Coronavirus FAQ: It's cold and flu season — and COVID season! How do I stay unsick? Last winter the number of flu cases was pretty low — likely a result of COVID precautions people were taking. Does that mean we have fewer antibodies — and a greater risk of catching something now? Sheila Mulrooney Eldred
One Chinese town has started a fiery online debate about China's zero-COVID policy Citizens in Ruili are complaining about lengthy lockdowns and terrible conditions in quarantine centers. Others in China don't want to hear about it. Emily Feng
New USAID director aims to shake up 60-year-old aid agency. Here's her 'new vision' Like any government agency, the biggest American foreign aid group has its problems. This week, its new administrator Samantha Power outlined her solutions. Malaka Gharib
After a concussion, the brain may no longer make sense of sounds A concussion can make it difficult to converse in a noisy room. Scientists say that's because the injury has impaired the brain's ability to process sounds. Jon Hamilton
COMIC: If history is a guide, schools will start requiring COVID vaccines The first vaccine required for school was for smallpox, over 200 years ago. And for decades, all states have required that kids be vaccinated against contagious diseases like polio to attend school. Anya Kamenetz
Pfizer says its COVID-19 pill cuts disease's worst risks by 89% Based on the strength of the trial's results, Pfizer says it will ask the FDA for emergency use authorization rather than enroll more people for clinical trials. Bill Chappell
As U.S. cases drop, surgeon general warns COVID has been underestimated before NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Surgeon General Vivek Murthy about President Biden's latest vaccine rules for 100 million workers, and the impact on the pandemic of getting kids ages 5-11 vaccinated.
How does a country with no COVID reopen its borders? These places are finding out There is a glaring irony of the pandemic: Countries like the island nation of Tonga that have managed to keep the virus at bay may be some of the last to recover from the economic impact. Ashley Westerman
Birthday parties and sleepovers are back as parents welcome COVID vaccine for kids After months of waiting, many parents of kids ages 5 to 11 expressed relief and joy when the CDC gave its recommendation for Pfizer's vaccine to be made available to that age group. Wynne Davis
COVID is still crushing parts of the U.S. as the holiday season approaches The U.S. is entering an uneasy stretch of the pandemic. Despite progress, the delta surge is dragging on in certain regions. Can vaccines ward off a big surge over the holidays? Will Stone