Proposed bill to allow teens to get vaccine without parental consent gains momentum

If very young Californians want to get a COVID vaccination without their parents' approvals, should they be able to get them? The answer to that is likely to be yes and soon

Rio de Janeiro delays Carnival parades as omicron spreads

The world-famous Carnival festivities in Rio de Janeiro will be held in late April rather than the final weekend of February, as the number of coronavirus cases in Brazil spikes and the omicron variant spreads across the country. 

Teacher gives COVID vaccine to teen, Long Island prosecutors say

A Long Island teacher was arraigned on a felony charge after she was accused of illegally giving a coronavirus vaccine to a teenager.

What does it mean for COVID-19 to be endemic?

Some countries are making tentative plans for when they might start treating COVID-19 as an "endemic" disease, but the World Health Organization and other officials have warned that the world is nowhere close to declaring the pandemic over. A look at what endemic means and the implications for the future.

N95 masks: Where to find them for free

What exactly are N95 masks, where can you buy them, and when can you find them for free? We explain.

CDC says booster shots provide best protection against omicron

Speaking at the White House COVID response team briefing Friday, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said three new reports released by the agency add evidence to the importance of being "up to date" with vaccinations against COVID-19.

Thousands of Oakland teachers threaten to strike over COVID protocol

Teachers in Oakland say they want to keep schools open, but also want to ensure they are safe for teachers and students amid the latest COVID surge. 

Dems look ahead to midterms as Biden's approval rating dips

One year into his term, President Joe Biden's approval ratings have dropped from 59% last summer to 43% according to a new Associated Press survey.

Preteens may be vaxed without parents under California bill

State Sen. Wiener's legislation is permissive, not a mandate, but any vaccination legislation has been hugely controversial in California and elsewhere.

San Francisco sees decline in COVID-19 cases following recent omicron variant surge

After a recent surge of COVID-19 cases in San Francisco caused by the omicron variant, the number of cases in the city are starting to decline, Mayor London Breed announced Thursday.

San Francisco subpoenas unauthorized COVID testing operator

San Francisco’s city attorney has issued subpoenas seeking records from an unauthorized COVID-19 test operator and laboratory suspected of trying to scam people out of money or personal information.

California's COVID gun store shutdowns ruled illegal

Two California counties violated the Constitution's right to keep and bear arms when they shut down gun and ammunition stores in 2020 as nonessential businesses during the coronavirus pandemic, a federal appeals court ruled Thursday.

COVID-19 detector: Wearable ‘Fresh Air Clip' can detect virus, study finds

Researchers at the Yale School of Public Health developed an easy-to-clip-on device called the ‘Fresh Air Clip’ that can help detect low levels of SARS-COV-2.

COVID-19 vaccines do not affect the chances of having a child, NIH says

There’s no evidence that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, influence your chances of getting pregnant. But getting the actual coronavirus may impact male fertility.

Pfizer pills effective against omicron, vaccine-maker's studies show

Pfizer Inc. said laboratory testing showed its COVID-19 pill Paxlovid appears to be effective against the omicron variant of the coronavirus.

Unemployment claims climb to 286,000, the most since October

Jobless claims rose for the third straight week — by 55,000 to 286,000, highest since mid-October, the Labor Department reported Thursday.