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CORONAVIRUS

Fauci to step down after decades as top US infection expert

WASHINGTON (AP) — Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert who became a household name — and the subject of partisan attacks — during the COVID-19 pandemic, announced Monday he will leave the federal government in December after more than five decades. Fauci directs the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is chief medical adviser to President Joe Biden and also leads a lab studying the immune system. While the COVID-19 pandemic introduced him to millions of Americans, he's given straight-talk to the nation about numerous outbreaks ...

Jill Biden rejoins president after negative COVID-19 tests

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. (AP) — First lady Jill Biden left COVID-19 isolation on Sunday after twice testing negative for the coronavirus and reunited with President Joe Biden at their Delaware beach home. She had been isolating in South Carolina, where she tested positive for the virus as the couple wrapped up a vacation there last week. The president made a brief stop at the White House before going to Wilmington, Delaware. He arrived in Rehoboth Beach on Saturday night. The White House announced Tuesday that the 71-year-old first lady had tested positive for the virus. She first had ...

Hy-Vee pharmacy offering flu shots

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — This season’s influenza vaccine is now available at Hy-Vee pharmacies, with no appointment or prescription necessary, the company announced this week. Drive-thru flu clinics also will be offered at Hy-Vee pharmacies throughout the company’s eight-state region on select days. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends individuals 6 months of age and older get a flu vaccine each year to prevent getting and spreading the flu virus. Australia is nearing the end of its worst flu season in five years, according to a report from the ...

Vaccination is easy step to make schools safe

Now is the time to make sure your child is up to date on all recommended vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccine. Getting vaccinated is an important tool to keep our students safe and healthy while they are in school. The pandemic has caused a number of disruptions in people’s lives, and unfortunately many children have fallen behind on getting recommended vaccines. Children and teens can get COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines they need at the same visit. If your child is headed off to a college, university, or other institution of higher education this fall, make sure they are up to ...

Court: Mask order didn’t violate shop’s free speech rights

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Dane County health officials didn't violate free speech protections when they cited a Middleton cafe for advertising itself as a "mask-free zone" during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Helbachs Cafe posted a sign in July 2020 saying the shop was a "mask-free zone" in defiance of a county mask mandate. The county cited the cafe three times for failing to comply with the mandate and the shop eventually lost its lease. Helbachs responded with a lawsuit alleging the county retaliated against the cafe for exercising free speech rights. A three-judge panel ...

Protect yourself, others from flu, COVID-19

MADELIA — While the coronavirus continues to be on everyone’s mind, it is still important to protect yourself from the seasonal flu by getting your annual flu shot. This year, Madelia Health is encouraging people to get a flu shot sooner rather than later. Since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against flu, people should get a flu vaccine before flu viruses begins spreading in the community. Flu vaccinations are now available at the clinics in Madelia, Truman and Lake Crystal, with no appointment necessary, ...