Babbage: Omicron and on

11/30/21 • 28 min

1 Listener

Countries are scrambling to stop the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. We search for scientific clues to understand how it will shape the pandemic. Professor Sharon Peacock, one of the world’s top variant hunters, predicts Omicron will be more transmissible than previous strains. And, will Omicron supplant the Delta variant globally? Correspondent Hal Hodson looks to immunology for answers.

Alok Jha hosts, with The Economist’s health policy editor, Natasha Loder and deputy editor, Edward Carr.

We would love to hear from you—please take a moment to complete our listener survey at economist.com/babbagesurvey.

To keep up-to-date with our coverage of the Omicron variant, go to economist.com/omicron.

For full access to The Economist’s print, digital and audio editions subscribe at economist.com/podcastoffer and sign up for our weekly science newsletter at economist.com/simplyscience.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alok Jha hosts, with The Economist’s health policy editor, Natasha Loder and deputy editor, Edward Carr.

We would love to hear from you—please take a moment to complete our listener survey at economist.com/babbagesurvey.

To keep up-to-date with our coverage of the Omicron variant, go to economist.com/omicron.

For full access to The Economist’s print, digital and audio editions subscribe at economist.com/podcastoffer and sign up for our weekly science newsletter at economist.com/simplyscience.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

Babbage: Reservoir dogs

The coronavirus could be lurking in many species of animals, according to a new report. We analyse the implications for human health. Also, what is the relationship between an unbalanced gut microbiome and autism? And, the father of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy died this month. Aaron Beck’s daughter, the psychiatrist Judith Beck, tells us how her father turned the world of psychiatry upside down. Kenneth Cukier hosts.

We would love to hear from you—please take a moment to complete our listener survey at economist.com/babbagesurvey.

For full access to The Economist’s print, digital and audio editions subscribe at economist.com/podcastoffer and sign up for our weekly science newsletter at economist.com/simplyscience.

Additional audio used with permission from the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

Babbage: Goodbye darkness, my old friend

Thousands of satellites are being propelled into low-Earth orbit to provide internet access. Host Alok Jha investigates the impact on astronomy, as companies such as SpaceX multiply their constellations. What can be done to protect the night sky?

We would love to hear from you—please take a moment to complete our listener survey at economist.com/babbagesurvey.

For full access to The Economist’s print, digital and audio editions subscribe at economist.com/podcastoffer and sign up for our weekly science newsletter at economist.com/simplyscience.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.