White House July 4 party will celebrate independence from COVID-19

President Biden wants to give July 4th new meaning this year and is also encouraging nationwide celebrations to mark the country’s effective return to normalcy.

Face masks now optional for vaccinated visitors at Disney World

All visitors, whether vaccinated or not, will still be required to wear face coverings on buses, monorails and Disney Skyliner, the resort’s aerial gondola, according to the latest guidelines.

COVID-19 likely in US by Christmas 2019, new blood samples suggest

Thousands of new blood samples suggest COVID-19 popped up in the U.S. in December 2019 — weeks before cases were first recognized by health officials.

Novavax says COVID-19 vaccine about 90% effective in large study

A Novavax large-stage study in the U.S. and Mexico found that its COVID-19 vaccine was about 90% effective overall and protected against variants.

Vaccine authority on COVID-19 Delta variant, inoculating children and herd immunity
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A coronavirus variant (first detected in India) has now gone global. Dr. Peter Hotez, Vaccine Authority with Baylor College of Medicine tells FOX 26 Houston more about what this means for us.

Gov. Greg Abbott has lifted almost all Texas pandemic restrictions. But not the one limiting jail releases

As he was fighting for the Legislature to change state bail laws, the governor continued his emergency order to restrict no-cost jail releases during the pandemic. At least several Texas courts have deemed the order unconstitutional.

Will we see the worst flu season on record?
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After a non-existent flu season, doctors are predicting the virus will be back with a vengeance! Dr. Richard Webby, an influenza expert, tells FOX 26 Houston why and what you can do now to protect yourself.

Going into financial debt …for fun?
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Americans want to make up for the last year with their wallets. Some say they’re even willing to go into debt to treat themselves. We speak with Lance Roberts, Chief Investment Strategist with RIA Advisors, who tells FOX 26 Houston why that’s probably not the best idea.

Long-haul COVID-19 patients report improvement from vaccine
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Some long haulers say the COVID-19 vaccine has helped improve their symptoms they couldn't shake for months after testing negative for the virus. Dr. Bela Patel, professor and director of critical care at McGovern Medical School at UT Health joins FOX 26 Houston to talk more about this.

Mass COVID-19 vaccination sites supported by DOD pared down to 5

The Department of Defense is withdrawing from several mass COVID-19 vaccination centers where it was providing operational support, leaving personnel at only five as vaccination rates slow in many areas.

Texas governor signs law prohibiting businesses from requiring vaccine passports

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed a law that prohibits any business operating in Texas from requiring vaccine passports or any vaccine information.

Slowed COVID-19 vaccinations endanger Biden’s July 4 goal

Dangling everything from sports tickets to a free beer, President Biden is looking for that extra something — anything — that will get people to roll up their sleeves for COVID-19 shots.

Nearly 100 second dose COVID-19 vaccines administered to Houston's Asian American community

The event was hosted by the Vietnamese Culture and Science Association (VCSA) which Teresa Trinh, president of the organization, says was to help make the vaccine more accessible for other members of Houston's Asian community.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee holds mobile COVID-19 vaccine drive!
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Houston congresswoman Sheila Jackson lee hosted a mobile vaccine drive on Claiborne St. Saturday. It's part of President Biden's Month of Action to get more people vaccinated by July 4th. People were able to walk up and get their shot -- no appointment was necessary.

US economy shows growth despite lacking enough workers, supplies

Barely more than a year after the coronavirus caused the steepest economic fall and job losses on record, the speed of the rebound has been so unexpectedly swift that many companies can’t fill jobs or acquire enough supplies to meet a pent-up burst of customer demand.

US adds modest 559,000 jobs amid hiring struggles
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559,000 Americans returned to work last month. That's an improvement from April's sluggish gain. The unemployment rate fell to 5.8% from 6.1% And while many analysts did expect the numbers to be a bit stronger, officials at the White House tell FOX 26 Houston it is still significant growth.

COVID-19 Vaccine incentives and appointments in Harris County
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Friday is Vaccine Awareness National Day of Action leading into a month of events and incentives to hit President Biden's goal of 70% of Americans with at least 1 shot in the arm by the 4th of July. companies, states, cities, the white house offering incentives, so Dr. Maria Rivera with Harris County Public Health is here to tell us what Houston has planned.

How to deal with social anxiety at work
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Anxiety is no joke, and Dr. Mariam Wahby with Memorial Herman Behavioral Services has some tips on how some can handle it better.