Two Scientists on the Threat of Viruses Worldwide

Robert Shope, Co-chair of the Committee on Emerging Microbial Threats to Health. Shope is also a physician and professor of epidemiology at the Yale University School of Medicine, and was part of the team that identifyied the virus that caused Lyme disease. Terry will talk with him about a new virus strain discovered in the Southwest.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shuttered schools and businesses and altered life across the globe, but journalist Alexis Madrigal says comprehensive, rapid testing might be the key to a safe reopening. For his latest article for the Atlantic, Madrigal talked with public health experts, including Harvard epidemiologist Michael Mina, who cite the potential benefits of widespread testing for the virus with a simple, at-home saliva test that uses a paper strip similar to a home pregnancy test.

"Since the very first day of this pandemic, I don't think [we've been] in a more confused position about what's happening," epidemiologist Michael Osterholm says. "We just aren't quite sure what [the coronavirus is] going to do next."
Osterholm is the founder and director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.