The COVID death total in the United States has now passed 800,000. Measures to fight this pandemic are developing. Dr. Anthony Fauci announced that the current COVID booster shots are strong enough to address the threat of the Omicron variant. Top Democrats are at odds with Sen. Joe Manchin over the child tax credit included in the $2 trillion Build Back Better plan. Manchin would like the tax credit to be removed completely. Despite early reports that the omicron variant of COVID-19 was less severe than its previous iterations, the United Kingdom's health authority is warning that this variant is the "most significant threat" since the pandemic began.World health authorities are scrambling to contain outbreaks of COVID-19. South Korea has moved to restrict gatherings in the country amid crowding at hospitals. The WHO estimates that Africa, at its current vaccination rate, won't be 70 percent vaccinated until 2024.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.