Plus: The Covid-19 headlines you need to know, a distraction, and something to read.
By Eve Sneider | 01.03.22 | The fight against Omicron, boosters for kids, and changes to vaccine passes in South Korea. Here's what you should know: |  | Covid will become endemic—but the world must decide what that means (WIRED) The onset of a highly transmissible new variant wasn't the conclusion to 2021 that anyone wanted. But this new wave, fueled by the Omicron variant, shows that 2022 will require more than just vaccinations—masking, testing, and other interventions will be necessary as well. Improving and abiding by all of these measures will help lay the groundwork for when Covid becomes endemic, which experts say is the likely outcome of the pandemic. Endemicity doesn't mean people won't ever get severely infected anymore; rather, it means that immunity and infections will become steady and therefore, one hopes, easier to plan for and live with. The FDA expands booster eligibility to some kids and amends guidance on timing (CNBC) Today the FDA announced several changes to its vaccine guidelines. Children ages 12 to 15 will now be eligible for booster doses of Pfizer-BioNTech's shot. The agency also announced that people can get their Pfizer boosters five months after their second dose, rather than six. Those who got two doses of Moderna are still advised to wait at least six months after their second shot to get a booster, and those who got a vaccine from Johnson & Johnson are still eligible two months after their first dose. Additionally, the FDA authorized third doses for immune-compromised children ages 5 to 11. South Korea introduces expiration dates for vaccine passes (The New York Times) Starting today, vaccine passes in South Korea will expire in six months if people don't get a booster shot. The passes are issued 14 days after residents get a second dose and are required for people to go to restaurants, movie theaters, and other public facilities. Results from a negative PCR test in the last 48 hours are accepted as well. People and places that don't abide by these guidelines will face fines or administrative action starting next week. Other countries have also begun incorporating boosters into their requirements. In the European Union, for example, certificates of initial vaccinations will expire after nine months. | | TikTok's algorithm is notorious for predicting what viewers want to see with uncanny accuracy. But users would be remiss to outsource their sense of self to AI. | | When WIRED was founded in 1993, it promised to explore the excitement and optimism of emerging tech. But in 2022, attitudes toward technology aren't quite so rosy, and WIRED is shifting its focus to meet the moment. | | Rapid Covid-19 tests are good to have—and hard to come by—amid the most recent surge. Here are a few places to look for them and tips for using them properly. | |
