Federal judge delays vaccine mandate for NYC teachers
New York City schools have been temporarily blocked from enforcing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for its teachers and other workers by a federal appeals judge just days before it was to take effect.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic updates
The latest news and commentary on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Recent Stories
U.S. Census sees birth rates rebounding from COVID-19 pandemic
The U.S. Census reported this week that birth rates have started to rebound from COVID-19 after hitting a low last winter.
Biden urges COVID-19 booster shots for those now eligible
President Joe Biden on Friday urged those now eligible for boosters of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine to get the added protection a day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention endorsed the extra doses for millions of older or otherwise vulnerable Americans.
CDC leader adds people with risky jobs to COVID-19 booster list
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday endorsed booster shots for millions of older or otherwise vulnerable Americans, opening a major new phase in the U.S vaccination drive against COVID-19.
FDA deploying 'fast-track' arsenal against COVID-19
Food and Drug Administration officials said in July that Pfizer's application for full approval of its COVID-19 vaccine would enjoy "priority review," and set a target deadline for finishing by January 2022.
States see liquor shortages amid high demand, supply problems in pandemic
Thought the coronavirus pandemic was bad enough? States are considering ways to ration their liquor as pandemic-related shortages hamstring suppliers trying to keep pace with demand.
U.S. jobless claims tick up from near a pandemic low
The number of Americans applying for unemployment aid rose last week for a second straight week to 351,000, a sign that the delta variant of the coronavirus may be disrupting the job market's recovery, at least temporarily.
Biden to global leaders: Time to 'step up' efforts on vaccines, oxygen, treatments
President Biden told global leaders Wednesday to "supercharge" the fight against COVID-19 by donating -- not selling -- vaccines to needy nations with no diplomatic strings attached and bolstering supplies of oxygen, medical treatments and masks where they're needed.
FDA backs Pfizer COVID-19 boosters for seniors, high-risk persons
The Food and Drug Administration late Wednesday authorized boosters shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for emergency use in seniors, persons at high risk from COVID-19 and those whose jobs make them more likely to get infected.
Congressional Black lawmakers support NYC vaccine passport mandate amid racial conflict
Congressional Black lawmakers say they support New York City's passport vaccine mandate despite a recent local Black Lives Matter protest claim that the policy is too often used to deny services to Black patrons.
Biden: U.S. will buy and donate 500M more COVID-19 vaccine doses for the world
President Biden will announce Wednesday the U.S. is purchasing an additional 500 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine to give to the rest of the world, bringing its total commitment to more than 1 billion shots.
Congress urged to revive State probe of COVID-19 origin, Chinese bio-weapons push
Congress should require a new investigation by the State Department's arms compliance office into the possible role of China's Wuhan Institute of Virology in the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, a report by two former State Department officials says.
Anger over mask, vaccine mandates brews up fresh tea party protests
Tea Party Patriots faded from prominence during the Trump administration but now plans dozens of rallies around the country Wednesday, spurred into action by government mandates for masks and COVID-19 vaccines.
New Florida surgeon general declares 'we're done with fear' on COVID
Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis named a UCLA doctor and health policy researcher who shares his approach to managing the coronavirus pandemic to serve as the state's surgeon general Tuesday.
'Jack up the stock': Vaccine profit PR flusters scientists, inflates public expectations
Drugmakers are hailing great results with COVID-19 boosters and shots for school-age children, enthusing a pandemic-weary public and markets but flustering scientists who say it is important to look at real data before getting too optimistic.
Black Lives Matter calls COVID-19 vaccine mandates 'racist' after brawl at NYC restaurant
Black Lives Matter activists demonstrated Monday against "racist" COVID-19 vaccine mandates, staging a rally outside a restaurant they said used the city's mandate to deny service to Black patrons.
Eric Clapton plays arena with COVID-19 vaccine requirement, despite anti-mandate stance
British guitar legend Eric Clapton played a show over the weekend in a New Orleans arena that conditions entry on COVID-19 vaccination, even though he has said he would avoid those types of venues.
J&J says a second dose greatly enhances protection against COVID-19
Johnson & Johnson said persons who received a second dose of its COVID-19 vaccine enjoyed 94% protection against symptomatic disease, an increase from 74% under a one-shot regimen and a level on par with early studies of two-dose vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.
White House: Biden will get COVID-19 booster vaccine on camera
President Biden will get a COVID-19 booster shot in public once federal regulators complete an effort to offer extra doses to seniors and at-risk persons, the White House said Monday.
Biden at U.N. to call for 'intensive diplomacy' on climate change, COVID-19
President Biden's speech to the United Nations on Tuesday will focus on how ending the 20-year war in Afghanistan has opened up a new era of "intensive diplomacy" across the globe, a senior administration official said Monday.
D.C. requiring COVID-19 shots for adults in schools, child care centers
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced Monday new COVID-19 vaccine requirements for adults who are regularly in schools and child-care facilities and for student-athletes.
U.S. to allow vaccinated travelers from all countries, bows to pressure from Europe
The U.S. will let vaccinated foreign nationals fly into the country in early November without quarantining, the White House said Monday, a major change after European partners grumbled that the Americans did not reciprocate their efforts to ease long-standing pandemic bans.
Pfizer says its COVID-19 vaccine is safe in kids 5 to 11, will send data to FDA as soon as possible
Pfizer on Monday said its COVID-19 vaccine is safe and generated a "robust" antibody response in children aged 5 to 11, a positive sign as parents clamor to protect their children against the virus.
'Story is not over': Fauci, others say booster push is just starting
U.S. health officials said Sunday the "story is not over" after Food and Drug Administration advisers rejected President Biden's push to provide everyone with COVID-19 booster shots, saying incoming data may prompt regulators to expand the campaign despite moves to limit extra doses to high-risk Americans for now.
'Trust me you don't want this': Chris Rock says he has COVID-19, urges vaccination
Chris Rock on Sunday said he has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and sent a message to anyone still on the fence: "Get vaccinated."
Democrats harness vaccinated Americans' ire at holdouts as a political force
Democrats face some beastly headwinds as they prepare for next year's congressional elections, but they believe they've got a silver bullet or two: mounting rage against COVID vaccine refuseniks, coupled with smoldering scorn for former President Donald Trump.
GOP anger builds over Biden team rationing of COVID-19 treatment in red states
Republican lawmakers are demanding the Biden administration to cease rationing COVID-19 antibody treatments, saying the restrictions are disproportionately harming red states.
FDA advisory panel rejects COVID-19 booster shots for most Americans
An advisory panel for the Food and Drug Administration on Friday shot down Pfizer's request to approve booster shots of its COVID-19 vaccine for the general population, citing a lack of safety data, but did approve the doses for seniors and high-risk groups.
Maskless San Francisco mayor bucks city health order at nightclub
The mayor of San Francisco was spotted dancing and singing along to live music without a mask at an indoor nightclub, despite a strict order by her public health department that requires wearing masks at indoor establishments unless someone is actively eating or drinking.
NYC restaurant host attacked over vaccine status request
A host at a popular New York City restaurant was assaulted by three women from Texas after she asked for proof they had been vaccinated against COVID-19, police said.
DHS must stop using pandemic to expel border migrants, judge rules
A federal judge issued an injunction Thursday blocking the government's use of pandemic powers to immediately expel illegal immigrants who jump the border, dealing a severe blow to President Biden's hopes of stemming the border surge.
Biden careful not to play favorites, but Pfizer enjoys some 'comparative advantage' in mandate era
The COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech was the first to reach American arms, and it accounts for more than half of the 380 million doses administered in the U.S. so far.
White House denies inviting rapper Nicki Minaj, offering a call on vaccines instead
The White House is denying that it has invited rapper Nicki Minaj to Washington to discuss her negative online comments on the COVID-19 vaccine, despite the singer boasting about such a proposition on Twitter.
U.S. unemployment claims rise after hitting pandemic low
The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits moved up last week to 332,000 from a pandemic low, a sign that worsening COVID-19 infections may have slightly increased layoffs.
Pope cites 'history of friendship' with vaccines; cardinal who resisted shot required treatment
Pope Francis said Wednesday he does not know why some people resist the COVID-19 vaccines and finds it ironic that a cardinal who refused the shots needed treatment for the disease.
New York requires masks in child-care centers
All workers at child-care centers in New York now must wear face coverings under a plan announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday.
Biden touts vaccine mandates, economic benefits of shots with business leaders
President Biden on Wednesday said "vaccine requirements work" as he promoted his COVID-19 plan in a meeting with executives from Microsoft, Disney and other large companies.
Religious exemption requests grow as vaccine mandates rise
About 3,000 Los Angeles Police Department employees are citing religious objections to try to get out of the required COVID-19 vaccination. In Washington state, hundreds of state workers are seeking similar exemptions. And an Arkansas hospital has been swamped with so many such requests from employees that it is apparently calling their bluff.
FDA strikes neutral tone ahead of vaccine booster meeting
Influential government advisers will debate Friday if there's enough proof that a booster dose of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective - the first step toward deciding which Americans need one and when.
Pope questions vaccine skeptics, including cardinals
Pope Francis said Wednesday he didn't understand why people refuse to take COVID-19 vaccines, saying "humanity has a history of friendship with vaccines," and that serene discussion about the shots was necessary to help them.
Most states have cut back public health powers amid pandemic
Republican legislators in more than half of U.S. states, spurred on by voters angry about lockdowns and mask mandates, are taking away the powers that state and local officials use to protect the public against infectious diseases.
Largest colleges push student vaccines with mandates, prizes
At most of the largest U.S. public universities, students are under no obligation to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Some schools do require vaccines, but with leniency for those who opt out. Still others have expelled students who do not comply.
'Twindemic' possible as flu season approaches, health experts warn
Health experts are warning of a possible "twindemic" ahead of the upcoming flu season as COVID-19 spreads among communities and children return to classrooms.
EXCLUSIVE: Hagerty presses Biden to let Congress decide the fate of vaccine mandates
Sen. Bill Hagerty is calling for Congress to decide the fate of President Biden's vaccine mandates, which would affect more than 80 million Americans.
Caretaker organizations facing 'epic shortage' of direct service providers
Ernestine Bryant cares for adults with disabilities, and she recently received her first pay raise in five years: She now makes $9.50 an hour, up from $9 an hour.
Republicans press FDA chief on COVID-19 booster scuffle
Senior House Republicans on Tuesday accused President Biden of "playing politics" with COVID-19 booster shots and told the Food and Drug Administration to divulge what it told the White House ahead of a planned Sept. 20 start to the rollout.
Texas county challenges DHS with ban on transporting migrants who lack negative COVID-19 test
A Texas county declared a state of disaster Monday over illegal immigrants and COVID-19 exposure and adopted a policy barring them from being transported into or through the jurisdiction until they've gotten a new test showing they're free of the coronavirus.
Russia's Putin to self-isolate due to COVID-19 cases among inner circle
Russian President Vladimir Putin will self-isolate for a period because of possible exposure to the coronavirus even though he's tested negative for COVID-19 so far, the Kremlin said Tuesday.
Nicki Minaj cites 'impotent' friend in vax warning: 'Make sure you're comfortable with ur decision'
Pop singer Nicki Minaj urged caution against vaccinations Monday, and told an odd story.
Western Michigan athletes win restraining order against COVID shot mandate
Student-athletes at Western Michigan University this month won a restraining order against the school's requirement for COVID-19 vaccines for athletes.
Companies grapple with granting religious exemptions
Faith-based exemptions are gaining a big role in the debate over employer vaccine mandates, forcing companies to vet what is a "sincerely held" belief or whether workers are using religion as an end-run around tough rules imposed by corporations and cheered by President Biden.
Major consumer lobby has questions on Biden's COVID-19 vaccine mandate
A trade group that represents the $2 trillion packaged goods industry says businesses have critical questions about President Biden's COVID-19 vaccine mandate and need answers within hours, not weeks.
Students in NYC, the largest U.S. school system, head back to the classroom
More than 1 million New York City schoolchildren returned to the classroom Monday, many for the first time since COVID-19 closed the system in March 2020.
Majority thinks Biden's COVID-19 vaccine mandate sets a bad precedent, poll shows
More than half of American voters think President Biden's new COVID-19 vaccine rules set a precedent that could be "abused" by future presidents, a conservative group and its pollsters said Monday.
Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts: GOP AGs mobilizing challenges against Biden's vaccine mandate
Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts said Sunday that Republican attorneys general from across the country are mobilizing court challenges to President Biden's vaccine mandate.
Liberty returning to in-person classes after 2-week break
Liberty University is returning to broad in-person instruction after a two-week "temporary mitigation period" in which the Virginia school saw a record number of confirmed COVID-19 cases on campus.
Biden gets tough on unvaccinated 'minority' with mandates, pivots from Afghanistan mess
The percentage of Americans fully vaccinated against COVID-19 quietly passed the 50% mark in early August, a milestone overshadowed by Senate wrangling over an infrastructure bill, a House probe into the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and the Taliban's march through Afghan provinces.
FDA official hopeful younger kids can get shots this year
The Food and Drug Administration's vaccine chief said Friday the agency will rapidly evaluate COVID-19 vaccinations for younger children as soon as it gets the needed data - and won't cut corners.
Biden to GOP vaccine mandate opponents: 'Have at it'
President Biden on Friday offered a message for Republican governors and others who say they'll challenge his new COVID-19 vaccine mandates in court -- "Have at it."
'You can't say everyone has to do this': Biden vaccine mandates break his 2020 campaign promise
President Biden's sweeping new COVID-19 vaccine mandates contradict his 2020 campaign promise that he wouldn't make the shots mandatory.
Recent Commentary Columns
Biden's federal vaccine mandate is purely political and anti-science
President Biden believes the federal government, under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), has the purview to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations.
Biden's forced COVID-19 vaccine attack on minorities
By forcing all unvaccinated federal workers and contractors to take the vaccine to remain employed, Mr. Biden is forcing them to make an unfair choice: get the shot or get fired.
America rises against 'Vaccine King' Joe Biden
America's in no mood for autocrats. Taking all the voters across all the political parties together -- nearly 59 percent "do not believe President Biden has the constitutional authority to force private businesses to require vaccine mandates for employees."
Biden's COVID-19 bully pulpit shortchanges families
President Biden visited a traditional public school on Friday, the day after he delivered his six-point plan to beat down the coronavirus with his Government Knows Best approach.
