COVID in L.A.

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

Topics today include: 

• Governor Newsom activates the National Guard to bolster state’s COVID-19 testing capacity. 
• Governor Newsom proposes $2.7 billion for COVID-19 response. 
• L.A. County sets another daily record with more than 45,000 new COVID-19 cases. 
• Hospitals cut beds as nurses call in sick with COVID-19. 
• Op-Ed: As an E.R. doctor, I fear health care collapse more than Omicron. 
• California health officials consider an order to cancel elective surgeries. 
• New return-to-work guidance for California hospital and skilled nursing employees. 
  
  • California Nurses Association condemns new guidance. 
• COVID-19 parties for your kids are still a bad idea. 

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 associate professor in the division of infectious diseases at UCLA, Dr. Tara Vijayan. 

Topics today include: 

• Can you reuse KN95 and N95 masks? We look at different cleaning methods. 
• Possible allergic reactions to vaccines, including rashes and small changes to menstrual cycles. 
• Four U.C. campuses extend remote instruction through January. 
• Orange County reports third COVID-19 death of a child younger than 5. 
• L.A. County reports record 37,000 daily coronavirus cases; what does that mean for the Super Bowl? 
• When should you go to the E.R. with COVID symptoms? 
• Unboosted: California COVID-19 booster rate falls below 40% in most counties. 

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: 

• California extends statewide indoor masking requirement to February 15. 
• L.A. County Public Health adds additional masking requirement for indoor employees. 
• C.D.C. approves Pfizer booster shots for kids 12 and older. L.A. County will start administering them today. 
• COVID-19 hospitalizations among U.S. children soar. 
• Schools encounter problems finding enough COVID-19 tests. 
• Confusion over California’s COVID-19 hospitalization numbers. 
• Possible allergic reactions to vaccines. 
• What we know about the new IHU 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 infectious diseases doctor and professor of medicine at UCSF Dr. Monica Gandhi. 

Topics today include: 

• The next few weeks are “absolutely critical” as coronavirus cases explode in California. 
• “Unprecedented surge” in COVID-19 cases among L.A. police, firefighters. 
• L.A.’s first case of flurona discovered at Getty Center COVID-19 testing site. 
• Omicron appears to be milder -- how should that affect our behavior? 
• Free at-home COVID-19 tests are available in L.A. County but supplies are limited. 
• L.A. healthcare system hit with widening staffing shortages as workers get coronavirus. 
• The C.D.C. resists pushback and says a test to get out of COVID isolation isn’t needed. 
• White House embraces a manage-not-contain Omicron plan. 
• Fourth Pfizer dose spurs a sharp jump in antibodies, according to early data from Israel. 
• How safe are indoor gyms during the Omicron surge? 
• Study finds developmental lag in babies born during 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: 

• L.A. County COVID hospitalizations near 2,000 mark as surge rages on. 
  
  • New coronavirus cases nearly double in Riverside County, hitting 11,639 in past week. 
  • Why so many vaccinated people are getting infected. 
  • OC’s COVID-19 cases up, hospitals busy – but we’re in better shape than earlier surges, experts say. 
• L.A. Unified orders COVID testing before school resumes amid high Omicron anxiety. 
• U.S. sets COVID global daily record of over 1 million new cases on Monday. 
• The unique, ambitious study that the California Public Health Department hopes will beef up its antibody database. 
• Starbucks imposes COVID-19 vaccination, testing requirements for U.S. workers. 
• Omicron evades immunity better than Delta, per Danish study. 
• The Atlantic: “Stop wasting COVID tests, people”. 

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, M.D., infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at the UCSF Medical Center. 

Topics today include: 

• L.A. County reports nearly 45,000 new COVID-19 cases over the holiday weekend. 

  • L.A. County coronavirus transmission rate at highest point since early months of pandemic. 
  • Health officials plead with L.A. County residents to ‘act responsibly’. 
  • L.A. County public, private school staff must wear high-grade masks; rules for athletes tighten. 
• F.D.A. expands Pfizer booster eligibility to kids 12 to 15. 
• COVID-19 vaccines rarely lead to problems in younger children, according to two C.D.C. reports. 
• C.D.C. says ‘avoid cruise travel, regardless of vaccination status’. 
• How this pandemic has left us less prepared for the next one. 
• Fauci: C.D.C. mulling COVID-19 test requirement for the asymptomatic. 
• More people are getting unapproved fourth vaccine doses. 

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:

• FDA authorizes Merck’s COVID-19 pill, but stresses its use should be limited. 
• Why does the Omicron variant spread so easily? 
• Biden announced 500 million free test at-home test kits, but when will they be available? 
• The changing definition of “fully vaccinated” as Omicron spreads. 
• After the flu virtually disappeared last year, it’s made an unwelcome comeback. 
• Study suggests three doses of China’s Sinovac vaccine fails to protect against Omicron. 
• ‘Staggeringly fast rise’ in L.A. County coronavirus cases triggers alarm. 
• Experts say that Covid-19 is shifting towards becoming an endemic disease. 
• Omicron surge further complicates a year filled with unruly passengers for airlines. 
• Israel considers approving fourth vaccine dose. 
• Israel agreed to trade data on their vaccination efforts in exchange for locking down a supply, now privacy concerns have arisen. 
• As Omicron spreads, older americans are displaying a mix of worry and resolve. 
• California will send at-home tests to K-12 students. 

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, guest host Austin Cross speaks with UCLA epidemiologist and professor of medicine Dr. Timothy Brewer. 

Topics today include: 

• Should I change holiday plans due to the Omicron variant and possible surge? 
• Biden to address the nation about the Omicron variant on Tuesday. 
• L.A. County sees highest daily COVID-19 cases since August. 
• Moderna says COVID-19 booster dose works against Omicron variant in lab tests. 
• Is that a sniffle or cold or COVID-19? 
• Most of the world’s vaccines likely won’t prevent infection from Omicron. 
• Affordable coronavirus tests are out there, if you look. 
• Long lines for COVID-19 testing as Omicron variant looms. 
• Omicron may sideline two leading drugs against COVID-19. 
• Latest on Pfizer’s trials for a vaccine for kids under 5. 

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, guest host Austin Cross speaks with the director of Infectious Disease and Prevention at Pasadena’s Huntington Hospital Dr. Kimberly Shriner. 

Topics today include: 

• Multiple nations announce new rules over gatherings and travel ahead of holidays. 
• The Omicron variant now makes up 73% of new cases in the U.S. 
• Biden’s Omicron plan to include 500 million free at-home tests. 
• Tips for staying safe while flying over the holidays. 

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 Cedars-Sinai Medical Group Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Catherine Le. 

Topics today include: 

• Pfizer and Moderna vaccines should be recommended over J&J, CDC panel says. 
• COVID-19 hospitalizations jump in Southern California as Omicron alarms grow. 
• L.A. County tightens rules for mega events as COVID case numbers rise. 
• Regeneron and AstraZeneca give mixed results on potency of coronavirus antibody cocktails against omicron. 
• Delta, Omicron cases could overwhelm hospitals within weeks. 
• Center Theatre Group’s performance of “A Christmas Carol” on Thursday was canceled over COVID-19 issues. 
• Upcoming UCLA men’s basketball game on Saturday canceled over COVID-19 issues. 
• CDC endorses schools’ coronavirus “test-to-stay” policies. 

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: 

• Omicron variant spreads in CA as mask order takes effect. 
• Will we always need COVID-19 boosters? 
• Broadway is canceling shows due to positive tests, and we’ve heard about the uptick in positive cases among athletes, too.  
  
  • Is there something about these environments that just makes transmission more likely? 
  • Are infections inevitable in an environment like this at this point in the pandemic as other things are opening more? 
• Met Opera to require booster shots for staff and audience and the shifting definition of “fully-vaccinated”. 
• L.A. County falls far behind Bay Area in vaccinating Black, Latino residents. 

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:  

• C.D.C warns Omicron is spreading rapidly in the U.S. and could bring a punishing wave as soon as January. 
• Colleges are going back to drawing board again to fight COVID-19. 
• Omicron is spreading faster than any other coronavirus variant. 
• Why do we get side effects from vaccines? 
• More than 50 million total coronavirus cases have been found in the U.S. 

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: 

• California, once again, mandates masks. 
• California Dept. of Public Health provides updates guidelines for mega events.
• South African study finds omicron variant is more vaccine-resistant but causes less severe COVID.
• Pfizer says its anti-COVID pill prevents severe illness and should work against omicron variant.
• Looking back on one year of vaccines. 

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: 

• At least 800,000 Americans have now died of COVID-19. 
• One year after the first COVID-19 vaccinations, where have we come and where do we have to go? 
• U.K. reports first death from the Omicron variant. 
• Omicron was in California weeks before officials raised alarms, water samples suggest. 

• What we know so far about the effectiveness of today’s vaccines against Omicron. 

  • Two vaccine doses doesn’t stop you from getting Omicron. 
  • Israeli study: Pfizer booster protects against Omicron. 
• LAUSD to delay vaccination mandate. 
• NYT op-ed: Will COVID evolve to be milder?
• As California’s COVID cases rise, antibody treatments go unused. 

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

Topics today include: 

• Study finds that COVID-19 attacks fat tissue. 
• As Omicron cases grow, vaccine makers are prepared to adjust their vaccines. 
• Los Angeles has seen a 100% uptick in new coronavirus cases in last 10 days. 
• Nearly 500 LAUSD employees were fired due to not complying with vaccine mandate. 
• LA County health officials are saying new Omicron case could’ve been from local transmission.  
• What time of day is the best to get your COVID-19 vaccine. 
• Study shows that those who receive a Pfizer booster shot 5 months after their second.  dose have 90% lower mortality due to COVID-19. 
• FDA authorizes Pfizer booster shots for 16 and 17-year-olds. 

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 Dean Blumberg, MD, professor medicine and chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at UC Davis Children’s Hospital. 

Topics today include: 

• Lab study shows Pfizer can offer some protection to the Omicron variant. 

  • Pfizer says its vaccine booster offers protection from Omicron. 
• UK study finds that mixing Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccines with Moderna can offer a better immune response. 
• GLAXO claims its antibody drug has retained effectiveness against the Omicron variant. 
• Omicron, in its mutation, may have combined with the common cold. 

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 Tobati, co-chair of the department of emergency medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. 

Topics today include: 

• Opinion: Covid-19 vaccine efforts can’t let up because of new pills. 
• California preps for winter COVID-19 surge due to either Omicron or Delta. 
• Safely socializing in the pandemic’s booster era.  
• NYT: What is Omicron's contagiousness, severity and its risk to those vaccinated?
• Surgeon General warns of mental health crisis emerging in U.S. youth. 

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:

• New York City to impose vaccine mandate on private sector employers. 
• Fauci says early reports of the Omicron variant are encouraging. 
• Where Omicron could have spread. 
• The U.S. now averages more than 100,000 new COVID cases per day. 
• Starting Monday, international travelers to Los Angeles face new COVID testing 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. Shruti Gohil, professor of medicine and associate medical director for epidemiology and infection prevention at UC Irvine’s School of Medicine. 

Topics today include: 

• L.A. County records first case of Omicron variant; Officials urge more testing.
• Rapid test site at LAX international terminal starts today. 
• Most COVID vaccines will work as boosters, study suggests. 
• Germany locks unvaccinated out of public life, vaccine mandate looms. 
• Why Omicron cases weren’t detected sooner in the United States 
• Scientists say prior COVID-19 infection is little defense against the. Omicron variant. 
• With the Omicron variant emerging ahead of the holiday season, is it safe to travel? 
• F.D.A. aims for quick review of vaccines and drugs for the 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. Tara Vijayan, associate professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at UCLA, and director for antimicrobial stewardship at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. 

Topics today include: 

• President Biden to address the nation on winter COVID-19 preparations: 

  • U.S. to require stricter COVID-19 testing for international travelers. 
  • Private health insurance to reimburse people for over-the-counter at-home rapid tests. 
  • Mask mandate for airplanes and public transportation extended to March. 
• Minnesota reports the second U.S. case of the omicron COVID variant in a resident who traveled to New York City. What does that tell us about domestic transmission? 
• After confirming first omicron case in the United States, California health officials assure residents it’s prepared. 
• How San Francisco confirmed the first U.S. Omicron case so quickly. 

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