In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Kristen R. Choi, professor of nursing and public health at UCLA. 

Topics today include: 

• The status of the nursing profession as the pandemic goes on.
• Pfizer asks the F.D.A. to allow COVID-19 vaccine for kids under 5. 
• U.S. has far higher COVID death rate than other wealthy countries. 
• A study finds that vaccines provide robust protection against Omicron. 
• Fast-spreading Omicron variant is more likely to cause reinfection. 
• Denmark halts virus restrictions. The rest of Europe is a patchwork. 
• Disneyland requires vaccines for workers but not for visitors. 
• Omicron hit poor L.A. communities of color hardest. 
• Johns Hopkins analysis finds lockdowns only reduced COVID-19 death rate by 0.2%. 

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.