October 4, 2021
Public Health/Prevention
  • Anthony Fauci said the country is “turning the corner” on the latest COVID-19 surge, but that the 70 million eligible people who haven’t been vaccinated remain vulnerable. Fauci also touted the success of Merck & Co.’s experimental antiviral pill for COVID-19 after early data showed it cut the risk of severe illness and death, and said the promising results would prompt the drugmaker to ramp up production. (Articles here, here, here, here, and here)
  • California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the nation’s first COVID-19 vaccine mandate for schoolchildren. Once federal regulators fully approve the vaccine for anyone 12 to 15, the state will require students in seventh through 12th grades to get vaccinated in both public and private schools. The state will also require the COVID-19 vaccine for students in kindergarten through sixth grades after it gets final federal approval for children 5 to 11. (Articles here, here, here, and here)