the classroom.Those government-provided free, at-home rapid COVID testing kits are allegedly in the mail to the millions of people who ordered them online last week---plus, insurance companies are now required to cover the costs of rapid tests. Will all of these steps help ease the COVID testing shortage?And new research could provide answers on the origins and persistence of one Long COVID symptom: the dreaded so-called "brain fog" that some COVID victims still have months after their infection. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Teenagers are now cleared by the CDC and FDA to be vaccinated against COVID-19; but what if their parents won't let them get the shots? A bill in California would let kids as young as 12 get vaccinated without their parents consent. But can kids that young really make their own medical decisions?The pandemic has more parents in California taking their kids out of school and moving them into homeschooling. Some even form their own small groups and co-ops--we'll take a closer look.Then: There are thousands of Americans who caught COVID in the first wave of the pandemic back in early 2020; and two years later, they're still grappling with symptoms and effects of the virus. What more do we know about Long COVID?And finally, whether it's the great resignation or the great "shift," the pandemic has most definitely brought about long lasting changes to the American economy. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two years ago on this very day...life in the United States would change as we know it. The CDC confirmed the first case of COVID-19 in the country. It came from samples taken in Washington State. Since then, the virus has spread everywhere infecting tens of millions of people and killing more than 850,000 so far. So today we're taking stock of the COVID-19 pandemic two years later. We'll explore what we've learned and the progress that's been made in trying to save lives and slow the spread of the virus. But can we ever eliminate it? Some European countries are considering drastically easing restrictions and learning to live with the virus. Should we do that here? We'll check in with a long hauler to find out how she and others like her are holding up two years in. And we look into what can be done to move us along to the end...and what does that end look like? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We've been told for a few weeks now that the omicron COVID variant is producing milder illnesses in the people unlucky enough to catch it--and indeed, there have even been some very preliminary studies backing up that notion.But what if we had it all wrong?We're starting to see an increase in COVID deaths here in L-A County. Last Tuesday, 15 deaths from COVID complications were reported by public health; that jumped to 66 recorded on Saturday, the highest in more than nine months. So we'll take a closer look at the supposedly "milder" omicron variant.Also--the hope had been that with the wildfire-like spread of the omicron variant, the COVID pandemic would turn "endemic," meaning we could start to treat COVID sicknesses like a seasonal flu. That thinking, it turns out, might have been too optimistic. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Supreme Court strikes down President Biden's vaccine mandate for businesses with 100 or more employees. But the justices are allowing a mandate for healthcare workers to stand.President Biden is pledging more free at-home tests and high-quality masks for Americans as the Omicron surge continues.Many hospitals are at a breaking point right now. And nurses in Southern California are unhappy with new rules allowing them to come back to work after testing positive for Covid-19 if they don't have any symptoms. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Private insurance will start covering the cost of at-home Covid-19 tests. Will it be easy to get reimbursed? And will it remain hard to find them?Pfizer is producing an Omicron-specific version of its Covid vaccine, but will it be too late to make a difference by the time it's available?And we could soon see the number of Covid cases plummet in the U.S. Scientists say we may be close to the peak of the Omicron surge. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The United States set a new record with more than 140,000 Covid-19 patients in the hospital, but the good news is that most cases don't appear to be as severe.The CEO at United Airlines says none of the company's vaccinated employees died of Covid-19. Will this convince other businesses to implement vaccine mandates.We still don't have vaccines approved for children under the age of 5. When will that change?And even though more kids are getting Covid-19, some health experts think it's smart and necessary to keep schools open. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Scammers are taking advantage of how hard it is to get a Covid-19 test amid the current Omicron surge. They're selling fake testing kits online and even setting up fake testing sites.Like doctors, veterinarians are being hit hard by the pandemic. There's extra pressure on them with all the new pets people have bought over the last couple years. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The number of kids hospitalized with Covid-19 in the United States is higher now than at any point during the pandemic. Is Omicron more dangerous to children or is it just the fact that kids under 5 can't get vaccinated?The CDC's changing guidance and messaging has been confusing and often frustrating to many Americans.And with Covid-19 cases surging, people might already be doing away with their 2022 New Year's resolutions. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A new Covid-19 vaccine already approved for use in India could be a "game changer" for developing countries. It's cheaper and easier to produce than most of the vaccines we have now.Some medical advisors to President Biden's transition team have been critical of the administration's response to Covid-19. They say we need to learn to live with the virus rather than tying to wipe it out. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is not the new year mashup we were hoping for: catching the flu, and COVID, at the same time--it's being labeled "Flurona"and the first case has been reported in Los Angeles County. Add one more anxiety to your pandemic bingo cards.Schools in Chicago are closing again. The teacher's union there voting to go back to remote learning because of the omicron surge, running up against Chicago's mayor and many parents who have no desire to go back to Zoom classes. Will the same thing start happening in more school districts across the country?And with the rate of new infections setting pandemic records on an almost daily basis ....should we really still be focusing on cases when deciding to shut things down? A growing number of doctors say no. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The winter COVID surge is well under way in the United States, leading to dubious new records. About one million cases were recorded Monday which surpassed the old record of 590-thousand set just last week. Can the country's healthcare system withstand the onslaught of cases and hospitalizations? If that's not bad enough...there's a new variant found in southern France that has some scientists worried.Meanwhile hospitals are having a tough time finding enough of Pfizer's and Merck's COVID pills just as they're filling up. Students are exhausted, stressed and burned out from the pandemic. Many of them are struggling with mental health issues and the constant changes when it comes to schools opening and closing.And finally.........COVID has exposed some major holes in America's system of caregiving for the children, the elderly and those in need. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The FDA kicked off 2022 by approving Pfizer's COVID booster shot for children as young as 12. Can boosted young teenagers play a big role in slowing COVID's rapid spread this Winter?2022 also starts with some relief from medical bills--there should be much fewer surprises the next time you have to check into a hospital or pay a visit to the ER.If you're hopeful for a better 2022 than 2021...don't pay attention to how much money you're spending for things like gas, food and clothes. Everything is costing more as inflation tightens its grip on the American economy. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Omicron may fuel the Winter surge in the U.S. That might be a good thing.Pfizer is tweaking its vaccine for kids 5 and younger because trials show it's not really working on them.The pandemic created a wild economy in 2021. What's in store for 2022? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New studies show booster shots might stop the omicron variant.The COVID Winter surge is wreaking havoc in the pro sports world as dozens of athletes are now out due to league protocols. Will the rest of Winter see a bunch of canceled and postponed games in the NHL, NBA and even the NFL? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Promising data from Pfizer shows its antiviral Covid-19 pill reduces severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. And it appears to hold up against the Omicron variant.A healthcare professional who is fully vaccinated and boosted just came down with Covid-19 for a second time.California is reenacting a statewide mask mandate amid a surge in cases, even among the vaccinated. Will people actually mask up?And the pandemic is part of the reason we're dealing with a nationwide shortage of teachers. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The pandemic has now taken the lives of 800,000 Americans. Did it have to be this bad?And the second-largest public school district in the country is delaying a vaccine mandate for students 12 and older. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The omicron variant is still a mystery scientists and doctors are trying to unravel. Dr. Michael Osterholm explains what omicron means for the future of the pandemic and a Winter surge.The pandemic is being blamed for inflation. When will price hikes slow down?Ostriches are helping scientists detect COVID-19. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The FDA and CDC approve Pfizer booster shots for older teenagers. Are they really needed?California could be headed for another Winter surge.The pandemic is apparently increasing everyone's blood pressure. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New research shows the vaccines are holding up well against omicron, especially the boosters.Chewing gum is showing promise in killing coronavirus.The U.S. Surgeon General has issued a public health advisory on the mental health challenges confronting teens and kids during the pandemic. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Doctors and scientists are learning more about the omicron variant. It seems to be more contagious but not as severe.Pandemic-related supply chain problems are now leading to a cream cheese shortage on the East Coast much to the dismay of bagel fans.A fake arm is used to avoid a real vaccine. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

More and more cases of the omicron variant are being found in the U.S. and the rest of the world. That's leading to a lot more concern and nervousness out there. New information could add to all that. South African scientists are warning omicron may be causing more reinfections than earlier virus mutants.Parts of the U.S. are dealing with a record number of COVID hospitalizations.A new study explains why some people have an easier time with COVID compared to others. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Biden announces new measures to fight COVID and the omicron variant. One calls for health insurance companies to reimburse people for at-home test kits.The U.S. is lagging behind other countries when it comes to available and affordable rapid at-home COVID tests.Did omicron really begin in a person? Its origins might not be human. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The omicron variant is now in the U.S. A person in San Francisco who was fully vaccinated arrived from South Africa. They're dealing with mild symptoms and recovering. How worried should we be about this variant? Do we have to start over now? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices