Coronavirus Coverage
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.
15 Anti-Vaxxers Who Were Roasted Within An Inch Of Their Lives — And Rightfully So
There's no coming back from this.
Young Teens Can Now Get A COVID-19 Vaccine — But Convincing Parents Could Be Difficult
COVID-19 is now one of the top 10 causes of death for teens in the US.
The FDA Authorized Pfizer's COVID-19 Vaccine For Kids Ages 12 To 15
The emergency authorization of the vaccine opens eligibility to nearly 17 million school-age kids.
There Are New Safety Concerns About Russia’s COVID Vaccine, Which Is Already Being Distributed Worldwide
“This creates a lot of concern for us in the global vaccine community,” one expert said.
Guilt Trips And Withholding Grandkids: How People Convinced Loved Ones To Get A Vaccine
“I told him he wouldn’t be invited to our wedding, which we had rescheduled three times,” said one person. “He’s the groom.”
Fully Vaccinated People Can Ditch Masks, Sometimes, Under New CDC Guidelines
Fully vaccinated people can go without masks in many small gatherings indoors or outdoors, say the new CDC guidelines.
15 Infuriating Stories About Doctors Who Had To Diagnose A COVID-19 Denier With The Coronavirus
What will it take for people to believe science?
Johnson & Johnson’s COVID Vaccine Was Immunizing Homeless People. Then It Was Put On Pause.
Johnson & Johnson’s single-shot vaccine was in demand for some of the highest-risk people in the US. And without it, many are opting not to get a shot, clinicians say.
The Pandemic Will Likely End In One Of These Four Ways
Vaccinations promise an end to the coronavirus pandemic in the US. What kind of ending, though, is up to us.
Experts Predict A Slutty Summer — And An STI Spike
Doctors hope horny Americans have learned some lessons during the pandemic that could be applied to sexual health.
The Pandemic Has Made “Summer Body” Pressure Even Worse
Ahead of a summer with already lofty expectations, many people are obsessing over how their bodies have changed in the pandemic.
We Want To Hear How The Last Year Has Affected Your Mental Health
This year has been hard on all of us.
J&J’s Vaccine Is Still On Pause After A CDC Safety Panel Put Off A Vote
At least six women, including one who died, have developed an extremely rare blood-clotting syndrome after getting the vaccine.
Here's Why You Can't Compare The Extremely Rare J&J Vaccine Blood Clots To Ones Linked To Birth Control
The causes and treatments are not the same, doctors told BuzzFeed News. Still, the Johnson & Johnson pause is no reason to panic.
A New Study Suggests Empty Middle Seats On Planes Reduce COVID Exposure By A Third
Airlines have returned to filling middle seats, which a new CDC study suggests increases the risk of coronavirus exposure.
The US Has Recommended Pausing The Johnson & Johnson Vaccine To Study Rare Blood Clotting Issues
Of the more than 6.8 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine administered so far in the US, federal authorities are investigating six cases of rare and severe blood clotting.
Stop Freaking Out: You Probably Already Have Some Type Of Vaccine Passport
Schools, international travel, and military service — people in the US already have to prove they are vaccinated against many diseases.
Vaccinated People Can Safely Travel, According To New CDC Guidance
But as COVID-19 cases rise nationwide, “I would advocate against general travel overall,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said on Friday.
A Photographer Captured The Moment A 98-Year-Old Got To See Her Family After A Year Apart
COVID-19 vaccines mean some nursing homes are now reopening, so residents can finally hug loved ones. A series of viral photos captured Yoshia Uomoto's surprise reunion.
A Top Medical Journal Said “No Physician Is Racist.” Now Scientists Are Boycotting.
After a podcast from the prestigious journal JAMA questioned whether systemic racism exists in medicine, doctors and researchers are pressing for sweeping changes.
Young Doctors Faced Down The Pandemic But Aren’t Sure About Their Futures
“I feel like there has got to be something else that makes me happier.”
The CDC Is Pushing Back Against Critics Who Say COVID-19 Death Numbers Have Been Overcounted
COVID-19 drove a 15.9% increase in the nationwide death rate in 2020, alongside increases from heart disease, injuries, Alzheimer's, and diabetes.
12 Wild Photos Of What Spring Break Looks Like In Southern California Right Now
Repeat after me: The pandemic is not over.
The WHO Report On COVID-19's Origins Shows We May Never Know Where The Coronavirus Came From
As a World Health Organization and Chinese study into the origins of the pandemic gives no conclusive answers, the controversial theory that the virus emerged from a lab refuses to go away.
US Cases Of COVID-19 Are Rising Again, Sparking Fears Of A Fourth Major Surge
“We have so much to look forward to,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said on Monday. “But right now I’m scared.”
Reporters Did Not Ask Biden About The Pandemic But Apparently We're Already Talking About 2024
Sixty-five days into his first term — as 1,000 people a day continue to die of COVID-19 in the US — reporters asked Biden whether he was going to run for reelection.
Tell Us The Best Purchases You've Made During The Pandemic
It can be anything that's brought some light into your life!
After A Lot Of Drama With The Government, AstraZeneca Lowered Early Estimates Of Its COVID Vaccine’s Effectiveness By Just 3 Percentage Points
“This is going to turn out to be a good vaccine,” said chief US infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci.
Absolutely Wild Photos Show Spring Break In Miami As COVID Still Rages
Chaotic scenes from the weekend showed maskless revelers drinking and partying in the streets in defiance of curfew orders.
US Health Officials Questioned AstraZeneca’s Report Of Its COVID-19 Vaccine Results
The drug company announced positive trial results on Monday suggesting the vaccine was highly effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 in all age groups. Less than a day later, US health officials questioned the results, which still have not been released in full.
Freedom, Hope, Relief: What The COVID Vaccine Means To You
Hundreds of people told us what it felt like to finally get the COVID-19 vaccine. Here are your stories.
These Intimate Photos Show How Moms Coped With The Long Pandemic Year
“To be honest, this year was really about survival for us.”
Europe’s Drug Regulator Said AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 Vaccine Is “Safe And Effective”
Experts could not rule out a link to rare blood-clotting conditions seen in a small number of people who received the vaccine and suggested warnings be added to information given to doctors and patients.
A Native American Tribe In Oklahoma Denied Black Citizens COVID-19 Vaccines And Financial Relief
“We’re stuck in a system that doesn’t care about us,” one Black citizen of the Seminole Nation said.
This Is What We Know So Far About AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 Vaccine And Blood Clots
So far there’s no clear evidence of a safety problem. But several European countries have paused vaccinations with AstraZeneca’s shots while investigations continue.
18 People Shared How The Pandemic Year Changed Their Finances And It's Eye-Opening
"I couldn't wrap my brain around the fact that I literally couldn't work. I felt like a failure."
All US Adults Will Be Eligible For A COVID-19 Vaccine By May 1, Joe Biden Said
Biden's announcement, part of a national address, shifts the responsibility for the pandemic response to the federal government.
“I Was The One Who Broke Broadway”: Meet The First Usher To Test Positive For COVID
When usher Peter McIntosh started feeling sick a year ago, he never imagined he’d become the first confirmed COVID-19 case on Broadway — or that theaters would close the next day.
Tom Hanks, The NBA, And COVID’s Day Of Reckoning In The US: An Oral History
More than 60 people — from Anthony Fauci to Chet Hanks — told us what it was like in the Oval Office, in the Utah Jazz locker room, and backstage on Broadway on March 11, 2020, the day COVID swallowed everything.
Congress Just Passed Another Round Of COVID Checks And Unemployment Aid
Checks of $1,400, unemployment benefits, and hundreds of billions of dollars in aid are coming soon. President Joe Biden signed the bill Thursday.
If You've Watched 19/28 Of These Shows, Chances Are You Spent 98% Of Quarantine In Front Of A TV
These TV shows are how I spent 90% of my quarantine.
It’s Been A Year Since Quarantine Started, How Many Of These Quarantine Trends Did You Try?
We all made whipped coffee at some point right?
The CDC Released New Guidelines For How Vaccinated And Unvaccinated People Can Meet Indoors
The long-awaited guidelines were released at a White House briefing on Monday.
It's Been A Year Since The First Coronavirus Lockdown — How Many Of These Quarantine Hobbies Are You Still Doing?
Oh, to be binge-watching Tiger King and baking bread again.
30 Pictures That Show Just How Much Has Changed In A Year Due To COVID
A lot can change in a year.
The Senate Passed Biden’s Massive COVID Aid Package, But Only After Watering Down Checks And Unemployment Benefits
Democrats are touting the bill as a historic rescue package, despite needing to make last-minute concessions to get it passed.
We Have Vaccines For COVID-19. Why Don’t We Have Good Treatments?
“Everyone was looking for a quick fix,” Anthony Fauci told BuzzFeed News.
California Will Allow Stadiums And Theme Parks Like Disneyland To Reopen In April
Theme parks, stadiums, and live performances will be eligible to resume operations at reduced capacity related to what the COVID transmission rates are in their home counties.
Los requisitos de identificación buscan frenar el turismo de vacunas, pero pueden excluir a residentes vulnerables
En teoría, las demostraciones de residencia y los requisitos de identificación buscan asegurar que las vacunas para COVID-19 se distribuyan de manera equitativa, pero las reglas están excluyendo a la gente que buscan proteger.
This Guy Ordered Clorox Wipes When The Pandemic Started. They Finally Arrived 349 Days Later.
"To be honest, I sort of forgot about them."
This Is What It's Like To Stay In A COVID-19 Quarantine Hotel In Australia
Never take fresh air for granted again.
ID Requirements Are Meant To Stop Vaccine Tourists, But They Can Also Shut Out Vulnerable Residents
Proof-of-residency and ID requirements are supposed to ensure COVID-19 vaccines are equitably distributed — but the rules are shutting out some of the people they aim to protect.
Dolly Parton Received A Dose Of The COVID Vaccine She Helped To Fund
"Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vaciiiiiiine," she sang. "I'm begging of you, please don't hesitate."
Biden Moved Up His Estimate For When Adults Will Be Able To Get A COVID-19 Vaccine
That's two months earlier than his administration previously predicted.
Texas Is Ending Its Mask Mandate After The CDC Warned Against Rolling Back COVID-19 Safety Measures
"It is now time to open Texas 100%," Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday.
The FDA Has Authorized A One-Shot Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine
Johnson & Johnson's vaccine has been shown to be effective at reducing severe cases of COVID-19 with just one shot.
What It's Like Being Named Rona In The Time Of “The Rona”
They were given the name Rona at birth. Now, thanks to coronavirus slang, it means something very different.
One Year, 500,000 Deaths
While the US government bickered, the coronavirus exposed the rampant inequality in our society. The poor got poorer, the rich got richer, and the bodies piled up.
The Last People To Die On Trump’s Watch
Around 3,000 Americans died from the coronavirus in the final 24 hours of the Trump presidency. Meet just three.
Many Essential Workers Down The Street From Yankee Stadium’s Vaccine Site Are Still Waiting For Access
Yankee Stadium’s mass vaccine site was supposed to reduce disparities in one of New York’s hardest-hit areas, but shortages are making it hard to get in.
Here's How To Show You Are Medically Eligible For The COVID Vaccine
Fifteen states have opened up vaccinations to people with certain health conditions. Here's how you can prove you are eligible.
Photos From Inside A Funeral Home Show The Tragic Toll Of COVID-19
“I knew there would be a surge, but not this.”
Here’s How COVID Vaccines Are Made — And Why We Can’t Just Start Making A Lot More Of Them
“It’s more complicated than hitting a button and turning on a machine somewhere,” said one industry expert.
Young People Coping With Mounting Debt Say No One Has Their Backs. The Pandemic Has Left Them On The Brink Of Ruin.
College graduates took out big loans hoping their education would spring them into financial stability. Instead, their debt left them vulnerable.
Double-Masking And Mask Fitters: This Is What The CDC Recommends In Its Latest Mask Guidelines
Wearing a cloth mask over a surgical mask or knotting the loops of a single mask for a snug fit provide more protection than a surgical mask alone, the CDC said.
Nursing Homes Are Seeing COVID-19 Cases Drop Due To Vaccines, Federal Officials Say
“These are really good vaccines, and we are seeing them take effect, which is wonderful,” said one epidemiologist.
19 People Shared The Impact COVID-19 Has Had On Their Eating Disorders
"If only everyone had listened in the beginning, folks with eating disorders wouldn't be in a giant spiral right now."
COVID-19 Vaccinations In Israel Are Starting To Curb The Pandemic, But Not Everyone Is Getting Shots
But difficulties convincing some groups to get their shots point to big challenges that lie ahead for other nations — especially the US.
Republicans Are Optimistic About A Bipartisan COVID Aid Deal, While Democrats Plan To Pass A Bill With Or Without Them
The two sides say they will continue to negotiate a deal, even though Democrats are starting work on a backup plan to bypass Republicans altogether.
A TikTok ICU Nurse Demonstrated How She Tells COVID-19 Patients They're About To Be Intubated, And It's Sobering
"Every single day, I help someone’s body to fight off death..."
A Mexican Man Died In ICE Custody After Testing Positive For COVID-19
The man was detained at a facility in Georgia where three other immigrants have already died after contracting the coronavirus.
Anti-Vaxxers Temporarily Shut Down One Of The Largest COVID-19 Vaccination Sites In The US
Everyone who had an appointment for a vaccine on Saturday ultimately received one, the LA Fire Department said.
A COVID-19 Testing Startup That Has Served 10 States And Congress Is Under Fire From The FDA
An ongoing debate between Curative and the Food and Drug Administration underscores a philosophical split in testing.
Johnson & Johnson's Coronavirus Vaccine Is More Than 66% Effective, Early Results Show
The vaccine was 72% effective in its US testing, and 85% effective overall in preventing severe disease, as well as completely protective against death and hospitalization.
What Is Double-Masking? Here’s How It Can Keep You Safer From The Coronavirus.
“I would prefer that somebody wore one mask properly than two masks improperly, but if you can wear two masks properly, that's great.”
Hollywood Is Leaving COVID Safety To Ill-Prepared Assistants Who Say They Have No Idea What They're Doing
“I’m the one who’s supposed to be monitoring this, and yet I have no clue what I’m doing. I’m looking around trying to make sure nothing gets caught on fire, essentially.”
They Had Six COVID Vaccines Left And Were Stuck In The Snow — So They Started Knocking On Car Windows
One of the drivers in Oregon started "doing a happy dance in his seat when he finally believed we were actually going to give him a vaccine," according to a public health official.
“They Just Left Him There”: A Man Died Of COVID-19 At Home Despite Calling 911
“A part of us is just gone, and that's never going to come back.”
Biden Plans To Purchase 200 Million More Vaccine Doses To Be Delivered Over The Summer
The president has faced mounting pressure to up his pledge of administering 100 million COVID-19 shots during his first 100 days in office.
A "Paramedic Of The Year" Allegedly Helped Cover Up A COVID Vaccine Theft
The Florida paramedic allegedly forged documents after three vaccine doses were taken from a refrigerator by a superior.
Here's What President Biden's COVID-19 Travel Bans Mean For You
Biden extended COVID-19 travel restrictions for most of Europe, the UK, Ireland, and Brazil, while also ending Trump's Muslim travel ban.
I Know Why The Pandemic Is So Hard Right Now
For months, the political pace has been nonstop, but finally there’s been a change and things have calmed. Now, all there is left to do is wait and fight impatience.
There's Good News And Bad News About The Coronavirus Variants And Vaccines
On Monday, Moderna announced its COVID-19 vaccine is still protective, but slightly less potent, against a new coronavirus mutant.
19 "Once COVID Is Over" Tweets That Have Me Laughing From The Same Spot In My Apartment I’ve Been Sitting In Since Last March
Taking bets now on whether the end of the pandemic or Rihanna's next album will come first.
The COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Has Been Slow And Chaotic. Here’s How That Could Change.
Under Trump, vaccine rollout was punted to states. In order to work, Biden’s national program will take time and money.
