Coronavirus: Ahead of the Curve

In late March, China faced many of the questions America is dealing with today: When and how and where to re-open? That’s when we spoke with a man from Shanghai about how the government was adjusting its response and whether that government should be trusted. The conversation is from March 26, 2020. [Published May 11, 2020].

As Italy loosens its strict, long-running lockdown, tension and anger continue to build. Anna Savino, an American raising a family in northern Italy, re-joins us to discuss the anxious mood in the hard hit country. We spoke April 29, shortly after Italians learned they would soon be able to venture from their homes. (Published May 4, 2020)

Taiwan has more than 23 million people and just six documented deaths from COVID-19. Their singular success continues despite (or maybe because of) close ties to China. American Amanda Mansour explains the remarkable things they've done (and haven't done) to stamp out coronavirus. We spoke on April 7, 2020, which was roughly "Week 9" for Taiwan, though with so few cases it's hard to even place them on a curve. (Published April 27, 2020). [And, yes, Amanda's gym is still open]

Seattle, Washington was the first American city to seriously grapple with COVID-19. What lessons have they learned earlier than the rest of us? And what does it mean to be "Ahead of the Curve" but still connected by national bonds with slower-acting parts of the country? We speak to Zach Geballe, a wine educator, who quickly saw the impact at his soon-shuttered restaurant. We spoke April 6. (Published April 20, 2020)  

On the streets of South Korea, "social distancing" may not be followed very strictly, but that was never the key to their quick squashing of Coronavirus. Instead, at the first hint of trouble, virtually everyone sequestered themselves at home. Stefan Raymond, a Canadian living in South Korea, explains the differences between COVID-19 response in the east and west in this conversation from March 30, 2020. (Publishing April 13, 2020).

Factories close and the rules for personal movement become more specific as Italy enters its sixth week battling COVID-19—which is where the U.S. finds itself today. Anna Savino, an American living in northern Italy, describes the challenges and conflicts of extended home confinement in this conversation from March 22, 2020. (Published April 6, 2020)