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Dr. Anthony Fauci is firing back at Republicans like Senator Ted Cruz, who have attacked him. In other news from the nation's capital, the NIH director says it may be two or three weeks before scientists know enough about the new variant and the Supreme Court hearing an abortion case and a 340B case.
On Sunday, Canada's health minister said two cases of the new variant had been confirmed. Britain has more cases, and a flight in the Netherlands was found to have brought many cases from South Africa. The World Health Organization has, however, urged against travel bans.
The newest concerning variant of covid is alarming researchers, and forcing politician's hands, but some early evidence suggests its symptoms may be mild. Vaccine makers are working out their responses, but Moderna says it could be ready in early 2022.
Vaccination remains a "key weapon" in the face of the new omicron covid "variant of concern," officials said. President Joe Biden is expected to speak on the matter today, and has been told it may take up to two weeks for scientists to come up with definitive answers and new advice.
Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Despite those covid concerns, vaccination rates remain stubbornly uneven -- especially for kids -- in pockets of the U.S. Of course, fights over vaccine mandates continue.
Editorial pages delve into these public health topics.
Opinion writers tackle these covid and vaccine issues.
First up, get a peek into a few of the stories that KHN staffers shared with each other this week on our #whatwearereading chat:
News outlets report on the WHO's warnings over surging covid in some European countries, with Germany considering a full lockdown. Meanwhile, a little-known cult in South Korea is reportedly a source of a new outbreak.
The e-cigarette maker will pay out $14.5 million in the settlement. Separately, Florida's Supreme Court rejected a $5 million damages suit against tobacco maker R.J. Reynolds over the death of a smoker in 2007.
Axios reports on increasing competition from pharmacies and insurers to hire doctors and nurse practitioners, and the Baltimore Sun covers staff burnouts in pharmacies. NYU Langone, AstraZeneca, Medicare brokers, and a story on a doctor with terminal cancer are also in the news.
Two new studies highlight the higher death risks from covid infections for racial minorities and patients with schizophrenia and other mood disorders (despite fewer infections). Meanwhile, an Israeli drug, called the "only cure for late-stage covid," shows promise in trials.
Meanwhile, Procter & Gamble recalled some Old Spice and Secret antiperspirant sprays after contaminating benzene was found, San Francisco declared a water shortage emergency, and reports highlight 10 million people who are uninsured could still qualify for public marketplace health.
The Senate and Biden administration are trying to push through the nomination of Dr. Robert Califf before the end of the year, but paperwork for the Senate committee was late getting to Capitol Hill, Politico reports. Meanwhile, Califf's financial statements show large investments in drug companies.
As families seek a more routine holiday celebration this year, they can't let their guard down, public health officials warn. Those who are unvaccinated still present a risk. And former Food and Drug Administration commissioner Scott Gottlieb warns that breakthrough infections are a threat for those who got their vaccinations early last year but haven't yet had a booster.
News outlets also cover spiking covid numbers and strained health care facilities in Illinois, central California, Michigan — where hospitals are looking to military staff for help — plus Arizona and New England.
But in Indiana, numerous medical groups argued against a Republican proposal aimed at ending the covid emergency situation in the state. The proposal forces "broad" vaccine mandate exemptions. Meanwhile, hundreds of Google staff push against the shots, and in Chicago first responders do too.
Citing the "grave danger of covid-19 in the workplace," the Biden administration asked a federal appeals court to lift a stay and let OSHA move forward with implementing a rule requiring vaccinations for employees of larger businesses.
The verdict in the closely watched Ohio case comes as the pharmacy giants face thousands of lawsuits filed by communities across the U.S. for their role in the national opioid epidemic. The companies say they did nothing wrong and will appeal this ruling.
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