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The Education Department has launched investigations into five states over their bans on mask mandates in schools as a civil rights matter. (New York Times)

Is the World Health Organization (WHO) softening its stance against COVID booster shots? (Reuters)

Some scientists believe coronavirus vaccine-conferred immunity is not really waning after all, throwing the need for booster shots into question. (New York Times)

After the EU recommended member states go back to restricting American tourists, the CDC raised the travel risk alert for Germany, Switzerland, and several other European countries. (Deutsche Welle)

As of 8 a.m. EDT today, the unofficial COVID-19 toll in the U.S. was 39,058,688 cases and 638,843 deaths, increases of 259,347 and 1,304, respectively, from the same time yesterday.

Many Louisiana hospitals were able to stay open with minor damage from Hurricane Ida, while others were ripped apart and forced to evacuate patients. (AP)

Out west, residents and hospital patients were evacuated from a Lake Tahoe resort town gripped by the Caldor fire. (CNN)

A look inside the New York Pfizer lab astir with vaccine research activity. (STAT)

Johnson & Johnson said its investigational HIV vaccine failed to provide adequate protection against infection in a phase II trial; the company will continue with a larger trial using a different vaccine regimen.

Approval of brivaracetam (Briviact) for partial-onset seizures has been expanded to include kids 1 month of age and older, said drugmaker UCB.

FDA announced that a topical lidocaine product is being recalled due to super potency.

Some Virginia high school athletes will be subject to a COVID-19 vaccine mandate starting in November. (Washington Post)

Educators and parents seek help for kids going back to school with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. (Wall Street Journal)

A hospital is being forced by a judge to administer ivermectin to a COVID-19 patient who has been in the ICU for weeks. (Ohio Capital Journal)

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) suggests that the medical establishment’s skepticism of ivermectin comes down to “hatred for Donald Trump.” (The Guardian)

South African researchers warn of a new variant (C.1.2.) to worry about, though the WHO says it’s not in wide circulation. (Bloomberg, Reuters)

Kidney patients don’t have to abandon dialysis at this novel palliative care program in Washington state. (Kaiser Health News)

Spectators are back in the stands at 100% capacity at the U.S. Open tennis tournament and other sporting events. (AP)

Tech companies are still figuring out how to make mobile apps that securely verify a person’s vaccine status. (CNN)

The Persona IQ “smart” knee implant now has a tibial extension authorized by the FDA, Zimmer Biomet and Canary Medical announced.

Where to get a medical exemption from school mask mandates? A chiropractor’s office, of all places. (WFLA)

Criticized for shooting in Sydney in the middle of a lockdown, Russell Crowe’s new movie ended up pausing production due to a confirmed coronavirus case among the film crew. (Variety)

Last Updated August 31, 2021