Wellness Wednesday: The Latest On COVID And Omicron Variant

Published December 8, 2021 at 9:18 AM EST

A sign of COVID-19 testing site is seen in Times Square on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, in New York. The omicron variant of COVID-19, which had been undetected in the U.S. before the middle of this week, had been discovered in at least five states by the end of Thursday, showing yet again how mutations of the virus can circumnavigate the globe with speed and ease.

As the medical community scrambles to learn more about the omicron variant, two new COVID-19 pills show promise in working against all versions of the virus.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected to soon authorize a pill made by Merck called molnupiravir, which reduces the risk of hospitalization and death.

Another antiviral pill developed by Pfizer may perform even better and could receive authorization by the end of the year.

Today on Wellness Wednesday on All Sides with Ann Fisher, we discuss the latest on COVID and the omicron variant, the approval of e-cigarettes by the FDA to help adults quit tobacco and a look at AIDS/HIV today.

Guests:

Jennifer Maloney, reporter for The Wall Street Journal
Holly Watt, medical social worker at Equitas Health Institue

Related Link:

Equitas Health Institue

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