Best Anna Rothschild Podcasts (2024)

1
Pandemics Don't Really End 10:58

3y ago10:58

10:58

But podcasts about them do. We're sad to report this is the final episode of PODCAST-19! It's been so rewarding making a show for you over the past year. In this episode, we discuss why we're closing up shop and why pandemics are so hard to beat.By FiveThirtyEight, Anna Rothschild

1
How The CDC's Blindspots Complicated The Fight Against COVID-19 12:35

3y ago12:35

12:35

The CDC wants to be certain, so it typically waits for a critical mass of scientific evidence before making declarative statements. That takes time. Yet the communication to the public in this pandemic seemed to be worse than normal, and resulted in a huge loss of public trust. Over the past month, we spoke to nearly a dozen scientists who all agre…

1
The Lab Leak Commotion 14:17

3y ago14:17

14:17

We have no hard evidence to support the idea that the novel coronavirus was leaked from a lab, let alone a smoking gun to validate that hypothesis. But despite pushback on this story from many scientists and the media early on, it’s back in the news, and many are talking about the possibility of a lab leak. There may be some legitimate reasons to d…

1
Who Should Decide Who Gets To Make COVID-19 Vaccines? 17:42

3y ago17:42

17:42

There's a worldwide shortage of vaccines but plenty of factories standing by to make them. Why is there such a gap between what we need and what we can make? On this week's episode, we explore the surprisingly wild world of pharmaceutical patent law to understand how our system came to be and how it has shaped the pandemic.…

1
How To Make Sure Your Kid Isn't A Superspreader 7:38

3+ y ago7:38

7:38

Kids can't get a COVID-19 vaccination yet, but they're unlikely to develop serious complications from the disease. But they can still be vectors to spread COVID-19 to others who are likely to get very sick. On this week's episode, we look into how big of a risk unvaccinated kids pose to society, and what parents should keep in mind.…

1
You Might Have Given The Coronavirus To Your Cat 12:05

3+ y ago12:05

12:05

We've learned time and again that animals can give diseases to humans. We've seen this happen with coronaviruses, the flu, Ebola -- basically most major disease outbreaks in recent memory. But, of course, the reverse is true too: Humans can give viruses, including the novel coronavirus, to animals. FiveThirtyEight’s senior science writer Maggie Koe…

1
What A Donated Vaccine Can Do 16:12

3+ y ago16:12

16:12

The United States has a surplus of COVID-19 vaccines — more than enough to vaccinate every adult. Poor countries, however, are still struggling to secure doses. Should those vaccines be sent to countries in need? If not, who will do the sending? And should rich countries profit off the exchange?By FiveThirtyEight, Anna Rothschild

1
The Johnson & Johnson Pause Shows The System Is Working 14:19

3+ y ago14:19

14:19

Federal health agencies asked states to pause in their use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine while U.S. officials investigate reports of an extremely rare blood-clotting syndrome that has developed in six people who have received the vaccine. Given how few people are sick, why did the U.S. recommend a pause? And what's it say about how the monitorin…

1
What The Heck Is Going On With AstraZeneca's Vaccine? 15:29

3+ y ago15:29

15:29

The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine has been hailed as the world’s vaccine -- it’s inexpensive to produce and doesn’t need super-cold storage like the mRNA vaccines do. But its rollout has been messy. Will its missteps erode the public's (or the FDA's) trust? Maggie Koerth joins to discuss.By FiveThirtyEight, Anna Rothschild

1
How To Overcome Vaccine Hesitancy 27:30

3+ y ago27:30

27:30

At some point, the U.S. is going to run out of people eager to get the vaccine, and we’ll need to work hard to convert those who are still hesitant or don’t know how to get it. It won’t be the first time we’ve done so. For months, community leaders have been working to overcome transportation challenges, language barriers, and digital divides. We s…

1
The COVID-19 Endemic 22:33

3+ y ago22:33

22:33

On this week's show, we discuss what the endgame of the pandemic will be. It likely isn't herd immunity. And if herd immunity isn't the goal, does that change how people should behave once they're vaccinated? We have a science-backed guide for how to evaluate what's risky and what's safe among the vaccinated.…

1
How Variants Complicate Everything 16:53

3+ y ago16:53

16:53

Coronavirus mutations have complicated our path forward. But that doesn’t mean that our current plan out of the pandemic is futile.By FiveThirtyEight, Anna Rothschild

1
The Ethical Dilemmas Prompted By The Vaccine Rollout 21:07

3+ y ago21:07

21:07

Should you take a leftover vaccine? Should you pass up a vaccine if you think you don't need it as much as someone else does? We talk to bioethicists to get their answers on these questions and more.By FiveThirtyEight, Anna Rothschild

1
What Happens Once You Get An mRNA Vaccine 17:17

3+ y ago17:17

17:17

Anna talks with Dr. Margaret Liu, one of the pioneers of gene-based vaccines, about vaccines that use mRNA to help us build immunity to COVID-19, including the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines. How is this method different from vaccines in the past, and what does the mRNA do once it gets inside our bodies?…

1
Answering All (Or At Least Some) Of Your Vaccine Questions 25:40

3+ y ago25:40

25:40

There are so many questions about a COVID-19 vaccine that we didn't know where to begin. So we began with you! We took to the mailbag to find answers on vaccine availability, immunity, and more.By FiveThirtyEight, Anna Rothschild

1
The Dr. Fauci Holiday Special 16:08

3+ y ago16:08

16:08

On the first day of Christmas, PODCAST-19 gave to me ... an interview with Dr. Fauci. Dr. Anthony Fauci stops by the pod to talk about post-vaccine life, the new variant of the virus in the U.K. and which celebrity he'd like to see vaccinated.By FiveThirtyEight, Anna Rothschild

1
Why Emily Oster Made Her Own COVID-19 Database 20:15

3+ y ago20:15

20:15

Data has been such a valuable commodity during the pandemic. Unfortunately, at times data has been in short supply, because US government agencies haven’t always undertaken national data collection efforts. So what happens when individuals citizens try to collect data themselves? We talk to Professor Emily Oster, who developed a national COVID-19 S…

1
How To Trust That A COVID-19 Vaccine Is Safe 21:14

3+ y ago21:14

21:14

It feels like a cure for this pandemic may be in sight. But for many people, injecting a brand-new scientific discovery into their body won't sit well. So, how are scientists making sure that a COVID-19 vaccine won’t cause more damage than the disease? How do regulators decide what an acceptable side effect is? And what would happen if someone did …

1
There's No Longterm Plan For Long COVID 16:13

4y ago16:13

16:13

Our producer, Sinduja Srinivasan, reports on long COVID, and how our health care system might cope with so many patients with ongoing symptoms.By FiveThirtyEight, Anna Rothschild

1
What To Make Of Pfizer's Big Vaccine Announcement 13:43

4y ago13:43

13:43

This week, Pfizer announced that its coronavirus vaccine may be more than 90 percent effective. Anna and FiveThirtyEight's senior science writer, Maggie Koerth, discuss what we know (and don't know) about about the vaccine.By FiveThirtyEight, Anna Rothschild

1
How To Vote Safely In A Pandemic 21:21

4y ago21:21

21:21

We talk with FiveThirtyEight’s Nathaniel Rakich and Maggie Koerth about how states are trying to make it safe to vote in person this Election Day, and what you should keep in mind as you go to the polls.By FiveThirtyEight, Anna Rothschild

1
Would Biden’s COVID-19 Plan Be Able To Control The Pandemic? 17:54

4y ago17:54

17:54

Joe Biden says he can fight the pandemic better than President Trump. But is his plan really that different? And does it address what experts say needs to be improved upon?By FiveThirtyEight, Anna Rothschild

1
The President Took A Rare Combo Of COVID-19 Drugs. Will It Help? 19:11

4y ago19:11

19:11

After testing positive for COVID-19 last week, President Trump was given the three experimental drugs: an antiviral, monoclonal antibodies, and a steroid. On this week’s episode of PODCAST-19, we discuss what happens when all three drugs are combined and why the average American can't expect to receive the same treatment.…

1
The Significance Of Trump Testing Positive For COVID-19 23:17

4y ago23:17

23:17

Today we learned that President Trump tested positive for COVID-19. In this special crossover episode, the crew from the FiveThirtyEight Politics podcast sat down with senior science writer and Podcast-19 contributor Maggie Koerth to talk about medical implications for the President, and the impact his diagnosis might have on the election.…

1
The New College Experience 18:21

4y ago18:21

18:21

As schools of all levels struggle to find a new way to educate students, universities, in particular, have had a difficult time navigating classes and campus life. On this week's show, we talk to a student navigating quarantined dorm life at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a scientist who helped design a different approach to testing for th…

1
Can We Trust A Vaccine That Gets Approved? 20:38

4y ago20:38

20:38

On this week’s episode of PODCAST-19, we discuss whether the FDA vaccine approval process can withstand political interference and how the agency can reassure the public that everything is working as it should.By FiveThirtyEight, Anna Rothschild

1
Why A Vaccine Trial Would Press Pause 18:24

4y ago18:24

18:24

We discuss the news that AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine trial has been paused because of a severe side effect for one participant, and how temporarily halting a trial can sometimes mean the process is working as intended.By FiveThirtyEight, Anna Rothschild

1
The U.S. Wants Out Of A Global Effort To Stop A Global Pandemic 11:58

4y ago11:58

11:58

The U.S. doesn't want to participate in a global effort to find and distribute a vaccine for COVID-19. Anna talks with FiveThirtyEight senior science writer Maggie Koerth about what that decision might mean for the country and the world.By FiveThirtyEight, Anna Rothschild

1
What's It Going To Take For Us To Become Immune? 31:32

4y ago31:32

31:32

On this week's episode, we explore what it means that people can get reinfected with COVID-19, and how we can still develop immunity to the disease. We also explore why the approach to masks in the Netherlands is so much more lax than in parts of the U.S., even though Holland has done a better job of suppressing COVID-19.…

1
Russia Approved A COVID Vaccine. Will It Be Available In America? 31:52

4y ago31:52

31:52

Russia is the first country in the world to approve a vaccine for COVID-19. To do so, they’ve reportedly sped through multiple steps in the testing process. Judy Twigg, a political scientist from Virginia Commonwealth University, talks about the state of medical research in Russia, and the political implications of this move. Also, we hear about th…

1
PODCAST-19 Has The Week Off! 0:24

4y ago0:24

0:24

We were no match for extreme weather this week, but we'll be back next week!By FiveThirtyEight, Anna Rothschild

1
Lab-Grown Antibodies Might Protect Essential Workers 23:18

4y ago23:18

23:18

This week on Podcast-19, we talk about lab-grown antibodies, called monoclonal antibodies, that could temporarily protect people from COVID-19. How soon might they be available for the public? We also explore the long history of a COVID drug touted as a lifesaver, and learn about an inhalable treatment that might keep coronavirus patients off venti…

1
It's Harder to Get A COVID Test If You're Black Or Hispanic 25:41

4y ago25:41

25:41

Who has access to COVID-19 testing in America? FiveThirtyEight and ABC News uncover some staggering disparities along racial lines. Also on today’s show, what are safe activities these days? Can you take a taxi? Eat outside at a restaurant? Senior Science Writer Maggie Koerth explores COVID’s murky middle. And finally, we check in on our oceans’ hu…

1
When Does A Pandemic Start To Erode Civil Liberties? 29:50

4y ago29:50

29:50

Mask mandates have become a polarizing issue across the country, from Arizona to Georgia. So, where do we draw the line between public health and civil liberties? Also, we talk about air -- how can buildings ensure it's safe to breathe during the pandemic? And finally, some good vaccine news.By FiveThirtyEight, Anna Rothschild

1
Dr. Anthony Fauci Talks With PODCAST-19 28:07

4y ago28:07

28:07

Anna Rothschild interviewed Dr. Anthony Fauci about how the U.S. is doing compared to other countries, how American partisanship has influenced our recovery efforts, and how a COVID-19 vaccine might influence the future of vaccine acceptance in our country.By FiveThirtyEight, Anna Rothschild

1
How To Convince People To Stop A Pandemic 19:54

4y ago19:54

19:54

How do you convey information about the coronavirus in a way that will compel people to change their behavior? As COVID cases rise in Florida, Texas, and Arizona, we look at how psychologists recommend we talk about public health.By FiveThirtyEight, Anna Rothschild

1
Do Masks Actually Work? 20:13

4y ago20:13

20:13

Maggie Koerth and Kaleigh Rogers join the show to discuss the science of face masks, and whether we actually know anything now that we didn't when the pandemic started.By FiveThirtyEight, Anna Rothschild

1
Who Will Be First To Get A COVID Vaccine? 23:30

4y ago23:30

23:30

Creating a vaccine for COVID-19 is just the first step. Policy makers and manufacturers then need to make a lot of it. So, who will be first in line for the immunization?By FiveThirtyEight, Anna Rothschild

1
The Case Of The Bogus Hydroxycholoroquine Study 29:42

4y ago29:42

29:42

A major medical journal reported that hydroxychloroquine harmed COVID patients, but a group of Twitter sleuths uncovered evidence that the paper wasn't what it seemed.By FiveThirtyEight, Anna Rothschild

1
What It's Like To Be A Black Doctor And Nurse Right Now 20:44

4y ago20:44

20:44

Black Americans are facing two crises: a pandemic that has an outsize impact on their community, and decades of police brutality that have sparked protests nationwide.By FiveThirtyEight, Anna Rothschild

1
Is One Coronavirus Strain Worse Than Another? 22:02

4y ago22:02

22:02

Plus, why have Americans retained their trust in science despite protests against its findings? And finally, the good news is poopy news this week.By FiveThirtyEight, Anna Rothschild

1
Why The Death Count Is Almost Certainly Too Low 34:55

4y ago34:55

34:55

One man's story helps show who is going uncounted in the COVID-19 death count. Elsewhere, there's some promising immunity news to share.By FiveThirtyEight, Anna Rothschild

1
How Close Are We To Herd Immunity? 30:02

4+ y ago30:02

30:02

Without a vaccine, just how likely are we to reach herd immunity? Also, we hear some good news about COVID-19 antibodies -both in humans and...llamas?!By FiveThirtyEight, Anna Rothschild

1
How An Army Of Contact Tracers Could Help 29:16

4+ y ago29:16

29:16

Experts say that to fight COVID-19 we need to track every infection. But is it too late? Also, we investigate why the disease is killing more men than women.By FiveThirtyEight, Anna Rothschild

1
Are Coronavirus Antibody Tests Reliable? 30:43

4+ y ago30:43

30:43

And why are some young people getting so sick? Find out on FiveThirtyEight's new COVID-19 podcast.By FiveThirtyEight, Anna Rothschild

1
PODCAST-19: FiveThirtyEight on the Novel Coronavirus 1:26

4+ y ago1:26

1:26

FiveThirtyEight's COVID-19 podcast is laser-focused on evidence. What do we know about the novel coronavirus, and what do we know we don't know? COVID-19 has pushed Americans into more uncertain territory than most have ever known. Our podcast helps listeners understand what they can be certain about, and what is still unknown. We investigate coron…

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