Another Covid Twist

What to know about the new variant. August 11, 2023 Is the American Dream dead? A mom went viral on TikTok for her impassioned speech about the catch-22 that is our economy, so we asked a finance expert to weigh in on [how young people can keep up](. Speaking of keeping up, there’s [yet another new Covid variant]( making the rounds, and we’ve got the scoop on whether you should get a booster now. We also dive into [what actually causes food cravings]( and I’m sharing [my peach cake recipe]( that, fair warning, is seriously addictive. Read on!   In the News [a vaccine vial]( Getty Images Another Layer of Protection America might have returned to business as usual, but sadly, we haven’t seen the last of Covid-19. A new variant is driving an uptick in worldwide cases. We’ve got the details on [how it compares with previous strains]( and the revised vaccines on the way. The latest twist: EG.5 (or “Eris") is an Omicron subvariant that’s causing about 17% of U.S. Covid-19 cases. It’s also behind upticks in China, South Korea, Japan, and Canada, among other countries. What experts are saying: The World Health Organization has already classified EG.5 as a “variant of interest.” While it’s more transmissible than other strains, the good news is that it doesn’t seem any more deadly. Will new boosters protect you? Moderna, Pfizer, and Novavax are expected to have updated Covid-19 boosters ready by late September, but they likely won’t be rolled out until October. They don’t target the latest strain, but they do offer some protection and aim to create broader immunity to the virus. Here’s more on [how the new shots differ from previous boosters]( and whether you should consider getting one. [READ MORE]( PASS THIS STORY ALONG: mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20Wake-Up%20Call%21&body=https%3A%2F%2Fkatiecouric.com%2Fhealth%2Fnew-covid-variant-eg5-booster-shot%2F   More Stories [Scorched coastline of Maui]( Getty Images "Like a bomb went off": The death toll caused by the [catastrophic wildfires incinerating Maui has risen to 55](, and is expected to climb even higher. "We will continue to see loss of life," Gov. Josh Green said, adding that the fires are likely the biggest natural disaster in the state's history. Nearly 11,000 people remain without power, up to 1,700 buildings have been destroyed, and water shortages persist across the island. Thousands of people have been displaced, and the historic hub of Lahaina has been decimated. Supremes school Sacklers: The Supreme Court has blocked Purdue Pharma from declaring bankruptcy, a move that would've shielded the Sackler family from opioid-related civil claims. It's still another delay for plaintiffs who are suing the family and company, whose painkiller OxyContin has been widely blamed for sparking the opioid crisis. The Sacklers, who've already withdrawn billions from the company, have agreed to contribute up to $6 billion to its reorganization — but only if they're freed from civil liability. Ominous: We've heard about AI's [forays into porn](, [political lobbying](, and [music]( (and we get into its impact on medicine below!) but we should definitely keep an eye on this disturbing new development too. Videos created by PragerU, a right-wing group known for its misleading content, may be making their way into classrooms. Examples that have already done the rounds on social media include an artificially reanimated Frederick Douglas [describing slavery as a "compromise" for the "benefit of the U.S."]( Women's World Cup: Sweden fended off a late comeback from Japan this morning, beating the team 2-1 to set up a semifinal standoff against Spain. Sweden's victory marks yet another unexpected upset in the tournament, which Japan has dominated until now. It's anyone's guess who the trophy goes to at this point — particularly with the two-time defending champion (the, ahem, U.S.) already out of the picture.   Game-Changers This year marks a full decade of Humana's Game Changer program, spotlighting the impressive athletes who participate in the National Senior Games. These competitors break senior stereotypes and exemplify healthy aging — and prove that excellence has no age limit. [Check out some highlights here]( for a serious dose of inspiration. [READ MORE]( [Sponsored by Humana](   Must-Reads [Robot hand handing stethoscope to human hand with a white sleeve]( The Cutting-Edge A.I. isn’t just being used in journalism — it’s also being integrated into medicine. Here’s how this tech could change healthcare. [Read More »]( [Illustration of human head with snacks in the brain]( Why You Want It How come we don’t get a hankering for kale? Here's everything you need to know about cravings and why you shouldn't fight them. [Read More »]( [Illustration of two women with their arms crossed, mad at each other]( Damage Control Ending a friendship is often painful, but sometimes necessary. We have tips on how to break things off with a pal gracefully. [Read More »](   On the Record The result of Ohio's special election on Tuesday is being hailed as a major win for abortion advocates, and some are saying it may cause the G.O.P. to adjust their stance on reproductive rights. Patrick Brown, a fellow at the conservative Ethics and Public Policy Center, [told Politico](, “Some think that only a total ban is acceptable. But we see, over and over again, that such an uncompromising position doesn’t have support. There’s no political appetite for that.”   First-Person [Blonde-haired mom in her car with the words ''where did the American dream go?'' and a screenshot of TikTok comments]( KCM/TikTok A Gen X mom (pictured above) went super-viral on TikTok for her speech on how the cost of living, higher education, and healthcare have soared while wages haven’t come close to keeping up — making it near-impossible for younger generations to achieve the American Dream. But does that mean Gen Z is doomed to living in their parents’ basements? Financial expert Farnoosh Torabi sounds off on [how to get creative during tough economic times](. [READ MORE](   Extra Credit Flick fix: HBO might have changed its name, but its supply of classic films isn’t going anywhere. Here are [the best movies on Max right now](. Deal alert: At just $30, this [breezy cotton maxi dress]( has a very favorable cost-to-wear ratio — especially when you consider that it’s got pockets! Peachy keen: Don’t let those fruits in your fridge go bad! [My peach upside-down cake]( is a real show-stopper, and a creative way to make use of summer produce.   Dive In [EltaMD hand cream, Augustinus Bader hand treatment, Supergoop! hand screen, and Beauty Pie super retinol hand treatment on a green background]( KCM You’re probably already diligently applying SPF on your face, but did you know your hands get some of the most sun exposure? That can lead to unwanted wrinkles and age spots over time. Add preventative and corrective care to your routine with these products, all made to help hydrate, protect, and treat aging hands. - [Beauty Pie's hand cream]( is packed with retinol, which has potent anti-aging results. - ...And if you do use a retinol, you'll want to load up on SPF. [Supergoop's handscreen]( is specifically made for your mitts. The multitasking formula moisturizes while it protects. - WUC readers are big fans of EltaMD's mineral sunscreen, and their [ultra-hydrating hand cream]( it’s packed with ceramides and Vitamin E to help restore moisture, and Sclareolide to target pigmentation. - If you have the room to splurge, consider [Augustinus Bader’s hand treatment](. It has the same luxurious feel as the uber-popular Rich Cream, but it’s made for soft and supple hands.   [Know it all, and help your friends catch up, too. Share Wake-Up Call and you'll earn some superb swag.](   Thank you for reading Wake-Up Call and being part of our community! If you have questions or comments, drop us a line at info@katiecouric.cominfo@katiecouric.com. See you tomorrow! [Alternate text] [For the best experience, read in browser.]( Update your preferences or [unsubscribe]( If you buy something through this email, KCM may earn a commission. 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