Viruses that were on hiatus during Covid are back — and behaving in unexpected ways For nearly two years, as the Covid pandemic disrupted life around the globe, other infectious diseases were in retreat. Now the viral and bacterial nuisances are returning — and behaving in unexpected ways. Helen Branswell STAT

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Now, as the world rapidly dismantles the measures put in place to slow spread of Covid, the viral and bacterial nuisances that were on hiatus are returning — and behaving in unexpected ways.

Pfizer CEO predicts 'constant waves' of COVID-19 because of complacency around the coronavirus and the politicization of the pandemic The consequences of people's hesitancy to wear masks and get vaccinated will likely be seen over the next few months, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said. YahooNews

The world is likely to suffer from "constant waves" of COVID-19, the CEO of Pfizer said Wednesday.

"Long COVID" symptoms affect 1 in 4 seniors after infection, study finds Respiratory symptoms and musculoskeletal pain were the most common lingering health issues reported. YahooNews

As many as one in four seniors and one in five adults under 65 experienced "long COVID" or "post-COVID" symptoms after surviving a coronavirus infection, a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Tuesday.

Pfizer to offer low-cost medicines, vaccines to poor nations Pfizer said Wednesday that it will provide nearly two dozen products, including its top-selling COVID-19 vaccine and treatment, at not-for-profit prices in some of the world’s poorest countries. AP NEWS

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the drugmaker announced the program at the World Economic Forum’s annual gathering in Davos, Switzerland, and said it was aimed at improving health equity in 45 lower-income countries. Most of the countries are in Africa, but the list also includes Haiti, Syria, Cambodia and North Korea.

Germany's vaccine panel says one COVID shot enough for children Germany's vaccine advisory panel on Tuesday said one COVID-19 shot was enough for healthy five- to 11-year-olds because most of them had already undergone an infection, maintaining its cautious approach. Patricia Weiss,Ludwig Burger Reuters

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Hard hit by COVID-19, Black Americans are recovering slowly

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Two years into the pandemic and multiple variants that have resulted in one million deaths across the U.S., Black Americans are still suffering from COVID-19’s public health and economic consequences. The recovery of most people of color has been sporadic and uneven. From permanently closed businesses to limited access to health care, housing and food insecurity, increases in suicide and violent crime and educational setbacks, experts say it will take years before Black Americans are able to fully recover from the pandemic.