COVID-19

Royal Caribbean said that a guest on the Quantum of the Seas, shown here Wednesday in Singapore, tested positive for coronavirus after checking in with its medical team. The ship returned to port in accordance with government protocols.

World News

'Cruise To Nowhere' Returns To Singapore Early After Positive Coronavirus Test

1:21pm December 09, 2020

by Bill Chappell

The man had undergone mandatory testing before embarking on the ship. But after the journey was cut short, the man tested negative twice as authorities sought to confirm his status.

The United Arab Emirates announced Wednesday that the Chinese Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine provides 86% protection from the virus. The UAE said it has registered the vaccine following analysis by health officials.

Chinese Vaccine 86% Effective, UAE Health Ministry Says

8:32am December 09, 2020

by Jaclyn Diaz

The Sinopharm vaccine, developed by a Chinese pharmaceutical company, has already been approved for emergency use in a few countries.

Education

WS/FC Schools Considers Pay Raises For Bus Drivers, Other Essential Workers

11:02pm December 08, 2020

by Keri Brown

Bus drivers in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools system could soon get a pay bump.

Health & Safety

North Carolina Sets 10 p.m. Curfew Amid Surge In Virus

4:07pm December 08, 2020

by Associated Press and WFDD Staff

Outside City Hall on the evening of a vote on a proposed mask order in Washington, Mo., residents Ali and Duncan Whittington protest against the order, along with their 4-year-old daughter. "I'm here because I feel my freedom is being violated," Ali says.

What Changes Minds About Masks? In This Small Town, It Was A Child's Death

10:27am December 08, 2020

by Sara Shipley Hiles

Despite widespread resistance, Washington, Mo., became the latest community to flip its stance on mask wearing. The change came when the deaths hit close to home.

The authorization under consideration for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine would be for "individuals 16 years of age and older."

Health & Safety

FDA Analysis Of Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Finds It Effective And Safe

10:14am December 08, 2020

by Scott Hensley

The Food and Drug Administration finds "no specific safety concerns" that would stand in the way of authorization of the vaccine for emergency use. Effectiveness is 95% after two doses.

Roslyn Clark Artis, president of Benedict College, hosted a graduation ceremony for 180 students in the school's football stadium in August. She says she would recommend a socially distanced commencement to other colleges and universities — but she ackn

With Fall Graduation Off, But Football Still On, Students Question College Priorities

5:00am December 08, 2020

by Adedayo Akala

Many colleges have canceled December graduation ceremonies while continuing to host in-person events, like football games. One graduating senior says it feels like "a slap in the face."

People wearing face masks as a precaution against the coronavirus pass by a poster emphasizing an enhanced social distancing campaign at a bus station on Monday in Seoul.

South Korea's Health Minister Describes Seoul As A 'COVID-19 War Zone'

11:15am December 07, 2020

by Anthony Kuhn

New social distancing measures are due to take effect Tuesday evening. The government warns of an impending crisis, brought on by a third wave of infections.

Education

The New Normal: Projecting The Impact Of COVID-19 On Education

11:15pm December 06, 2020

by Louisa Joyce

You wake up, grab some breakfast, get to that first-period class, onto the second period, then third, fourth, some after-school activities, homework, and then you rinse and repeat.

Queue Listen Now

A National Health Service pharmacy technician at the Royal Free Hospital in London simulates the preparation of the Pfizer vaccine Friday for support staff training ahead of this week's rollout.

1st Doses Of COVID-19 Vaccine To Be Administered This Week In The U.K.

5:18pm December 06, 2020

by Matthew S. Schwartz

The U.K. was the first Western country to approve Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine for emergency use. In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration could vote to approve the vaccine as early as Thursday.

Queue Listen Now