Israel Banks on Evusheld; Califf Clears Hurdle; Could Terrorists Launch a Pandemic?

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Israel will start offering tixagevimab/cilgavimab (Evusheld), the long-acting monoclonal antibody combination, to immunocompromised individuals who fail to mount a sufficient response to COVID-19 vaccines. (Reuters)

Robert Califf, MD, President Biden’s pick to lead the FDA, narrowly passed a procedural vote in the Senate (49-45) and will head to the floor for a final confirmation vote. (The Hill)

New York City fired 1,430 municipal workers, less than 1% of city workforce, for not complying with its vaccine mandate. (New York Daily News)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act to take action against the ongoing protests over pandemic restrictions. (CNN)

A Turkish man with leukemia set a new record by testing positive for COVID-19 for 14 straight months; his son says his father has always been a “positive” person. (Reuters)

As state medical boards crack down on physician misinformation during the pandemic, Republicans in state office are pushing back. (Kaiser Health News)

As of Tuesday at 8 a.m. EST, the unofficial COVID toll reached 77,919,052 cases and 922,053 deaths, up 178,877 cases and 2,356 deaths versus this time a day ago.

Following the footsteps of many states, Washington, D.C., dropped its vaccination requirement to enter businesses, and will end its mask mandate next month. (Washington Post)

Meanwhile, California is easing its indoor masking rules but will keep in-school mask mandate for now. (CNN)

Can’t keep track? Here’s a state-by-state map of where and how masking is still enforced. (New York Times)

How to reach the unvaccinated elderly? Experts weigh in. (The Atlantic)

Across the pond, researchers at the University of Oxford are launching a study to evaluate the effects of COVID-19 variants and vaccination during pregnancy.

Former anti-vaxxers help vaccine-hesitant families find answers. (The Guardian)

Could a terrorist attack spark the next pandemic? (The Atlantic)

A Johnson & Johnson subsidiary taking on thousands of claims that the company’s talc-based products caused cancer faces backlash as it fights to stay in bankruptcy. (Reuters)

The FDA approved a carbidopa/levodopa fractional tablet for treating Parkinson’s disease, Avion Pharmaceuticals announced.

House democrats are demanding answers from CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH, for the agency’s public health order banning asylum seekers.

The trial involving a Major League Baseball Los Angeles Angels employee accused of giving late pitcher Tyler Skaggs fentanyl enters its second week. (Washington Post)

Another story on private equity’s reach into healthcare. (Wall Street Journal)

Pedestrian deaths are on the rise as the pandemic propels reckless driving. (New York Times)

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and wife of Prince Charles, tests positive for COVID-19. (AP)