Abby Cheng

In his weekly appearance on Idaho Matters, former CEO of St. Luke’s Health System Dr. David Pate said the COVID-19 vaccine is still the best protection against the coming omicron variant. The variant is in the U.S. but has not yet been identified in Idaho.

Going into the holiday weekend, two medical experts are offering their perspective on the current COVID-19 situation in Idaho.

The West Ada school district decided this week that masks will no longer be mandatory starting Nov. This comes during a national uptick of COVID-19 cases and the beginning of flu season.

Boise resident Anthony Doerr’s latest novel Cloud Cuckoo Land is a finalist for the National Book Award. Doerr appeared this week on Idaho Matters to discuss the book.

Nov. 11 marked the 10-year anniversary of the Rock of Honor Veterans Memorial in Meridian. Mayor Robert Simison hosted a small gathering Thursday morning for the occasion.

Statewide, COVID-19 hospitalizations are going down, but Crisis Standards of Care remain in place. As the holiday season approaches, medical experts worry how large gatherings will affect transmission rates.

On Nov. 2, Boise State celebrated Dia de los Muertos with food, music, dancing and ofrendas, or altars honoring loved ones. But student leaders claimed the event was more than just a cultural celebration: it was an opportunity for communities to uplift the marginalized.

Children can now get immunized against COVID-19. Tuesday, the CDC advisory committee unanimously approved a two-dose Pfizer vaccine. Idahoans have already started signing their children up for shots. Abby Cheng reports.

Idaho continues to report a very high COVID-19 positivity rate — as high as 20% when most states are seeing 5% or lower. Local medical experts insist that widespread vaccination is the key to controlling viral transmission.

November 1 marks the beginning of Dia de los Muertos, a two-day celebration to honor loved ones and spend time with friends and family. This year, Student Equity leaders at Boise State University invite the public to join the festivities.