COVID

Covid-19 vaccines, testing, and treatments will no longer be free once the Public Health Emergency (PHE) expires on Jan. 11, even as the U.S. faces down a more infectious new subvariant XBB 1.5.

Boston Public Schools announced Friday a temporary — and essentially voluntary — masking policy for BPS students and staff returning to schools next week.

Everyone should sympathize with migrants who have been unable to thrive in their countries of origin, but it is inadvisable to enable them to enter the U.S., where elderly citizens might be vulnerable to COVID.

The holiday season brings family and loved ones in closer contact. It is very easy to forget that COVID-19 and its numerous infectious spawn still create a major health hazard.

Since the start of school in September, members of Families for COVID Safety have been advocating for stronger safety policies in Boston Public Schools, calling for at least 10 days of masking following the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday breaks.

The holiday season is just around the corner. And, as we comb through our collections of treasured holiday ornaments, put Santa and his reindeer on the lawn, and plan elaborate feasts, health experts advise us to devise a strategy to keep our beloved friends and family safe from COVID-19 infection. This is especially important to protect elderly family members.

State and local education officials said Tuesday that schools face a twin challenge in getting students back on track both academically and socially, and that staffing issues further complicate those tasks.

In Massachusetts alone, from Dec. 1 of last year to March 1 of this year, a storm surge of novel COVID variants swept away the lives of 3,723 people. Unlike Ian, this was no natural disaster: We were warned, we knew what was coming, and we knew what to do.

Recent comments by White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha point to a major shift in the administration’s approach to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Described by Jha as “commercialization,” the shift in strategy portends serious consequences when it comes to equitable health access for the nation’s most vulnerable.

On Friday, the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) sent an advisory to local media highlighting new data that shows a nearly 40% increase in cases last week and an uptick in hospitalizations with the virus.

After months of repeated messaging by Boston Public Schools and city leadership that masks would remain in place for students and staff at BPS, Monday marked the first day that masks were optional for those in good health on school grounds.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said Monday the city would make no immediate changes to its current policy of recommending masks indoors despite an uptick in COVID-19 cases.