EU kicks off debate on vaccine travel certificates European Union countries kicked off a debate on Monday on whether people who have received a COVID-19 vaccine should have greater freedom to travel in the summer than those not immunized. Philip Blenkinsop U.S.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union countries kicked off a debate on Monday on whether people who have received a COVID-19 vaccine should have greater freedom to travel in the summer than those not immunized.

A Nationwide Mask Mandate Could Add $1 Trillion To The US GDP, According To UCLA Analysis A mask mandate, combined with complementary public health measures, could have a $1 trillion impact on the U.S. GDP, says UCLA study. tomt Deadline

Implementation of a nationwide mask mandate, combined with complementary public health measures, could reduce the coronavirus’ spread to essentially zero and have a potential $1 trillion impact on the U.S. GDP, according to researchers at UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.

A new COVID-19 challenge: Mutations rise along with cases The race against the virus that causes COVID-19 has taken a new turn: Mutations are rapidly popping up, and the longer it takes to vaccinate people, the more likely it is that a variant that can... AP NEWS

The race against the virus that causes COVID-19 has taken a new turn: Mutations are rapidly popping up, and the longer it takes to vaccinate people, the more likely it is that a variant that can elude current tests, treatments and vaccines could emerge.

Israeli hospital: 98% of staff who got 2nd shot have high-level COVID antibodies * * * timesofisrael

A new serological study conducted at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan has shown 98% of hospital workers who received the second dose of the coronavirus vaccine have developed a high level of antibodies to fight off the virus.

Trump admin enlists private firm to review some Covid-19 tests The decision cuts scientists at the Food and Drug Administration out of the process. David Lim POLITICO

The Department of Health and Human Services is paying a private firm to review the accuracy of some Covid-19 tests — the latest example of the department’s political leadership attempting to bypass scientists at the Food and Drug Administration.

Latest on worldwide spread of the coronavirus The world is on the brink of "catastrophic moral failure" in sharing COVID-19 vaccines, the head of the World Health Organization said, urging countries and manufacturers to spread doses more fairly. Reuters Staff U.S.

France is on track to reach its target of vaccinating 1 million people by the end of January and has enough doses to increase the total to 2.4 million by the end of February.