Los Angeles ringleader of $18M COVID fraud scheme extradited LOS ANGELES (AP) — A leader of a Los Angeles-based fraud ring that stole $18 million in COVID-19 aid money was extradited Monday from Europe to the United States, where she could face more than a decade in prison, authorities said. AP NEWS

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Dadyan, her sister, brother-in-law and five others fraudulently applied for about 150 relief loans intended to help businesses and employees struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown, federal prosecutors said.

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NY COVID vaccine mandate for health workers remains in effect after court issues stay An Appeals Court issued a stay temporarily halting enforcement of a lower court's ruling that NY's COVID vaccine mandate was null, void. What to know YahooNews

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Covid-19 surveillance added new burdens on essential workers — and gave them little data to protect their health Surveillance technologies deployed during the Covid-19 pandemic added new burdens on essential workers — and gave them little data to protect their health. Ambar Castillo STAT

At the peak of the pandemic, essential workers faced rampant tech-based surveillance, from overhead infrared thermometers to wearables that tracked their proximity to one another.

CDC warns about a rise in almost untreatable stomach bug infections The CDC is warning about a rise in an almost untreatable stomach bug, the bacterial infection Shigella, which is a major cause of inflammatory diarrhea. YahooNews

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The agency calls the new form of the stomach bug, which causes the diarrheal condition known as shigellosis, a “serious public health threat.” Evidence suggests the illness is spreading among gay and bisexual men in particular, apparently through sexual contact, both in the U.S. and abroad.

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FDA panel narrowly backs Pfizer RSV vaccine for older adults WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal health advisers on Tuesday narrowly backed an experimental vaccine from Pfizer that could soon become the first shot to protect older adults against the respiratory illness known as RSV. AP NEWS

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The Food and Drug Administration panel voted 7-4 on two separate questions of whether Pfizer’s data showed the vaccine was safe and effective against the respiratory virus for people 60 and older. One panelist abstained from voting. The recommendation is non-binding and the FDA will make its own decision on the vaccine in the coming months.

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Pandemic food assistance that held back hunger comes to an end Millions of people who depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program known as SNAP will see a cut of $90 a month or more. Some recipients say it will make it harder to buy healthy food. NPR

Millions of Americans will have less to spend on groceries as emergency food assistance that Congress enacted early in the pandemic has ended.

Twenty-two people died in cholera outbreak post-quake in northwest Syria -civil defence The Syrian opposition-run civil defence said on Tuesday 22 people had died from an outbreak of cholera in the northwestern region in the aftermath of the devastating quake that hit Turkey and Syria. Reuters Reuters

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84% of hospital COVID patients in Sweden still had symptoms at 2 years CIDRAP

The vast majority—84.2%—of COVID-19 survivors in a Swedish cohort reported persistent symptoms affecting daily life 2 years after hospital release, according to a follow-up study published late last week in The Lancet Regional Health Europe.

Hong Kong to lift one of the world’s longest Covid mask mandates The announcement that masks would no longer be required indoors or out ends the last major restriction the Chinese territory imposed during the pandemic. NBC News

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Lee’s announcement at a news briefing Tuesday came a day after the neighboring Chinese territory of Macao eased its mask rule and will bring the financial hub closer to the life in pre-pandemic days.

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Newsom rescinds California's COVID-19 state of emergency, marking an end to the pandemic era California's COVID-19 state of emergency ends Tuesday, bringing a symbolic close to a challenging chapter of state history and of Gov. Gavin Newsom's political career. YahooNews

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The Democratic governor declared the state of emergency three years ago, giving himself broad executive powers to protect Californians from an unpredictable and deadly virus. After previously resisting GOP pressure to end the emergency as conditions improved, Newsom now says California is finally ready to move forward.

A bipartisan approach to pandemic security? It's within reach A diverse group of pandemic warriors offer ways to better protect Americans from pandemic threats while at the same time reinforcing American values of freedom and democracy. Patrick Skerrett STAT

... Americans can achieve pandemic security through creative, pragmatic action that bridges political divides and provides community-focused options for public health protection. What’s needed is a concrete pathway for action that attracts support from Republicans, Democrats, Independents, and others....