Virus Briefing: C.D.C. signs off on boosters

Plus we want your advice on returning to the office.

View in browser|nytimes.com September 2, 2022 Here's your update on the coronavirus pandemic and other virus news. By Jonathan Wolfe What's left from work from home? As we head into fall, some companies are finally recalling their employees to the office (including The New York Times). With more Americans now back at their workplaces, we wanted to check in on how it's going — and ask for some advice. The long stretches of remote work changed us all. We'd like you to tell us about some of the positive changes and how you're applying them back at the office. We're interested in new habits, tricks and life hacks. What did you learn that can help everyone returning to the office? You can share your tips here. We may use your response in an upcoming newsletter. Now on to the news … TOP NEWS Erika P. Rodriguez for The New York Times Updated Booster Shots Expected Within Days as C.D.C. Signs Off The debut of Omicron-specific vaccines raises a thorny question: How long should you wait between shots? By Benjamin Mueller Jim Wilson/The New York Times What to Know: Updated Covid Boosters The F.D.A. on Wednesday authorized updated coronavirus boosters, the first time it has done so since the original vaccines were rolled out nearly two years ago. By Sharon LaFraniere Joe Raedle/Getty Images Paxlovid Cuts Covid Deaths Among Older People, Israeli Study Finds Among patients under 65, however, the drug made little difference in hospitalization or death rates. By Roni Rabin Shannon Stapleton/Reuters How the Pandemic Shortened Life Expectancy in Indigenous Communities New federal data outline the scale of suffering among Native Americans and Alaska Natives. By Simon Romero, Roni Caryn Rabin and Mark Walker Agence France-Presse — Getty Images China Locks Down Major Southern City of Chengdu The drastic response to a rise in Covid cases adds to the pressures facing Sichuan Province, which already had been dealing with drought, heat and wildfires. By Alexandra Stevenson and Zixu Wang Vincent Thian/Associated Press Mahathir, Malaysia's Former Premier, Is Hospitalized With Covid A towering figure in his country's politics, Mahathir Mohamad was admitted to the hospital for monitoring, and says he's contemplating another election run at age 97. By Richard C. Paddock What else we're following C‌oronavirus About 430,000 Britons are still suffering from long Covid, according to government data, The Guardian reports. The Washington Post reports that travel and a warming climate have accelerated the spread of pathogens. Monkeypox A new study of the Jynneos vaccine showed that it offered low levels of antibodies against monkeypox, Bloomberg reports. At least 31 cases have been reported among children in the U.S., ABC News reports. Colleges are increasingly concerned about monkeypox outbreaks, CBS reports. New York City is expanding its vaccination campaign and offering second doses, NBC New York reports. Email your thoughts to virusbriefing@nytimes.com. Did a friend forward you the briefing? Sign up here. We're off on Monday for Labor Day. I'll be back Wednesday. — Jonathan Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Virus Briefing from The New York Times. To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018