Pediatricians San Diego

President Biden is visiting Texas one week after he officially declared a major disaster in Texas, which has been reeling from record cold, power outages and a water crisis.

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said at a Friday briefing that infectious new variants may be threatening to derail the country's recent progress. (Image credit: Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)

The iconic songwriter's cousin is especially moved by the final song he released. (Image credit: Laura Fedele/WFUV)

The song drives home the abiding message that life is fragile, and in the end, small petty things don't really matter. (Image credit: Courtesy of Ira Gottlieb)

An advisory committee to the Food and Drug Administration met to consider the application for emergency use authorization for the Janssen, the vaccine division of Johnson & Johnson, COVID-19 vaccine.

After his wife's early death, "What a Wonderful World" gave a single dad hope. (Image credit: NPR)

The Food and Drug Administration typically follows the advice of its expert advisers. A quick agency decision on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is expected given the state of the pandemic. (Image credit: Phill Magakoe/AFP via Getty Images)

The CDC is warning that the recent improvement in COVID-19 case numbers might be stalling. Variants of the virus may be starting to spread widely in this country, which could reverse recent progress.

Elizabeth was a John Denver superfan. (Image credit: Courtesy of Alison Wells)

Obesity now qualifies patients for a COVID-19 vaccine in some states. NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with writer Emma Specter on why people should get the vaccine, though BMI is a faulty indicator of health.

Kleinheider believed education was the "bridge" to opportunity and a better life. (Image credit: Courtesy of Deborah Kalish)

Double masking earns praise as a way to keep safe from more contagious variants. Are there other mask hacks? And vaccines are prompting some queries. (Image credit: Michele Abercrombie/NPR)

Israel has vaccinated more of its population than any other country and this week it started opening places like gyms and the theater to people with both shots — but they have to prove it.

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Dr. Celine Gounder, who was on the Biden administration's COVID-19 Advisory Board, on whether messaging should highlight hope or emphasize caution in the road ahead.

"Til the Blue" reminds Mark's fiancee that family and friends ease the pain and grief of death. (Image credit: Courtesy of Kim Hickey)

Vice President Harris went to a grocery store pharmacy Thursday to see first-hand the challenge of getting more vaccines into arms.

Gyms may be a particularly risky place for getting the coronavirus. A pair of CDC studies show many people got the virus during indoor fitness classes despite social distancing and capacity rules.

Variants of the coronavirus have scientists in a scramble to assess the threat and prevent more surges. Meanwhile, vaccine manufacturers are looking at developing booster shots to address variants.

Officials said Wednesday that the masks will be delivered in the coming months, and are expected to reach an estimated 12 to 15 million vulnerable Americans. (Image credit: Carolyn Kaster/AP)

As California's attorney general, Xavier Becerra fought Trump-era restrictions on reproductive health. If confirmed, he'll navigate an even more difficult legal and political landscape. (Image credit: Sarah Silbiger/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The concierge healthcare provider One Medical has been allowing ineligible people to receive COVID-19 vaccines, according to documents leaked to NPR. The company denies this claim.

Another COVID-19 vaccine may soon be available. The Food and Drug Administration has conducted an evaluation of the application from Johnson & Johnson for emergency use authorization for its vaccine.

The mother is remembered as a happy person, always smiling as she sang along to Mexican country-style tunes. (Image credit: Courtesy of the Mares family)

The process of trying to get vaccinated can be confusing. A new platform from the federal government and private sector partners makes it easier to find a provider where you live. (Image credit: Michele Abercrombie/NPR)

Digital devices, the internet and social media have become part of the teenage experience. Not only are they using it for school, much of their social lives and hobbies now revolve around the virtual world. From streaming videos to instant messenger apps, teens are living life online. Despite all of the amazing things teens can accomplish by being online, the internet and social media have wide implications on your teen’s safety, mental health and possibly their future. Follow these six recommendations for keeping your teens safe in the virtual world. 1. Talk about posting appropriate things. Teach your teen about their “digital footprint” which means what they do on the internet will last forever. Let them know that what they post on the internet may be seen by people all over the world that they may not know. Whatever they post or share will be treated as a “permanent” record and could spread or shared without their permission. Not only will their actions potentially affect their e...

A seemingly easy and cheap treatment for a deadly disease has failed in a major study. Vitamin C is apparently not useful for sepsis after all. That's a lesson for similar COIVD-19 treatments.

Xavier Becerra, President Biden's nominee for health secretary, faced two hours of questions before a Senate committee on Tuesday.

The pandemic is hitting some families harder than others. In Arizona, one family lost three members to COVID-19.

That's the question posted by a study in The Lancet Planetary Health. In case you're wondering, the United States is characterized as "loose." And Singapore is "tight." (Image credit: Luke Dray/Getty Images; Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP via Getty Images; Mohd Rasfan / AFP; Getty Images)

Now more than ever before, the internet has become unavoidable in our everyday lives. The pandemic has shown just how much the internet can do for us – our children can attend school from home, we can work from home, we can order groceries and supplies without stepping foot in a store, and we keep in touch with friends and loved ones from the safety and comfort of our sofa. Unfortunately, this also means we are using something that can pose a threat to a family’s privacy, safety and mental health. It is important to start conversations about the internet with your children at an early age but more importantly, to continue that conversation as your child grows and their relationship with the internet changes. With these guidelines, you will have the opportunity for open and honest conversations to help raise tech-savvy kids. 1. Starting talking about the internet sooner rather than later. Start the conversation early, before they even have their own computer or tablet. Instead of o...

Digital devices, the internet and social media have become part of the teenage experience. Not only are they using it for school, much of their social lives and hobbies now revolve around the virtual world. From streaming videos to instant messenger apps, teens are living life online. Despite all of the amazing things teens can accomplish by being online, the internet and social media have wide implications on your teen’s safety, mental health and possibly their future. Follow these six recommendations for keeping your teens safe in the virtual world. 1. Talk about posting appropriate things. Teach your teen about their “digital footprint” which means what they do on the internet will last forever. Let them know that what they post on the internet may be seen by people all over the world that they may not know. Whatever they post or share will be treated as a “permanent” record and could spread or shared without their permission. Not only will their actions potentially affect their ...

Now more than ever before, the internet has become unavoidable in our everyday lives. The pandemic has shown just how much the internet can do for us – our children can attend school from home, we can work from home, we can order groceries and supplies without stepping foot in a store, and we keep in touch with friends and loved ones from the safety and comfort of our sofa. Unfortunately, this also means we are using something that can pose a threat to a family’s privacy, safety and mental health. It is important to start conversations about the internet with your children at an early age but more importantly, to continue that conversation as your child grows and their relationship with the internet changes. With these guidelines, you will have the opportunity for open and honest conversations to help raise tech-savvy kids. 1. Starting talking about the internet sooner rather than later. Start the conversation early, before they even have their own computer or tablet. Instead of onl...

By some measures, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine may appear to be less effective than Moderna and Pfizer. But Dr. Ashish Jha says when it comes to hospitalizations and deaths, it's just as good. (Image credit: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

As the country faces another wrenching milestone, there are signs of hope that we may be beating back the virus. But a brighter future won't bring back precious lives lost. (Image credit: Mario Tama/Getty Images)

The father was a huge Northern Soul fan, and her turned to Jackie Wilson's "Because Of You" during his illness. (Image credit: Courtesy of Catherine Glass)

When Frank Nguyen's sister heard "Home," after her brother's passing, it felt like he was sending a message to his family. (Image credit: Courtesy of the Nguyen family)

The father loved the message within the 1985 Mark Knopfler hit. (Image credit: Courtesy of the Kopet family)

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley turned away people because they could not prove they live in the United States. Proof of residency and citizenship are not required under state rules. (Image credit: Callaghan O'Hare/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

At vaccination sites across the U.S., there's a protocol for how to handle COVID-19 vaccines considered more precious than gold. Medical volunteers at one site in DC explain how they do it.

NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro speaks to Dr. Rosaura Licea about accessible ways to maintain our immune systems.