Social Distance
Journalists from The Atlantic document the first 15 months of the coronavirus pandemic through regular phone calls. Listen in as Dr. Jim Hamblin, the producer Katherine Wells, and the comedian and the writer Maeve Higgins ask journalists, experts, and friends about the news and science behind the pandemic, get some advice, and learn how to apply it.
1
Presenting: The Review, a new podcast from The ...
Join The Atlantic’s cultural critics and their guests as they go deep, debating the big ideas behind movies, music, and more.
2 min
2
How To Build A Happy Life: A new podcast from T...
The Atlantic's new show on all things happiness, featuring Arthur Brooks
2 min
3
Is It Over?
Though the pandemic continues around the world, the end appears in sight in the United States. At the same time, this episode will mark the last one for Social Distance.
29 min
4
Breakthrough Infections and Lonely Puppies
Things are starting to look up, at least in the U.S., but we're looking ahead at potential future worries
38 min
5
It's Time to Tango
Lots of your questions about the future after COVID-19 get answered, and one listener gives us a little history lesson.
33 min
6
Dealing With Post-Pandemic Trauma
The Atlantic's Ed Yong talks with James Hamblin and Maeve Higgins about the ways, large and small, we've all suffered.
40 min
7
Share the Vaccine 'Recipe'
What difference could the U.S. waiving vaccine patents make around the world?
33 min
8
Long COVID Questions Answered
A long COVID patient and an immunologist help us understand the mysterious condition.
43 min
9
The Consequences of Vaccine Nationalism
While wealthier countries reopen, India and the rest of the world face a terrifying new peak in the pandemic.
34 min
10
When Can I Take Off My Mask?
The rules need to change after vaccination. But carefully.
36 min
11
The Johnson & Johnson Pause
Should the ‘pause’ in Johnson & Johnson vaccine worry us? And with many experiencing strong reactions to their second doses, how should people think about their shots?
36 min
12
We Need to Vaccinate Kids
Children may mostly be spared the worst of COVID-19, but we’re still relying on them to reach herd immunity.
34 min
13
No Shirt. No Shoes. No Shots. No Service.
Vaccine passports are almost certainly in our near future. But what are they exactly? And how should they be implemented?
39 min
14
A History of Pandemic Xenophobia & Racism
A medical historian explains how we got to this point — and where we need to go from here
40 min
15
Have Case Numbers Plateaued?
Alexis Madrigal explains why testing remains important—and why the numbers have begun to worry him despite his longer-term optimism.
39 min
16
It’s Been A Year
What have we learned after a year of the pandemic?
43 min
17
Is One Vaccine ‘Better’ Than Another?
A virologist answers our questions about vaccines, transmission, trials, and more.
39 min
18
Infections, Vaccinations, and Other Questions
Listeners with mild COVID-19 cases call in to ask for Jim’s advice.
32 min
19
‘A Disaster for Feminism’
Why have the economic and psychological stresses of the pandemic hit women harder—and what can we do about it?
37 min
20
A Forever Pandemic
Vaccines are a public good. And if we don’t make a lot more of them, COVID-19 may never really go away.
38 min
21
Can You Get Reinfected?
The Brazil variant raises a scary question — and reminds us that herd immunity needs to cross borders.
47 min
22
Have We Turned the Corner?
Or is it still risky to be optimistic?
36 min
23
Who Gets The Next Shot?
A bioethics expert on the moral questions facing our vaccine rollouts.
35 min
24
Mutations
How bad are the new COVID mutations, really?
37 min
25
How Badly Is Vaccination Going?
Operation Warp Speed pledged to vaccinate 20 million Americans by the end of 2020. We fell far, far short of that. Should we be worried?
37 min