Coronavirus Update: 9 questions about Omicron, answered

Plus: A surprising pandemic baby boom; cases are soaring to new heights in the U.S. [ ] [A COVID BABY BOOM]( [VIEW ONLINE]( [A COVID BABY BOOM]( [National Geographic]( [Coronavirus Update]( This week: Case numbers in the U.S. reach new heights; experts weigh in on the biggest questions about Omicron; a Nordic baby boom. PHOTOGRAPH BY JOE RAEDLE, GETTY IMAGES [9 big questions about Omicron explained]( Why is the CDC changing its isolation guidance? Which type of test is best? And how long should you isolate or quarantine? Experts weigh in to help clear confusion. [READ THE STORY]( PHOTOGRAPH BY DIPENDRA ROKKA/SOPA IMAGES/LIGHTROCKET VIA GETTY IMAGES [How booster shots can help protect you from Omicron]( [READ MORE]( PHOTOGRAPH BY HOLLIE ADAMS, AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES [How Omicron is able to dodge the immune system]( [READ MORE]( PHOTOGRAPH BY NORA LOREK [The pandemic delivered a surprise to Nordic countries: a baby boom]( The long, dark winters may be great for making babies, but financial incentives play a bigger role. [LEARN MORE]( MORE ON YOUR HEALTH PHOTOGRAPH BY MAGNUS WENNMAN [While we sleep, our mind goes on an amazing journey]( Our floodlit society has made sleep deprivation a lifestyle. But we know more than ever about how we rest—and how it keeps us healthy. [SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE]( PHOTOGRAPH BY LAUREL GOLIO, REDUX [Fact or fiction: Can you really sweat out toxins?]( [READ MORE]( PHOTOGRAPH BY CHRISTIE HEMM KLOK [A sea lion's epilepsy may have been cured]( [READ MORE]( MORE CORONAVIRUS NEWS [CDC expands booster eligibility to include teens ages 12 to 15]( [Can COVID-19 alter your personality? Here's what brain research shows.]( [COVID-19 variants will keep coming until everyone can access vaccines]( [5 things to know about COVID-19 tests in the age of Omicron]( [Why new COVID-19 treatments have been so slow to develop]( [Sign up here]( to receive our daily newsletters, covering History, Environment, Science, Animals, Travel, Photography, and Family. [SHOP]( [DONATE]( [SUBSCRIBE]( [TRAVEL]( [READ OUR LATEST STORIES]( [SHOP]( [DONATE]( [SUBSCRIBE]( [TRAVEL]( [FB]( [Twitter]( [IG]( Clicking on the Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and National Geographic Channel links will take you away from our National Geographic Partners site where different terms of use and privacy policy apply. This email was sent to: {EMAIL}. Please do not reply to this email as this address is not monitored. This email contains an advertisement from: National Geographic | 1145 17th Street, N.W. | Washington, D.C. 20036 [Stop all types of future commercial email]( from National Geographic regarding its products, services, or experiences. © 2022 National Geographic Partners, LLC, All rights reserved. Clicking on the Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and National Geographic Channel links will take you away from our National Geographic Partners site where different terms of use and privacy policy apply. This email was sent to: {EMAIL}. Please do not reply to this email as this address is not monitored. This email contains an advertisement from: National Geographic | 1145 17th Street, N.W. | Washington, D.C. 20036 [Stop all types of future commercial email]( from National Geographic regarding its products, services, or experiences. [Manage all email preferences]( with the Walt Disney Family of Companies. © 2022 National Geographic Partners, LLC, All rights reserved. //