Mask mandates begin to fall in Triad
The Guilford County Board of Commissioners voted to rescind the mask mandate that had been in effect since mid-August to combat the COVID-19 delta variant.
Health & Safety
Florida's health care providers are caught between federal and state vaccine rules
Hospitals in Florida are in a tight spot. They will soon have to choose between obeying a federal rule requiring healthcare workers to be vaccinated or a state law banning vaccine mandates.
Colleges are turning to science to limit suicide contagion and help heal campuses
The new strategy is called "postvention." It means having a plan built on truth, compassion and counseling that quickly addresses the mental health needs of friends and classmates after a suicide.
Pfizer agrees to license generic versions of its COVID-19 pill — in some countries
The agreement covers 95 nations, but it omits hard-hit countries such as Russia, Turkey, Brazil, and Mexico. Pfizer said it is seeking authorization for emergency use of the medication in the U.S.
Philanthropic organization contributes $50 million for NC fight against opioid abuse
A nonprofit is investing $120 million in North Carolina and four other states to help address the opioid epidemic.
Times Square will welcome back vaccinated revelers this New Year's Eve
The party's on, thanks to COVID-19 vaccines. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced that Times Square will be open this New Year's Eve to those who are fully vaccinated.
California joins other states with laws limiting wait times for mental health issues
Many Americans with mental illness report waiting weeks for care, even for serious depression or suicidality. California has a new law for insurers, limiting those wait times to two weeks or less.
Tribes hope infrastructure law means they'll finally get clean drinking water
The Warm Springs Reservation in Oregon has been without clean drinking water for years, the just-passed infrastructure bill promises to fix that.
Social workers say the Texas abortion law further harms victims of rape or incest
The new Texas law that bans most abortions has no exceptions for survivors of rape or incest. Social workers say this strips agency from survivors trying to heal and recover from sexual assault.
COVID-19 cases are rising again in the U.S.
It's an ominous sign ahead of the holidays: coronavirus cases are again rising in the U.S. In some states, hospitals are already under siege with an influx of patients.