Skip to main content The claim: The “delta” in delta variant means “deep sleep”The delta coronavirus variant has caused a sharp spike in cases around the country, according to public health officials..But some people online say there’s something even more sinister about the delta variant: its name. “You’re under a spell,” reads text in a July 31 post on Facebook, which has more than 1,400 shares. “Delta variant. Delta = Deep sleep.”The text is overlaid on a photo that depicts a man sleepwalking, with faded images of Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute... Read More

Skip to main content This content is only available to USA TODAY subscribers.Subscribe for as low as $4.99 per month.Your subscription includes access to:Exclusive, subscriber-only content and weekly email newsletterOur most popular newsletter, Daily Briefing, to keep you updated on the day’s top storiesFull access on your desktop, tablet and mobile deviceThe eNewspaper, a digital replica of the print editionOriginal reporting that provides diverse perspectives on news and issues of todayWe know you have many choices and appreciate you investing in us and the future of journalism.This content... Read More

ESPN host and analyst Jay Williams won’t broadcast the remaining games of the NBA Finals because he has tested positive for coronavirus. Williams, who in a video posted online said he is vaccinated, is “doing OK.” He will, however, miss the remainder of the NBA Finals in his role as an analyst on ABC’s live on-site studio coverage during games alongside Maria Taylor, Adrian Wojnarowski and Jalen Rose. “The last couple of days for me have been challenging. But I wanted to be the first to tell you guys that you will not see me at Game 5, Game 6 or a potential Game... Read More

Skip to main content This content is only available to USA TODAY subscribers.Subscribe for as low as $4.99 per month.Your subscription includes access to:Exclusive, subscriber-only content and weekly email newsletterOur most popular newsletter, Daily Briefing, to keep you updated on the day’s top storiesFull access on your desktop, tablet and mobile deviceThe eNewspaper, a digital replica of the print editionOriginal reporting that provides diverse perspectives on news and issues of todayWe know you have many choices and appreciate you investing in us and the future of journalism.This content... Read More

DALLAS — Emmitt Smith extended his hand to 14-year-old high school receiver Chase Walton. Walton, reaching out from beneath a rolled-up sleeve, clasped the Pro Football Hall of Fame running back’s palm in return.“Trust me, I got my shots, too,” Smith told Walton at a Dallas vaccine clinic Tuesday afternoon. “It’s going to be all right.”Walton closed his eyes tightly and received his first dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine.“You really truly are protecting someone else when you protect yourself,” Smith added. “It’s up to someone else now to do what you just did so they can... Read More

CLOSEThe hypothesis claiming the coronavirus leaked from a Wuhan lab is “plausible” and deserves further investigation, a report on the origins of COVID-19 from a U.S. government laboratory said.The study, prepared in May 2020, was received in October 2020 by the State Department, when the department investigated the pandemic’s origins, reported the Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the classified document.  The report comes as questions grow about whether the virus was the result of an accident in a Chinese laboratory or spread through other means. President... Read More

CLOSEHappy Friday on this holiday weekend! I’m wishing you all a nice Memorial Day on Monday as we honor the women and men who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. military. Interesting fact (as reported by history.com): Memorial Day, which began in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971, was originally known as Decoration Day.Just one tiny warning: If you’re in the Fresno area and you’re planning to spend time in a city park, be sure not to annoy any lizards there because, believe it or not, to do so is against the law.I’m... Read More

CLOSE A day after the CDC issued new masking guidelines, retailers started announcing changes to mask policies for fully vaccinated customers. WochitOhioans on Tuesday began registering for the Vax-a-Million lottery and a chance to claim $1 million cash prizes or college scholarships if they can prove receiving at least one COVID-19 vaccination shot.Drawings for the lottery, designed to combat vaccine hesitancy, are scheduled to take place on five consecutive Wednesdays starting May 26 on live TV.”We have heard that local health departments and pharmacies are seeing more people coming in... Read More

CLOSE How “conspiracy theories” are working against the goal of getting Americans vaccinated for COVID-19. USA TODAYAs a federal advisory committee meets Wednesday to sign off on allowing one vaccine to go into adolescent arms, the White House reportedly said on a call that states won’t receive any doses for another next week.A new supply of Johnson & Johnson vaccines, which have faced production problems, wasn’t immediately available for ordering Tuesday, according to Politico. The vaccine output has been limited since its authorization in late February — and in... Read More

Skip to main content This content is only available to USA TODAY subscribers.Subscribe for as low as $4.99 per month.Your subscription includes access to:Exclusive, subscriber-only content and weekly email newsletterOur most popular newsletter, Daily Briefing, to keep you updated on the day’s top storiesFull access on your desktop, tablet and mobile deviceThe eNewspaper, a digital replica of the print editionOriginal reporting that provides diverse perspectives on news and issues of todayWe know you have many choices and appreciate you investing in us and the future of journalism.This content... Read More