Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing: Your 15-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East, and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday.

Today’s panel comprises health reporter Nathan Jeffay and United States correspondent Jacob Maggid, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

Jeffay updates with new studies and research on the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, including the use of regular household aspirin in fending off a serious infection. Likewise, Jeffay explains why testing sewage could be the answer for countries that don't have the vaccine, or are worried about resistant variant strains.

Maggid recently arrived in Israel from New York. Now that he's out and about in Tel Aviv, he describes the differences he's seeing in terms of behavior and vaccination rates between the two major cities.

The US and Israel are holding a first strategic meeting on Iran today. Maggid explains its significance.

Finally, Maggid gives a teaser for his in-depth feature on the rise of American spin doctors and pollsters who are helping Israeli politicians run their election campaigns.

Discussed articles include:

Aspirin may protect against COVID-19, Israeli research finds

Full vaccine effect only kicks in 15 days after second dose, Israeli HMO says

Tweaked Israeli sewage test can check spread of coronavirus variants

Hadassah hospital said to furlough 80 workers who haven’t taken COVID shots

Israel and US to convene 1st strategic group meeting on Iran

Tippecanoe and Lapid too: US pollsters import American-style campaigns to Israel

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PHOTO: This August 23, 2018 file photo shows an arrangement of aspirin pills in New York. (AP Photo/Patrick Sison, File)

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