Pandemic: COVID-19 Maxfield Rivers

With news coverage almost exclusively covering nurses and doctors on the front lines of COVID-19, the stories of people who care for victims after they're gone can be neglected. In this episode, Dr. Judy Melinek and Dr. David Penepent talk about their experiences during this pandemic as a forensic pathologist and a mortuary services professor, respectively.

A vaccine is at least 18 months away, and there are still a lot of questions regarding the process of making one, and whether it'll even work. Dr. Rachel Roper, who studied SARS back in 2003, answers my questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. And if you find the ending of this episode a little uncertain, it's supposed to be - the future is uncertain too.

Taking a moment to consider and appreciate the world of music and the arts, to provide some peace. Craig Hella Johnson talks about the role of artists in this time, how art could change after this, and what we can learn from our current situation. Includes Craig singing "Will There Really Be a 'Morning'?"

COVID-19 is not an equal opportunity disease. It can infect anyone, but African-Americans and other people of color are at higher risk for life-threatening complications. Dr. Marjorie Innocent of the NAACP explains why.

What are some of the worst effects of this recession, and how do we get out of it? Where is the money for stimulus packages coming from? How long will this last, and where do we go from here? Dr. Louise Sheiner from the Brookings Institution answers these questions and more.

COVID-19 can be incredibly anxiety-inducing. Mindfulness meditation is a proven way to decrease anxiety. Dr. Heidemarie Laurent and I delve into the practice, why it works, and how to cultivate a habit of calm.