Braun among GOP lawmakers sponsoring bill to ban federal mask mandates
The Indiana senator pointed to a “rising trend” in mandates being brought back at certain schools around the country.
Justice Department announces charges against hundreds of alleged COVID-19 fraudsters
More than 60 of the defendants have alleged connections to organized crime, the department said, including members of a criminal gang accused of using stolen pandemic aid to pay for a murder.
Many long-COVID symptoms linger even after two years, new study shows
People who endured even mild cases of COVID-19 are at heightened risk two years later for lung problems, fatigue, diabetes and certain other health problems typical of long COVID, according to a new study that casts fresh light on the virus’s true toll.
COVID-19 hospitalizations rising again, but numbers far off previous peaks
With an updated vaccine still months away, this summer bump in new hospitalizations might be concerning, but the number of patients is far lower than those seen in past surges.
Brain fog, other long COVID symptoms focus of new small treatment studies
Scientists don’t yet know what causes long COVID, the catch-all term for about 200 widely varying symptoms.
Fishers-based tech firm Netfor files for bankruptcy
Netfor’s CEO said an ill-timed investment in office space created financial problems for the company, but that he expects “no impact” to employees and clients as Netfor works to restructure its finances.
FDA advisers endorse updating COVID vaccines to target latest omicron strain
On Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration’s scientific advisers said the next round of shots in the U.S. should only include protection against the newest variants that are now dominant worldwide—a branch of the omicron family tree named XBB.
FDA advisers consider changing COVID vaccine to target latest omicron strain
COVID-19 vaccines are on track for a big recipe change this fall. Regulators will be making their best guess which strain to include, just like they do every year in setting the recipe for the fall flu vaccine.
Analysis: More than $400B in COVID-19 relief aid was stolen or wasted
An Associated Press analysis found that fraudsters potentially stole more than $280 billion in COVID-19 relief funding, while another $123 billion was wasted or misspent.
COVID vaccines to remain free to uninsured under Biden plan
The $1.1 billion program, funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, would allow officials to purchase coronavirus vaccine doses for uninsured Americans after the current federal supply is exhausted.
Court blocks COVID-19 vaccine mandate for federal workers
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans rejected arguments that Biden, as the nation’s chief executive, has the same authority as the CEO of a private corporation to require that employees be vaccinated.
Biden signs bill to declassify intelligence about coronavirus origins
The COVID-19 Origin Act of 2023 was authored by U.S. Senators Mike Braun of Indiana and Josh Hawley of Missouri, both Republicans.
COVID-19 pill Paxlovid moves closer to full FDA approval
The medication has been used by millions of Americans since the FDA granted it emergency use authorization in late 2021.
Lawmakers hear theories on COVID-19 origins in U.S. House hearing
Democrats and Republicans mostly agreed Wednesday that scientists and the intelligence community should fully investigate the origins of COVID-19 without political interference over whether the virus emerged from nature or through a lab leak.
COVID-related business closures not ‘physical loss’ under insurance policy, appeals court affirms
Continuing a trend in Indiana courts, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has once again ruled that COVID-related business closures do not qualify as “physical losses” eligible for insurance coverage.
Biden pushes for $1.6B funding for pandemic fraud measures
The White House is calling for money and more time to prosecute cases, to put into place new ways to prevent identity theft and to help people whose identities were stolen.
FBI director says COVID-19 ‘most likely’ originated from lab incident
Christopher Wray’s statement follows a Department of Energy analysis for a new government-wide intelligence assessment that a lab accident in Wuhan was most likely responsible for the deadly pandemic.
U.S. ending extra help for groceries that started during COVID
Nearly 30 million Americans who got extra government help with grocery bills during the pandemic will soon see that aid shrink—and there’s a big push to make sure they’re not surprised.
Tale of two downtowns: $9B set to be invested in projects, even as business district struggles with recovery
Many parts of downtown are thriving—particularly neighborhoods, where rents are rising, people have to stand in line for a lunch table, and investments are flowing. Other parts—especially downtown’s central core, where many workers might come to the office only once or twice a week—are limping along, pockmarked by vacant storefronts, panhandlers and crumbling sidewalks.
Republican-led committee targets COVID relief fraud for review
More than 1,000 people have pleaded guilty or have been convicted on federal charges of defrauding myriad COVID-19 relief programs that Congress established in the early days of the pandemic.
Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC Resources for Businesses and Employers OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 Indiana State Department of Health Indy Chamber Rapid Response Hub Small Business Administration The SBA is making low-interest loans for working capital available to Indiana small businesses. Indiana Unemployment Information Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Dashboard Critical Industries Hotline(for business and industry only)
877-820-0890
covidresponse@iedc.in.gov State’s virus-related executive orders State plan to reopen Indiana