Axios Re:Cap

COVID-19 vaccinations have begun in the U.S., with a New York City nurse on Monday becoming the first recipient outside of clinical trial participants. But some Americans remain skeptical, in part due to perceived political influence. Dan discusses the process, politics and science of COVID-19 vaccinations with Margaret Hamburg, who led the FDA between 2009 and 2015. 

Plus, Axios Codebook author Zach Dorfman joins to discuss the cybersecurity hack that has impacted both the U.S. Treasury and Commerce departments.

America is in the grips of the worst COVID-19 outbreak since the pandemic began, in terms of infections, hospitalizations and deaths. That means testing is now more important than ever before, and will continue to be a key public health tool even after vaccinations begin. Dan digs into the past, present and future of COVID-19 testing with Adam Schechter, CEO of LabCorp., one of the country's two largest testing companies.

Airbnb began trading today on the Nasdaq at a valuation north of $100 billion, which is more than Marriott, Hilton and Expedia combined. Dan digs into the year's largest IPO and how Airbnb has navigated a perilous year for travel and hospitality with company co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky.

Facebook on Wednesday was hit with landmark antitrust lawsuits, with the FTC and 48 states suing to force the company to spin off its Instagram and WhatsApp units. Dan goes deeper in a special pop-up episode, with Axios tech reporters Ashley Gold and Scott Rosenberg.

The market for mental wellness products is booming, as the pandemic has gotten on just about everyone's last nerve. Dan digs in with Michael Acton Smith, co-founder and co-CEO of meditation app Calm, about how mental wellness differs from mental health, the B2B of mental wellness and those election night ads on CNN. 

For over a year, Axios has been investigating a suspected Chinese intelligence operative who cultivated extensive ties with local and national U.S. politicians, including a sitting congressman.

Today, we present a special episode: the story of the alleged intelligence operation, which offers a rare glimpse into the lengths Beijing will go to access U.S. political circles.

Guests: Axios' Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian, Axios Codebook author Zach Dorfman of the Aspen Institute, former Cupertino, CA mayor Gilbert Wong, former CIA intelligence official Rodney Faraon and Alameda County chief-of-staff Shawn Wilson.

Credits: This story was edited by Alison Snyder, Scott Rosenberg and Sara Goo. This special podcast episode was produced by Dan Bobkoff and Carol Wu and mixed by Alex Sugiura. Special thanks to Mike Allen, Qian Gao and Naomi Shavin.

Go deeper:

• Exclusive: Suspected Chinese spy targeted California politicians

Nearly nine months since the CARES Act became law, ensuring that an economic recession didn't become a depression, Congress is finally close to a successor bill. Dan digs into the negotiations, and what took so long, with Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, which has taken the lead in crafting new legislation.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is reviewing two emergency use authorization requests for COVID-19 vaccines, with an outside advisory committee scheduled to meet next Thursday to review data from Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech. Dan digs in with former FDA commissioner Rob Califf, who talks about the EUA process, the science and who should make the final call. Plus, Axios media reporter Sara Fischer joins to discuss the future of theatrical releases.

America yesterday lost 2,762 people to COVID-19, per the CDC, bringing the total pandemic toll in the U.S. to 272,525. That's more than the population of Des Moines, Iowa. Or Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Or Toledo, Ohio. Dan speaks with Alex Goldstein, creator of the @FacesofCOVID Twitter account, about telling the stories behind the statistics.

General Motors this week slammed the brakes on a deal with electric truck company Nikola, but it doesn’t matter much for GM’s longer-term electric ambitions. Dan discusses the company’s investments in charging infrastructure, battery technology and new models with Ken Morris, GM’s VP for autonomous and electric vehicles.