Dr. Bob calls up Brown economist Emily Oster to discuss one of the most complicated and controversial issues of the pandemic: what to do about schools. Emily created the COVID-19 School Response Dashboard, a database that indicates that schools aren't a significant source of COVID-19 spread. She also talks about how the school debate ended up getting politicized, what it's like doing real-time data analysis, what elements need to be in place for successful school reopening, and how she’s managed her own kids during the pandemic.

 

Follow Dr. Bob on Twitter @Bob_Wachter and check out In the Bubble’s new Twitter account @inthebubblepod.

 

Follow Emily Oster on Twitter @ProfEmilyOster. 

 

Keep up with Andy in D.C. on Twitter @ASlavitt and Instagram @andyslavitt.

 

In the Bubble is supported in part by listeners like you. Become a member, get exclusive bonus content, ask Andy questions, and get discounted merch at https://www.lemonadamedia.com/inthebubble/ 

 

Support the show by checking out our sponsors!

 

• Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NEJFhcReE4ejw2Kw7ba8DVJ1xQLogPwA/view 

 

Check out these resources from today’s episode: 

 

• Find a link to the COVID-19 School Response Dashboard here: https://covidschooldashboard.com/ 
• Read the CDC’s new guidelines for reopening schools: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/community/schools-childcare/K-12-Operational-Strategy-2021-2-12.pdf
• Pre-order Emily’s latest book, The Family Firm: A Data-Driven Guide to Better Decision Making in the Early School Years:  https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/639450/the-family-firm-by-emily-oster/ 
• Keep up with all of Emily’s work at her website: https://emilyoster.net/ 
• Read more about those advocating to make 3 feet the default distance between people in schools: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/11/12/three-feet-social-distancing-schools-coronavirus/ 
• Check out the CDC report that Bob mentions in today’s episode on the NFL’s response to COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7004e2.htm 
• Learn more about Dr. Bob Wachter and the UCSF Department of Medicine here: https://medicine.ucsf.edu/ 

 

To follow along with a transcript and/or take notes for friends and family, go to www.lemonadamedia.com/show/in-the-bubble shortly after the air date.

 

Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.