What Next Plus

The problem with the news right now? It’s everywhere. And each day, it can feel like we’re all just mindlessly scrolling. It’s why we created What Next. This short daily show is here to help you make sense of things. When the news feels overwhelming, we’re here to help you answer: What next? Look for new episodes every weekday morning.

News
1576
Seasick: How the Coronavirus Upended the Navy
“Military readiness” is no match for COVID-19.
24 min
1577
Why COVID-19 Hits Black America Hardest
Chicago’s mayor says the numbers are “breathtaking.”
25 min
1578
The Fight Over Wisconsin’s Election
Partisanship plus the coronavirus means chaos.
24 min
1579
Where Social Distancing Is Impossible
“The virus doesn’t move at the pace of government.”
23 min
1580
TBD | Risking Your Life for $8.71
While much of the country shelters indoors, Instacart workers have found themselves on the front lines of COVID-19. Who’s keeping them safe?
18 min
1581
Jerry Falwell Jr. vs. the Coronavirus
Liberty University’s Trumpian response to the coronavirus.
20 min
1582
Should You Be Wearing a Mask?
A simple question with a complex answer.
19 min
1583
“It’s Every Man for Himself”
How one Florida mayor is trying to protect her city from COVID-19.
22 min
1584
What New York City Did Wrong
Health experts and politicians looked for a definitive sign that this outbreak would be serious. It came too late.
23 min
1585
TBD | Where Are All the Tests?
Here’s why America isn’t ready for widespread testing.
22 min
1586
When Your Doctor Gets COVID-19
A shortage of protective equipment leaves doctors exposed. What happens when they get sick?
25 min
1587
Does 1918 Even Apply Here?
There’s a pattern to most historic pandemics. Coronavirus might be different.
19 min
1588
How to Hold an Election During a Pandemic
COVID-19 will test our election infrastructure like never before.
25 min
1589
Can Congress Save the Economy?
A nearly $2 trillion dollar coronavirus rescue package hangs in the Senate’s balance.
18 min
1590
WN TBD: Big Tech Eyes the Pandemic
Silicon Valley’s biggest players have been trying to break into health care for years. The coronavirus may provide an opportunity.
20 min
1591
Italy's Message From the Future
“Did you think you were invincible? Did you think the virus would behave in a different way in America?”
18 min
1592
How Long This Could Last
The woman who used to advise the White House on pandemic preparedness tells us what to expect.
19 min
1593
We Still Have to Talk About Elizabeth Warren
This one hurts.
18 min
1594
Can Our Economy Handle This?
Congress is dithering while the Fed tries to prevent a financial disaster.
20 min
1595
An ER Doctor Prepares for the Worst
Hospitals are bracing for a surge in coronavirus cases, even as tests remain elusive.
15 min
1596
WN TBD: What If They Close All the Schools?
As the coronavirus spreads across the country, many schools are considering moving their classes online. For many, that’s not a realistic option.
15 min
1597
If Prisoners Could Vote
People behind bars weigh in on American politics.
22 min
1598
What the World Left Behind in Syria
Assad’s latest violent attempt to wrest control over the country has left millions of displaced Syrians with nowhere to go.
22 min
1599
Will the Coronavirus Tank the Economy?
A combination of volatile oil markets and the coronavirus could spell trouble.
20 min
1600
Donald Trump Wants Your Digits
The 2020 election will be decided, in part, by who can collect the most data.
22 min