World News: 2022 is here. Better get ready.🗞️

Saturday, January 8

Good morning, friends of The Short List! And Happy 2022! It's John, and I hope the new year has been smooth sailing so far. This week's long reads were chosen to help keep things that way.

If the past week is any indication, 2022 going to be a doozy. Consider three of the stories that drew the most readers:

►The omicron variant continues to disrupt the nation. Record numbers of new COVID-19 cases are being reported, some schools are returning to virtual learning, and tests are in short supply. Doctors are seeing more cases of co-infection, or "flurona." And if you are using a cloth mask, here's why it's vital you switch to ones that offer better protection.

►Washington, D.C., marked one year since the Jan. 6 attack on the US Capitol. ICYMI, USA TODAY interviewed more than 120 members of Congress about their memories of the day. Many of them are anguished about efforts to downplay the riot.

►In a bizarre incident, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown removed his jersey and pads during Sunday's game against the New York Jets and walked off the field, prompting the team to cut ties with him. Brown now claims he left the game because Coach Bruce Arians was pressuring him to play through an ankle injury.

See? There's no telling what messiness and mayhem 2022 has in store. With that in mind, here are stories that look ahead to the coming year with tips and tricks to help you survive the storm.

2022 is here. Better get ready.