Pandemic

COVID-19 antigen home tests indicating a positive result are photographed in New York, April 5, 2023.

Pandemic recovery will require much focus and attention, Dr. Atul Gawande says

COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has killed about 7 million people worldwide, ravaging health care systems and economies. Dr. Atul Gawande, head of global health at the US Agency for International Development, spoke with The World’s Carolyn Beeler about how pandemic recovery “will require as much focus and attention as it did when it first started.”

A woman walks outside of a COVID-19 testing center at the Incheon International Airport In Incheon, South Korea, on Feb. 10, 2023. 

‘The pandemic is still with us’: The bumpy road to the end of COVID

COVID-19
White Sand beach on Boracay Island, in the Philippines.

The return of Chinese tourists restores hope in the Philippines’ tourism industry

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, waves hello to the committee at the start of a House Committee on Appropriations subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.

People shouldn’t put their guard down when it comes to COVID, Fauci says

COVID-19
President Joe Biden meets with the White House COVID-19 Response Team on the latest developments related to the omicron variant in the South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House Campus in Washington, Jan. 4, 2022

‘Hope is not a plan’: Dr. Atul Gawande says global COVID funding is dwindling but the crisis continues

COVID-19
People wearing face masks to help protect against the spread of the coronavirus walk along the street in Tokyo, Japan

Discussion: What researchers have learned about the omicron variant

Some parts of the world are still battling the omicron variant of COVID-19, while others seem to be somewhere around its peak. Join The World’s reporter Elana Gordon for our regular series of conversations about the pandemic. She will moderate a panel on Tuesday, Jan. 25 at 12 p.m. Eastern time, and will be speaking with epidemiologist Bill Hanage of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

A man gets vaccinated against COVID-19 at a site near Johannesburg, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021. 

At least 9 African countries set to produce COVID vaccines, Africa’s CDC chief says

COVID-19

Despite Africa’s low vaccination rates, the continent’s early, robust response has helped mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the continent so far, says Dr. John Nkengasong, director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And he predicts many more vaccines will be available in 2022, with a strong emphasis on distribution.

People wearing face masks to curb the spread of COVID-19 walk in downtown Lisbon

A COVID variant of concern or just another ‘scare-iant?’

COVID-19

There have been hundreds and thousands variants of COVID-19. Emma Hodcroft, an epidemiologist at the University of Bern in Switzerland, explained to The World’s host Carol Hills when a variant actually becomes a variant of concern.

A pregnant woman wearing a face mask and gloves holds her belly as she waits in line for groceries at St. Mary's Church in Waltham, Mass.

Discussion: The pandemic, women’s health and pregnancy

The coronavirus has affected women in various ways, including physically and socially. As part of The World’s regular series of conversations about the pandemic, reporter Elana Gordon moderated a discussion with Ana Langer, Professor of the Practice of Public Health and Director of the Women and Health Initiative at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health about the pandemic-related challenges affecting women in particular.

The exterior of Pfizer in Groton, Conn. Pfizer Inc.

Pfizer announces ‘highly effective’ pill to combat COVID

Top of The World

Pfizer announces its Paxlovid pill as highly effective at preventing severe illness from COVID-19 among at-risk people. Also, the US approves its first major arms sale under the Biden administration to Saudi Arabia. And, nine groups in Ethiopia form an alliance — including Tigray forces and the Oromo Liberation Army — against Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to seek a political transition, as rebel forces near the capital.