Who is Susan Monarez? Sentae confirms new CDC director for Trump administration
Monarez, 50, was named acting director in January and then tapped as the nominee in March after Trump abruptly withdrew his first choice, David Weldon.
The Atlanta-based federal agency, tasked with tracking diseases and responding to health threats, has been hit by widespread staff cuts, key resignations and heated controversy over long-standing CDC vaccine policies upended by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
At her confirmation hearing, Monarez said she values vaccines and rigorous scientific evidence, but she largely dodged questions about her dealings with Kennedy, an antivaccine activist who has sought to dismantle some of the agency's previous protocols and decisions.
With the 51-47 vote in favor of Monarez, she becomes the first CDC director to pass through Senate confirmation under a 2023 law.
She holds a doctorate in microbiology and immunology from the University of Wisconsin, and did postdoctoral research at Stanford University. Prior to the CDC, Monarez was largely known for her government roles in health technology and biosecurity.
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Economic Times
27 minutes ago
- Economic Times
US hit by summer Covid surge? Check states on high-risk list, symptoms and preventive measures
Synopsis The US is experiencing a summer surge in COVID-19 cases, with infections rising in 40 states, particularly in the South and West. New variants like Nimbus and Stratus are driving the increase, causing symptoms similar to previous Omicron strains. The symptoms of Covid include sore throat, fever of chills, headache and more. Reuters Covid-19 is trending up in many mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Southern, and West Coast states Is the United States seeing a surge in the Covid cases during the Summer season? The answer is Yes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the US is currently experiencing a summer surge in infections.A summer wave of Covid-19 appears to be sweeping across the United States of America, with data showing cases are rising in the country and emergency room visits are up among all age groups. The number of people with COVID-19 in the U.S. is low but increasing, according to CDC data released recently. Covid-19 is trending up in many mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Southern, and West Coast states, reported The Hill. The agency said infections are 'growing or likely growing' in 40 states, based on emergency department visit data as of July 29. Infections were unchanged in nine states.A recent uptick in transmission fueled by highly contagious new variants is causing an increasing number of Americans to come down with sore throats, fevers and other COVID symptoms. The CDC has flagged that the weekly percentage of emergency department visits among people diagnosed with COVID-19 is low but growing. Visits were highest for children younger than 4 years old, which experts said makes sense because many remain unvaccinated. ALSO READ: $1,702 stimulus check in August: Last chance to apply for PDF closes soon. Check key dates, eligibility, tax implication Although the CDC says the level of COVID viral activity in wastewater remains 'low' nationally, at least 10 states are reporting "high" or "very high" levels as of July 12. Hard-hit states include California, Florida and Texas. The CDC reports that coronavirus viral activity in wastewater is currently low nationwide, with only Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, California, Alaska, and Texas recording 'high' or 'very high' levels."We are seeing an increase in COVID-19 with higher SARS-CoV-2 virus activity in wastewater and small rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations," Dr. Albert Ko, professor of public health, epidemiology and medicine at Yale School of Public Health, tells virus that causes COVID-19, called SARS-CoV-2, continues to mutate, giving rise to highly transmissible new variants that have evolved to better evade immunity. These include NB.1.8.1 aka "Nimbus," which causes a painful 'razor blade throat." Nimbus is now the dominant variant in the U.S., accounting for 43% of cases as of June 21, per the latest CDC a new variant with a similar cloud-themed nickname, XFG, aka "Stratus," is spreading rapidly worldwide and causing an increasing proportion of cases in the U.S. Stratus is now the third most prevalent strain, nationally.'NB.1.18.1 (Nimbus) and XFG (Stratus) appear to be more transmissible compared to other variants,' says Ko. ALSO READ: Teens can be ICE agents as US drops age cap. Check eligibility criteria, benefits and more The recent rise in COVID-19 cases marks the beginning of an expected summer wave in the U.S., Dr. William Schaffner, professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told the past four years, there have been two waves of COVID each year. It's like a two-hump camel. There's the summer wave that abates in the fall, and then the winter wave,' says Schaffner. Covid activity tends to ramp up in the mid-summer, when travel peaks and people are increasingly gathering indoors in the air-conditioning.'We have been anticipating this rise, and this is just about the time when we would expect to see it,' Schaffner present, Covid-19 cases are highest in the West and South, but this may change as the summer wave continues, experts say. The list of affected states are:ConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaIndianaKentuckyLouisianaMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriNew JerseyNew YorkNorth CarolinaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaSouth CarolinaTennesseeTexasUtahVirginiaWashingtonWisconsinAdditionally, wastewater surveillance data from the CDC as of July 29 show the states with the highest wastewater levels of SARS-CoV-2 are Alabama, Alaska, California, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii. Kentucky, Louisiana and Texas. ALSO READ: Deadly Legionnaire's disease outbreak in New York kills 3 and symptoms are similar to Covid. How you can protect yourself The Stratus and Nimbus variants appear to be causing symptoms similar to those caused by recent omicron throatFever or chillsCoughShortness of breathHeadacheMuscle achesCongestion or runny noseFatigueNew loss of sense of smell or tasteNausea or vomitingDiarrheaDuring a summer surge, there are simple actions people can take to protect themselves and others from COVID-19, the experts up to date on COVID if you have symptoms or a COVID if you're an N95 mask in crowded, indoor social distancing.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
US hit by summer Covid surge? Check states on high-risk list, symptoms and preventive measures
40 US states hit hard by Covid Live Events Is there a summer surge of Covid cases in US? Symptoms of COVID Summer 2025 Common COVID-19 symptoms in 2025 include: How to Protect Yourself From COVID-19 (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Is the United States seeing a surge in the Covid cases during the Summer season? The answer is Yes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the US is currently experiencing a summer surge in infections.A summer wave of Covid-19 appears to be sweeping across the United States of America, with data showing cases are rising in the country and emergency room visits are up among all age groups. The number of people with COVID-19 in the U.S. is low but increasing, according to CDC data released is trending up in many mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Southern, and West Coast states, reported The Hill. The agency said infections are 'growing or likely growing' in 40 states, based on emergency department visit data as of July 29. Infections were unchanged in nine states.A recent uptick in transmission fueled by highly contagious new variants is causing an increasing number of Americans to come down with sore throats, fevers and other COVID symptoms. The CDC has flagged that the weekly percentage of emergency department visits among people diagnosed with COVID-19 is low but growing. Visits were highest for children younger than 4 years old, which experts said makes sense because many remain the CDC says the level of COVID viral activity in wastewater remains 'low' nationally, at least 10 states are reporting "high" or "very high" levels as of July 12. Hard-hit states include California, Florida and CDC reports that coronavirus viral activity in wastewater is currently low nationwide, with only Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, California, Alaska, and Texas recording 'high' or 'very high' levels."We are seeing an increase in COVID-19 with higher SARS-CoV-2 virus activity in wastewater and small rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations," Dr. Albert Ko, professor of public health, epidemiology and medicine at Yale School of Public Health, tells virus that causes COVID-19, called SARS-CoV-2, continues to mutate, giving rise to highly transmissible new variants that have evolved to better evade immunity. These include NB.1.8.1 aka "Nimbus," which causes a painful 'razor blade throat." Nimbus is now the dominant variant in the U.S., accounting for 43% of cases as of June 21, per the latest CDC a new variant with a similar cloud-themed nickname, XFG, aka "Stratus," is spreading rapidly worldwide and causing an increasing proportion of cases in the U.S. Stratus is now the third most prevalent strain, nationally.'NB.1.18.1 (Nimbus) and XFG (Stratus) appear to be more transmissible compared to other variants,' says recent rise in COVID-19 cases marks the beginning of an expected summer wave in the U.S., Dr. William Schaffner, professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told the past four years, there have been two waves of COVID each year. It's like a two-hump camel. There's the summer wave that abates in the fall, and then the winter wave,' says Schaffner. Covid activity tends to ramp up in the mid-summer, when travel peaks and people are increasingly gathering indoors in the air-conditioning.'We have been anticipating this rise, and this is just about the time when we would expect to see it,' Schaffner present, Covid-19 cases are highest in the West and South, but this may change as the summer wave continues, experts say. The list of affected states are:ConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaIndianaKentuckyLouisianaMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriNew JerseyNew YorkNorth CarolinaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaSouth CarolinaTennesseeTexasUtahVirginiaWashingtonWisconsinAdditionally, wastewater surveillance data from the CDC as of July 29 show the states with the highest wastewater levels of SARS-CoV-2 are Alabama, Alaska, California, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii. Kentucky, Louisiana and Stratus and Nimbus variants appear to be causing symptoms similar to those caused by recent omicron throatFever or chillsCoughShortness of breathHeadacheMuscle achesCongestion or runny noseFatigueNew loss of sense of smell or tasteNausea or vomitingDiarrheaDuring a summer surge, there are simple actions people can take to protect themselves and others from COVID-19, the experts up to date on COVID if you have symptoms or a COVID if you're an N95 mask in crowded, indoor social distancing.
The Print
an hour ago
- The Print
Go Swadeshi—RSS affiliate SJM calls for boycott of US firms Amazon, Walmart after Trump's tariff hike
Mahajan said efforts are being made to ensure e-commerce trade is conducted on Indian platforms for which SJM is in touch with traders and industrialists. 'We have made an appeal to people not to buy goods from companies like Amazon, Flipkart, and Walmart. This is the right time to adopt Swadeshi (indigenous) products,' Ashwini Mahajan, the national co-convenor of the Swadeshi Jagran Manch said. New Delhi: The day after the US imposed a 50 percent trade tariff on India, RSS affiliate Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) has made an appeal to people to adopt 'Swadeshi' products, urging them to boycott goods from US-based companies like Amazon, Walmart and Flipkart (in which Walmart has a majority stake). The Modi government has been facing criticism from the Opposition over the 50 percent tariff imposed by the Trump administration. The economic wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the SJM, has also decided to carry out demonstrations across the country on 10 August including at Delhi's Connaught Place against the tariff hike by Donald Trump. Titled 'Videshi Companies Bharat Choro', the demonstration will be carried out at 5 pm. Speaking to ThePrint, Ashwini Mahajan said an appeal has been made to people to boycott foreign goods. 'Over 10 crore of our farmers are engaged in the dairy sector. If we do not stop cheap dairy products from coming in, what will happen to our dairy farmers? The dairy issue is also connected to our sentiments,' he said while pointing out that in the US cows are fed non-vegetarian feed, leading to the milk they produce becoming non-vegetarian. Imagine we end up even offering that milk to God. The government's decision is correct and it should stand firm.' Mahajan further said that 'coercive' tactics such as the tariff will have no impact on the country. 'India is emerging as a global power, and the US must realise that this India is not the India of a decade ago,' he added. Mahajan said the opportunity should be used to make a decisive move towards 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat''. 'We are of the firm opinion that no country's development can happen through foreign resources, imports, or foreign technology. It is in this context that the call for a self-reliant India has been given. We are already becoming self-reliant in several sectors including defence, toys, pharmaceuticals, and electronics. We need to boycott goods made in China, Turkey, and the United States including further products of American companies such as Amazon, Walmart and Flipkart,' he explained. 'On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan too we have urged people to use swadeshi products…products made in India. We need to support our people,' he added. Mahajan also shared a post on social media platform X pledging to boycott American goods. 'I protest against US tariffs against India, boycott American goods. Like Coke, Pepsi, Domino's Pizza, Pizza Hut, McDonald's, Burger King, Subway and KFC, etc. And you?'. However, speaking to ThePrint, Mahajan clarified that what he had shared was a message being circulated amongst people and reflects the sentiments of people. (Edited by Viny Mishra) Also read: India's response to Trump is an emotional one. Tariff damage is psychological
