In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle talks about the new plan and where California goes from here with Jackie Fortiér, health reporter for KPCC & LAist and speaks with Dr. Dean Blumberg, professor of medicine and chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at UC Davis Children’s Hospital. 

Topics today include: 

• California's new plans for the next phase of the coronavirus pandemic. 
• WSJ: Lower Omicron efficacy delayed F.D.A. review on Pfizer shot in kids under 5. 
• Lab studies point to signs of severity with the BA.2 subvariant of Omicron. 
• Orange County hospitalizations dip below 400 patients for the first time since December. 

• As California unveils its endemic strategy, here's what other western states are doing: 

  • Washington State to drop mask mandate, including for schools, next month. 
  • New Mexico to end indoor mask mandate immediately. 
• U.S. ramping up vaccination assistance to 11 African countries. 

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.