Ground Truths Mike Osterholm & Eric Topol - Discuss “The Big One” book
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Sep 3, 2025 This discussion features Mike Osterholm, an esteemed infectious disease epidemiologist and director at CIDRAP, as he dives into pandemic preparedness. Topics include a gripping fictional scenario of a potential SARS-3 outbreak and the lessons learned from COVID-19. They unpack viral transmission dynamics, particularly common misconceptions about airborne spread. The conversation also covers the complexities of public health mandates and the critical need for global vaccine access, underscoring the importance of maintaining public trust and accountability in health responses.
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Real Risk Of A More Dangerous Coronavirus
- A coronavirus combining high transmissibility with high severity (SARS-like + COVID-like) is realistic and already observed in nature.
- Such a 'virus with wings' could spread worldwide fast and become catastrophic if unprepared.
Airborne Transmission Is Central
- Airborne/aerosol transmission explains many puzzling spread patterns and invalidates simple 'six-foot' rules and plexiglass barriers.
- Properly fitted N95 respirators provide strong two-way protection in shared indoor air for extended periods.
Stadium Measles Showed Long-Range Spread
- At the Minnesota Special Olympics opening night, a single measles case infected attendees 420 feet away due to stadium airflows.
- That outbreak illustrated long-range aerosol spread skipping nearby seats.
