*** VIRUS NEWS FROM MONDAY ***

CNBC: Pfizer CEO says omicron vaccine will be ready in March

CNBC: Experts cast doubts over reported ‘deltacron’ variant, say likely due to lab contamination

CNBC: Moderna working with world health leaders on Covid booster for this fall that targets omicron

The Daily Caller: With Omicron Dominant, COVID-19 Is Now Less Than ‘Just The Flu’

The New York Daily News: Mayo Clinic fires 700 employees, 1% of its workforce, for refusing COVID-19 vaccine

Common Dreams: Congress Is Providing KN95s to Lawmakers. What About the Rest of Us?

The Defender: 4th COVID Booster Shot Could Cause ‘Immune System Fatigue,’ Scientists Say – As Israel moves ahead with fourth COVID shot, scientists told the New York Times the additional booster may cause more harm than good

AARP: What to Know About COVID-19 Testing for Travel – Over-the-counter tests have been scarce as omicron continues to spread

McClatchy Newspapers: How COVID hospitalizations are reported is changing in one state [Mass.]. Will others follow? “The fact that many patients weren’t primarily admitted FOR COVID but rather for other medical issues should add nuance to the ‘COVID hospitalization’ numbers.”

McClatchy Newspapers: Omicron explosion spurs nationwide breakdown of services – The explosion in omicron-fueled coronavirus infections has caused a breakdown in basic functions and services across America.

McClatchy Newspapers: Home COVID tests to be covered by insurers starting Saturday – Starting Saturday, private health insurers will be required to cover up to eight home COVID-19 tests per month for those on their plans.

McClatchy Newspapers: Health officials let COVID-infected staff stay on the job – Health authorities around the U.S. are increasingly taking the extraordinary step of allowing nurses and other workers infected with the coronavirus to stay on the job if they have mild symptoms or none at all.