National Geographic | CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

National Geographic

Coronavirus Update

This week: How COVID-19 may also alter your personality; cases surge as a new year approaches; why variants like Omicron will keep emerging; how to use testing to stay safe; the images and stories that defined 2021.

PHOTOGRAPH BY JALAL SHAMSAZARAN, NVP IMAGES

Can COVID-19 alter your personality? Here's what brain research shows.

Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and traumatic brain injury can cause changes in behavior by altering brain anatomy. Now it seems the coronavirus can too.

RELATED: How does COVID-19 affect the brain? A troubling picture emerges. +

NG STAFF

New Year's celebrations are dialed back as COVID-19 cases surge

One day this week, the U.S. reported an astonishing 582,000-plus new cases. Compared to two weeks ago, hospitalizations are up 19 percent. The number of people who have died from COVID-19 in the U.S. now exceeds 822,000.

SEE THE NUMBERS

RELATED: New York City is once again a center of the pandemic (Washington Post) +

PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHAN ORDONEZ, AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

COVID-19 variants will keep coming until everyone can access vaccines

The emergence of Omicron underscores the consequences of vaccine inequity. Experts say it will take more than donations to fix the problem.

PHOTOGRAPH BY LENA MUCHA, THE NEW YORK TIMES VIA REDUX

5 things to know about COVID-19 tests in the age of Omicron

The new variant is highly transmissible—but much else remains unknown. Here’s how scientists suggest using tests to stay safe.

THE IMAGES AND STORIES
THAT DEFINED 2021

PHOTOGRAPH BY STEPHEN WILKES

Our second pandemic year, in pictures

It was supposed to be a triumphant year—the year we defeated COVID-19. Instead, 2021 was another roller coaster ride. New vaccines spurred optimism and reopenings, but immunization efforts were plagued by misinformation and shortages.

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE

MUHAMMAD FADLI, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

COVID-19 has killed more than 5 million people—and it's far from over

The world passed the 5 million mark in November. The global toll is now at nearly 5.5 million.

DIEGO IBARRA SANCHEZ, GETTY IMAGES

This virus will likely be with us forever. Here's how we'll live with it.

Eventually, the virus could become a much milder illness—but not until the pandemic phase ends.

THOMAS PETER, REUTERS

Why it's so tricky to trace the origin of COVID-19

There’s general consensus that the virus was not engineered. But many other elements remain a mystery.

SCOTT CAMAZINE, SCIENCE SOURCE

Struggling to assess the risks? You’re not alone.

Lots of psychological factors influence our responses to danger, as well as our willingness to make less risky decisions.

What we're reading

Our relationship with COVID vaccines is just getting started (The Atlantic) ››

The COVID antiviral drugs are here, but scarce. Here's what to know. (NPR) ››

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