Coronavirus Watch: Three years of COVID pandemic

As the world reaches three years of the COVID-19 pandemic, experts are looking ahead: Are we ready for the next one?

This week, health reporter Karen Weintraub takes a look at what we're up against, including manmade threats and bioterrorism. While no single action can reduce the pandemic risk to zero, there are options for a "layered defense," experts say. 

"Pathogens of various forms are very good at adapting and changing form. But modern science is very good at countering that. If we're smart and well prepared and invest strongly and robustly in it, we can substantially lower the risk," said Lawrence Gostin, a professor of public health law at Georgetown University. Read more here. 

What to know about COVID this week: 

• Variant XBB.1.5: The latest variant to sweep the country doesn't look more dangerous but appears to be five times more contagious than the first omicron variant, which was five times more contagious than the original virus.
• Will vaccines help? Vaccines and previous infections should still provide protection against hospitalization and death with XBB.1.5, but not so much against "mild" disease – which might not feel so mild. 
• In China, cases are surging and the U.S. is requiring all travelers from China to take a COVID-19 test beginning Jan. 5.  
• At-home COVID tests: The expiration date on some tests have been extended, so you should check this list from the FDA before you throw out old tests.  

Thanks for reading the Coronavirus Watch and trusting us with this important information! 

— Rachel Aretakis, health editor