Coronavirus

COVID-19 may be linked to raccoon dogs that were illegally being sold at a seafood market in Wuhan, China. That’s according to a team of international researchers.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The U.S. Department of Energy announced an accidental lab leak was the most likely origin of COVID-19, but added a caveat of having “low confidence.”

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Panelists discuss the origins of COVID-19 and misinformation, national implications of Chicago’s mayoral race, and why both political parties should stop freaking out.

COVID might’ve come from a lab leak. Was the conspiracy theory label used too early?

Panelists discuss the origins of COVID-19 and misinformation, national implications of Chicago’s mayoral race, and why both political parties should stop freaking out.

from Left, Right & Center

Researchers are honing in on why some people develop long COVID, which includes symptoms such as lingering fatigue, brain fog, and shortness of breath.

Is long COVID a neurological disease? Scientists are doing more research

Researchers are honing in on why some people develop long COVID, which includes symptoms such as lingering fatigue, brain fog, and shortness of breath.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Starting May 11, the U.S. government will no longer fully pay for COVID testing, treatment, and vaccines for people who don’t have health insurance.

Federal COVID emergency declaration ends in May. What’s changing?

Starting May 11, the U.S. government will no longer fully pay for COVID testing, treatment, and vaccines for people who don’t have health insurance.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Coronavirus is spreading rapidly in China, just weeks after the country abruptly ended its zero-COVID policy. Now with restrictions gone, hospitals are overflowing.

17,000 deaths a day: Hospitals overflowing as China ends its zero-COVID restrictions

Coronavirus is spreading rapidly in China, just weeks after the country abruptly ended its zero-COVID policy. Now with restrictions gone, hospitals are overflowing.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

China has lifted several of its pandemic health restrictions. That includes allowing asymptomatic or mild COVID patients to quarantine at home.

End of China’s ‘zero-COVID’ policy could cause ‘unpredictable’ viral evolution, says Yale doctor

China has lifted several of its pandemic health restrictions. That includes allowing asymptomatic or mild COVID patients to quarantine at home.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Chinese officials are signaling that the country may start to move away from its strict “zero-COVID” policy. The news follows weeks of quarantine-related protests.

China to ease ‘zero-COVID’ policy. What does that mean for most the vulnerable?

Chinese officials are signaling that the country may start to move away from its strict “zero-COVID” policy. The news follows weeks of quarantine-related protests.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

In a few weeks, COVID will likely rise nationwide due to holiday travel and gatherings. Teams are working on a universal COVID vaccine, but funding is in short supply.

Universal COVID vaccine: Scientists are working but lack funding

In a few weeks, COVID will likely rise nationwide due to holiday travel and gatherings. Teams are working on a universal COVID vaccine, but funding is in short supply.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Math scores for fourth and eighth graders have faced their steepest decline ever recorded, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

TikTok and YouTube could help kids catch up after COVID learning loss

Math scores for fourth and eighth graders have faced their steepest decline ever recorded, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The CDC is warning that the flu season will be worse this year. Plus, two new Omicron variants have emerged.

Flu, COVID booster shots prevent severe disease. Get them now, says CA doctor

The CDC is warning that the flu season will be worse this year. Plus, two new Omicron variants have emerged.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Panelists discuss Putin’s threats to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis sending migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, and if COVID is really over.

As Putin escalates Ukraine invasion, is Biden stepping up?

Panelists discuss Putin’s threats to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis sending migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, and if COVID is really over.

from Left, Right & Center

Brain fog is one of the most misunderstood long-haul COVID symptoms, according to science writer Ed Yong. It makes planning and concentrating nearly impossible.

Long COVID brain fog wrecks concentration. Solution? Do nothing

Brain fog is one of the most misunderstood long-haul COVID symptoms, according to science writer Ed Yong. It makes planning and concentrating nearly impossible.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

China is still enforcing strict COVID-19 restrictions, including lockdowns that force millions of people to stay in their homes for days on end.

China’s ‘zero-COVID’ policy has prevented natural immunity from building

China is still enforcing strict COVID-19 restrictions, including lockdowns that force millions of people to stay in their homes for days on end.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

New Omicron-specific booster shots are now available at some LA locations and should provide increased protection against infection and hospitalization.

Want new Omicron booster? Must wait 2 months after last shot

New Omicron-specific booster shots are now available at some LA locations and should provide increased protection against infection and hospitalization.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The need for physical touch climbed amid coronavirus quarantine and isolation. Trevor James, a professional touch therapist and cuddler, aims to help people reconnect.

Trauma, loneliness, death of a loved one: Why people seek professional cuddles

The need for physical touch climbed amid coronavirus quarantine and isolation. Trevor James, a professional touch therapist and cuddler, aims to help people reconnect.

from Greater LA

U.S. school kids lost two decades of reading and math progress, largely because of COVID-induced remote classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

COVID-induced learning loss means problem for racial justice

U.S. school kids lost two decades of reading and math progress, largely because of COVID-induced remote classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

At the Animal Assistance League of OC, staff members care for lost or abandoned pets, and educate people about better pet care.

OC animal shelter won’t turn anyone away, even as they have less to give

At the Animal Assistance League of OC, staff members care for lost or abandoned pets, and educate people about better pet care.

from Greater LA

A state bill would punish doctors for spreading false information about COVID vaccines and treatments. It awaits Governor Newsom’s signature.

Should doctors face legal consequences for COVID misinformation?

A state bill would punish doctors for spreading false information about COVID vaccines and treatments. It awaits Governor Newsom’s signature.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

If the CDC greenlights a new COVID booster, people could start getting shots after Labor Day. But “demand is really weak and tepid,” says one science journalist.

Fall COVID boosters could be here next week. How many actually want it?

If the CDC greenlights a new COVID booster, people could start getting shots after Labor Day. But “demand is really weak and tepid,” says one science journalist.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand