COVID-19

Health

Coronavirus FAQ: I've Been Vaccinated. Do I Need To Worry About Variants?

Sheila Mulrooney Eldred / NPR

Here's what we know about the effectiveness of vaccines for variants of concerns, notably the delta variant, first identified in India and now responsible for more than 20% of new U.S. cases.
Health

New COVID-19 Outbreaks Are Driving Some Places Back Under Lockdown And Behind Masks

Jaclyn Diaz / NPR

Health officials around the world have announced renewed restrictions this week as they see clusters of outbreaks from the delta variant of the coronavirus.
Health

U.S. Companies Shifted To Make N95 Respirators During COVID. Now, They're Struggling

Monika Evstatieva / NPR

When an N95 respirator shortage left hospitals scrambling in 2020, U.S. manufacturers stepped in. Now, those companies are facing bankruptcies and layoffs as Chinese-made masks flood the market again.
Health

COVID-19 Delta Variant Cases Confirmed In San Diego County

Alexandra Rangel

At least 16 cases of this variant have been confirmed in San Diego County.
Health

CDC Extends Eviction Moratorium Through July

Pam Fessler / NPR

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the pandemic presented a historic threat.
KPBS Midday Edition

Rental Relief Aims To Prevent Tsunami Of Evictions, But Will It Be Enough?

Claire Trageser

Cristina Kim

While early pandemic predictions of a tsunami of evictions seem unlikely, advocates are worried that there could still be a steady stream.
Health

Africa Is Running Out Of Oxygen

Jason Beaubien / NPR

As COVID surges, so does demand for oxygen. And oxygen manufacturing plants simply can't keep up. That's bad news not only for severely ill COVID-19 patients but others in need, including newborns.
Health

As The Pandemic Recedes, Millions Of Workers Are Saying 'I Quit'

Andrea Hsu / NPR

People are leaving their jobs in search of more money, more flexibility and more happiness. A record 4 million workers quit just in April.
KPBS Evening Edition

Youth Facing Eviction Urge State To Extend Eviction Moratorium

Alexandra Rangel

Youth across California are calling on the state to do more to prevent their families from being evicted.
Economy

Help Wanted: Labor Crisis Plagues US Restaurant Industry

The Associated Press

Sherry Villanueva’s family of Santa Barbara restaurants employed 350 people before the pandemic took hold and darkened dining rooms across California. Now, with the state’s economy officially reopened, about 250 workers are back on the job.