Health

COVID-Hospitalization Numbers Are as Bad as They Look

Many supposedly “incidental” infections aren’t really incidental, and cannot be dismissed.

Should Teen Boys Get Boosted?

Third shots for adolescent boys and young men were already a hard sell. Then came Omicron.

Omicron Is Forcing Us to Rethink Mild COVID

The staggering number of infections among the vaccinated is changing Americans’ pandemic mindset.

COVID Isolation Is a Lot Like … Muffin Baking

Stay with me.

You Can’t Simply Decide to Be a Different Person

Forming new habits isn’t impossible, but it’s much easier for some people than others.

Hospitals Are in Serious Trouble

Omicron is inundating a health-care system that was already buckling under the cumulative toll of every previous surge.

America’s COVID Rules Are a Dumpster Fire

If you’re confused by the CDC’s new isolation guidelines, you’re not the only one.

Do Your Genes Know What’s Making You Sick?

Testing for immune-system changes, rather than for the presence of a virus, could give an earlier indication of whether people are ill.

Should I Just Get Omicron Over With?

If you’re vaccinated, an infection might not make you super sick, but don’t count on it making you super immune, either.

Stop Wasting COVID Tests, People

With the surge in cases, tests should be reserved for those who need them most.

Our Relationship With COVID Vaccines Is Just Getting Started

We probably will need additional shots. But just how many depends on our immune systems, the virus, and how often they collide.

A Very Radical, Very Delicious Take on Risk Management

When times are dark, I lick the bowl.

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.

Omicron Is Our Past Pandemic Mistakes on Fast-Forward

We’ve been making the same errors for nearly two years now.

The Things I Would Never Do

I’d survived two decades of cancer. But there was one loss I couldn’t accept.

The Great Shoplifting Freak-Out

Why is it so hard to figure out if America’s enormous surge in theft is real?

Sports Leagues Are Showing Us Just How Bad Omicron Could Get

Even some of the healthiest and most highly vaccinated communities in the country are being ravaged by the new variant.

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.

I Canceled My Birthday Party Because of Omicron

Here’s how I thought through the decision.