Coronavirus Coverage
From the latest news to binge-watching suggestions to tips for caring for your mental health, we've got everything you need to know about coronavirus to stay safe and make the most of your time spent at home.
The CDC Wants To Appeal The Court Decision That Got Rid Of Mask Mandates For Public Transportation
"It is CDC’s continuing assessment that at this time an order requiring masking in the indoor transportation corridor remains necessary for the public health."
A Federal Judge Struck Down The CDC's Mask Mandate For Public Transportation
The federal judge in Florida, who was appointed by Donald Trump, said the CDC had exceeded its statutory authority in issuing the mask mandate.
We Might Be Looking At COVID “Seasons” For Years To Come
“I know everybody wants great news, that we can be done with COVID and everything’s gonna be fine, but that’s not really true.”
The White House Said My COVID Tests Would Be Fully Covered. Instead I Got Charged $43.
The United States’ messy plan for at-home COVID tests made the pandemic even more chaotic. Can we get it together before the next surge?
The CDC Announced That Most People Can Stop Wearing Masks Inside — Even In School
Only people in communities considered high risk, or about 37% of the country, are recommended to keep using their masks indoors, according to new guidelines.
GoFundMe Says The Viral Campaign For Canada’s Trucker Protest Hasn’t Violated Its Rules Even Though It Sure Seems Like It Does
The “Freedom Convoy” campaign has become one of the largest in the platform's history and is funding the massive trucker protest despite concerns from Canadian law enforcement.
Spotify Has Agreed To Remove Neil Young's Music Catalog After He Took A Stand On Joe Rogan's Vaccine Misinformation
"Spotify is spreading fake information about vaccines – potentially causing death to those who believe the disinformation being spread by them,” Young wrote in a public letter.
Starbucks Will No Longer Require Employees To Be Vaccinated Against COVID Or Get Tested
The move comes weeks after Starbucks employees from a Buffalo, New York, shop walked out after growing concerns for their health and safety.
The Supreme Court Blocked A Vaccine Mandate For Private Companies, But Allowed One For Healthcare Workers
The court ruled that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was empowered to "set workplace safety standards, not broad public health measures."
“People Aren’t Going To Realize It Until They Call 911 And No One Comes”: How Omicron Could Push Hospitals Over The Edge
The cruel irony is that what appears to be the mildest widespread variant of the coronavirus is the one that risks pushing the US hospital system to the brink.
Confusion And Chaos: Why The Pandemic Is Such A Mess Right Now
Our family and friendship circles seem torn in two: those who are afraid and still want restrictive measures and those who are resigned to living with COVID as the new reality.
The FDA Will Let Florida Use Nearly 1 Million COVID Tests That Had Expired In December
The governor's office first claimed it didn't know about the expired stockpile, then a day later admitted what happened.
Parents Who Also Teach Are Freaking Out Over COVID Exposure As Parents Push To Keep Classrooms Open
“We, as teachers, have to sacrifice the health of our own children to accommodate other people’s children,” one teacher who is a parent of two 4-year-old children told BuzzFeed News.
The CDC Might Recommend Asymptomatic People Test Negative For COVID-19 Before Breaking Isolation
Anthony Fauci says the CDC is aware of recent pushback to its changes to isolation guidelines and may soon alter them.
The White House Is Defending The CDC’s New 5-Day Coronavirus Isolation Guideline For Asymptomatic People
“We are standing on the shoulders of two years of science,” the CDC director said.
The CDC’s New COVID Isolation Guidance Surprised Experts, Too
Experts welcomed the decision to shorten the isolation period to five days, but many are still concerned testing negative first hasn't been prioritized.
I Got COVID Three Times
Don’t worry, you (probably) won’t become me. But yes, you can get COVID twice, and even more.
Anxious People Are Waiting Hours In Line In Frigid Temperatures To Get Preholiday COVID Tests, Only To Face Surprise Costs
“I told her I couldn't afford it and left,” said one person who was exposed to COVID but couldn’t pay $200 to see if they were positive.
“I Don’t Know How We’ll Keep Going”: A COVID Holiday Surge Is Coming
The US is facing another COVID surge, and Omicron is poised to make it worse. But there is one clear step Americans can take to protect themselves and society at large: get vaccinated.
The CDC Blames Contamination And Design Flaws For Its First Failed COVID-19 Test Kits
“It felt like we were driving blind, and we really were a little bit,” one expert said.
800,000 Americans Have Now Died From COVID. It Didn’t Have To Be This Way.
“What makes me most uncomfortable and concerned is that the loss of this much life was preventable.”
The Trump Administration Violated Federal Law By Muzzling Personnel During The COVID-19 Outbreak
Trump appointee Michael Caputo warned government employees last year not to speak with the media, records obtained by BuzzFeed News revealed.
The Government Asked Us Not To Release Records From The CDC’s First Failed COVID Test. Here They Are.
Federal investigation records obtained by BuzzFeed News show how one of the most pivotal mistakes of the pandemic fell on an overburdened CDC lab with only three full-time employees.
International Travelers Must Now Show A Negative COVID-19 Test 24 Hours Before Entering The US
The Biden administration instituted new rules for boosters, COVID tests, and travel after the first Omicron case in the US was identified.
There's Still A Lot Unknown About Omicron As Scientists Worldwide Race To Determine How It Affects People
Preliminary evidence suggests there may be an increased risk of reinfection among people who previously had COVID-19 compared with other variants, the WHO said.
Some Scientists Worry The Africa Travel Restrictions Will Discourage Other Nations From Reporting New COVID Variants
"What is the incentive for the next country that identifies the next important variant if their reward is what President Biden did to South Africa?"
A New Coronavirus "Variant Of Concern" Has Prompted The US And Other Countries To Impose Travel Restrictions
Experts cautioned there is still limited research on the new, potentially more transmissible COVID-19 variant that was first reported in South Africa.
Ted Cruz Spent The Weekend Harassing Big Bird For Getting Vaccinated, And The Responses Are *Chef's Kiss*
Sir, please leave Big Bird alone.
Amazing Photos Of Airport Reunions After The Coronavirus Pandemic Separated Families
Countries like the US and Australia are reopening their borders to vaccinated travelers, making for emotional reunions nearly two years in the making at airports around the world.
US Kids Ages 5 To 11 Can Now Get COVID Vaccines
The dose for younger children is one-third the size for adults and is more than 90% effective at preventing symptomatic infections.
Do You Need A COVID Booster? The Essential Facts About Who Can Get One Right Now
All people 16 and older are now eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot, with a Pfizer booster now recommended for those 12 and older. Here’s what you need to know about mix-and-match vaccines, boosters, and more.
A Data Sleuth Challenged A Powerful COVID Scientist. Then He Came After Her.
Elisabeth Bik calls out bad science for a living. A feud with one of the world’s loudest hydroxychloroquine crusaders shows that it can carry a high price.
Scared Students Are Using An Anonymous Twitter Account To Blast The Lack Of COVID Protocols At Their University
At Belmont University, a private Christian college in Tennessee, students and faculty members are resorting to anonymous Twitter accounts and articles to criticize what they believe are inadequate COVID restrictions.
Emmy Award–Winning "Bridgerton" Hair And Makeup Designer Marc Pilcher Has Died Of COVID-19
"A phenomenal talent, his work on Bridgerton season one was unrivaled, and he was a much-loved member of the crew."
Doctors Are Attacking COVID Vaccines And Promoting Bogus Cures — And Getting Away With It
As around 2,000 mostly unvaccinated Americans die of COVID-19 every day, BuzzFeed News could not find a single example of a doctor who has been disciplined for spreading vaccine disinformation.
They Found Swastikas On Their Hospital. Still, They’re Coming In To Save Lives.
Graffiti left on a small Idaho hospital has prompted soul-searching about how and why medical workers have now found themselves feeling targeted during the pandemic.
Here's Everything You Need To Know If You're Totally Confused About COVID Booster Shots
It's been...confusing!
Two Hosts Of "The View" Had False Positive Tests For COVID Seconds Before They Were Supposed To Interview Kamala Harris
The vice president was about to walk out when the hosts were suddenly pulled from the set.
The CDC Chief Overruled Her Expert Panel And Recommended Pfizer Boosters For High-Risk Workers
The highly unusual move by the head of the CDC capped off weeks off tense debates in the US over who should qualify for COVID-19 booster shots.
“An Unprecedented Event In Modern Medicine”: What Happens When A State Fails To Flatten The COVID Curve
A COVID nightmare is unfolding in Idaho, where overwhelmed hospitals are starting to ration care and medical workers feel like the public has turned on them.
A Texas Doctor Fired For Giving Leftover COVID Vaccines To "Indian Sounding" Patients Is Suing The County
There were 10 doses of the Moderna vaccine left at the end of the night, and Hasan Gokal had six hours left to administer them before they expired.
The US Is Ending Its International Travel Ban For Fully Vaccinated People
The new US international travel guidelines will start in November and will require testing, contact tracing information, and masking requirements, as well as full vaccinations.
Pfizer Says Its COVID-19 Vaccine Is Safe And Effective For Young Kids
The FDA will soon analyze the data on the lower-dose vaccine for kids aged 5 to 11.
Top Scientists At The FDA And WHO Are Arguing Against COVID-19 Booster Shots
In a review published on Monday, the experts said the evidence does not show that boosters are needed for the general population.
Australian Nurses Are Sharing The Grim Reality Of The COVID-19 Situation In Hospitals And It's Heartbreaking
"I know I’ll catch it [COVID-19] eventually, but the part that stresses me out is the looming sense of doom that the system won’t be able to handle much more."
Un importante estudio sostiene que la ivermectina previene el COVID-19, pero los datos resultan sospechosos
Un influyente estudio argentino ha reforzado el argumento de que la ivermectina previene el COVID-19 en el 100% de los casos. Pero sus inconsistencias han llevado a expertos a cuestionar si los ensayos clínicos realmente ocurrieron tal y como se señala.
School Districts Are Implementing Mask Mandates But Letting Thousands Of Students Get Exemptions
Several school boards are allowing parents to simply opt out of mask mandates without a medical reason.
These Photos Show What The First Day Of School Looks Like Across The Country
Despite the Delta variant, children across the country are returning to in-person learning.
A Prominent Study Said Ivermectin Prevents COVID, But The Data Is Suspect
An influential study from Argentina has been used to argue that ivermectin prevents COVID 100% of the time — but its inconsistencies have led experts to question if it could have actually happened as advertised.
The Battle Against Teens Getting COVID Vaccines Is Ramping Up. Now They’re Fighting Back.
The CDC has recommended the COVID vaccine for teens, while the FDA expects a fall or winter authorization for kids under 12.
203 Doctors Told Us What They Actually Think Of COVID Vaccines, And Everyone Should Hear Their Answers
Someone told me, a health journalist, that doctors might secretly oppose COVID vaccinations. So I went straight to the source.
Dozens Of Overworked Florida Doctors Joined Together To Beg People To Get Vaccinated
"It’s been a long two years, and quite frankly, we are all exhausted, both physically and psychologically," said one doctor.
Pfizer's COVID-19 Vaccine Just Got Full FDA Approval
The approval will likely spur vaccination mandates at schools, hospitals, and businesses across the country.
Vaccinated Americans Will Be Offered COVID-19 Booster Shots As Early As September
US health officials announced that most Americans should get a booster shot eight months after vaccination, as the Delta variant spreads rapidly across the US.
These People Got Vaccinated Against COVID-19 After Holding Out For Months. They Told Us Why.
BuzzFeed News set out to discover why some people waited months after the shots became widely accessible to the public before getting it — here’s what we learned.
Florida is America's Delta Variant Nightmare
Florida's hospitals are filling up as the Delta variant ravages the state, where less than half the population is fully vaccinated.
School Is Back And Thousands Of Students Are Already In Quarantine After Being Exposed To COVID-19
Many of the outbreaks at recently opened schools have occurred in states with relatively low vaccination rates.
The "I Am Legend" Screenwriter Has A Strong Message For Everyone Using It As A Reason Not To Get Vaxxed
In the movie, the plague is brought on by a virus, not a vaccine.
How Did You Convince Your Friends And Family To Get Vaxxed?
This is need-to-know information!
Friendships Are Breaking Up Over Vaccines
“Not all friendships last forever and I guess this is where ours ended.”
Yes, Delta Is Scary, But Europe’s Recent COVID Surges Show That It Can Be Controlled
“The UK and Netherlands should be a counsel against despair,” one expert told BuzzFeed News. “We needn’t be fatalistic about the Delta variant.”
The Republican Governor Of Arkansas Has Some Regrets About Signing A Mask Mandate Ban
"I signed it at the time because our cases were at a very low point," said Gov. Asa Hutchinson. "Everything has changed now."
These Photos Show The Enormous Turnout For Lollapalooza Despite Delta Concerns
There was a massive turnout for Chicago's Lollapalooza music festival, which was one of the biggest public gatherings in the US since the start of the pandemic.
Former Vaccine Skeptics Shared What Convinced Them To Get A COVID Shot, And It's Really Interesting
"Our doctor asked us if we wanted to stay in our house for 10 more years to see if people have reactions, or if we wanted to start living life again."
A Cape Cod COVID Outbreak Shows The Delta Variant May Be Even More Infectious Than We Thought, The CDC Says
The Delta variant outbreak among vaccinated beachgoers in Cape Cod was “a pivotal discovery” leading to new mask recommendations, said CDC chief Rochelle Walensky.
A Doctor Said A Mob Assaulted Him, Called Him Racist Slurs, And Mocked His Accent For Promoting A Mask Mandate
Faisal Khan, a public health leader in Missouri, said he was called a “fat brown cunt" and a "brown bastard" after a council meeting where he pushed for a mask mandate.
The CDC Has Changed Its Mask Guidance — Again — To Say Vaccinated People Should Mask Up In Places With Delta Outbreaks
“The unvaccinated, by choice, are a threat to public health at this point,” said one ICU doctor.
Former Vaccine Skeptics, Tell Us What Convinced You To Get Vaxxed
Changing minds, saving lives.
California And NYC Public Employees, As Well As VA Health Workers, Have New Vaccine Mandates
“This is about our recovery," New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday after announcing a vaccine mandate for city workers.
Eating In The Olympic Dining Hall Looks Very Different For Athletes This Year
*Spoiler alert* — it involves a lot of hand sanitizer.
Here’s What Researchers Have Discovered So Far About COVID Vaccines And Donated Breast Milk
Organizations that provide donated breast milk to parents say fielding questions about how the vaccines figure into the transfer of antibodies has led to a “second layer of chaos” from the pandemic.
As COVID Continues To Spread, Alabama's Governor Said "It’s Time To Start Blaming The Unvaccinated Folks"
"These folks are choosing a horrible lifestyle of self-inflicted pain."
US Life Expectancy In 2020 Dropped By More Than It Has Since World War II
“We have built a house of cards to live in, and the pandemic was a wind that just blew the house down,” said one expert.
The First Athletes Have Tested Positive For COVID-19 At The Olympic Village
In all, four members of South Africa's Olympic delegation tested positive and are now in isolation.
Events Are Still Being Canceled Because — Reminder — We're Still Living In A Pandemic
People who refuse to get vaccinated are playing a big role in COVID's continued spread, leading to concerts, music festivals, cruises, and more getting canceled.
Los Angeles County Is Bringing Back Indoor Mask Requirements As COVID Cases Surge
"This is an all-hands-on-deck moment," the county's health officer said.
The Other Victims Of The Pandemic: Workers Killed In Fights Over Masks
Essential workers have borne the brunt of a pandemic poisoned by politics. BuzzFeed News found at least four frontline employees who died in fights over masks. Here are their stories.
Olivia Rodrigo Went To The White House To Talk About Vaccinations
Please note: We are sadly obligated to make as many brutal puns in this article as we can even if it's enough for you.
Tennessee's Fired Vaccine Chief Called The State's New Rule Barring Vaccine Outreach To Teens "Toxic Leadership"
“We have a legislature filled with people who are not scientists and not healthcare providers who have their own crazy ideas about vaccines," Michelle Fiscus, Tennessee's top vaccine official until she was fired on Monday, told BuzzFeed News.
Anthony Fauci And Deborah Birx Warned Top Officials About The “Dangers” Of Scott Atlas Last Summer, Emails Show
“I am more convinced than ever the dangers of Dr. Atlas’ views on the pandemic,” Birx wrote in an August 2020 email to Fauci and others.
A Pandemic Safety Feature On Uber And Lyft Is Getting Abused To Scam Drivers And Discriminate Against Passengers
Black and LGBTQ passengers told BuzzFeed News they’re being refused rides due to false claims they’re not wearing masks. But masked drivers are also being accused.
Here’s Why You Probably Won't Need A Booster Shot Against The Delta Variant Anytime Soon
In the US, 99.5% of COVID-19 deaths are now among people who are unvaccinated.
In A Bid To Reopen Schools, The CDC Said Fully Vaccinated Students And Teachers Don't Need Masks
The CDC released new guidance for classrooms that prioritizes the need to fully reopen schools by the fall.
US Intelligence Agencies Are Trying To Solve Scientific Mysteries And Failing Badly
Secret intelligence reports are offering up answers to three big scientific mysteries — but the speculation doesn't always square up with science.
A Scientist Tracked Down Chinese Coronavirus Sequences That Had Disappeared Online
“I think it's certainly consistent with an attempt to hide the sequences,” said the researcher, whose internet sleuthing has uncovered 13 genetic sequences from early in the outbreak in Wuhan, China.
The Delta Variant Could Create “Two Americas” Of COVID, Experts Warn
If you are fully vaccinated, you are most likely to be safe. But in parts of the US where few people have gotten COVID vaccine shots, the Delta variant could trigger renewed deadly surges.
Struggling Hospitals Could Explain Why So Many Black Patients Have Died Of COVID-19
For Black patients hospitalized with the coronavirus, the quality of the hospitals they are admitted to may play an outsize role in determining whether they survive.
More Than 600,000 People In The US Have Now Died Of COVID-19
The death toll is a stark reminder of the devastating loss of human life to the pandemic, especially as daily vaccinations nationwide reach a troublingly low rate.
Trump's State Department Officials Fought Over Whether The Coronavirus Was A Chinese Bioweapon
The department’s former senior official on nonproliferation says he intervened to prevent the US government from “embarrassing and discrediting” itself with claims that lacked strong scientific evidence.
COVID-19 Vaccines Work Way Better Than We Had Ever Expected. Scientists Are Still Figuring Out Why.
“The truth is, we humans sort of lucked out,” one expert said.
The Unique Pain (And Anger) Of Grieving Someone Who Refused A COVID Vaccine
“Knowing there’s something that was free, accessible, and could have prevented their death, it’s heartbreaking.”
Meet The Linda Lindas, The Young Punk Band Whose Song About Racism Rocked The Internet
“All these emotions kind of bottle up, so it’s good to — it feels good to yell it out.”
A Picturesque Cabin In The Woods Was Listed On Airbnb. The Catch? No COVID-Vaccinated Guests Allowed.
Airbnb told BuzzFeed News the listing for the cabin in Montana violated its COVID misinformation policies.
The White House Is Partnering With Dating Apps To Get Horny People Vaccinated
Dust off your dating apps. It's time to swipe.
Basically Everyone Is Mad At The CDC For Being So Confusing About Masks
“We spent a year trying very hard to get people to wear masks,” one expert said. “This kind of sudden, abrupt change, without any kind of signaling that it’s coming, will leave people feeling blindsided.”
On The Road With The Vaccine Van: How One City Is “Getting Out The Vax”
With demand for vaccines declining, officials are coming up with creative ways to reach those still unvaccinated. So we hitched a ride with a vaccine van.
We Did It, Fam: Fully Vaccinated People Can Now Ditch Their Masks And Start Returning To Normal
Fully vaccinated people don't need to wear masks or physically distance to participate in indoor and outdoor activities, large or small, according to new CDC guidelines.
