How does the pandemic end?

Now that nearly 60 percent of the US population is fully vaccinated, Dylan, German, and Jerusalem discuss potential exit strategies for policies such as mask mandates and mandatory quarantines. They also talk about what an “endemic” Covid might be like in the US and which aspects of pandemic life might stick around. Finally, they discuss how better access to mental health care could affect crime.

References:

Mandate the vaccines, not masks

The case for ending school mask mandates at the end of the year

The case for keeping mask mandates

Emily Oster on kids and masks

The Black Death and its Consequences for the Jewish Community in Tàrrega

Against “deep cleaning” surfaces for COVID

Vaccines are coming along for children under 5

Do booster shots make vaccinating the world harder?

White paper of the week: Better access to outpatient psychiatric care reduces crime

Cognitive-behavioral therapy reduced crime in Liberia

Hosts:

Dylan Matthews (@dylanmatt), senior correspondent, Vox

German Lopez (@germanrlopez), senior correspondent, Vox

Jerusalem Demsas (@jerusalemdemsas), policy reporter, Vox

Credits:

Sofi LaLonde, producer & engineer

Libby Nelson, editorial adviser

Amber Hall, deputy editorial director of talk podcasts

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