November 30, 2021 – US Prepares For Omicron Variant, FDA Reviews Booster Shots For Older Teens, And More

California is in a drought -- again. LAist’s new show How to LA explores what more Angelenos can do to preserve water. It won't be easy, but we meet up with one long-time resident who shows us how it's possible. Follow How to LA; the show aims to drop a little knowledge about ALL the things that affect the people of Los Angeles, whether that’s something that makes our city great (tacos!) or something that we need to work on, like the alarming number of traffic collisions. We serve the curious Angeleno who wants to better connect with our city, discover the new, navigate the confusing and even drive some change along the way.

Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Sam Torbati, co-chair of the department of emergency medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. 

Topics today include: 

• White House Covid response coordinator: Americans over 60 should get second booster. 
• With the rise in at-home testing, are we undercounting COVID-19 cases even more than before?  
• COVID hospitalizations fall to 213 in L.A. County. 
• California will not require COVID vaccines for children this fall. 
• BA.2 is spreading in the U.S. but people are over it. 
• FDA authorizes first breath test to detect coronavirus. 

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. 

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Dean Blumberg, professor of medicine and chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at UC Davis Children’s Hospital. 

Topics today include: 

• Experts say the U.S. is likely “dramatically undercounting” current COVID cases as states scale back regular reporting. 

  • Coronavirus cases on the rise in L.A. County, prompting concerns for spring break. 
• What we know about the Omicron XE subvariant in California. 
• California removes quarantine requirement for asymptomatic people exposed to COVID. 
• Pfizer says its booster raises antibodies against Omicron in kids 5-11. 
• C.D.C. extends mask mandate on planes, trains until May 3. 
• The city of Philadelphia will reinstate its indoor mask mandate. 

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. 

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Kimberly Shriner, director of Infectious Disease and Prevention at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena. 

Topics today include: 

• Fauci: Assess your personal risk amid uptick in COVID-19 cases; says recent increase is concerning but not surprising. 
• Georgetown, Johns Hopkins universities temporarily restore some COVID measures as cases among students rise. 
• The next COVID vaccine could be a nasal spray. 
• New research finds COVID vaccines, combined with infection, can lead to months of immunity. 
• NYT: Why a coronavirus-flu “twindemic” may never happen. 

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. 

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Kristen R. Choi, professor of nursing and public health at UCLA. 

Topics today include: 

• LAist: Without Masks, More LA Students Test Positive As School Outbreaks Triple. 
• How can someone be exposed to COVID-19 but not contract it? 
• UC San Diego selected as a new clinical trial site for variant-specific vaccines. 
• Could COVID-19 vaccines cause hearing issues? 
• Those who contract COVID-19 more likely to develop diabetes. 
• Could suspension of COVID-19 aid abroad extend the pandemic? 

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. 

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Sam Torbati, co-chair of the department of emergency medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. 

Topics today include: 

• Is it COVID or allergies? 

  • Colds and flu make a comeback after pandemic downturn. 
• WHO says global COVID cases are trending down, but they’re watching new Omicron subvariant. 
• F.D.A. advisors debate how to update current COVID vaccines. 
• L.A. County expands test-to-treat services and adds a tele-health option. 
• What endemic disease looks like. 
• CDC lowers travel warning for Canada and many other destinations. 
• The debate over long COVID in kids. 

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. 

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Arthur Reingold, professor of epidemiology and Head of the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health. 

Topics today include: 

• Israeli study finds second booster offered short-term protection against Omicron. 

• Cases rise in San Diego and San Francisco. 

  • Why haven’t cases risen throughout the United States? 
• CA lifts its proof of vaccination for indoor mega events. 
• United Kingdom detects omicron XE, a new variant. 
• Risk management for immunocompromised people. 
• COVID-19 concerns dropping in the United States. 
• Recent clinical studies could lead to vaccines that are easier to store. 
• NYT: FDA suspends Glaxo’s antibody drug. 
• President Biden’s global COVID-19 summit postponed. 

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. 

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Shruti Gohil, professor of medicine and associate medical director for epidemiology and infection prevention at UC Irvine’s School of Medicine. 

Topics today include: 

• What’s next for COVID-19 vaccines? 
• What we know about the BA.2 variant so far. 
• Those enrolled in Medicare to have free access to COVID-19 tests at drug stores. 
• Following criticism, CDC hires independent evaluator in hopes of improving the department. 

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. 

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Dean Blumberg, professor of medicine and chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at UC Davis Children’s Hospital. 

Topics today include: 

• What are the concerns BA.2 poses here in California? 
• Coronavirus cases are spiking in some cities. Is LA County the next to be hit? 
• Continuing research on long COVID. 
• How do we begin vaccine development to stop the next pandemic? 
• Nursing home deaths are now at their lowest point since the pandemic began. 

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. 

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Sam Torbati, co-chair of the department of emergency medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. 

Topics today include: 

• Many people eligible for the second booster shot may not need to race to get it, experts say. 
• L.A. City Council lifts COVID vaccine mandate for indoor businesses, outdoor events. 
• A new government website aims to help Americans find COVID antiviral pills. 
• Large study finds Ivermectin does not reduce risk of COVID hospitalization. 
• Opinion: Where the coronavirus could be going. 

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.