John McDermott, The Economist's chief Africa correspondent, discusses Africa's alarming COVID-19 resurgence, particularly in South Africa, where cases are surging to nearly 15,000 daily. He highlights overwhelming healthcare strains and the urgent need for vaccinations. Tamara Gilkes-Bohr delves into America’s reading crisis, examining the effectiveness of phonics over whole language strategies. The conversation also touches on how smartphones are reshaping the film industry, enabling a new generation of filmmakers to thrive independently.