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This video game is making men want to be fathers. It started a viral conversation
There's a video game that's going viral for making players want to become dads. It's called "Pragmata," and here's how it awakens "paternal instinct."
Scientists are uncovering how common viruses may quietly increase cancer risk
Everyday viral infections may be quietly reshaping the body’s network of molecules that support cells and tissues in ways that can raise cancer risk over time
Most TikTok sunscreen content is accurate but misinformation goes viral, study finds
A study found that videos promoting misinformation about sunscreen got more engagement on the platform, despite making up a fraction of the most popular posts on the topic.
Grand Theft Auto VI Cover and Pre-Order Date Revealed in New Viral Video Months Before Release
Video game fans were given a treat on Thursday morning, as the official cover art for the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI was unveiled.
The Science Behind Lionel Messi’s Viral Moment of Tears
After watching the soccer icon tear up following a historic goal, we try to understand the science of why human beings wait until the moment of triumph to let it all out.
I Would Like To Drink The Forbidden Cheeto Tube
Please don't take the viral video of what makes up Flamin' Hot Cheetos seriously
From YouTube to Hollywood: Digital creators are remaking the movie business
Some of the most promising young filmmakers in the movie business are arriving in Hollywood already experts at entertaining audiences and going viral. The twin sensations of “Obsession” and “Backrooms”
Visitors' viral World Cup videos show what really makes America great
International soccer fans discovering the wonders of America, from spacious skies to chicken fried steak, is giving the U.S. a much-needed morale (and PR) boost.
What COVID is teaching doctors about the relationship between viruses and cancer
The pandemic has left some evidence that viral infection may play a role in reawakening dormant cancer cells already present in a patient’s body before infection.
Campaigns are embracing influencers, but internet stardom doesn't always win votes
It's becoming common for campaigns to seek out viral moments and the support of internet stars to reach new voters. But the strategy, albeit flashy, has yielded mixed results in key races this year.
32-year-old quit teaching and built a fidget-toy business with her dad. It brought in $428,000 last year
Charlie Moreton and Victoria Baumann are the father-daughter duo behind Victoria Essie Studio, which has seen viral success selling 3D-printed fidget toys.
La Palma Mega-Tsunami Hype Collapses Under New Science
A viral theory claims it could devastate the East Coast, but experts aren't convinced.
In a first, scientists translated an entire viral genome so a quantum computer could read and analyze it
Scientists have uploaded a viral genome to a quantum computer, marking an important step for the future of quantum-enabled advancements in biology.
Andy Cohen reveals Jennifer Lawrence figured out how the 'Summer House' reunion leaked
After Bravo's three-part reunion for 'Summer House,' host Andy Cohen revealed the A-list actress who helped the network find the culprit of the viral leaked audio.
Abdul Carter Suffers Gruesome Injury At Practice (Breaking News)
New York Giants star pass rusher Abdul Carter suffered an injury at practice today that had fans and reporters taking notice. News of the injury was first reported early this afternoon and immediately went viral. This is what we know. Also Read: Dianna Russini Investigation Sparks Outrage, Details Released (Report) Giants’ Abdul Carter Suffers Brutal […] The post Abdul Carter Suffers Gruesome Injury At Practice (Breaking News) appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.
Brewers' Pat Murphy Discusses Viral Jacob Misiorowski Interaction
When Milwaukee Brewers’ fire-balling prospect refused to hand over the ball, a veteran manager’s strict rules vanished. Discover how a defiant stare-down forged unbreakable trust at Coors Field.
One UVM lab’s surprise discovery led to flu science breakthrough
Proteins in the two most common types of flu virus enable them to take very different paths to entering human lungs, a finding that could lead to more directed antiviral treatments.
Hunter Biden, in viral social media posts, reclaims his narrative
Former first son Hunter Biden was plagued by scandal, cast by critics as an X-rated troublemaker. Then, he started tweeting on X.
Breaking News: NFL Franchise To Move To New State (Report)
The NFL has learned that one of their historic franchises will officially have a new home. The bombshell news surfaced on Friday morning and has gone viral throughout the league. The NFL has not seen a team move locations since 2020 (the Raiders to Las Vegas) and 2016 (the Rams to Los Angeles). Now, there […] The post Breaking News: NFL Franchise To Move To New State (Report) appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.
NOVUS vet: viral mitigation remains top priority for nursery pig health
NOVUS veterinarian Dr. Alex Hintz says producers are looking for viral mitigation tools for nursery pigs. Speaking to Brownfield at the World Pork Expo in Des Moines Wednesday, he said producers and vets understand a viral outbreak in the nursery phase can be devastating, and a robust management program is key.
This viral NYC World Cup festival brings Africa’s biggest stars to Brooklyn
As New York prepares for one of the busiest weekends of the summer with FIFA World Cup festivities set to draw visitors from around the globe, a
ADHD Handwriting Similarities Go Viral
"Is that actually an ADHD thing, or did I just never learn how to write the right way?"
KC window washer cleans small business windows for free, helps owners go viral on social media
Davis Roethler, the owner of Window Wolf, has been approaching small businesses in the Kansas City area, offering to clean their windows for free and then interviewing the owners on camera.
Code Puppy: Walmart's secret weapon against AI lock-in
Walmart's viral Code Puppy AI tool helps avoid vendor lock-in, cut costs, and reduce dependence on Claude Code and Codex.
Biden crashes Jill’s book tour with awkward ‘love’ question that leaves viewers cringing
Jill Biden's book tour stop with Whoopi Goldberg was interrupted by Joe Biden, sparking viral social media reactions about the awkward exchange.
Fever hold team meeting after 2-game skid, viral controversy
The Indiana Fever held a team meeting this week after a two-game road skid.
Democrats use profanity to go viral. It won't persuade voters.
The rise of profanity in politics is both a symptom of declining civic culture and a poor political strategy.
Viral Ilocos empanadas put San Diego family business in the spotlight
Inside JNC Filipino Catering, dough is pressed by hand, fillings are carefully prepared, and one of the Philippines' most beloved street foods is lowered into hot oil.
This Overlooked iPhone Setting Is Alarming Users. Here's How To Turn It Off ASAP.
"Having this on when you don’t need it is a bigger issue than not having it on," a cybersecurity expert said about the phone feature mentioned in several viral TikTok posts.
'I don't want to be hated': Banned youth baseball coach speaks out after viral incident
Michael Ryals, a youth baseball coach banned by a national sports organization after a viral incident, talked with USA TODAY Sports about the matter.
Vanderbilt Health researchers call for pandemic prevention
Government grants and contracts have supported the discovery of human antiviral antibodies; corporate partners are needed to develop them.
Trump's Senate endorsement of Paxton buoys Democrats in Texas
Ken Paxton's primary win has buoyed Democratic hopes of an upset by the viral sensation James Talarico. But touted Democrats have a history of falling flat.
Solving real-world problems with AI
Arvish Pandey, a recent computer science graduate at the University of Cincinnati, is using artificial intelligence to better assess risk and prevent harm to the public. A downtown Cincinnati brawl that went viral last summer has sparked Pandey's recent research project dubbed "HORIZN."
Man's Girlfriend Put His Backpack in What She Thought Was the Trunk of a C8 Corvette. The Hot Engine Nearly Caught Fire
A brand-new Chevrolet Corvette C8 and a melted backpack have become the latest viral combo on X after one owner claimed his girlfriend accidentally placed his bag directly on the car’s hot mid-mounted engine. The ... Read more
The weekend’s viral clips 🍿
Celebrations, tears, golazos... Discover the ten images that went viral this emotion-packed and action-filled weekend across the football world!The cheeky Gunners 😭Arsenal had officially been crow...
Putting Aluminum Foil Under Your WiFi Router: What It Does and Why Experts Recommend It
A viral aluminum foil trick claims to boost weak WiFi in minutes, but the real reason it works comes with one hidden catch most people miss.
Padres concession stands change name of 'FTD Burger' after apparent shot at Dodgers goes viral
Michelle Obama reacts to Viola Davis’ viral 'First Lady' portrayal
Michelle Obama revealed she has not watched Showtime's 'The First Lady,' in which Viola Davis portrays the former first lady.
Cleveland sports radio host has rough morning trying to process Cavaliers' Game 1 choke job
Cleveland radio host Ken Carmen went viral after an impassioned meltdown over the Cavaliers blowing a 22-point lead to the Knicks in overtime.
🎥 “Salerno returns”: spine-tingling display, choreography’s viral 😍
Top-flight atmosphere at the Arechi Stadium for the Serie C playoff clash between Salernitana and Ravenna.Watch the full Serie BKT live on OneFootball for just €9.99 a month. Click here to buy the L...
Forza Horizon 6 'New Zealand' Trick Is Going Viral For The Full Xbox Launch
Yes, it'll be playable early on XGP via New Zealand
Nine-year-old becomes face of cricket campaign
Edie, 9, is the new face of an ECB campaign celebrating grassroots cricket, which has gone viral.
Viral music series 'Step the the Mike' highlights Nashville talent
Viral music series 'Step the the Mike' highlights Nashville talent
Rudy Giuliani reveals he had 'spiritual experience' while in pneumonia-related coma
Rudy Giuliani, 81, opens up about a 'significant' spiritual experience during a coma caused by severe viral pneumonia, saying he has since recovered fully.
AI camera blunder turns new Xperia 1 VIII into a meme: Sony roasted in viral social media trend
Sony faces social media backlash and mockery over the Xperia 1 VIII’s AI Camera Assistant. Users on X are roasting the company by sharing overexposed "before and after" memes after the Japanese giant posted promotional images that appeared lower in quality than the originals. Sony has since clarified that the AI suggests "creative looks" rather than automatic edits.
Art, but Make It Sports
The creator behind the viral meme account that pairs famous artwork with sports photography is stopping at Mia for his book tour.
This Nashville Business Has Been Stealing Hearts One Cannoli At A Time
You'll regret not learning about this business sooner: This Nashville vendor serves cannolis at events, but there's a twist that is making the company go viral.
AI-generated pro-Spencer Pratt mayoral campaign videos point to a new political reality
The reality TV alum’s bid for higher office gained viral traction after videos, which Pratt said were “fan-made,” circulated across social media.
Take-Two stock jumps on GTA 6 pre-order speculation: What we know
Investing.com -- Shares of Take-Two Interactive Software (NASDAQ: TTWO) climbed 5% on Thursday morning, trading at approximately $238, following viral social media speculation that a pre-order window for Grand Theft Auto VI is set to open as early as this weekend.
Giuliani returns to his show after viral pneumonia hospitalization
Giuliani was placed on a ventilator at a hospital in Florida in early May.
Giuliani returns to his show after viral pneumonia hospitalization
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has returned to his show after being hospitalized for viral pneumonia.
Spotify's new Wrapped-style feature is going viral. Here's how to see your all-time top artists and songs.
Your Party of the Year(s) lets users revisit their first-ever stream, top artists and most-played songs across their entire listening history.
Giants outfielders’ bizarre thrusting celebration goes viral
A trio of Giants outfielders celebrated a big win over the Dodgers on Monday night in a very bizarre manner.
Scientists discover a weak spot shared by polio and common cold viruses
Scientists at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, have uncovered a crucial trick used by enteroviruses—the group behind diseases like polio, myocarditis, encephalitis, and even the common cold—to reproduce inside human cells. The team captured, in unprecedented detail, how viral RNA recruits both viral and human proteins to assemble the machinery needed for replication, acting almost like a molecular “on-off switch” that controls whether the virus copies itself or makes proteins.
Who won 'American Idol' 2026? Season 24 champion crowned after standout viral audition.
Keyla Richardson, Jordan McCullough and Hannah Harper are battling to win the long-running singing contest.
TreVeyon Henderson Shoots Down Fake Quote About Mike Vrabel Situation
New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson had a viral quote about the Mike Vrabel, Dianna Russini situation. The quote from Henderson, an avid Christian, was going super viral on social media over the weekend. Vrabel, the Patriots head coach, and Russini, the now-former NFL insider for ...
Rhythm nation: politician’s viral dance moves mark new, optimistic era for Hungary
Zsolt Hegedűs’s joyful dancing at the election of Péter Magyar sparked joy across the country last month
Is e.l.f. (ELF) Turning Viral Brand Buzz Into a Durable Entertainment-Driven Growth Story?
In recent days, e.l.f. Cosmetics joined the International Dance League as a founding partner and official livestream presenting partner, while continuing to see strong demand for its viral Halo Glow range, including celebrity-endorsed products that are selling quickly online. Taken together, these moves deepen e.l.f.’s presence where its core audience spends time, on social platforms and emerging entertainment channels, potentially reinforcing its brand strength and product visibility. Next,...
Test your dog or cat’s IQ using these simple tricks
And no, that viral "dog wall test" isn't the way to do it.
TikTok creator's crowdfunding campaign to buy Spirit Airlines racks up more than $335M in pledges
After Spirit Airlines shut down operations and canceled all flights, a viral TikTok campaign proposing crowdfunded ownership has gained over $335 million in online pledges.
Man Wearing Smart Glasses Secretly Records Woman, Demands Money to Delete Video From His Socials
A man who recorded a woman without her knowledge for a viral video said he would only remove the clip as a "paid service."
Political campaigns lean on viral clapbacks
The internet rewards speed and personality, pushing campaigns to behave like always-on content studios.
Pink hair and red herrings: viral quiz invites you to guess politicians’ stripes from their photos
Guess the Party challenges players to pin candidates’ politics to their appearances, with guess rates varying wildly
Marco Rubio’s campaign-style video sparks presidential run speculation
Comments with optimistic tone went viral on social media with some framing it as unofficial start of Rubio’s campaign
Is the FDA Really Suppressing Science? Plus. . .
It’s Thursday, May 7. This is The Front Page, your daily window into the world of The Free Press—and our take on the world at large. Today: Aaron MacLean says Trump is poised to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in the Iran war. Joe Klein on the life of CNN founder Ted Turner. Jillian Lederman on why cruise ships are here to stay. And much more. But first: Is the FDA suppressing science? On Tuesday, The New York Times published a story with an alarming takeaway. “FDA Blocked Publication of Research Finding Covid and Shingles Vaccines Were Safe,” read the headline. It is the latest in a string of stories that all have the same message: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other agencies, are engaged in a cover-up—and silencing scientists trying to get the word out about the Covid vaccine. What all these stories suggest—some more subtly than others—is that the outsiders now running the public health establishment, officials such as Marty Makary at the FDA and Jay Bhattacharya at the National Institutes of Health, are on a revenge tour. That they are doing harm to the country to get back at the scientists and bureaucrats who ostracized them for deviating from the public-health consensus during the pandemic. It’s a seductive narrative. But is it true? That’s the question we address in our latest editorial. —The Editors Read [ Marty Makary's FDA Has All the Right Enemies ](https://www.thefp.com/p/marty-makary-vaccine-study-fda) [ Trump Blinks First ](https://www.thefp.com/p/iran-peace-deal-pakistan-trump-strait-of-hormuz) Aaron MacLean In return for no detectable concessions, President Trump this week gave up on forcing open the Strait of Hormuz. Now, the Trump administration looks desperate for a deal to end the war with Iran. It’s easy to understand the desire to end the war, but are they blowing the chance at victory? Aaron MacLean makes sense of the administration’s latest moves—and Iran’s response—in his column today. Read full story Aaron MacLean and Niall Ferguson: Live in New York City Join Aaron MacLean and Niall Ferguson on May 19 for a live recording of School of War at the iconic New York Historical. In a conversation as timely as it is wide-ranging, Aaron and Niall will explore the strategic stakes of the moment, including the Middle East, China, and the future of American leadership on the global stage. Get Tickets Now [ Ted Turner, the Optimist Who Built CNN ](https://www.thefp.com/p/ted-turner-cnn-tribute) Joe Klein The man who gave us CNN and the 24-hour news cycle, Ted Turner, died Wednesday at the age of 87. Today, political writer Joe Klein—who almost ghostwrote Turner’s autobiography—remembers his friend, the American media mogul who stood out for his idealism and lack of a filter—something that got Turner in trouble more than once. “His was not a traditional intelligence, but one of horizon: Ted saw things before other people did,” Joe writes. Read full story [ Nothing Can Sink the Cruise Ship ](https://www.thefp.com/p/cruise-ship-hantavirus) Jillian Lederman A viral outbreak on a cruise ship that left three passengers dead has left some people wondering: Are cruise ships on the way out? Not so fast, says Jillian Lederman, who has been on many a cruise herself. Read her piece on why 38 million people a year take a cruise—and aren’t about to stop. Read full story [ The Great Writers Who Were Terrible People ](https://www.thefp.com/p/the-great-writers-who-were-terrible) Shilo Brooks Throughout history, some of the greatest literary geniuses have also been immoral bigots. In the latest episode of Old School, Shilo Brooks is joined by Eli Lake for a conversation about those geniuses, from Voltaire to Norman Mailer and Roald Dahl—and why we should read their work despite their odious prejudices. Listen on MORE FROM THE FREE PRESS [ Inside the Digital Intifada ](https://www.thefp.com/p/digital-intifada-social-media-hamas-terror) Warren Kinsella Read full story [ This Week in American History: Trump’s Over-Arching Problem ](https://www.thefp.com/p/this-week-in-american-history-trumps-over-arching-problem) Jonathan Horn Read full story [ Humanity Is Still Evolving—and Fast ](https://www.thefp.com/p/humanity-is-still-evolvingand-fast) Razib Khan Read full story THE NEWS Thirteen D.C. Metropolitan Police officers have been placed on administrative leave and could face termination after an internal investigation found evidence that crime statistics were manipulated to make the city look safer. The Republican-led House Oversight Committee previously alleged that former D.C. police chief Pamela Smith pressured officers to skew data. Tennessee Republicans unveiled a redrawn U.S. House map yesterday that would split up Memphis’s black-majority Democratic district, the latest move in a nationwide push to redraw congressional boundaries ahead of the midterms. The effort follows a Supreme Court ruling last week on Louisiana’s districts, which Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton said gave states the green light to redraw maps along partisan lines. Israel struck Beirut for the first time since a ceasefire with Hezbollah took effect last month, saying it targeted a commander of the militant group’s elite Radwan force in the city’s southern suburbs. The strikes risk destabilizing that truce at a delicate moment, as Iran and the U.S. report progress toward a deal to resolve their own standoff. The U.S. Air Force is aiming for a Fourth of July delivery of a Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar, hoping to add it to the Air Force One fleet in time for the U.S.’s 250th anniversary, Reuters reported. (For more on the controversy surrounding the aircraft, read Jed Rubenfeld’s piece “It’s a Terrible Idea, but Trump Probably Can Accept a Free Jet from Qatar.”) Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testified privately before Congress that he has no memory of why he and his family dined on Jeffrey Epstein’s private island in 2012, according to Reuters. The admission contradicts Lutnick’s earlier claim that he had cut ties with the convicted sex offender well before that visit. Weeks before a former JPMorgan investment banker filed a lawsuit packed with explosive allegations, the bank reportedly offered him $1 million to settle his sexual assault and harassment claims, according to The Wall Street Journal. The suit, filed by Chirayu Rana, alleges he was sexually assaulted by a female colleague, subjected to racial discrimination, and forced into a degrading dynamic at work. JPMorgan says the claims lack merit, and the female colleague’s lawyers call the accusations fabricated. A new report from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research shows that, for the first time in roughly 20 years, church attendance is trending upward, with more people volunteering and clergy expressing renewed optimism. The study’s authors described the findings, based on a survey of more than 7,400 congregations, as showing signs of widespread recovery from low attendance numbers.
Clavicular is charged in connection with alligator shooting
Clavicular faces a misdemeanor charge after a viral video appears to show the manosphere celebrity shooting the body of an alligator from an airboat in the Everglades.
Viral TikTok trend poses serious health risks, company warns
While there may be some benefits to your health, improper preparation can cause more harm.
Viral volleyball star Jordan Lucas: ‘I’m celebrating like NFL players, just in a more feminine way’
The Cal State Northridge player has attracted millions of views for his hair flicks and dismissive waves. He says navigating the fallout has been a career of its own
‘There’s plenty for all of us’: How a viral food truck became a lifeline for small businesses
Guiliano Raso, owner of 303 In the Cut, was desperate for a mentor. He eventually found a couple. Now he’s paying that back by showing other business owners how to succeed, one social media video a...
Former Miami Mayor Francis Suarez: Why I’m joining Stephen Ross and Ken Griffin in betting big on ambitious business leaders
The man behind Miami's viral "How can I help?" explains why he signed on as Senior Advisor to the Gold Coast's most ambitious recruitment campaign yet.
Why Your Brain Can Read Scrambled Words, According to Science
The viral claim gets it wrong – and the truth is weirder.
The Pixel 10 Pro was my favorite phone camera — until I tested this viral Android phone
I took the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL out for a camera shootout against the new OPPO Find X9 Ultra and there's one clear winner.
TheBody: RIP Loreen Willenberg, who gave her HIV-proof body to science and her heart to the community
Loreen Willenberg will be remembered for being one of only three known people in the world whose body seemed to eradicate HIV with no help from antiretrovirals.
Georgia health district says IHOP hair incident falls to management, not kitchen code
tonight we're digging into Health standards for restaraunts in georgia...after a photo taken at a restaurant in Fort Olgelthorpe went viral in our area.an anony
Photo of hair being done inside Georgia IHOP goes viral; No health code violations found
A photo showing someone getting their hair done inside a northwest Georgia IHOP is drawing attention online.The image, shared in a public Facebook group, shows
Business Owner Slams This 'Embarrassing' Summer Job Trend From Parents
June Farms owner and reality series star Matthew Baumgartner is annoyed by a growing hiring trend — and his viral take is striking a nerve.
Opinion: Amid normalization of dark humor, Bruins must choose empathy over entertainment
Countless internet creators have employed dark humor as a means to go viral. Some have made posts joking about people being sent to war amid the United States’ military action in Iran.
She dances in Target in a cape. Meet the viral woman 'reparenting' herself.
Heidi Bruce has gone viral for dancing in the aisles of Target in a cape and crown. She says she's doing it for an important reason.
The Hottest Anti-AI Gadget Is a Cyberdeck
On TikTok, young women are going viral for crafting whimsical homemade computers inside purses.
Efforts to eliminate hepatitis delivers gains but more action needed to meet 2030 targets
Global efforts to combat viral hepatitis are delivering measurable progress in reducing infections and deaths, but the disease remains a major global health challenge, according to a new WHO report released today at the World Hepatitis Summit.
Samsung phone flashlights melting plastic? Viral videos don't tell the full story
Yes, your Galaxy S26's flashlight can burn through plastic, but iPhones can do it too.
Viral browser app forces you to stop scrolling with a giant cat you can’t remove
A viral browser extension called Cat Gatekeeper forces users to stop scrolling by sending a giant cat overlay onto their screen.
Soldier’s arrest comes after pattern of suspicious trades on prediction markets
After US troops captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January, the image of him handcuffed and blindfolded while wearing a Nike tracksuit wasn’t the only thing that went viral.
Test your pop culture: From Hollywood to the Heartland
Test your knowledge of entertainment with this quiz on celebrities, trends and headline-making moments. Featured this week: guess the viral moment and rare photo appearences.
Health questions mount after Rep. Paul Gosar’s public remarks go viral
Rep. Paul Gosar's rambling remarks have raised questions among Democrats about whether he's healthy enough to run for reelection.
The Business of the Biebers
Bieberchella cemented Justin and Hailey Bieber’s cultural and commercial power, as they scale their own brands and drive virality for others.
Behind the science: Why it pays to fight a virus on the home turf
The emergence of a nasty new virus or even an unexpected flu strain can pose a big public-health headache. Meanwhile, antiviral drug development moves at an agonizingly slow pace and cringingly high cost. But there’s a way around that.
The Death of Public Health
During the recent measles outbreak, the largest in more than 30 years, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. refused to clearly recommend the measles vaccine, saying instead that it was a “personal decision,” and that parents should “do their own research.” Similarly, during her recent confirmation hearing for United States Surgeon General, Casey Means was questioned by Senator William Cassidy (R, La). “You’re the nation’s doctor,” said Cassidy. “Would you encourage [a mother] to have her child vaccinated!” “I’m not an individual’s doctor,” Means said. “And every individual needs to talk to their doctor before putting a medication in their body.” In June 2025, Marty Makary, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), said that COVID vaccines for pregnant women should be a “personal choice”, even though every other country in the world recommended the COVID vaccine during pregnancy due to a higher risk for severe disease. It doesn’t end there. On January 5, 2026, RFK Jr. reduced the number of routinely recommended vaccines from 18 to 10. For vaccines that protected against influenza, COVID, and rotavirus, parents were urged to speak with their doctors—to make an individual choice. (On March 16, 2026, in a ruling by a federal court in Boston, RFK Jr.’s revised schedule was invalidated.) What’s happening? Why are public health officials moving away from making recommendations for the public? The origin of this change might be rooted in the first two years of the COVID pandemic. In 2020, during the first year on the pandemic, we didn’t have anything to stop a virus that was killing hundreds of people a day and could be spread asymptomatically. We didn’t have antivirals until October, monoclonal antibodies until November, and vaccines until December. All we could do was restrict travel, close businesses, shutter schools, and mask, isolate, quarantine, test, and social distance. During the second year of the pandemic, when we had vaccines to prevent COVID, people couldn’t go anywhere without their vaccine cards. They couldn’t go to their favorite bar or restaurant or sporting event or place of worship without proof of vaccination. Some people were fired from their jobs for refusing to get vaccinated. For many, this was seen as massive government overreach and energized what has been called the “medical freedom movement.” Indeed, a headline in the New York Times declared, “How Health Freedom Became a Winning Rally Cry.” As expressed in the comments of RFK Jr., Casey Means, and Marty Makary, the medical freedom movement focuses on the individual not the community—the opposite of public health. In an article titled “Ethics and Social Value Judgments in Public Health,” ethicists from Yale University distinguished public health from medical freedom. “Public health policies,” they wrote, “are population oriented. Because individual health affects the health of others, public health measures regulate individual behavior to achieve population health goals. All raise questions about how individual autonomy and freedom should be balanced against public health interests…which respects individuals’ sovereignty over their bodies and actions as long as their actions do not harm others.” The medical freedom movement fails to recognize that it often limits the freedom of others. For example, a parent who is afraid to send a child to school where many of the students are unvaccinated. Or immune compromised children who depend on those around them to for protection. The question then becomes “Freedom for whom?” Is it your right, in the name of medical freedom, to catch and transmit a potentially fatal infection—and in so doing, take away the freedom of others? In Four Essays on Liberty, Isaiah Berlin sums it up best. “Liberty for the wolves,” he wrote, “is death to the lambs.” Thanks for reading Beyond the Noise! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Subscribe
Ex-staffers defend California governor hopeful after viral clips raise conduct questions
After Eric Swalwell’s exit, a letter from 30 ex-staffers of former representative Katie Porter seeks to blunt attacks as Democrats fear getting locked out of the race.
Experts reveal why 'nonnamaxxing' trend may improve mental, physical health
'Nonnamaxxing' is a growing trend inspired by Italian grandmothers that promotes cooking from scratch, taking daily walks and reducing screen time. Experts say it can boost mental health.
Abby Phillip remains calm amid political chaos on CNN's 'NewsNight'
CNN anchor Abby Phillip is the calmest voice on viral \
MLB Broadcaster Defends AI Usage After Internet Pile on Following Health Struggles
MLB broadcaster Angie Mentink defended her use of AI after a viral video showed her asking for questions to ask after a 'tough loss' on Thursday, April 16. Mentink has suffered a stroke two months prior.
Viral Fan Favorites and Exclusive Retail Hit the Playoffs Across Aramark Sports + Entertainment Arenas
As playoff season heats up across the NHL and NBA, Aramark Sports + Entertainment is bringing viral food and beverage moments and limited-edition merchandise to arenas nationwide.
Viral Fan Favorites and Exclusive Retail Hit the Playoffs Across Aramark Sports + Entertainment Arenas
As playoff season heats up across the NHL and NBA, Aramark Sports + Entertainment is bringing viral food and beverage moments and limited-edition merchandise to arenas nationwide.