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Richard Harris Award-winning journalist Richard Harris reports on biomedical research for NPR's newsmagazines, including Morning Edition and All Things Considered.
Richard Harris 2010
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Richard Harris

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Monday

Fauci to step down in December after decades of public service

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, listens as then-President Donald Trump answers questions in the press briefing room with members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force. Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images hide caption

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Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

Fauci to step down in December after decades of public service

Dr. Anthony Fauci helped guide the U.S. through the COVID crisis, and earlier in his career played a key role in the response to AIDS. He has served under seven presidents.

Tuesday

Children's Risk Of Serious Illness From COVID-19 Is As Low As It Is For The Flu

For children, the risk of serious consequences from COVID-19 is the same magnitude as the risk they face from the flu. But for parents, experts say, it's a matter of perspective. d3sign/Getty Images hide caption

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d3sign/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

Children's Risk Of Serious Illness From COVID-19 Is As Low As It Is For The Flu

Though the odds are comparable, many parents worry more about the less familiar disease. New mask guidelines have heightened anxiety. Experts explain the actual versus perceived risks of severe COVID.

Children's Risk Of Serious Illness From COVID-19 Is As Low As It Is For The Flu

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Sunday

Science

Mushroom Photographer Makes A Big Discovery

A mushroom thought extinct in the US for 100 years has been rediscovered. It's an example of the remarkable synergy between amateur and professional fungus aficionados.

Mushroom Photographer Makes A Big Discovery

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Friday

Children's Health

In Kids, The Risk Of COVID-19 And The Flu Are Similar — But The Risk Perception Isn't

The risk of serious COVID-19 illness in children is comparable to their risk from the flu, but many parents seem more concerned about coronavirus. The issue of risk perception has a lot do with it.

In Kids, The Risk Of COVID-19 And The Flu Are Similar — But The Risk Perception Isn't

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Friday

Health

CDC: Fully Vaccinated People Can Stop Wearing Masks Indoors, Outdoors

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say fully vaccinated people against COVID-19 can resume activities indoors or outdoors, in gatherings large or small, without masks or distancing.

CDC: Fully Vaccinated People Can Stop Wearing Masks Indoors, Outdoors

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Friday

Antibody Drugs For COVID-19 Are A Cumbersome Tool Against Surges

In an update on COVID-19 Wednesday, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer discussed the state's efforts to expand the use of monoclonal antibody therapy to help those diagnosed with COVID-19 avoid hospitalization. Michigan Office of the Governor/AP hide caption

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Michigan Office of the Governor/AP

Shots - Health News

Antibody Drugs For COVID-19 Are A Cumbersome Tool Against Surges

Drugs that can help keep COVID-19 patients out of the hospital are playing only a small role in Michigan, where the pandemic is accelerating. Logistical challenges are to blame.

Antibody Drugs For COVID-19 Are A Cumbersome Tool Against Surges

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Thursday

Medical Treatments

'Monoclonal Antibodies' Can Keep Coronavirus In Check, But Won't Stem Michigan Surge

Drugs that can help keep COVID-19 patients out of the hospital are playing only a small role in Michigan, where the pandemic is accelerating. Logistical challenges are to blame.

'Monoclonal Antibodies' Can Keep Coronavirus In Check, But Won't Stem Michigan Surge

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Tuesday

Wednesday

Drugs Targeting Immune Response To COVID-19 Show Promise

Deaths from COVID-19 are often due to the immune system overreacting to the coronavirus. New drugs to suppress that reaction are showing promise, say researchers. Westend61/Getty Images hide caption

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Westend61/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

Drugs Targeting Immune Response To COVID-19 Show Promise

Researchers are reporting some progress in their search for drugs that tamp down the overwhelming immune reaction that can kill a patient with COVID-19.

Drugs Targeting Immune Response To COVID-19 Show Promise

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Tuesday

Woman Gets New Windpipe In Groundbreaking Transplant Surgery

Sonia Sein with her surgeons and ICU team at The Mount Sinai Hospital. Claudia Paul/Mount Sinai Health System hide caption

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Claudia Paul/Mount Sinai Health System

Shots - Health News

Woman Gets New Windpipe In Groundbreaking Transplant Surgery

A medical team in New York City says it has performed the first complete surgical transplant of a trachea. These kinds of transplants are one of the last big transplant challenges.

Woman Gets New Windpipe In Groundbreaking Transplant Surgery

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Saturday

Health

Drugs Targeting Immune Response To COVID-19 Show Promise

Drugs to help tamp down the immune system's over-reaction in COVID-19 are showing promise and could help prevent hospital deaths.

Drugs Targeting Immune Response To COVID-19 Show Promise

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Thursday

Medical Treatments

Bad Batch Of Johnson & Johnson Vaccines Sets Back Production

A Baltimore company trying to produce COVID-19 vaccines had to throw out a bad batch of the Johnson & Johnson product. That sets back efforts to expand production of this vaccine.

Bad Batch Of Johnson & Johnson Vaccines Sets Back Production

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Saturday

Health

Vaccinated College Students Will Help Answer Critical Question About COVID Spread

Scientists have launched a study of college students to find out whether people who are vaccinated against COVID-19 can still spread the virus. That's a big unanswered question about the vaccine.

Vaccinated College Students Will Help Answer Critical Question About COVID Spread

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Thursday

Health

AstraZeneca's Latest Report Supports Effectiveness Of COVID-19 Vaccine

AstraZeneca has updated the data about its COVID-19 vaccine after criticism that its previous statement was based on incomplete information. The update still finds that the shot is safe and effective.

AstraZeneca's Latest Report Supports Effectiveness Of COVID-19 Vaccine

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Wednesday

Antibiotic Use Ran High In Early Days Of COVID-19, Despite Viral Cause

Early on in the COVID-19 pandemic antibiotics were frequently prescribed to seriously ill patients, even though the disease is caused by a virus. Win McNamee/Getty Images hide caption

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Win McNamee/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

Antibiotic Use Ran High In Early Days Of COVID-19, Despite Viral Cause

Many doctors have used antibiotics to treat COVID-19 patients, but that's largely unnecessary — and could even promote drug-resistant germs.

Antibiotic Use Ran High In Early Days Of COVID-19, Despite Viral Cause

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