MEDIA:

• "No Longer an Official Emergency, COVID Remains a Crisis", Michelle Gamage, The Tyee, August 5, 2024.

• "Is the COVID summer wave here? Here's what the FLiRT variants mean for rising infections", Troy Farah, Salon, July 3, 2024.

• "What is the COVID FLiRT variant, and could it cause a summer spike?", Darren Botelho, NBC Boston, May 20, 2024.

• "The new COVID variants spreading in the US are called ‘FLiRT.’ But why?", Caroline Kee, Today, May 17, 2024.

• ""FLiRT" COVID variants are now more than a third of U.S. cases. Scientists share what we know about them so far.", Alexander Tin, CBS News, May 10, 2024.

• "The coronavirus could mutate to cause more severe disease, according to experts", Nicole Karlis, Salon, January 12, 2024.

• "From “Immunity Debt” to “Immunity Theft”—How COVID-19 Might Be Tied to Recent Respiratory Disease Surges", Rita Rubin, Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), January 10, 2024.

• "La COVID-19 et la «tempête des virus respiratoires»", Mélanie Meloche-Holubowski, Radio-Canada, January 10, 2024.

• "JN.1 is Canada’s new dominant COVID-19 subvariant. Here’s what to know", Katie Dangerfield, Global News, January 5, 2024. 

• "Highly mutated COVID variant ‘Pirola’ JN.1 is fueling the pandemic’s second highest U.S. wave—and it’s still growing", Erin Prater, Fortune, January 5, 2024.

• "Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive", WCPT 820 AM Chicago, January 4, 2024.

• "‘Pirola’ JN.1 is the probable future of the COVID pandemic, experts warn—but you didn’t hear it from the WHO", Erin Prater, Fortune, January 4, 2024.

• "A new COVID variant is now dominant in the U.S. Will it cause another massive surge like Omicron?", Nicole Karlis, Salon, December 23, 2023.

• "JN.1, the WHO’s newest ‘variant of interest,’ has spiked COVID wastewater levels to all-time highs in some countries. What you need to know about the ‘Pirola’ offshoot", Erin Prater, Fortune, December 20, 2023.

• "Coronavirus subvariant JN.1 growing fast in US, already dominant in the Northeast", Brenda Goodman, CNN, December 19, 2023.

• "Respiratory viruses are on the rise. Did COVID-19 make us more vulnerable to other illnesses?", Nicole Karlis, Salon, December 14, 2023.

• "Wastewater Is Sending a Warning About Covid-19 This Holiday Season", Sumathi Reddy, Wall Street Journal, December 6, 2023.

• "Forget the ‘tripledemic.’ The U.S. is headed for a ‘syndemic’ this winter—and experts warn we’re not prepared", Erin Prater, Fortune, December 1, 2023.

• "Highly-mutated "Pirola" COVID variant is spreading more rapidly, but vaccines seem to neutralize it", Elizabeth Hlavinka, Salon, December 1, 2023.

• "The World Health Organization is investigating mysterious cases of pneumonia among Chinese children. Here’s what you need to know", Erin Prater, Fortune, November 22, 2023.

• "A Lot of Deer Carry COVID. Should That Worry People?", Andrew Nikiforuk, The Tyee, November 17, 2023.

• "We Interrupt This Mood of Denial to Update COVID’s Threat", Andrew Nikiforuk, The Tyee, November 10, 2023.

• "Has the winter COVID variant arrived? Here's why experts are closely monitoring the JN.1 strain", Elizabeth Hlavinka, Salon, October 29, 2023.

• "From Kraken to Pirola: who comes up with the nicknames for COVID-19 variants?", Linda Geddes, Gavi.org, October 9, 2023.

• "Covid hunters: the amateur sleuths tracking the virus and its variants", Linda Geddes, The Guardian (UK), September 27, 2023.

• "He’s Been Naming Covid Variants. Not Everyone’s Happy.", Brianna Abbott, Wall Street Journal, September 18, 2023.

• "The CDC has approved updated XBB-strain COVID boosters for all Americans ages 6 months and older. They’re expected to hit clinics later this week", Erin Prater, Fortune, September 12, 2023.

• “La situación en la que estamos con el COVID es única en la historia de la humanidad”, Rafa Lopez, Faro de Vigo (Spain), September 10, 2023.

• "‘Pirola’ BA.2.86 may not be a ‘black swan’ event like Omicron, experts say. It’s what could spawn from it that has them worried", Erin Prater, Fortune, September 1, 2023.

• "New COVID variants EG.5, FL.1.5.1 and BA.2.86 are spreading. Here's what to know", Alexander Tin, CBS News, September 1, 2023.

• "COVID cases are rising, and all eyes are on new variant BA.2.86 ‘Pirola.’ Should masks make a comeback?", Erin Prater, Fortune, August 29, 2023.

• "This Fall’s Covid Variant Might Really Be Different", Sumathi Reddy, Wall Street Journal, August 28, 2023.

• "The names for COVID variants are a confusing alphabet soup. Here's why it got so muddled", Elizabeth Hlavinka, Salon, August 28, 2023.

• "Highly mutated COVID variant BA.2.86 ‘Pirola’ has been detected in the U.S. Why the CDC and WHO are monitoring it", Erin Prater, Fortune, August 26, 2023.

• "New COVID variant on the horizon shows virus’ rapid evolution, as new booster nears", Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, August 26, 2023.

• "Latest Covid Wave Driven By Eris (EG.5), But Pirola (BA.2.86) Is Waiting In The Wings", Joshua Cohen, Forbes, August 22, 2023.

• "Everything we know about EG. 5, the Covid subvariant dominating the US as hospitalisations rise", Joe Sommerlad, The Independent (UK), August 21, 2023.

• "A new COVID variant nicknamed "Pirola" is raising global alarm but don't freak out yet", Elizabeth Hlavinka, Salon, August 20, 2023.

• "Everything we know about the EG.5 covid-19 variant and its symptoms", Chen Ly, New Scientist, August 14, 2023.

• "With ‘Eris’ rising and now ‘Fornax,’ when are COVID cases likely to peak again? A look at what may lie ahead for fall and winter", Erin Prater, Fortune, August 11, 2023.

• "What We Know About ‘Eris’ Covid Variant EG.5: The Dominant Strain Driving An Uptick In Cases", Arianna Johnson, Forbes, August 10, 2023.

• "Covid-19:comment de simples «scientifiques citoyens» sont devenus traqueurs de nouveaux variants", Nicolas Berrod, La Parisien (France), August 10, 2023.

• "EG.5 Is Now the Dominant COVID-19 Variant in the U.S.", Claire Bugos, VeryWellHealth, August 9, 2023.

• "WHO designates ‘Eris’ and related COVID strains as variants of interest as infections and hospitalizations tick upward", Erin Prater, Fortune, August 9, 2023.

• "Latest COVID mutation EG.5 seems to be driving a recent surge in cases", Elizabeth Hlavinka, Salon, August 8, 2023.

• "CDC says COVID variant EG.5 is now dominant, including strain some call "Eris"", Alexander Tin, CBS News, August 7, 2023.

• "What to know about COVID Eris: Variant spreading in the UK and US this summer", Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, August 7, 2023

• "EG.5.1 Nicknamed ‘Eris’ Is New Covid-19 Variant Spreading, Monitored By WHO", Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, August 6, 2023.

• "Is the U.S. headed for another ‘tripledemic’ this fall? As COVID cases and hospitalizations rise, experts warn it could happen again", Erin Prater, Fortune, August 4, 2023.

• "Forget the original coronavirus vaccine. Your next booster will tackle the ‘Gryphon’ family of Omicron variants", Lauran Neergaard, Mike Stobbe, and Erin Prater, Fortune, June 16, 2023.

• "China is bracing for a massive new wave of COVID cases. What this means for the rest of the world", Erin Prater, Fortune, May 24, 2023.

• "Covid Health Emergency Over: WHO", Sakal Batt, DD News (India), May 15, 2023.

• "What’s in a name? Group behind SAR-CoV-2 variants’ nicknames hopes to bring science closer to people", Bindu Shajan Perappadan, The Hindu (India),  May 13, 2023.

• "The COVID Conversations", The ReSisters podcast, May 4, 2023.

• "New Variant Arcturus (XBB.1.16) India and the World", WHN Broadcast, May 2, 2023.

• "COVID-19 nicknames get a makeover", Haley Weiss, Time, April 24, 2023.

• "The COVID virus has mutated so much since 2019 that some experts say it should be renamed SARS-CoV-3",Troy Farah, Salon, April 13, 2023.

• "‘Arcturus,’ a highly transmissible COVID variant eyed by the WHO, appears to have a new symptom. Here’s what you need to know", Erin Prater, Fortune, April 10, 2023.

• "‘Arcturus,’ a COVID variant sweeping India, is now in the U.S., the CDC says—and it’s coming in hot. What it means for the future of the pandemic", Erin Prater, Fortune, March 31, 2023.

• "‘Everyone is kind of tired and has given up’ on COVID. But this new variant is ‘one to watch,’ the WHO says", Erin Prater, Fortune, March 31, 2023.

• "The world needs to ‘calm down’ about the risk of a new COVID variant emerging from China, the country’s former CDC chief says", Erin Prater, Fortune, February 9, 2023.

• "Highly contagious 'Kraken' subvariant becoming dominant in Ottawa, spreading exponentially throughout Ontario", Elizabeth Payne, Ottawa Citizen, February 8, 2023. 

• "'It's not about huge peaks anymore': Testing confirms 'Kraken' COVID-19 cases in Guelph, Dufferin, Wellington", Graeme McNaughton, Guelph Mercury Tribune, February 7, 2023.

• "We now face an army of COVID viruses", Andrew Nikiforuk, The Tyee, January 30, 2023.

• "Covid-19: variants Orthos, Kraken… D’où viennent ces «noms de monstres destinés à provoquer la peur»?", Nicolas Berrod, Le Parisien (France), January 28, 2023.

• "¿De dónde provienen los curiosos nombres de los linajes de COVID-19?", Blu Radio (Colombia), January 26, 2023.

• “Ping pong zoonosis”: COVID is spreading from humans to animals and back again", Troy Farah, Salon, January 24, 2023.

• "Kraken w/ T. Ryan Gregory", Death Panel Podcast, January 19, 2023.

• 'Kraken' COVID subvariant could make up nearly 25% of Ontario cases this week", Michael Ranger, CityNews, January 18, 2023.

• "Kraken, basilisk and gryphon: The push to name Omicron variants after monsters", Natassia Chrysanthos, Sydney Morning Herald (Australia), January 16, 2023.

• "When it comes to Covid, a name can be important", Siouxsie Wiles, NZ Stuff (New Zealand), January 16, 2023.

• "【新聞週刊】加拿大科學家檢測航班廢水 監測變種病毒", NTDTV, January 15, 2023.

• "What do we know about new COVID variant XBB.1.5?", Usaid Siddiqui, Al Jazeera English, January 14, 2023.

• "Why no Pi? Variants are still stuck on Omicron even as coronavirus continues to mutate", Brenda Goodman, CNN, January 13, 2023.

• "Kraken, Centaurus, Basilisk: Meet the biologist changing the way we talk about covid-19 variants", William Gittins, Diario AS, January 12, 2023.

• "The ‘Gryphon’ family of COVID variants is spreading globally—but their bark may be a lot worse than their bite", Erin Prater, Fortune, January 12, 2023.

• "The Kraken COVID variant isn’t different enough from other Omicrons to get a Greek letter, WHO official says", Erin Prater, Fortune, January 11, 2023.

• "Covid, ecco chi è l'uomo che inventa il nome alle varianti: "Aiuto le persone a distinguerle e a non avere paura. L’ignoranza genera panico”", Paolo Mastrolilli, La Repubblica (Italy), January 11, 2023.

• "Coronavirus: Kraken, le surnom du dernier descendant d’Omicron. Que sait-on?", Johanne Montay and Sandro Faes Parisi, RTBF (Belgium), January 11, 2023.

• "XBB.1.5 shows we’re thinking about covid variants all wrong. Here’s a better way.", Jonathan Lambert, GRID, January 11, 2023.

• "The COVID conversations", TheReSisters podcast, January 11, 2023.

• "Kraken concern: Waterloo-Wellington public health experts weigh in on new sub-variant", CTV Kitchener, January 10, 2023.

• "Covid, biologo cha ha battezzato 'Kraken': "Preoccupa ma non è l'unica"", Francesco Maggi, ADNKronos (Italy), January 10, 2023.

• "What is Kraken? All we know about renamed Covid variant XBB 1.5", Eleanor Sly, Independent (UK), January 10, 2023.

• "Maybe Don’t Unleash the Kraken", Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, January 9, 2023.

• "‘Kraken’ subvariant name beats ‘alphabet soup’ moniker for XBB.1.5: biologist", Camille Bains, Toronto Star, January 9, 2023.

• "Canadian expert: XBB sub-variant 'very good' at escaping immunity", Wang Mengjie, CGTN, January 7, 2023.

• "What’s with the monster nicknames for COVID variants?", Shaye Ganam, CHED 630 AM Edmonton, January 6, 2023.

• "‘Kraken’ COVID symptoms: What to know about the strain sweeping through the U.S. and now in at least 28 other countries", Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, January 6, 2023.

• "What is known about the XBB.1.5 COVID variant and what's behind the nickname 'kraken'?", Josephine Franks, SkyNews (UK), January 5, 2023.

• "COVID-19: Quebec detects first cases of highly contagious Kraken subvariant", Andy Riga, Montreal Gazette, January 5, 2023.

• "How serious is the threat of new Covid-19 variants?", Donato Paolo Mancini and Clive Cookson, Financial Times, January 5, 2023.

• "Meet the biology professor who named the surging ‘Kraken’ COVID variant. He has more to help make sense of Omicron’s ‘alphabet soup’", Erin Prater, Fortune, January 5, 2023.

• "What is the Kraken COVID variant, and what’s with the monster nicknames?", Joseph Brean, National Post, January 4, 2023.

• "Variant XBB.1.5 du Covid: venu des Etats-Unis, une menace?", Alan Calvez, Linternaute (France), January 4, 2023.

• "The ‘Kraken’ Virus Is Here. What’s the Threat Level?", Andrew Nikiforuk, The Tyee, January 4, 2023.

• "Covid: de futurs variants chinois dangereux ? Les experts entre incertitude et inquiétude", Stéphanie Benz, L'Express (France), December 29, 2022.

• "Flu and RSV arrived earlier and hit harder this year. Could COVID be to blame?", Jessica Bartlett, Boston Globe, December 14, 2022.

• "Does your immune system need a workout? The bad science behind 'immunity debt,' explained", Troy Farah, Salon, December 4, 2022.

• "'Tripledemic' causing new health-care impacts across Canada", Global National, December 4, 2022.

• "No, COVID is not 'airborne AIDS.' But what it does to your immune system is still scary", Troy Farah, Salon, December 2, 2022.

• "Searching for an explanation about why N.M. pediatric hospitals are overflowing", Austin Fisher, Source New Mexico, November 23, 2022.

• "Experts predict "recombinant" COVID strains that blend the worst aspects of multiple variants", Troy Farah, Salon, November 14, 2022. 

• "BQ.1, BQ.1.1, BF.7, and XBB: Why new COVID-19 variants have such confusing names", Jamie Ducharme, Time, November 7, 2022.

• "What If COVID reinfections wear down our immunity?", Andrew Nikiforuk, The Tyee, November 7, 2022.

• "A COVID wave of BQ infections that started in New York has already reached California. It’s about to engulf the rest of the nation, experts say", Erin Prater, Fortune, November 1, 2022.

• "Scientists have their eyes on several ‘Deltacrons’—new COVID variants with the potential to attack the lungs like Delta and spread as easily as Omicron", Erin Prater, Fortune, November 1, 2022.

• "Forget about a single strain: The new COVID calculus is all about viral families", Erin Prater, Fortune, October 29, 2022.

• "Covid-19: le sous-variant BQ1.1 va-t-il causer une nouvelle vague cet hiver?", Stéphanie Benz, L'Express (France), October 25, 2022.

• ""Variant soup": Why this winter’s COVID wave may be different than any previous pandemic phase", Troy Farah, Salon, October 24, 2022.

• "New York’s struggle with the new Omicron variant BQ is trying to tell us something", Erin Prater, Fortune, October 22, 2022.

• "Flu season is off to an early start in the U.S. One group that often avoids the worst of it could get hit hardest", Erin Prater, Fortune, October 21, 2022.

• "The XBB family of Omicron has landed in the U.S. Here’s what it means for this fall’s COVID wave", Erin Prater, Fortune, October 18, 2022.

• "New Omicron COVID-19 subvariants on the rise in U.S., CDC says", Jon Kamp and Brianna Abbott, Wall Street Journal, October 14, 2022.

• "COVID-19: Is SARS-CoV-2 evolving differently after omicron", Taran Kaur, Down to Earth (India), October 12, 2022.

• "The COVID conversations: variants simplified", TheReSisters podcast, October 12, 2022.

• "Avec un virus toujours en évolution, la COVID-19 n’a pas dit son dernier mot", Mélanie Meloche-Holubowski, Radio Canada, October 9, 2022.

• "Covid-19, les nouveaux sous-variants d'Omicron: 'Ils émergent en même temps un peu partout'", Stéphanie Benz, L'Express (France), October 8, 2022.

• "Ask an expert: Why this fall may be different than past for COVID-19 case rates", KCBS San Francisco, October 6, 2022.

• “Ryan Gregory: Evolutionary biology, COVID-19, and viral outbreaks“, Beyond Culture, August 10, 2022.

• "Professor of evolutionary biology says universities should 'lead with empathy' by reinstating mask mandates", Charlie Smith, Straight, July 16 2022.

• “Ontario universities plow ahead with in-person exams amid COVID surge”, Kelly Cutrara, AM 640, April 13, 2022.

• “Ontario universities plow ahead with in-person exams amid COVID surge”, Ghada Alsharif, Toronto Star, April 11, 2022.

• “Ontario’s BA.2 wave”. The Agenda with Steve Paikan, TVO, March 24, 2022.

• "New courses on pandemics are popular with both students and alumni, U of G prof says", CBC News, September 2, 2021.

• "University of Guelph offering course on pandemics this fall", Carl Doran, CityNews Kitchener, July 22, 2020.