Florida now has America's lowest COVID rate. Does Ron DeSantis deserve credit? The U.S. state with the fewest daily COVID-19 cases per capita is the same one that recently had more than any other: Florida. YahooNews

... the state with the fewest daily COVID cases per capita is the same one that recently had more than any other: Florida.

What's Driving the COVID Rapid Test Shortage? Demand from employers is surging, and so are prices Kristina Fiore medpagetoday

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What you need to know about the coronavirus right now Here's what you need to know about the coronavirus right now: Reuters Reuters

Cases surge in eastern Europe

Merck to share its COVID-19 pill with developing nations Merck Peter Sullivan TheHill

Merck announced on Wednesday that it will share its antiviral pill to treat COVID-19 with developing countries in a move to broaden access to the promising treatment.

Biden under pressure to drop vaccine mandates for federal defense contractors over national security concerns EXCLUSIVE — Republican lawmakers are pressuring President Joe Biden to drop or pause his vaccine requirements for federal defense contractors over fears they will compromise national security supply chains. YahooNews

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Louisiana governor ends mask mandate, except at some schools BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Gov. John Bel Edwards said Tuesday he’s largely ending Louisiana’s nearly three-month-old indoor mask mandate since the state has emerged from its latest coronavirus spike and is seeing lower rates of COVID-19 infection . AP NEWS

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) —...

Federal judge tosses out Southwest Airlines pilots' petition against vaccine mandate Federal workers and government contractors, which includes major U.S. commercial airlines, must be vaccinated by Dec. 8. Oriana Pawlyk POLITICO

A Texas judge on Tuesday dismissed a request for an injunction against an impending vaccine mandate brought by a union that represents pilots at Southwest Airlines, a significant blow against their attempt to sidestep President Joe Biden's mandate for government contractors. ...

Stress from the pandemic has made even basic decision-making difficult, poll finds Daily tasks such as choosing what to wear are a struggle, particularly for younger adults, parents and Black and Latino people, according to the American Psychological Association. NBC News

Stress from the pandemic has people struggling to make decisions large and small, with nearly a third of adults questioning even basic day-to-day choices, according to a new report.