Health

Health
The FDA has authorized Merck's COVID pill for home use — the second in two days
The medicine, called molnupiravir, is taken twice a day for five days and works by preventing the virus from replicating. Merck says it will have 10 million packs available by the end of the month.
Nonprofits with big COVID-19 roles now face added scrutiny
A flood of federal coronavirus money over the past year will require some Minnesota nonprofits to undergo more intensive audits for the first time.
With omicron, you need a mask that means business
To block a variant this transmissible, scientists say you need an N95 and other high-filtration mask. Here's how to find a good one and when to wear it.
Walz says he has COVID-19 symptoms
Gov. Tim Walz said Wednesday he had developed symptoms like a “tough cold” after initially not feeling the effects of COVID-19. 
COVID sent last year's U.S. death rate soaring, especially among people of color
Americans' life expectancy declined by nearly two years in 2020 compared to the year before, primarily because of COVID-19. The drop in life expectancy was bigger for men, and for Blacks and Latinos.
FDA authorizes 1st antiviral pill for COVID
In a highly anticipated decision, the Food and Drug Administration authorized Pfizer's Paxlovid as the first antiviral pill to treat COVID-19 at home.
As COVID fueled the drug crisis, Native Americans hit worst
As the pandemic ravaged the country, deaths from drug overdoses surged by nearly 30 percent, surpassing 100,000 dead for the first time in American history. The drug crisis also diversified from an overwhelmingly white affliction to killing people of color with staggering speed.