Free Republic

And then there’s this observation about the timing of the emergence of this variant: Kristian Andersen, an infectious disease researcher, estimates the virus emerged sometime way back in late September or early October, which suggests it is spreading very slowly. McClatchy reported late Wednesday that “Even before omicron was first detected in South Africa, state and local labs were collecting the genetic sequences of 15,000 to 20,000 diagnostic tests each week, allowing scientists to keep track of what COVID-19 variants were circulating in communities across the country. Thousands more are collected by private labs and academic institutions.” So omicron may...

Vatican City, Dec 31, 2020 / 09:20 am MT (CNA).- Because of sciatic pain, Pope Francis will not preside at the Vatican's liturgies on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, according to the Holy See press office. Pope Francis was scheduled to lead vespers on Dec. 31, and to offer Mass on Jan. 1, for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, in St. Peter's Basilica. The director of the Vatican press office, Matteo Bruni, stated Dec. 31 that the pope would no longer be doing so "due to a painful sciatica." Pope Francis has suffered from sciatica for...