As post-Thanksgiving COVID hospitalizations spike, Dr. Jha urges people to get new booster The White House's COVID-19 coordinator on Sunday said a sharp rise in cases and hospitalizations since Thanksgiving wasn't "totally" surprising -- and he reiterated that holiday gatherings would be safer if people received their updated vaccines. "Why hasn't this been happening?" she asked. YahooNews

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Loved or hated, Fauci’s parting advice: Stick to the science WASHINGTON (AP) — Long before the bobbleheads and the “Fauci ouchie,” Dr. Anthony Fauci was a straight-shooter about scary diseases -- and “stick with the science” remains his mantra. Fauci steps down from a five-decade career in public service at the end of the month, one shaped by the HIV pandemic early on and the COVID-19 pandemic at the end. AP NEWS

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COVID-19 still Spain's leading cause of deaths this year The number of deaths associated with the COVID-19 pandemic fell by almost a third in Spain in the first half of this year from a year ago, but the illness provoked by the virus remained the leading cause of fatalities, official data showed on Monday. Reuters Reuters

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China reports first COVID deaths in weeks as official count questioned China reported its first COVID-related deaths in weeks on Monday amid rising doubts over whether the official count was capturing the full toll of a disease that is ripping through cities after the government relaxed strict anti-virus controls. Martin Quin Pollard,Liz Lee Reuters

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Gottlieb: Drug shortage ‘isn’t like what we had with baby formula’ Former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said a shortage of antibiotic drugs in the U.S. is the result of pharmaceutical companies not expecting a surge in demand rathe… bdress The Hill

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Which prevention measures will help keep viruses at bay this Christmas? Our medical analyst explains | CNN Families all over the world are gathering over Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year's Eve. Unfortunately, these celebrations are taking place during multiple viral surges. CNN Medical Analyst Dr. Leana Wen has tips for managing risk and navigating travel plans. Katia Hetter CNN

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Health Care — New CDC data backs up bivalent booster potency If you ever feel like your dog is judging, they just might be. New research found dogs can determine human aptitude, and they will look to people who they think are more competent.  Today… jbyrnes The Hill

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New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show the bivalent COVID-19 booster shot was effective at reducing the risk of hospitalization and emergency room visits by at least 50 percent. 

Mask critics lose appeal over powers of health officers County health officers don't need approval from elected officials to issue orders, the Michigan Court of Appeals said in a precedent-setting decision related to protests over COVID-19 school mask mandates. AP NEWS

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COVID-19 Relief Funds: Lessons Learned Could Improve Future Distribution of Federal Emergency Relief to Tribal Recipients The public health and economic effects of COVID-19 on tribal nations have been especially severe. To help tribes recover, Congress's pandemic relief... U.S. Government Accountability Office USGAO

GAO Rport  Summary

The public health and economic effects of COVID-19 on tribal nations have been especially severe. To help tribes recover, Congress's pandemic relief funding has included at least $43.6 billion to support new and existing programs that tribes could use to address their unique needs.

New poll shows why some adults aren't getting the COVID booster The most common reason vaccinated people aren't getting a COVID booster is that they don't think they need one, a survey found. ABC News ABC News

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More than a third, or 37%, said they didn't think the benefits are worth it. Another third, or 36%, said they were too busy or hadn't had time.

About a quarter said they didn't want to deal with bad side effects, while 17% said they were waiting to see if there would be a surge in their area first.

Flu and RSV hit hard and early; now, Covid-19 is starting to rise | CNN Just when you thought it was safe for a holiday visit with your Auntie Mary and her fragile health, RSV and the flu reared their heads -- and now Covid-19 numbers are creeping up again. Jen Christensen CNN

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Patients' health care spending spiked in 2021 Out-of-pocket health spending grew by 10.4% in 2021, the fastest growth rate since 1985. Caitlin Owens Axios

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DeSantis blasted for 'Orwellian' vaccine investigation One day after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a push to investigate alleged harms caused by coronavirus vaccines, Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Biden’s chief medical adviser, criticized the move as a pointless exercise that would only undermine public confidence in efforts to boost and maintain protection against the circulating pathogen. YahooNews

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