Low-income Americans have been hit hardest by the pandemic and its economic fallout. The CARES Act, passed in March, formed the backbone of a state and federal response that helped get people through the spring and summer. But most of that aid has lapsed or will soon.

A new survey commissioned by Ohio State's Wexner Medical Center finds that 40% of Americans plan to defy medical advice and dine with 10 or more people on Thanksgiving.

The chief scientific adviser for Operation Warp Speed says that some Americans could start receiving a COVID-19 vaccine by mid-December. Dr. Moncef Slaoui cautioned, however, that true herd immunity likely won’t be achieved until May of next year.

The holidays are going to be different this year for the millions of Americans heeding the advice of public health officials to stay home and stay safe from COVID-19. But we all still have to eat, just not as much. With smaller celebrations, home cooks might want to start thinking about how to downsize the family recipes.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has vowed to veto legislation passed by the General Assembly last week that seeks to limit the scope of his state health orders. The governor called the bill “a disaster” and said it would hamstring efforts to slow record spikes in COVID cases and hospitalizations. And it would tie the hands of future governors.

Book publishers predict winter reading lists will be a mix of non-fiction picks that reflect current events and fiction choices that offer escapism. Other trends include readers reaching for older titles by familiar authors -- the literary equivalent of comfort food.

This episode originally aired on Nov. 17, 2020. The historic victory of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris has underscored the expanding opportunities for women in politics, from running to office to helping others run. The 2020 election inspired record numbers of voters to cast their ballots despite the turbulence and danger posed by the pandemic.

Musical performances have been hit particularly hard by COVID-19. Venues are closed for the foreseeable future and many groups have had to lay off performers. The Columbus Symphony has managed to keep all of its full-time staff and even managed a few concerts this fall with more planned for the holidays.

Two pharmaceutical companies, Pfizer and Moderna, have developed coronavirus vaccines that are close to 95 percent effective. The speedy turnaround in trial results, less than a year after researchers began their work, is record-setting.

Public health experts are concerned the upcoming holiday season will inflame the already surging COVID-19 pandemic. They’re encouraging people to rethink traditional holiday meals this year with smaller numbers and plenty of precautions, or forgo family gatherings altogether.