What you need to know about the emergence of the omicron variant of COVID-19 in Northern California. Chronicle health reporter Erin Allday talks to host Demian Bulwa about how contagious and dangerous it is, and how well vaccinations and boosters protect against it. Allday also discusses the rising number of cases in the Bay Area heading into the holidays, and explains the link between the world's vaccine effort and the fight to better treat HIV.

Get unlimited Chronicle access for 26 weeks for 99 cents: sfchronicle.com/pod

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices