The Daily

The Next Year (or Two) of the Pandemic

Apr 20, 2020

In this discussion, Donald G. McNeil Jr., a seasoned science and health reporter for The New York Times, shares insights on the pandemic's future. He unpacks the debate over reopening economies and the importance of a cautious approach, using the 'Hammer and the Dance' metaphor. The challenges of vaccine development and the potential for a dystopian divide based on immunity are also highlighted. McNeil emphasizes the ethical complexities of tracking immunity and discusses public sentiments towards ongoing restrictions amid protests.

24:55

Creator website

Episode guests

Donald G McNeil Jr.

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Episode notes

Intro

2min

Navigating Reopening During a Pandemic

8min

Vaccine Development Challenges

4min

The Dystopian Divide of Immunity

2min

Navigating Immunity and Ethics

8min

Testing, Protests, and Public Sentiment During Pandemic Lockdowns

3min

As President Trump urges states to begin reopening their economies, a debate is raging over when and how to end lockdowns across the country. Our reporter spoke to dozens of public health experts to try to understand our path out of lockdown — and how our world will change in the meantime. Guest: Donald G. McNeil Jr., a science and health reporter for The New York Times. For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily.

Background reading:

While the economy is likely to reopen slowly, there is hope that society will adapt to manage the uncertainty of our new circumstances. Here’s what experts say the next year (or more) will look like.

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