The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work. The big idea A common genetic variant explains why some people are asymptomatic after being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, according to our recently published study in the journal Nature. Early in the pandemic, we were intrigued that many people did not … Read more
D.C. Health will again be giving away free COVID-19 rapid tests at local libraries throughout all eight wards. D.C. Health announced Wednesday that it would again be giving away free COVID-19 rapid tests at local libraries throughout all eight wards, months after ending the pandemic-era testing program in February. The current testing distribution plan will … Read more
The latest variant, or sublineage, of SARS-CoV-2 to emerge on the scene, BA.2.86, has public health experts on alert as COVID-19 hospitalizations begin to rise and the new variant makes its way across the globe. The Conversation asked Suresh V. Kuchipudi, a virologist and infectious disease expert at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public … Read more
(NewsNation) — Congress may require the U.S. Department of Defense to review the reinstatement of thousands of military service members discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, as indicated by a draft version of the annual defense bill. The latest draft of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), released by the U.S. Senate and House of … Read more
The Georgetown Business Improvement District has decided to do an inventory of its own backyard, amid reports of retail and restaurant closings in D.C. this year. (Courtesy Georgetown BID) The Georgetown Business Improvement District has decided to do an inventory of its own backyard, amid reports of retail and restaurant closings in D.C. this year. … Read more
On Sept. 12, 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended the newly formulated COVID-19 vaccines for all Americans ages 6 months and up, hours after its expert advisory committee voted 13 to 1 in favor of recommending the vaccines. The CDC’s broad recommendation comes one day after the Food and Drug Administration approved … Read more
Amtrak will argue in federal court Tuesday that eminent domain privileges dictate it should be granted full control of historic Union Station in D.C. Amtrak will argue in federal court Tuesday that eminent domain privileges dictate it should be granted full control of historic Union Station in D.C. In a lawsuit filed in U.S. District … Read more
Ending pandemics is a social decision, not scientific. Governments and organizations rely on social, cultural and political considerations to decide when to officially declare the end of a pandemic. Ideally, leaders try to minimize the social, economic and public health burden of removing emergency restrictions while maximizing potential benefits. Vaccine policy is a particularly complicated … Read more
NEW YORK (AP) — The proportion of U.S. kindergartners exempted from school vaccination requirements has hit its highest level ever, 3%, U.S. health officials said Thursday. More parents are questioning routine childhood vaccinations that they used to automatically accept, an effect of the political schism that emerged during the pandemic around COVID-19 vaccines, experts say. … Read more
The Virginia agency that processes unemployment benefits has made progress clearing pandemic-related backlogs, but it isn’t expected to finish until next summer, a top official told lawmakers this week. RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The Virginia agency that processes unemployment benefits has made progress clearing pandemic-related backlogs, but it isn’t expected to finish until next summer, … Read more
