At least 17 states have detected the omicron coronavirus variant and that number is expected to rise according to the CDC. Former FDA Commissioner, Scott Gottlieb and CNBC’s Meg Tirrell report on the spread and severity of the omicron variant. Buzzfeed founder and CEO Jonah Peretti discusses the digital media company’s debut as a public company through a SPAC merger, after an unusually high number of investor redemptions. Peretti also breaks down the company’s planned path to profitability and its valuation. Bitcoin is trading under $49,000 after a terrible weekend for the world’s biggest cryptocurrency. Bitcoin tumbled more than 17% from Friday night into Saturday, hitting a low near $43,000, before stabilizing yesterday. Plus, Joe’s favorite fast food – by coast - and Andrew’s meditation techniques.

In this episode:

Scott Gottlieb, @ScottGottliebMD
Jonah Peretti, @peretti
Meg Tirrell, @megtirrell
Leslie Picker, @LesliePicker

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie