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Two years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, China has placed many areas — including two of its largest cities, Shanghai and Shenzhen — back into lockdown for its worst outbreaks since 2020. This is an ominous development in a country that has, so far, effectively controlled the pandemic virus that first emerged within its borders. (Saad B. Omer, 3/18)

On a recent saturday, around the time that millions of Americans were preparing for a night of unmasked socializing indoors, the Unitarian pastor John Pavlovitz told his 380,000 Twitter followers, “More people have died from COVID over the last two days than in the 9/11 attacks—but I’m glad so many of you are over the pandemic.” Pressed for an explanation of that sarcastic statement, he explained, “I am double-vaxxed and boosted and wear a mask whenever I’m at the store or a public space. I canceled my gym membership two years ago and work out at home.” (Conor Friedersdorf, 3/17)

In conventional medicine, illnesses without definitive markers of disease are often described as “medically unexplained.” As a medical anthropologist who has studied the controversy over whether treated Lyme disease can become chronic, I’ve been struck by the similarities between long Covid and other contested illnesses like chronic Lyme disease and myalgic encephalomyelitis, more familiarly known as chronic fatigue syndrome. (Abigail A. Dumes, 3/17)

COVID-19 has been catastrophic on nearly every measure. Even if you emerge from the pandemic unscathed, the chance that you may have undetected conditions still remains — especially if you have postponed or had regular medical visits canceled. Debilitating, sometimes fatal, diseases and disorders often are impossible to notice without medical assistance that established, routine care can uncover. Too many people have surrendered a couple of years of care that could have prevented many downstream problems. (Mohamed Abou Shousha, 3/17)

In a now-viral video, hundreds of students and teachers gathered to welcome two Ukrainian children, refugees of war, on their first day of school in Naples, Italy. In an entrance hall, the throngs lined a staircase and balcony as they applauded, cheered, and waved small Ukrainian flags. It was a stirring moment to watch this brother and sister, who had lost so much in their homeland, being embraced in a new country. But there was also this sign that their well-being will be paramount in their new school — every student, teacher, and staff member wore a face mask. So did the two children. (Renee Graham, 3/18)