Episode
The ‘Tripledemic’ Explained
25:36
Published: Tue Nov 22 2022
Description
This winter, three major respiratory viruses — respiratory syncytial virus or R.S.V., the flu and the coronavirus — are poised to collide in the United States in what some health officials are calling a “tripledemic.”What does this collision have to do with our response to the coronavirus pandemic, and why are children so far the worst affected?Guest: Apoorva Mandavilli, a science and global health reporter for The New York Times.Background reading: Most cases of Covid, flu and R.S.V. are likely to be mild, but together they may sicken millions of Americans and swamp hospitals, public health experts warned.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Chapters
The colliding of RSV, the flu, and COVID-19 this winter in the U.S. has caused health officials to name it a tripedemic, with the worst impacts being on children.
00:00 - 01:29 (01:29)
Summary
The colliding of RSV, the flu, and COVID-19 this winter in the U.S. has caused health officials to name it a tripedemic, with the worst impacts being on children.
EpisodeThe ‘Tripledemic’ Explained
PodcastThe Daily
The common cold is causing a high amount of hospitalizations and illnesses in young children due to respiratory viruses such as RSV, causing a lot of fear and distress for parents.
01:29 - 06:13 (04:44)
Summary
The common cold is causing a high amount of hospitalizations and illnesses in young children due to respiratory viruses such as RSV, causing a lot of fear and distress for parents.
EpisodeThe ‘Tripledemic’ Explained
PodcastThe Daily
RSV, a virus that typically is not a cause of concern, has been supercharged by the pandemic due to the lack of exposure children had to viruses while in quarantine, which has led to high levels of transmission and a potentially dangerous situation for children.
06:13 - 13:14 (07:01)
Summary
RSV, a virus that typically is not a cause of concern, has been supercharged by the pandemic due to the lack of exposure children had to viruses while in quarantine, which has led to high levels of transmission and a potentially dangerous situation for children.
EpisodeThe ‘Tripledemic’ Explained
PodcastThe Daily
The timing and severity of this year's flu season has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with some unseasonal occurrences of the flu and RSV.
13:14 - 16:29 (03:14)
Summary
The timing and severity of this year's flu season has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with some unseasonal occurrences of the flu and RSV. COVID-19 might affect the flu indirectly, through measures like social distancing, but there's not enough data to say for certain.
EpisodeThe ‘Tripledemic’ Explained
PodcastThe Daily
With the flu, COVID-19, and RSV all expected to surge in the winter, experts predict that hospitals and healthcare systems may be overwhelmed with critically ill patients.
16:29 - 23:18 (06:48)
Summary
With the flu, COVID-19, and RSV all expected to surge in the winter, experts predict that hospitals and healthcare systems may be overwhelmed with critically ill patients. However, adopting preventative measures such as wearing masks, avoiding indoor crowds, and washing hands can serve as protection against the viruses.
EpisodeThe ‘Tripledemic’ Explained
PodcastThe Daily
Dave Phillips interviewed Richard Fierro, a US Army veteran, who confronted a gunman in a LGBTQ club in Colorado Springs, ultimately ending a rampage and helping to save lives.
23:18 - 25:39 (02:20)
Summary
Dave Phillips interviewed Richard Fierro, a US Army veteran, who confronted a gunman in a LGBTQ club in Colorado Springs, ultimately ending a rampage and helping to save lives. The gunman has been charged with murder and hate crimes following the shooting.