Reopening America

The loss of smell and taste that people experience is one of the most common symptoms of COVID-19. For some, it can come back quickly enough, but then steps in a distortion of those familiar smells. Months later people can have this lingering effect leading them to try anything to get it back. One of the techniques that people are using to re-train their brains is called smell training. Brittny Mejia, reporter at the LA Times, joins us for more. 

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There is only one airline left where you can book a flight with no one in the middle seat, at least until the end of April, and that is on Delta. Despite a pandemic, most people just want the cheapest fare possible and Delta has even lost money with this plan, but they feel like they are building up some goodwill when business travelers come back. Scott McCartney, Middle Seat columnist at the WSJ, joins us for more.

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Amid some early stumbles and lack of doses hampering the rollout of vaccines, we are seeing hesitancy and skepticism by many health-care workers who are refusing their doses. Many cite the speed at which they were developed and for others it is a trust problem, distrust of the government and even the health care systems they work for. Dhruv Khullar, practicing physician and contributor to The New Yorker, joins us for why so many health care workers are resisting the Covid vaccine.

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A recent study has shown that the U.K. coronavirus variant is indeed rapidly spreading through the U.S. and supports a CDC forecast that it could be the dominant strain here by late March. The good news is that cases and hospitalizations are going down, but experts are worried that the easing of restrictions by some states might let this more transmissible strain continue to take hold. Joel Achenbach, science reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more on the spread of Covid variants.

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With the current state of the coronavirus pandemic, it seems that the virus is here to stay for the long term. It is easily transmissible, we have new strains, and it will still take time to vaccinate the world. While we may not have the most restrictive measures in place forever, it will eventually be endemic, something we learn to live with and it will also mean big business. Think testing, ventilation for schools and businesses, and masking. Drew Hinshaw, senior reporter at the WSJ, joins us for why covid is here to stay.

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The pandemic has disrupted our lives in many ways including our social lives and friendships, and has possibly erased an entire category of friends we once enjoyed. People that may not be in our inner circle, but acquaintances, friends you see while watching sports, even co-workers you don’t see as much anymore. Amanda Mull staff writer at The Atlantic, joins us for why these types of friendships are vital and the deeper appreciation we have for them after the pandemic.

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When it comes to women in the workforce during the pandemic, the numbers don’t tell the full story. Since the pandemic began, women have lost $5.4 million jobs, and nearly 2.1 million women have left the workforce entirely. There are many reasons why women have been squeezed out, but one thing is sure, the effects will be long lasting. Angela Garbes, contributor to The Cut and author of “Like a Mother,” joins us for more.

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The vaccines are the world's biggest hope for getting the coronavirus pandemic under control, but for those that do get COVID-19, we have come a long way in being able to treat some of the most severe infections. Antibody treatments might be some of the most promising as they help the immune system recognize the virus and fight back. There are also antiviral and steroid drugs that can help keep the virus at bay and immune system in check. Claire Maldarelli, associate editor at Popular Science, joins us for the best Covid treatments available.

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There is a lot of concern about the coronavirus variants floating around, especially as we are making a hard push to get as many people vaccinated as we can. One of the big questions with all of this is why are these different strains emerging now? One answer to this is time. The virus has always been mutating since the beginning and these variants can be a response to increasing herd immunity, response to treatments, and evolutionary changes due to the time it has been circulating. Brian Resnick, senior science reporter at Vox, joins us for more on the Covid variants.

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Mass vaccination sites will soon be common around the country as states try to boost the number of people that are vaccinated. Pharmacies and pop-up sites will also play important roles, but most people will get their shots at one of these big centers. At this stage in the rollout, most of these sites will be hampered by the lack of available doses and logistical challenges. Elizabeth Weise, national correspondent at USA Today, joins us for more.

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