While the COVID-19 omicron variant caused infections to surge in the first weeks of 2022, one medical expert felt confident that cases would greatly decrease within six to eight weeks. His predictions turned out to be true. In this interview, the expert discusses why he believed that the spike in omicron infections would not last long, and he shares data from his hospital that supports his prediction. Listen to hear a medical expert discuss the recent good news about COVID and his thoughts about the future of the pandemic.
Story Length: 5:13
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March 7, 2022
3:24
As cases of COVID-19 continue to drop, the CDC has issued new guidance that permits many Americans to go unmasked indoors, including in schools. The guidance is based on a new tool, the COVID-19 Community Level, that measures hospitalization rates in local communities. For the many Americans living in low-risk communities, the CDC says masks can be removed. There continue to be situations where masking is required or highly recommended, however. Listen to hear more about the new guidance, how public health experts are responding, and what it may mean for life in the coming months.
Read MoreFebruary 4, 2022
4:58
Deciding how to protect people in group settings, including schools, has been challenging during the pandemic. In many school communities, decisions about safety are made by school boards and school leaders, like superintendents and principals. Parents, too, voice their opinions on safety by attending school board meetings, and teachers work through their unions to express concerns and demand safety measures. Students are deeply affected by policies around COVID-19 safety, but some argue they have the least say in determining safe learning conditions. Listen to a high school junior explain why he helped organize a walkout at his school and then debate: Who should determine whether schools are safe?
Read MoreJanuary 24, 2022
4:46
COVID-19 may soon become endemic, thanks to the omicron variant. Endemicity means the virus will exist in the population, coming and going in predictable patterns and becoming less disruptive to everyday life. Diseases that have become endemic, such as the common cold, are often mild, but health experts caution that the COVID-19 virus remains dangerous, and people should continue to take steps to avoid infection. Listen to hear medical experts explain why COVID-19 may be here to stay and what it might look like as it continues to evolve.
Read MoreJanuary 10, 2022
4:00
Scientists are trying to understand why the omicron variant of COVID-19 is spreading so fast. They already know that omicron can infect vaccinated people, which is a big advantage for the virus. What researchers have also discovered is that omicron multiplies much faster than delta, a previous variant, and infects cells higher in the respiratory tract. Listen to learn how these and other adaptations make omicron a more contagious, although not necessarily more deadly, virus.
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