How the Omicron variant ignited new battles and changed pandemic politics

The Omicron variant may be showing the first hopeful signs of passing its peak. But the angry politics of Covid-19 are only getting more intense, and given their future electoral implications, look certain to outlast the pandemic itself.

After two years of venomous partisan feuds over the crisis, new battles are springing up all over the country.

A New York state indoor mask mandate is back in effect after an appeals court judge issued a stay on a lower court ruling that struck it down. Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul praised the court for temporarily blocking...