

We Need to Talk About Covid, Part 1
Jan 26, 2022
David Leonhardt, a Senior writer at The New York Times, shares insights on the evolving attitudes toward COVID-19 as the U.S. reaches a turning point. He discusses a recent poll that reveals how Americans, particularly across different age groups and political beliefs, are coming to terms with the pandemic. The conversation highlights the divides between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, the political misjudgments of risk, and the surprising consensus on school closures’ impact on children as society grapples with returning to normal.
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Pandemic Turning Point?
- The pandemic may be at a turning point due to Omicron's contagiousness and mildness.
- Vaccine access has expanded, prompting questions about living with the virus.
Age & Risk Perception
- Older and younger people express similar COVID anxieties, despite older people facing significantly higher risks.
- This surprising finding highlights a disconnect between perceived risk and actual danger.
Politics and Risk
- Political beliefs strongly influence COVID risk perception, more so than demographics.
- Democrats and Republicans, regardless of age, assess risk differently, with Democrats expressing more worry.