William Schaffner

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Ray Meeks, a 70-year-old crossing guard, wears a mask daily as he helps school kids get across a busy street in Maplewood, New Jersey. (Tom Howell Jr./The Washington Times)

No mandate needed: Voluntary mask-wearing gains cultural foothold in post-COVID America

By Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times

This electron microscope image provided by the National Institutes of Health shows human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) virions, colorized blue, and anti-RSV F protein/gold antibodies, colorized yellow, shedding from the surface of human lung cells. The U.S. approved the first vaccine for RSV on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 shots to protect older adults against a respiratory virus that’s most notorious for attacking babies but endangers their grandparents, too. (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH via AP)

U.S. approves 1st vaccine for RSV after decades of attempts

By Lauran Neergaard - Associated Press

Walgreens is now offering flu shots for everyone ages 3 and up by walk-in or appointment at more than 9,000 store locations nationwide to help protect communities from vaccine-preventable illnesses such as influenza. (Photo: Business Wire)

‘Twindemic’ possible as flu season approaches, health experts warn

By Shen Wu Tan - The Washington Times

$In this April 21, 2021, file photo, a registered dons protective gear before entering a room at a hospital in Royal Oak, Mich. In 2021, U.S. hospitalizations and deaths are nearly all among the unvaccinated, and real-world data from Britain and Israel support that protection against the worst cases remains strong. What scientists call breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated make up a small fraction of cases. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) ** FILE **$

What experts know about COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough infections

By Shen Wu Tan - The Washington Times

New daily coronavirus cases in the U.S. are hovering around 60,000 as most states are recording increases in infections, particlulary in the South and West. Health experts worry that younger people, who may develop mild symptoms, if any, are infecting more vulnerable populations. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Coronavirus hospitalizations rise, forcing states to reimpose restrictions

By Shen Wu Tan - The Washington Times

Medical personnel from Montgomery County, Md., check patients arriving for COVID-19 drive-in testing in Silver Spring, Md., Tuesday, April 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) ** FILE **

Coronavirus-related questions on immunity, treatments, reopening still unanswered

By Shen Wu Tan - The Washington Times

People wear masks as they wait in line at Costco Saturday, April 4, 2020, in Salt Lake City. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now advising Americans to voluntarily wear a basic cloth or fabric face mask to help curb the spread of the new coronavirus. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

What experts say about wearing cloth masks

By Shen Wu Tan - The Washington Times

Health experts say those 60 and older and with underlying medical conditions have the biggest risk of developing a more serious coronavirus illness. (Associated Press/File)

Coronavirus risk tied to medical history

By Shen Wu Tan - The Washington Times

This 2017 image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows the kinds of facial hairstyles which will work with a tight-sealing respirator. On Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, The Associated Press reported on stories circulating online incorrectly asserting that the CDC recommends people shave off facial hair to protect against the new coronavirus. Tom Skinner, a spokesman for the CDC, told the AP in an email that the “NIOSH graphic was developed several years ago and is intended for professionals who wear respirators for worker protection. (CDC, NIOSH, NPPTL via AP)

NOT REAL NEWS: An outbreak of virus-related misinformation

By BEATRICE DUPUY and ARIJETA LAJKA - Associated Press

Ana Farfan reacts to getting an influenza vaccine shot at Eastfield College in Mesquite, Texas, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020. According to the Dallas County Health and Human Services Department, who offered the free flu vaccinations, Dallas County reported its 11th-flu related death of the 2019-2020 season on Wednesday. This flu season started early and all but two states reported widespread outbreaks by the week ended Jan. 11, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Flu risk far greater than coronavirus, health experts warn

By Shen Wu Tan - The Washington Times

Passengers wear protective face masks at the departure hall of the high speed train station in Hong Kong on Thursday. China closed off a city of more than 11 million people Thursday, halting transportation and warning against public gatherings. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

China locks down at least six cities to contain coronavirus outbreak

By Shen Wu Tan - The Washington Times

In this Jan. 12, 2018, file photo, a medical assistant at a community health center gives a patient a flu shot in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

U.S. should expect moderate to severe flu season, health experts say

By Shen Wu Tan - The Washington Times

FILE - In this May 27, 2013 file photo a needle with tetanus vaccine is prepared by a nurse practitioner on a tornado ravaged street in Moore, Okla. An unvaccinated 6-year-old Oregon boy was hospitalized for two months for tetanus and almost died of the bacterial illness after getting a deep laceration on his forehead while playing on a farm, according to a case study published Friday, March 8, 2019 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki,File)

CDC: Unvaccinated Oregon boy almost dies of tetanus

By GILLIAN FLACCUS - Associated Press

In this March 20, 2015, photo, Jabir Hennix, left, and Sia Leleua grind up used bars of soap at Clean the World in Las Vegas. The non-profit initiative recycles soap from hotels to distribute in developing countries. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Group hopes recycled hotel soap helps save lives worldwide

By BRIAN SKOLOFF - Associated Press

Dr. Mariel Milan, right, joins other pediatric residents from the University of Mississippi Medical Center as they confer with state Sen. Will Longwitz, R-Madison, about childhood vaccinations during a visit to the Capitol, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015, in Jackson, Miss. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mississippi has the highest measles immunization rate in the country for children entering kindergarten. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

William Schaffner, infectious diseases doctor: Measles spread by wealthy — not illegals

By Cheryl K. Chumley - The Washington Times

Measles off to a fast start, as cases trend up

By MIKE STOBBE - Associated Press

Meningitis victims face long, uncertain recovery

By TAMARA LUSH - Associated Press

Elephant spread TB to workers at Tenn. sanctuary

By MIKE STOBBE - Associated Press