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This week, Megan Redshaw, Children’s Health Defense attorney and a reporter for The Defender, and Polly Tommey, co-producer of “Vaxxed,” covered the latest COVID-19 headlines and more, including news that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded approval of the COVID drug remdesivir to treat babies and children.

Plus, the U.S. Department of Justice appealed the ruling that struck down the Biden administration’s mask mandate for public transport. Polly and Megan explained why Health Freedom Defense Fund sued to overturn the mandate in the first place.

Polly and Megan also discussed Uber, Lyft and Disney ending their mask mandates as COVID cases decline.

Also on tap this week: A new team of federal scientists will provide “better, faster information” about what is likely to happen next in “this public health emergency” and in future outbreaks. “This is the most bizarre thing ever,” said Polly.

More of this week’s highlights:

  • The Supreme Court allowed the U.S. Department of Defense to take disciplinary action against an Air Force lieutenant colonel who refused to get a COVID vaccine. “Don’t lose hope, but use this as a learning experience,” said Megan.
  • The trial results of the U.S. Army’s “moonshot” COVID vaccine to protect against all variants will be available soon. “It is far-fetched to believe it will protect against all variants,” said Megan.
  • Fifty-eight percent of radiologists avoid informing patients they have deposits of toxic MRI contrast agents such as gadolinium, according to a poll.
  • Novavax announced that data on its combination vaccine targeting COVID and the flu showed the vaccine produced a strong immune response. “I have always had a big problem with Novavax,” said Polly. “It is as dangerous as the others.”
  • The Toronto Zoo has been administering COVID vaccines to susceptible animals — including hippos, tigers and bears. “Another avenue for them to make money,” said Megan.
  • A proposed Rhode Island bill would impose fines and taxes on those who refuse to get vaccinated. Those older than 16 who don’t get the COVID vaccine would face $50 monthly fines and have to pay twice as much state income tax.
  • An implantable microchip can hold your digital identity, health data and finances. “It’s a way of controlling large numbers of people,” said Megan. “It is extremely worrying,” said Polly.
  • Pay with your palm using Amazon technology at Whole Foods in Austin, Texas. “It’s about desensitization,” said Megan.
  • The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment proposed labeling changes concerning the cancer risk associated with products that contain glyphosate.
  • Scientists found the “world’s first cure” for heart attacks using the same mRNA technology used to create COVID vaccines. “It sounds like a disaster,” said Polly.
  • A Canadian duck-farming operation said three of its facilities have been devastated by avian flu, forcing it to slaughter 150,000 birds and lay off nearly 300 employees. “I don’t buy this at all,” said Polly.
  • Techniques to increase COVID vaccine acceptance include “humanizing the act of getting vaccinated” using personal stories.
  • From March 2021 to March 2022, more than 769 athletes collapsed during a game. The average age of the athletes who suffered cardiac arrest is 23 years old. “This is really unprecedented and it’s being ignored,” said Megan.
  • A fully vaccinated woman tested positive COVID twice in 20 days, marking a new record.
  • People who developed tinnitus shortly after getting COVID vaccines are urging the CDC to recognize the condition as a side effect of the vaccine. “This is mainstream media reporting this,” said Polly.
  • Patients and lawyers say the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program for COVID vaccine injury claims is costly, opaque and has yet to issue a single payout.

Watch “This Week” with Mary + Polly: