As A New COVID Variant Spreads Through LA County, Here’s How To Stay Healthy For The Holidays
A new COVID-19 subvariant is growing fast in Los Angeles County ahead of the winter holidays. Known as JN.1, it’s the fastest-growing Omicron subvariant in the U.S., causing an estimated 1 in 5 infections nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s already dominant in the Northeast and is spreading rapidly locally, according to the L.A. County Department of Public Health. JN.1 accounted for 10% of cases in L.A. County in late November, which is the most recent data available. That’s up from just 1% in October. This week, JN.1 was classified as a “variant of interest” by the World Health Organization because of its “rapidly increasing spread.” It’s been found in many countries around the world, including India, China and multiple European countries. The WHO says the risk to the public is currently low, and the current vaccines continue to offer protection.
Today on AirTalk, we’ll talk with Infectious Disease Specialist and Professor of Medicine at the UCSF Medical Center Dr. Peter Chin-Hong about what to know about the spread of this new variant, and some reminders on how to keep yourself COVID-free during the holidays as families gather to celebrate the end of the year.
With files from Jackie Fortier at LAist.com. Read her full story here.
The Worst Gifts You’ve Ever Received During The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
The holidays can be a great time to gather with loved ones, it’s also a time that comes with expectations for certain material exchanges. Whether you like it or not somebody, likely many people will be handing you some novelty socks or several boxes of the same seasonal chocolate. The whole ordeal can be overwhelming and leave people feeling a little empty in their relationships if the gifts being exchanged feel routine and a bit meaningless. Maybe it’s the thought that counts? Or maybe you and your friend group have solemnly sworn to lay off the gifts to avoid those sinking feelings.
Today on AirTalk, freelance journalist and author Anna Goldfarb joins Julia Paskin to talk all about the worst gifts they’ve ever received, what they mean for their relationships, and how you can avoid being known as a terrible friend by putting some thought into your next gift exchange. Have Holiday gift horror stories to share or questions about the whole gift giving process? Call us at 866-893-5722 or send a little present to atcomments@LAist.com.
Miss Me With The Swiss Miss: Hot Chocolate Grows Up
Hot chocolate can be so much more than liquid plus cocoa. Once you taste the good stuff, there’s no going back to clumpy, sad Swiss Miss mixed with lukewarm microwaved milk. There are so many choices on the road to a good cup of the stuff that a flowchart could come in handy. What kind of milk to use as a base? Cocoa powder or melted chocolate? Additional flavors, like cinnamon or chile? Every choice adds up to sweet, creamy, chocolatey bliss, perfect for this time of year. So we want to hear from you: what’s your favorite spot for hot chocolate in SoCal? Give us a call at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com. Joining us to discuss her famous Venezuelan hot chocolate is Amara Barroeta, chef/owner of Amara Cafe in Pasadena.
Sri Lankan Christmas Cake: A Rich Tradition
The baking of a Christmas cake kicks off the holiday season in Sri Lanka, a relic of the time when the teardrop-shaped island nation to the south of India was colonized by the British. When they ruled Ceylon, as Sri Lanka was known at the time, they brought with them a Christmas tradition of making fruit cake, packed with candied orange peel, glace cherries and sultanas. The islanders then took this treat and made it their own, using locally sourced ingredients like candied chayote (a type of squash known as chow chow,) candied ginger and candied peel from lime and green oranges. The candied version of Sri Lankan pumpkin — a large green vegetable with white flesh — also gets added to the cake mix, along with cashews and maraschino cherries. And with everything Sri Lankan, added spices are a necessity, including cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, along with vanilla, rose and almond essences. Joining us to discuss this holiday tradition is LAist reporter Yusra Farzan.
FilmWeek: ‘All Of Us Strangers,’ ‘The Iron Claw,’ ‘Society of the Snow’ And More
Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Amy Nicholson, Manuel Betancourt, and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s new movie releases in theaters, streaming, and on demand platforms:
“Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” Wide Release
“All Of Us Strangers” Landmark Theater Sunset [Hollywood] + AMC Century City 15 [Century City] | Expands Jan. 5th
“Migration” Wide Release
“The Iron Claw” Wide Release
“The Color Purple” Wide Release
“Ferrari” Wide Release Dec. 25th
“The Teachers’ Lounge” Laemmle Royal [West LA] Dec. 25th
“Society of the Snow” In Select Theaters | Streaming on Netflix Jan. 4th
“Anyone But You” Wide Release
“Time Bomb Y2k” Streaming on Max Dec. 30th
“Memory” AMC Century City 15 [Century City]
“The Boys In The Boat” Wide Release Dec. 24th
