The Biden administration said this week that it would end the public health emergency for Covid, a sign that federal officials believe that the pandemic has moved into a new, less dire phase.The move carries both symbolic weight and real-world consequences for millions of Americans.Guest: Apoorva Mandavilli, a science and global health reporter for The New York Times.Background reading: The end of the public health emergency, planned for May, will bring about a complex set of policy changes and signals a new stage in the government’s pandemic response.Among the effects of the change, access to tests and treatment will be more complicated.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Apoorva Mandavilli, a science and global health reporter for The New York Times, explains the recent US government recommendation for annual COVID vaccines, including the need for booster shots. They discuss the challenges in collecting precise COVID-19 data and the downplaying of the pandemic. The risk level of COVID-19 compared to the flu and RSV is explored, and the importance of mask-wearing in specific circumstances is highlighted. Lastly, they cover the availability of a new COVID vaccine, brain cell research, natural disasters, and the impeachment inquiry against President Biden.

This winter, three major respiratory viruses — respiratory syncytial virus or R.S.V., the flu and the coronavirus — are poised to collide in the United States in what some health officials are calling a “tripledemic.”What does this collision have to do with our response to the coronavirus pandemic, and why are children so far the worst affected?Guest: Apoorva Mandavilli, a science and global health reporter for The New York Times.Background reading: Most cases of Covid, flu and R.S.V. are likely to be mild, but together they may sicken millions of Americans and swamp hospitals, public health experts warned.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Apoorva Mandavilli, a science and global health reporter for The New York Times, talks about the failed negotiations for a global pandemic plan. The disparities in vaccine access between wealthy and poor nations are explored. The challenges faced in securing vaccine access for low-income countries are highlighted. The importance of timely and affordable access for these countries to prevent being left behind is emphasized.

Apoorva Mandavilli, a science and health journalist for The New York Times, discusses the H5N1 bird flu outbreak, dubbed an 'existential threat' to biodiversity. She outlines how the virus is impacting wildlife and the potential risks to human health. Mandavilli highlights the role of environmental degradation and industrial agriculture in exacerbating this crisis. Furthermore, she critiques U.S. pandemic response measures and underscores the urgent need for improved monitoring and vaccination strategies to combat this adaptable virus.

In mid-June, cases of monkeypox were in the double digits in the United States. There were drug treatments and vaccines against it. There didn’t seem to be any reason for alarm.But in the weeks since, the virus has spread rapidly across the country, with some local and state officials declaring public health emergencies.Guest: Apoorva Mandavilli, a science and global health reporter for The New York Times.Want more from The Daily? For one big idea on the news each week from our team, subscribe to our newsletter. Background reading: Longstanding weaknesses in the American public health system are giving monkeypox a chance to become entrenched.Here are answers to three pressing questions about how the virus spreads and how it can be treated.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new data that showed around 60 percent of Americans — more than half of adults and three quarters of children — have now been infected with the coronavirus. But herd immunity looks likely to remain elusive, and many people are still at high risk from Covid-19.What do the C.D.C. figures mean for immunity in the United States, and for the future of the pandemic?Guest: Apoorva Mandavilli, a science and global health reporter for The New York Times.Want more from The Daily? For one big idea on the news each week from our team, subscribe to our newsletter. Background reading: Sixty percent of Americans, including 75 percent of children, had been infected with the coronavirus by February — another remarkable milestone in a pandemic that continues to confound expectations.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

More than two years into the pandemic, coronavirus infections are surging in China and nations in Europe. The reason: BA.2, a highly contagious version of the Omicron variant.At the same time, the United States is doing away with a number of pandemic restrictions, with mask mandates ending and businesses no longer requiring proof of vaccination from customers.We explore what these BA.2 surges look like and ask whether the U.S. is ready for a new wave of Covid cases.Guest: Apoorva Mandavilli, a science and global health reporter for The New York Times.Have you lost a loved one during the pandemic? The Daily is working on a special episode memorializing those we have lost to the coronavirus. If you would like to share their name on the episode, please RECORD A VOICE MEMO and send it to us at thedaily@nytimes.com. You can find more information and specific instructions here.Background reading: Another Covid surge may be coming, and some scientists are warning that the U.S. isn’t doing enough to prevent it from endangering vulnerable Americans and upending lives.Many epidemiologists suspect that BA.2 may reverse the decline of cases in the United States. Here’s what we know so far about the variant. Want more from The Daily? For one big idea on the news each week from our team, subscribe to our newsletter. For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Apoorva Mandavilli, a science and global health reporter at the New York Times, delves into the post-pandemic public health landscape. She discusses the current public apathy towards COVID-19 vaccinations despite rising cases and emerging threats like mpox and bird flu. Mandavilli critiques the lack of proactive measures and the persistence of summertime COVID-19 surges. The conversation also highlights vaccine hesitancy fueled by political factors and the significance of addressing gaps in healthcare access to better manage infectious disease outbreaks.

Apoorva Mandavilli, a science and global health reporter for the New York Times, dives deep into the lessons we've glossed over since the pandemic. She discusses the alarming public apathy towards rising COVID-19 cases and the emerging threats of bird flu and mpox. Misconceptions about COVID's endemic status and skepticism about vaccines also take center stage. Mandavilli emphasizes the importance of learning from past crises to better prepare for inevitable future pandemics. It's a stirring reminder of the need for vigilance and proactive public health measures.