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Coronavirus

A new coronavirus appeared in Wuhan, China, at the beginning of December 2019, and it has spread rapidly around the world. The World Health Organization declared a global public health emergency over the outbreak, which has affected tens of thousands of people in dozens of countries. The new coronavirus causes a disease called COVID-19, which has symptoms like fever, cough, difficulty breathing, and other respiratory problems. It's mild in most people but can be severe or deadly in some cases, especially for the elderly and those who have underlying health issues. Public health officials are working to understand how dangerous this virus is, how fast it's spreading, and how to contain it. As that work continues, the virus is causing anxiety around the world.

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WHO declares an end to covid global health emergency

Three years after covid triggered lockdowns and upended world economies, the public health emergency is now over.

How to order free rapid covid tests from the US government — again

You can once again apply for four free covid tests to be delivered to your household.

Supreme Court lifts ban on Biden admin contacts with tech platforms about content moderation.

The DOJ was granted (PDF) a stay of an injunction barring DHS, CISA, FBI, and other federal officials from contact with social media platforms about content moderation. The judge who wrote the injunction this summer claimed their requests about posts containing covid misinformation amounted to a violation of the First Amendment.

An appeals court limited the terms of the ban last month but paused the process to see if the Supreme Court would weigh in. Now it will hear the DOJ’s appeal, over dissent from three justices (Alito, Thomas, Gorsuch).


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Twitter
A forgotten iPhone passcode is apparently getting in the way of the UK’s Covid inquiry.

After overcoming one legal challenge, the UK’s Covid inquiry has reportedly hit another roadblock as it attempts to acquire the old WhatsApp messages of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson — a forgotten passcode. The Times of London is reporting that Johnson can’t recall the old phone’s PIN, which he stopped using in May 2021. At least he didn’t drop it into the ocean.


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External Link
Don’t throw out your old expired COVID-19 tests — check this site first.

My wife and I just rescued six perfectly good tests from the trash! Yes, many COVID-19 tests are effective longer than pharma companies originally wrote, and you can easily find the new date by looking up your test and its Lot Code at the FDA.

Also: you can now get another free 4-pack from the US government.


A guide to the COVID-19 pandemic

The science, the tech response, and what you can do

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The Verge
The US government is once again sending out free covid tests.

After stopping the program last September, the US government is now offering another set of four free home rapid antigen tests to each household. Here’s how you can order yours.


Where’s the next generation of COVID-19 shots?

Omicron boosters might be around the corner