In the Bubble with Andy Slavitt

Reinfections across the country are being driven by an explosion in cases of BA.5, the latest variant of COVID-19. Andy asks Harvard epidemiologist Bill Hanage whether our vaccines and immune systems have a fighting chance, if infections are more severe than other Omicron offshoots, and what we need to do to safely get through the summer and fall. Will those who have managed to avoid the virus for years finally succumb to this wave? Find out. Keep up with Andy on Twitter @ASlavitt. Follow Bill Hanage on Twitter @BillHanage. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.    Support the show by checking out our sponsors! Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/    Check out these resources from today’s episode:  Find vaccines, masks, testing, treatments, and other resources in your community: https://www.covid.gov/ Order Andy’s book, “Preventable: The Inside Story of How Leadership Failures, Politics, and Selfishness Doomed the U.S. Coronavirus Response”: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250770165  Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.  For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com/show/inthebubble.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Demand for air travel is back in a big way, but judging by the rise in delayed and canceled flights it seems like the airline industry got caught flat footed. What’s up? Andy grills United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby on what’s causing all the schedule problems, why he thinks removing the mask mandate was a good decision, and how to cut carbon emissions in the friendly skies. Keep up with Andy on Twitter @ASlavitt. Follow Scott Kirby on Instagram @scottkirby. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.    Support the show by checking out our sponsors! Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/    Check out these resources from today’s episode:  Learn more about United’s Aviate program, a new flight training school aiming for at least half of its trainees to be women or people of color: https://unitedaviate.com/ Find vaccines, masks, testing, treatments, and other resources in your community: https://www.covid.gov/ Order Andy’s book, “Preventable: The Inside Story of How Leadership Failures, Politics, and Selfishness Doomed the U.S. Coronavirus Response”: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250770165  Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.  For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com/show/inthebubble.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With fentanyl deaths at a record high, Andy speaks with two experts about rethinking opioids, overdoses, and addiction. Ed Ternan, a father whose son died from fentanyl poisoning after buying a fake Percocet on Snapchat, explains how fake pills and social media are driving an increase in deaths among teenagers and young adults, while RAND researcher Bryce Pardo provides data and solutions. Keep up with Andy on Twitter @ASlavitt. Follow Ed Ternan and Bryce Pardo on Twitter @Ed27695920 and @brycepardo. Learn more about counterfeit prescription pills and Ed’s story at Song for Charlie here: https://www.songforcharlie.org/ Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.    Support the show by checking out our sponsors! Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/    Check out these resources from today’s episode:  Learn more about Song for Charlie, an organization that raises awareness about fake pills made of fentanyl created by Ed and his wife, Mary, after the death of their son in 2020: https://www.songforcharlie.org/ Find vaccines, masks, testing, treatments, and other resources in your community: https://www.covid.gov/ Order Andy’s book, “Preventable: The Inside Story of How Leadership Failures, Politics, and Selfishness Doomed the U.S. Coronavirus Response”: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250770165  Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.  For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com/show/inthebubble.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Democratic up-and-comer Jason Kander was about to announce his presidential campaign when, in 2018, he revealed that he suffered from PTSD and depression and walked away from politics. Though he felt his career and ambitions were over, he gained the opportunity to heal from trauma he experienced during his time serving in the Afghanistan War. In a sensitive and honest interview, Kander opens up about the traumas he and all of us face in different ways, and how to grow past them. Content warning: this episode includes discussion of suicidal thoughts. Keep up with Andy on Twitter @ASlavitt. Follow Jason Kander on Twitter @JasonKander. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.    Support the show by checking out our sponsors! Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/    Check out these resources from today’s episode:  Order Jason’s book, “Invisible Storm: A Soldier's Memoir of Politics and PTSD”: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/invisible-storm-jason-kander?variant=39935556911138 Learn more about the Veterans Community Project: https://www.veteranscommunityproject.org/ Find vaccines, masks, testing, treatments, and other resources in your community: https://www.covid.gov/ Order Andy’s book, “Preventable: The Inside Story of How Leadership Failures, Politics, and Selfishness Doomed the U.S. Coronavirus Response”: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250770165  Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.  For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com/show/inthebubble.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this Fourth of July holiday, we’re returning to a favorite episode with filmmaker Ken Burns about his latest documentary, “Benjamin Franklin.” When he wasn’t busy taming electricity, Franklin was encouraging inoculations to combat the smallpox pandemic of the 18th century. He bitterly regretted not inoculating his 4-year-old son, Francis, who died from smallpox in 1736. Andy talks to Ken about Franklin’s role during the outbreak, how he balanced his libertarian views with scientific and public health reasoning, and whether Franklin would support a COVID-19 vaccine mandate if alive today. Keep up with Andy on Twitter @ASlavitt. Follow Ken Burns on Twitter @KenBurns. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.    Support the show by checking out our sponsors! Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/    Check out these resources from today’s episode:  Watch Ken Burns' documentary, “Benjamin Franklin”: https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/benjamin-franklin/ Watch this extended scene on inoculation that did not make it into the final film: https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/unum/playlist/innovation#benjamin-franklin-inoculation Order free at-home COVID-19 tests through the USPS: https://special.usps.com/testkits Order Andy’s book, “Preventable: The Inside Story of How Leadership Failures, Politics, and Selfishness Doomed the U.S. Coronavirus Response,” here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250770165  Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.  For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com/show/inthebubble.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With gas prices soaring over $5 a gallon as Americans hit the road this Fourth of July weekend, Andy asks the question on many of our minds: what tradeoffs are we willing to make for relief at the pump? Columbia Climate School Dean Jason Bordoff and Harvard Kennedy School Professor Meghan O’Sullivan go through how different compromises, from deals with Saudi Arabia to gas tax holidays, would affect our pocketbooks, global relations, and the planet. Keep up with Andy on Twitter @ASlavitt. Follow Jason Bordoff and Meghan O’Sullivan on Twitter @JasonBordoff and @OSullivanMeghan. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.    Support the show by checking out our sponsors! Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/    Check out these resources from today’s episode:  Read Jason and Meghan’s article on how to maintain our energy supply while still hitting climate-change goals: https://www.economist.com/by-invitation/jason-bordoff-and-meghan-o-sullivan-on-maintaining-energy-supply/21808312 Find vaccines, masks, testing, treatments, and other resources in your community: https://www.covid.gov/ Order Andy’s book, “Preventable: The Inside Story of How Leadership Failures, Politics, and Selfishness Doomed the U.S. Coronavirus Response”: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250770165  Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.  For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com/show/inthebubble.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As you head out on your summer trips, how often should you and your family test for COVID-19? Andy gets practical advice from epidemiologist and show favorite Dr. Michael Mina along with his eMed colleague Dr. Patrice Harris. Using real life scenarios, they tell you the most informative times to test, explain why some people stay negative while displaying symptoms, and offer an innovative way to test and treat from your home. Keep up with Andy on Twitter @ASlavitt. Follow Dr. Michael Mina and Dr. Patrice Harris on Twitter @michaelmina_lab and @PatriceHarrisMD. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.    Support the show by checking out our sponsors! Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/    Check out these resources from today’s episode:  Learn more about eMed’s at-home test to treat program here: https://www.emed.com/ Find vaccines, masks, testing, treatments, and other resources in your community: https://www.covid.gov/ Order Andy’s book, “Preventable: The Inside Story of How Leadership Failures, Politics, and Selfishness Doomed the U.S. Coronavirus Response”: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250770165  Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.  For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com/show/inthebubble.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special breaking-news edition, Andy helps you understand the impact of yesterday's Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade. As health clinics in several states halt abortion procedures due to the decision, Andy gets reaction and action items from Caitlin Cruz, a reporter from Jezebel who covers reproductive rights; Grace Howard, an expert on reproductive law; and Renee Bracey Sherman, a reproductive justice activist protesting outside the Supreme Court. Find out what the ruling means, where to seek help if you or someone you know is worried they could be prosecuted for their actions, and how to support those in need. Keep up with Andy on Twitter @ASlavitt. Follow Renee Bracey Sherman, Grace Howard, and Caitlin Cruz on Twitter @RBraceySherman, @ProfGraceHoward, and @caitlinrcruz. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.    Support the show by checking out our sponsors! Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/    Check out these resources from today’s episode:  If you need help finding an abortion, head to https://www.ineedana.com/ or https://www.abortionfinder.org/ If you're worried your abortion or pregnancy outcome could be criminalized, go to https://www.reprolegalhelpline.org/ or call their hotline at 844-868-2812. Caitlin and Grace recommend donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds and Keep Our Clinics: https://www.abortionfunds.org and https://keepourclinics.org/ Find vaccines, masks, testing, treatments, and other resources in your community: https://www.covid.gov/ Order Andy’s book, “Preventable: The Inside Story of How Leadership Failures, Politics, and Selfishness Doomed the U.S. Coronavirus Response”: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250770165  Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.  For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com/show/inthebubble.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new study out of England found the risk of Long COVID to be lower with the Omicron variant compared to Delta. That’s good news, but there are some caveats. Andy chats with one of the researchers behind the study, Dr. Claire Steves, who breaks down the risk of Long COVID based on age and vaccination status. Benjamin Mazer joins to discuss why the population of Americans experiencing Long COVID remains largely unseen, and why the amount of quality data from the U.K. on Long COVID far surpasses the U.S. Keep up with Andy on Twitter @ASlavitt. Follow Dr. Claire Steves and Benjamin Mazer on Twitter @DrClaireSteves and @BenMazer. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.    Support the show by checking out our sponsors! Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/    Check out these resources from today’s episode:  Read Claire’s report out England that found the risk of Long COVID to be lower with the Omicron variant compared to Delta: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(22)00941-2/fulltext Read Ben’s piece on why the population of American experiencing Long COVID remains largely unseen: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2022/06/long-covid-chronic-illness-disability/661285/ Find vaccines, masks, testing, treatments, and other resources in your community: https://www.covid.gov/ Order Andy’s book, “Preventable: The Inside Story of How Leadership Failures, Politics, and Selfishness Doomed the U.S. Coronavirus Response”: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250770165  Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.  For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com/show/inthebubble.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andy starts the show with some good news about COVID-19, regarding case numbers, child vaccines, and a new study on long COVID and Omicron. Then, Obama’s former political advisor and Pod Save America host Dan Pfeiffer joins to react to the Jan. 6 hearings and explain why Democrats suck at political messaging. Plus he gives Democrats handy tips to level the political playing field, including how to make politics feel like a righteous adventure. Keep up with Andy on Twitter @ASlavitt. Follow Dan Pfeiffer on Twitter @danpfeiffer. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.    Support the show by checking out our sponsors! Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/    Check out these resources from today’s episode:  Order Dan’s new book, “Battling the Big Lie: How Fox, Facebook, and the MAGA Media Are Destroying America”: https://www.twelvebooks.com/titles/dan-pfeiffer/battling-the-big-lie/9781538707975/ Get your questions about the COVID-19 vaccine for children answered by the American Academy of Pediatrics: https://www.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/covid-19-vaccine-for-children/about-the-covid-19-vaccine-frequently-asked-questions/ Find vaccines, masks, testing, treatments, and other resources in your community: https://www.covid.gov/ Order Andy’s book, “Preventable: The Inside Story of How Leadership Failures, Politics, and Selfishness Doomed the U.S. Coronavirus Response”: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250770165  Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.  For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com/show/inthebubble.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.