Latest Pandemics News
Study finds that blocking seats on planes reduces virus risk
A new study says leaving middle seats open could give airline passengers more protection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Researchers said the risk of passengers being exposed to the virus from an infected person on the plane could be reduced by 23% to 57% if middle...
Ponzi schemer Bernie Madoff dies in prison at 82
NEW YORK (AP) — Bernard Madoff, the infamous architect of an epic securities swindle that burned thousands of investors, outfoxed regulators and earned him a 150-year prison term, died behind bars early Wednesday. He was 82. Madoff's death at the Federal Medical Center...
Nobel doctor calls sexual violence in conflict a `pandemic'
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Denis Mukwege warned Wednesday that the scourge of sexual violence and rape in all conflicts is now “a real pandemic” and without sanctions and justice for the victims these horrific acts won’t stop. The...
Editorial Roundup: Florida
Recent editorials from Florida newspapers: ___ April 9 The Palm Beach Post on the Florida governor’s banning of COVID-19 ‘vaccine passports’: Gov. Ron DeSantis says he is taking a bold step toward...
The Latest: California governor says all schools must reopen
SAN FRANCISCO — California Gov. Gavin Newsom is urging all schools in the state to reopen, saying there are no health barriers to getting children back into classrooms and ending distance learning. Speaking Wednesday, he said: “Money is not an object now. It’s an...
Arkansas reports 220 new coronavirus cases, 7 more deaths
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas reported 220 new coronavirus cases Wednesday and seven more deaths from the illness the virus causes. The Department of Health said the state has had 332,666 virus cases since the pandemic began and 5,680 total deaths from COVID-19. ...
North Dakota officials say virus trend headed the wrong way
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota health officials say the number of confirmed variant cases of the coronavirus has doubled this month and are warning about the possibility of another wave of infections. The state lab has identified 79 total cases of four variants,...
Baker: J&J pause not significantly slowing vaccine effort
BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts is forging ahead with plans to vaccinate as many residents as possible, despite placing a pause on the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on the advice of federal authorities, Gov. Charlie Baker said Wednesday. The vast majority of...
Red states on U.S. electoral map lagging on vaccinations
SAVANNAH, Georgia (AP) — With coronavirus shots now in the arms of nearly half of American adults, the parts of the U.S. that are excelling and those that are struggling with vaccinations are starting to look like the nation’s political map: deeply divided between red and blue states. ...
Israel honors Pfizer chief at Independence Day celebrations
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel paid tribute to the chief executive of international drug maker Pfizer Inc. during its Independence Day celebrations Wednesday, thanking him for a partnership that has helped the country carry out one of the world's most successful coronavirus vaccination campaigns....
