Omicron Is Pushing America Into Soft Lockdown
Nobody wants to mandate business closures, but so many people are getting sick that businesses are closing anyway.
Our Essential Coronavirus Coverage
There’s No Way Americans Will Cancel Their Travel Plans
Many people are gathering for the holidays no matter what. Here’s how to do that as safely as possible.
How Long Does Omicron Take to Make You Sick?
The new variant seems to be our quickest one yet. That makes it harder to catch with the tests we have.
We Know Enough About Omicron to Know That We’re in Trouble
More data will soon be coming in. But how much do they really matter?
Fully Vaccinated Is About to Mean Something Else
The CDC might update the definition very soon, even though we still don’t know for sure how many shots we’ll need.
The CDC’s Flawed Case for Wearing Masks in School
The agency’s director has said, repeatedly, that schools without mask mandates have triple the risk of COVID outbreaks. That claim is based on very shaky science.
America Is Not Ready for Omicron
The new variant poses a far graver threat at the collective level than the individual one—the kind of test that the U.S. has repeatedly failed.
Don’t Be Surprised When You Get Omicron
America is in for a lot more breakthrough infections. Here’s what to do if you fall sick.
A Guide to Mixed-Vaccination-Status Holidays
We’ve broken down the chances of transmission at a gathering with one unvaccinated adult, multiple unvaccinated adults, and unvaccinated or semi-vaccinated kids.
T Cells Might Be Our Bodies’ Best Shot Against Omicron
The new variant may undermine some vaccine-derived defenses. But the immune system’s best assassins are likely to hold the line.