COVID in L.A.

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at the UCSF Medical Center. 

Topics today include: 

• Many schools in L.A. County drop COVID-era masking mandates on Monday. 

  • California’s great COVID pivot: Pandemic policies expire. 
• L.A. County’s COVID hospitalizations hit lowest level since last July. 
• What is “Deltacron”? 
• How will L.A. County find warning signs of the next coronavirus surge? 
• Which coronavirus vaccine will work in the youngest children? 
• As COVID-19 fades, what does it mean to end the pandemic health emergency? 
• Pfizer’s CEO says a 4th dose of COVID-19 vaccine will be needed, but the company is working on a shot to handle all variants. 
• China orders 51 million people into lockdown as COVID surges. 

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:

• Mask mandate extended for airline flights and on public transportation until April 18. 
• What are your potential risks at gyms, indoor dining, grocery stores as COVID cases fall and rules relax? 
• L.A. County works to expand awareness of oral therapeutics to treat COVID-19. 
• California braces for long COVID. 

• Vaccine verification mandates: 

  • L.A. moves to lift vaccine verification mandate at indoor businesses. 
  • San Francisco’s vaccine verification mandate ends Friday, but many restaurants  will still check cards. 
• Germany posts a one-day record in cases even as it plans to lift restrictions. 

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. Paul Adamson, infectious diseases physician and assistant clinical professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. 

Topics today include: 

• California surpasses 9 million coronavirus cases, equal nearly 1 in 4 residents. 

• As the end of California’s school mask mandate nears, is it too risky for kids to go maskless at school and day care? 

  • C.D.C. study finds mask requirements in schools reduced coronavirus cases. 
  • Duke University study finds similar reduction in cases with masking in schools. 
• Hawaii will drop its mask mandate next month, the final state to do so. 
• WHO says COVID-19 boosters are needed, reversing previous guidance. 
• C.D.C. Chief: COVID will “probably” become a seasonal virus, like the flu. 
• Pfizer begins Phase 2 and 3 trial of antiviral Paxlovid in children ages 6 to 17. 

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 Kristen R. Choi, professor of nursing and public health at UCLA, and a registered nurse practicing at Gateways Hospital based in Echo Park. 

Topics today include: 

• New study finds COVID may cause changes in the brain. 
• Florida will recommend against COVID vaccines for healthy children in contradiction of federal guidance. 
• U.S. government will offer a second round of free COVID tests to all Americans. 
• Is California’s mask mandate ending too soon for kids? 
• Going to a concert? What to know about the new L.A. COVID rules. 

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:

• Worldwide death toll from COVID surpasses 6 million as pandemic enters its third year. 
• Why have some people never caught COVID? The answers may help protect us all. 
• L.A. child care providers say mask mandates kept kids safe, and they’re not ready to drop them. 
• Vaccination rates among teens and young adults remain low, as two Southern California teens die of COVID. 
• Data analysis shows deaths among the vaccinated in California rose sharply with Omicron. 
• Lack of awareness and limited supply limit rollout of COVID antibody treatment Evusheld. 
• A surge in cases challenges China’s “zero COVID” approach. 

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. Robert-Kim Farley, professor of epidemiology and community health sciences at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. 

Topics today include: 

• New COVID-19 cases in California have dropped more than 95% since the peak of the Omicron surge. 
• WHO: COVID-19 cases, deaths continue to fall globally. 
• California legislators propose new slate of COVID-19 vaccine laws. 
• C.D.C. apparently misjudged California’s COVID-19 risks by relying on outdated numbers. 
• Wealth, poverty, and race continue to affect the toll COVID-19 takes on different L.A. County communities. 
• New Biden pandemic plan: Closer to normal for the nation. 

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 unveils its strategy for next phase of pandemic. 

  • Another round of free at-home tests will become available next week for Americans. 
  • Biden administration to launch initiative making antiviral pills free for those COVID-19 positive. 
• LAist: LA County's Mask Mandate Could End For Everyone, Regardless Of Vaccination Status, As Soon As Friday. 

• Latest from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: 

  • C.D.C study finds vaccine protection decreases in adolescents after 5 months. 
  • Universal case investigation and contact tracing no longer recommended. 
  • Estimates show 140 million COVID-19 infections in the United States. 
• NYT Opinion: “We’ve Entered a New Phase of the Pandemic. It’s Time for New Metrics.” 
• California nears 75% vaccination rate against COVID-19. 

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: 

• California will end the school mask requirement after March 11 – and L.A. County will, too. 
• Starting today, masks are no longer required indoors for unvaccinated workers in California. 
• Coronavirus FAQ: I’m a one-way masker. What strategy will give me optimal protection? 
• A new poll finds Americans’ fears about the virus are waning.  
• Data out of New York finds Pfizer’s shot is far less effective in 5-to-11-year-olds than in older 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. Peter Chin-Hong, infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at the UCSF Medical Center. 

Topics today include: 

• L.A. County's COVID hospitalizations fall below 1,000 for the first time since December. 
• Gov. Newsom scales back California’s COVID orders but not the state of emergency. 
• California to announce new school mask rules today. 
• New York City to end mandates for school masks and indoor proof of vaccination. 
• C.D.C. suggests more time between 1st and 2nd COVID vaccine doses for males ages 12 to 39 because of myocarditis. 
• Two Orange County teens died of COVID-19, underscoring Omicrons’ toll on kids. 
• What we know about the BA.2 Omicron variant. 

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. Paul Adamson, infectious diseases physician and assistant clinical professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

Topics today include:

• The C.D.C. is expected to loosen masking guidelines on Friday

• L.A. County to lift indoor mask mandate for vaccinated people on Friday 

  • L.A. Unified drops outdoor mask mandate 

• The U.S. mask mandate for air travel will expire next month, but some flight attendants say it’s too soon 
• A new COVID vaccine shows 100% efficacy against severe disease and hospitalizations, its maker says 
• Yes, millions of Americans have caught Omicron. No, we don’t have herd immunity 

• Who might benefit from a fourth shot – and who might not 

  • Got a COVID booster? You probably won’t need another for a long time 

• How Long COVID exhausts the body 

  • How long does Long Covid last?

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 Kristen R. Choi, professor of nursing and public health at UCLA. 

Topics today include: 

• L.A. County to lift indoor mask mandate for vaccinated people on Friday. 

  • L.A. Unified drops outdoor mask mandate. 
• The U.S. mask mandate for air travel will expire next month, but some flight attendants say it’s too soon. 
• A new COVID vaccine shows 100% efficacy against severe disease and hospitalizations, its maker says. 
• Yes, millions of Americans have caught Omicron. No, we don’t have herd immunity. 

• Who might benefit from a fourth shot – and who might not. 

  • Got a COVID booster? You probably won’t need another for a long time. 
• New breakdown of hospitalized patients in California hospitals by vaccination status. 
• How Long COVID exhausts the body. 

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 talks about the new plan and where California goes from here with Jackie Fortiér, health reporter for KPCC & LAist and speaks with Dr. Dean Blumberg, professor of medicine and chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at UC Davis Children’s Hospital. 

Topics today include: 

• California's new plans for the next phase of the coronavirus pandemic. 
• WSJ: Lower Omicron efficacy delayed F.D.A. review on Pfizer shot in kids under 5. 
• Lab studies point to signs of severity with the BA.2 subvariant of Omicron. 
• Orange County hospitalizations dip below 400 patients for the first time since December. 

• As California unveils its endemic strategy, here's what other western states are doing: 

  • Washington State to drop mask mandate, including for schools, next month. 
  • New Mexico to end indoor mask mandate immediately. 
• U.S. ramping up vaccination assistance to 11 African countries. 

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. Timothy Brewer, epidemiologist and professor of medicine at UCLA’s school of public health. 

Topics today include: 

• L.A. County surpasses 30,000 deaths from COVID-19. 
• COVID-19 cases plummet across the U.S. 
• Why California hopes people keep wearing masks even as coronavirus cases fall.      
• Estimated 73% of U.S. now immune to Omicron: Is that enough? 
• COVID patients may have increased risk of developing mental health problems.   
• How immunocompromised Americans feel as the U.S. moves on from COVID-19. 
• Opinion: The moral danger of declaring the pandemic over. 

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. Peter Chin-Hong, infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at the UCSF Medical Center. 

Topics today include: 

• L.A. County lifts outdoor mask mandate. 
• Disneyland lifts mask requirement for vaccinated guests. 
• C.D.C. expected to update mask guidance as early as next week. 
• Coachella, Stagecoach festivals won’t require COVID-19 vaccination, tests, or masks. 

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. Paul Adamson, infectious diseases physician and assistant clinical professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. 

Topics today include: 

• California school mask mandate will remain in place through Feb. 28. 
• The quest to create a universal vaccine against COVID-19. 
• COVID: Is it finally time to take your mask off? Here’s how to decide. 
• California's case rate now 5 times lower than peak of Omicron surge. 
• Long COVID sufferers are struggling with exercise. 

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: 

• Vaccine for kids under 5 is delayed after F.D.A. review stalls. 

• New C.D.C. data adds to evidence that boosters’ protection against severe COVID-19 plunges after four months. 

• Gov. Newsom set to announce new guidance on masks in schools today. 

• Biden acknowledges frustration with COVID-19 rules, but says lifting mask mandate is premature. 

• New research shows Ebola vaccine used in Central Africa produces lasting antibody response. 

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: 

• COVID-19 and the Super Bowl:  

  • COVID-19 protocols for fans. 
  • Poll shows Californians more cautious about COVID-19 ahead of the Super Bowl.  
  • Hosting a Super Bowl viewing party? Here are some COVID-19 safety tips. 
• With Omicron in retreat, L.A. may start to scrap its mask requirements next week. 
• L.A. and Orange counties post highest COVID-19 death rates in 11 months. 
• California to debate mandating COVID-19 vaccines at all workplaces. 
• Coronavirus can destroy the placenta and lead to stillbirths. 
• Daily COVID-19 numbers. 

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: 

• Mask mandates will be lifted in most bay areas communities next week. 
• New study finds COVID-19 induced heart damage can be long lasting. 
• L.A. County hospitalizations continue to decline, near threshold to lift mask mandate. 
• Gov. Newsom teases new strategy to treat COVID-19 as endemic. 
• Pharmacists and technicians are burning out as they bear the brunt of 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. Timothy Brewer, epidemiologist and professor of medicine at UCLA’s school of public health. 

Topics today include: 

• L.A. County health director says indoor mask mandate won’t be lifted for weeks. 
• C.D.C. director: COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations still too high for changes to mask guidance. 
• COVID-19 hospitalizations continue downward trend, now 30% below the peak. 
• J&J pauses production of its COVID-19 vaccine. 
• Will a mask protect me even if no one else is wearing one? 
• Can you get long COVID after an infection with Omicron?  

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. Robert Kim-Farley, professor of epidemiology and community health sciences at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. 

Topics today include: 

• California’s indoor mask mandate will expire on Feb. 16 for the vaccinated. 

  • L.A. County’s mandate will remain in place until transmission levels fall. 
• Lessons learned as we enter year 3 of the pandemic. 
• The future of the pandemic is becoming more clear. 
• Deer populations could harbor the coronavirus long term. 
• The BA.2 variant of Omicron is spreading rapidly across Europe. 
• Previously uncatalogued mutations of coronavirus are popping up in California sewage. 
• California appears close to changing school masking rules. 

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