TWiV 929: Empathyology with Andy Slavitt

August 21, 2022

Andy Slavitt joins TWiV to discuss his book, Preventable and how failures in leadership, politics, and selfishness doomed the U.S. response to SARS-CoV-2.

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, Kathy Spindler, and Brianne Barker

Guest: Andy Slavitt

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Download TWiV 929 (72 MB .mp3, 120 min)
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Weekly Picks 1:41:38

Dickson – Best big band #5: 1. Glenn Miller’s Orchestra -1940-1944: Signature song: In The Mood. Signature album: An Album Of Outstanding Arrangements
BrianneCross-stitched Microbes
Kathy – Time trials for bottle emptying
AlanMeow Parlor
VincentVIRUS x1,000,000 (2022) by Drew Berry wehi.tv

Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees

Send your virology questions and comments to twiv@microbe.tv

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4 comments on “TWiV 929: Empathyology with Andy Slavitt

  1. I listen to TWIV and always have had since the start. Virology may be a hobby but it is one that I enjoy. I may be no scientist by their estimation but I love learning.

  2. The problem with conveying the message to the masses seems to be the limited time or mental capacity of people. They like to think in “yes” and “no” categories. And if a term like “immunity” comes along, they understand “full protection”, not just resistance to a certain degree. It has never before been an issue of amount of protection. Vaccines like against Measles, Polio or Diphtheria were never questioned because they only deliver X% protection, but suddenly a number was put on it and in addition a distinction between infection and disease was made. That seems to be a concept, people cannot or do not want to wrap their head around. So when their expectations are not met (from what they understood was communicated), they get disappointed or even lash out against that evil science.

    I did not quite understand Dickson’s argument about why the preventers can’t also be the controllers/containers in case of an outbreak. Isn’t containment just the prevention of spread? Sounds like a perfect task for preventers.

    And the comparison of anything to immunology in terms of complexity is always good for a laugh, good one, Brianne.

  3. Peter Aug 23, 2022

    Yes, Alan, if you could only go back in time and tell the who … As a long time listener, that is the funniest thing in this podcast!

  4. Peter Aug 23, 2022

    Kathy, I go for method 2: it would take longer than 4 second to get the straw.