China is locking down most of its largest city to fight COVID
Already, many communities within the city of 26 million have been locked down, with their residents required to submit to multiple tests for COVID-19.
Health & Safety
The FDA is expected to authorize 2nd boosters for people 50 and up
People aged 50 and over could soon be eligible for a second Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID vaccine booster. The administration wants to offer the shots as immunity from the first booster is waning.
Alcohol-related deaths spiked during the 1st year of the pandemic
NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben speaks with Aaron White of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, about a new study that shows that alcohol-related deaths increased during the pandemic.
The youth treatment industry booms in Utah, but has skirted reform for years
NPR's Ayesha Rascoe asks Salt Lake Tribune reporter and "Sent Away" podcast cohost Jessica Miller about lax regulation of Utah's youth treatment industry and the impact of recent reforms.
States pass laws to guarantee rights to visit patients, even during a pandemic
During the pandemic, nursing homes and hospitals often banned visitors, often for months. Although restrictions have eased, some states are passing "right to visit" laws for future pandemics.
Some kids are happy to ditch the mask at school, others struggle with the transition
Children's mental health experts have advice for how to help kids deal with masking uncertainty – and deal with peer pressure if their mask choice isn't popular at school.
Epidemiologist answers questions about the infectious omicron BA.2 variant
NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben speaks with Harvard epidemiologist Bill Hanage about the BA.2 COVID-19 variant and how people should be thinking about yet another new phase of the pandemic.
Avian flu is infecting U.S. poultry flocks. It could affect the price of chicken, too
Bird flu has been confirmed in poultry in 17 states since the start of the year. Whether the outbreak will affect the price of eggs and poultry depends on how widespread it becomes, an expert says.
Former nurse found guilty in accidental injection death of 75-year-old patient
RaDonda Vaught's conviction could lead to years in prison. It's a rare case of a medical mistake being deemed a crime, and many worry it will have a chilling effect on the entire nursing profession.
Images from the Ukraine conflict are triggering survivor's guilt in combat veterans
Images from the war in Ukraine may have profound impacts on combat veterans, triggering survivor's guilt and mental health crises.