China’s financial hub of Shanghai launched a two-stage lockdown of its 26 million residents on March 28, closing bridges and tunnels and restricting highway traffic in a scramble to contain surging COVID-19 cases.

Global COVID-19 infections hit a record high over the past seven-day period, Reuters data showed on December 29, as the Omicron variant raced out of control and governments tried to contain its spread without paralyzing fragile economies.

Americans are increasingly turning away from the coronavirus and focusing their attention elsewhere – especially toward rising consumer prices and other economic areas where Democrats are less trusted – Reuters/Ipsos polling shows, a shift that could favor Republicans in the 2022 midterm elections.

As we continue to sift through the barrage of information regarding survival rates, resurgence, vaccines, and secondary illnesses, COVID-19 and its economic impact continues to be a primary global burden. In the midst of those serious concerns, the health and life sciences (HLS) industry continues its accelerated journey of perpetual assessment and evolution. As the industry emerges from the pandemic effect, leaders are realizing that COVID-19 has provided crucial learnings to their organizations that will benefit the entire industry, according to Astound Commerce’s Tina Wilson.

Confusion and complacency in addressing Covid-19 means the pandemic is a long way from over, but it can be brought under control in months with proven public health measures, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on April 12.

President Joe Biden told U.S. states on March 11 to make all adults eligible for a coronavirus vaccine by May 1 and urged Americans to stay vigilant or face more restrictions, hours after he signed a $1.9 trillion stimulus bill into law.

President Joe Biden scored his first legislative win as the House of Representatives passed his $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package early Feb. 27, though Democrats face challenges to their hopes of using the bill to raise the minimum wage.

Jon Bigelow, Thayer Pond Solutions

Fighting COVID-19 – both the pandemic and the recession it provoked – is President Biden’s top priority, and he is asking Congress to pass two huge economic packages. Few dispute that more relief and stimulus is needed. There’s a growing risk, however, that the new fiscal reality facing the federal government resurrects the idea of a pharma marketing tax.

Pfizer Chief Executive Officer Albert Bourla said his company supports Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus-focused plan that is intended to boost vaccination efforts and address the pandemic.

U.S. President-elect Joe Biden said he would order increased production of syringes and other supplies to ramp up vaccinations against Covid-19 and improve upon the Trump administration rollout that he called a “dismal failure.”