Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso

The Michael Lewis Story

May 16, 2021
Michael Lewis, best-selling author of iconic books like Moneyball and The Big Short, dives into the missteps of U.S. pandemic responses and the systemic issues behind them. He reflects on his 2019 premonition that drove him to write The Premonition and shares insights from covering President Obama. Lewis reveals how trust in journalism is built through shared experiences and discusses the role of luck in his career. With a poetic nod to his high-school coach, he emphasizes the importance of understanding the stories of others.
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INSIGHT

Why The U.S. Performed Poorly

  • The U.S. failed at COVID despite resources because public-health response is fragmented and under-resourced.
  • The CDC morphed from battlefield command to academic caution, delaying action until data feels ironclad.
INSIGHT

The 1976 Lesson That Changed CDC

  • A 1976 swine-flu response shaped CDC behavior by punishing overreaction and politicizing leadership.
  • That shift turned CDC chiefs into short-term political appointees, increasing risk aversion and political sensitivity.
INSIGHT

How 2009 Shaped Future Caution

  • The 2009 H1N1 response taught institutions to err on caution and avoid commotion, a lesson that backfired in 2020.
  • A cautious first step can become an institutional memory that underreacts when swift, bold action is needed.
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