5 big ideas for the White House's Global COVID Summit We asked experts from around the world: What would they like to see on the agenda for this virtual event. Their ideas include fair pay for all health workers — and a makeover for foreign aid. NPR.org

What does the world need to do to help countries recover from the pandemic?

A New Fund for Global Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness (Pandemic Action Network) Advocates call for a dedicated new Fund for Global Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness, which can help fill existing critical funding gaps. In this new issue brief, they explain what a new fund should do, why the world needs it, and how it can augment and bolster the existing global health ecosystem.

COVID risks higher from small indoor events than large outdoor ones: research Outdoor events are safer than indoor events in regards to potential COVID-19 transmission, according to a newly released comparative study of two hypothetical events in Austin, Texas. A study from the University of Texas and the city of Austin considered the COVID-19 transmission risks at two events: a business conference with 3,000 attendees during a… YahooNews

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WHO: Subvariants fueling COVID rises in more than 50 countries The head of the WHO warns that rising cases are creating a volatile situation. CIDRAP

The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) today warned that rising COVID-19 cases are creating a volatile situation, posing the most risk for countries with low vaccination coverage.

The United States is one of the countries with rising cases, with hospitalizations now showing a small increase, according to the latest data.

With COVID back on the rise, some cities, agencies mulling a return of health mandates San Jose reinstated indoor mask requirement for all its employees ‘out of an abundance of caution’ through at least May 20 Grace Hase The Mercury News

As the Bay Area braces for yet another COVID-19 surge, a few cities and agencies are reinstating indoor mask mandates as the region continues debating the worth of a patchwork of coronavirus-related health orders.

Rare cases of COVID returning pose questions for Pfizer pill A small number of COVID-19 patients are relapsing after taking Pfizer's antiviral pill, raising questions about the drug at the center of the U.S. response effort ABC News ABC News

WASHINGTON -- As more doctors prescribe Pfizer's powerful COVID-19 pill, new questions are emerging about its performance, including why a small number of patients appear to relapse after taking the drug.

WHO calls on Pfizer to make its COVID pill more available GENEVA (AP) — The head of the World Health Organization called on Pfizer to make its COVID-19 treatment more widely available in poorer countries, saying Tuesday that the pharmaceutical company's deal allowing generic producers to make the drug was insufficient. AP NEWS

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EU lifts mask requirement for air travel as pandemic ebbs BERLIN (AP) — The European Union will no longer require masks to be worn at airports and on planes starting next week amid the easing of coronavirus restrictions across the bloc, authorities said Wednesday. AP NEWS

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While the new recommendations take effect on May 16, rules for masks may still vary by airline beyond that date if they fly to or from destinations where the rules are different. ...